Uzbek student crowned 2021 PABM international category champion

JOHOR BAHRU, Nov 28 -- A student from Uzbekistan State World Languages University, Nargiza Ortikova was declared as the International Category champion of the 2021 Prime Minister’s Cup Bahasa Melayu International Public Speaking Competition (PABM) held at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia here today.

The 24-year-old student who has been learning the national language for four years, was surprised over the victory and dedicated her success to her language teacher and husband.  

“"I took up Bahasa Melayu for four years. Love Bahasa Melayu as the vocabulary and grammar is very clear,” she said after receiving her prize from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob. 

The second place of the category was won by Hana Takahashi, 22, of Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (TUFS) followed by Youssouf Haidara, 36, of Mali, who is studying at Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

Meanwhile, the Malay World category was won by Malaysian, Siti Nur Shafika Md Fakharuzi, 22, of Institute of Teacher Education Malaysia while the second place was also won by another local participant, Munira Muhamad of Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia followed by Muhammaf Iqbaal Syakib Suhib, a student of Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) Brunei in the third place.      

The International Category in Malaysia champion title went to Aminata Koutoub Sano,  21, of Guinea from Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia (UIAM), followed by Salma Wael Marzouk Abouelsoud Hashem, 20, of Egypt who is studying at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). 

The third place was awarded to Rubiat Sadia Mim of Bangladesh, a Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) student.

The champion of each category takes home a revolving trophy, RM10,000 cash and a certificate of appreciation.

For the runner-up and third place, the winners received RM8,000 and RM5,000 with a trophy and certificate respectively.

-- BERNAMA