Press Release

The much anticipated Sunway-Oxbridge Essay competition is now back for the 7th year, offering more than RM 200,000 worth of Sunway bursaries, cash and Sunway PALS points.

Like the preceding years, Sunway-Oxbridge Essay Competition calls for submissions of original English writing from secondary school students. This year, the competition will explore the idea and theme of ‘integrity’.

The Sunway-Oxbridge Essay Competition aims to equip secondary-level students with skills such as English proficiency, critical reasoning, creativity, as well as emotional intelligence that will prepare them for their future. Every secondary-level students of Malaysia are entitled to partake in the 7th Sunway-Oxbridge Essay Competition, except for those who are using an international syllabus. The essay competition is the longest-running and most popular of its kind in the country.

“Since 2014, Sunway has worked with the Ministry of Education and The Oxford and Cambridge Society of Malaysia to bring this essay competition across Malaysia in a cohesive goal to elevate the standard of English amongst secondary school students,” said Sunway Group Deputy Executive Chairman and Jeffrey Cheah Foundation trustee Tan Sri Datuk Seri Razman M. Hashim.

“This programme is part of Sunway’s corporate responsibility encapsulated in the #SunwayForGood initiative, which is our pledge to continue to do good and to stand alongside Malaysians for good. Driven by one of our key pillar, education, we strive towards advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education. Since the launch of the competition in 2014, the total number of entries has reached more than 16,000,” he added.

Submissions are open from 12 February to 11 March 2020 (closing at 1.00 pm). The essay competition is divided into two categories: Contestants in Category A (Form 1 to Form 3 students) are requested to construct an essay from 200 to 350 words on “How is integrity applied into our everyday lives?” and contestants in Category B (Form 4 to Form 5 students) are invited to articulate their thoughts in a 500 to 650-word essay on the topic of “How is integrity applied into our everyday lives? Why is it important in this competition?”.

Categories A and B will both have consolation prizes, comprising a cash prize of RM500 and a Sunway bursary of RM5,000. The third prize winner of both categories will each receive RM1,000 cash and a Sunway bursary worth RM10,000 each. The second prize winner of both categories will each receive RM3,000 cash and a Sunway bursary valued at RM15,000. Lastly, the main prize winner of both categories will be given a cash prize of RM5,000 and a Sunway bursary valued up to more than RM29,000 each. All prizes include award certificates and trophies. Only a single piece of writing will be accepted per student and all writings are to be submitted through the official portal. The winners will be announced on 25 June 2020 via the official website and be notified via email.

“Sunway-Oxbridge Essay Competition is a great opportunity for students to develop their mastery of the English Language and other soft skills necessary to thrive in the future job market. The soft skills include complex problem solving, critical thinking, creativity, emotional intelligence as well as judgement and decision-making.” said Dr. Elizabeth Lee, Chief Executive Officer, Sunway Education Group and Sunway University.

The Sunway-Oxbridge Essay Competition is organised by the Sunway Group, The Oxford & Cambridge Society Malaysia, Jeffrey Cheah Foundation, Sunway University and Monash University Malaysia with support from Sunway PALS. The competition is also fully endorsed by the Ministry of Education.