CHONG ZHUO CHEN

"My lecturer warned us on our first day of law school that being a lawyer in reality is very different from what we had seen on Ally McBeal. I did law for a simple reason – self-empowerment. As a kid, I had witnessed how often my parents, who are honest folk doing business, were bullied by those with authority, and that was the moment when the idea of doing law first came to me.

Coming from a Chinese school, I was not surprised to find myself being an outsider in law school. After graduating, desiring to become financially independent and to experience the real world, I started work as a paralegal in Singapore.

Having worked for a year, I decided to take up the part-time CLP course at Brickfields Asia College. I knew that the exam would require an enormous amount of preparation. An added difficulty was the fact I had to juggle working full-time and my studies so choosing a college that could fully assist me became essential. I did not manage to attend all the classes but the materials I was provided were succinct and clear so I was able to study on my own.

After that, I headed to Cambridge University to pursue the Cambridge LL.M (Master of Law) through a Khazanah Scholarship. I was truly inspired by the people I met in Cambridge who are deeply passionate about their interests and are likely to become future leaders who will make changes in their home countries. Now I am back in Malaysia and at the beginning of my legal career. I know there is still a long way to go. Ahead of me are tougher challenges, but with the solid grounding I have, I should be able to embrace those challenges steadily and confidently".


NG KAR KAY

"I enrolled in the LL.B (Hons) University of London programme at BAC in April 2008, and I started preparing for the exams as early as October. I used the materials and study guides provided by my lecturers to compile my notes. I also used materials from the University of London (UOL) website and the resources in the college’s library.

I have always been a hard worker, but this does not mean that I spend my whole life buried in my books. As the eldest of six siblings, I earn some money for myself working part-time as a tutor. I also enjoy my free time and love going shopping with my friends.

I was pleasantly surprised when I was awarded the King’s College Scholarship by the University of London for being the best student in the world for the UOL External (LL.B) examinations in 2009.

I honestly did not expect to achieve such outstanding results as I hail from a Chinese Independent School and found speaking and writing in English a challenge. I was very happy that I was able to continue my studies in the UK, something that has always been a dream of mine. King’s College is one of the top 25 universities in the world, so I am confident that they will be able to propel me to greater heights.

The responsible team of lecturers at BAC helped guide me towards this success, and the visiting UK lecturers definitely helped me summarise what I had been taught throughout the year. Their classes served as excellent revision sessions. My parents and the rest of my family have always been very supportive of me.

After I complete my degree, I intend to work in the UK to gain more experience before I return to Malaysia to sit for the CLP examinations. My ambition is to become a corporate lawyer.

Being focused and working smart led to my success. To those who aspire to be as successful as me, I would say that determination can get you anywhere".


THE LATE JULIA CHUAH SHEAU YEN

Born on 7th July 1979 in Kuala Lumpur, she obtained a Diploma in Computer Studies from Sunway College. Thirsty for knowledge, Julia went on to pursue her Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications from Curtin University.

Most people would recognise Julia from her appearances in local television dramas such as "Kopitiam," "Homecoming" and "Getting Together ". She was a multi-talented individual who managed to leave her footprints in many arenas from the catwalk to print advertising.

Julia returned to expand her academic horizons in Law and registered with Brickfields Asia College (BAC) under the UK Degree Transfer Programme. Diligence and hard work showed in her exam results and it gained her entry into Cardiff University to read law for her final year where she graduated with an LLB (First Class Honours), a feat not easily achieved bearing in mind the fact that Cardiff is one of the best law schools in the United Kingdom.

Julia returned to Malaysia and was offered a job at BAC as a branding consultant, while waiting for the Certificate of Legal Practice (CLP) to commence. The job allowed her to combine the knowledge she attained from both degrees which enabled her to incorporate her experience studying law into an area in which she was very familiar with – mass media.

Due to her excellent results, she was offered a full scholarship to study the CLP at BAC. It had been Julia’s dream to lecture, something she had intended to pursue after her CLP.

Julia was known for her colourful personality and selflesness. Despite her being somewhat of a local celebrity, she had a very down to earth demeanor and got along well with everyone. This is how Julia Chuah will always be remembered in our hearts – a fellow student, a colleague and most of all, a dear friend.

YVONNE NG YI WEN

"I have always had a great passion for law. I have the ability to think logically and analytically. I also love to reason and solve problems. I always knew that law is the subject that would suit me best.

After I finished my Unified Examination Certificate (UEC), I enrolled into Brickfields Asia College (BAC) to pursue my education in law. I chose the UK Transfer Degree Programme because I wanted to experience life in the UK. During the first two years of study at BAC, I was provided with comprehensive materials including textbooks that were published by the college itself.

The lecturers in BAC were very good and explained the law very well and this helped develop my thinking skills.

I chose the University of Hertfordshire for my final year of study. I found it hard to study in the UK because I was not as proficient in English as the local students. Nevertheless, the lecturers were very helpful and patient.

To ensure I achieved good results, I always attended classes. I also prepared for every tutorial and revised during my free time. Of course, I made sure to manage my time well so that I could also enjoy my student life in the UK.

My friends and I had a study group where we asked each other questions and discussed difficult issues. After studying we would play some games to relax and entertain ourselves.

The reason I always work hard is because my father passed away when I was 14 and I want to be able to find a good job so that I can help my mother financially. When I first found out about my results, I was extremely happy, and my mother was very proud of me.

Studying law has enhanced my communication skills and has helped me to develop a critical approach to my work.

I am now able to analyse complex issues and go straight to the heart of the problem. I really enjoy the challenging intellectual experience that the law provides".