The New Sunday Times (11 November 2007) had a report of two students from Methodist schools who were among the top award winners in the International Competitions and Assessment for Schools (ICAS) exams.

Tay Shao An Issac, 16, is the first Malaysian to win three gold medals in the exams. He attends SMK Methodist Boys School Kuala Lumpur and he won medals for Mathematics, Science and Computer Skills. 

Tay attributed his achievement to paying attention in class and to his mother, a retired Mathematics teacher, who instilled a spirit of excellence in him. Tay’s father, a pastor, said it was important to help children achieve their dreams.

Albert Ang Keliang, 11, comes from SK Methodist Boys School, Kuala Lumpur. He won the gold medal in his favourite subjects, Science, and Mathematics. Also a keen chess player, he will represent Malaysia in the chess competition of the Asean Pacific School Sports Olympiad in Jakarta. 

The ICAS exams is a world class assessment programme associated with the University of New South Wales education assessment. It allows schools and students to assess their capabilities in various subjects, including English, according to its benchmark. Education Ministry secretary general Tan Sri Dzulkarnain Awang said the awards enabled Malaysian students to be benchmarked globally.

 
(This is based on the report in the New Sunday Times by Malina Jeya Palan)