PUTRAJAYA, 20 January 2014 - Muhammad Razif Abdul Razak, 23, is Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)’s only candidate in the search for Ikon Varsiti 2013, second edition of the event organised by Berita Harian (BH) this year.

Selected from three students in the Ikon Rekacipta category, Razif is a graduate of Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical) and is now considering the offer to further study in Osaka and the United Kingdom.

He is currently a Research Officer and was a gold medalist in the British Invention Show 2013 that was held in London recently.

"I was overwhelmed, excited and surprised to be selected as one of the candidates for Ikon Rekacipta Ikon Varsiti. I know many had submitted their entries and apparently luck was on my side,” said Razif.

Ikon Varsiti 2013 was held with the objective of recognising the talents of students of higher education institutions in various fields such as leadership, entrepreneurship, volunteerism, social innovation, and internationalisation.

In the meantime, BH Group Deputy Editor, Badrulhisham Othman said that Ikon Varsiti 2013 is expected to unleash the potentials of students of higher education institutions who are excellent in academic as well as in co-curricular activities in line with the government's intention to create holistic graduates in the future.

“Participants were selected based on their involvement in various co-curricular activities while being excellent in their academic performance. Selection of Ikon Varsiti is also expected to be a model for the young generation in Malaysia,” he said at the ceremony to announce the finalists of the award at Everly Hotel recently.

Also present was the Director of Student Affairs and Development, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education of Malaysia, Tuan Haji Ibrahim Ali who presented certificates to the finalists of each category for Ikon Varsiti Berita Harian 2013.

The voting to select Ikon Varsiti 2013 will appear in the inserts of Varsity BH on 23 January 2014. - Translation: Siti Faizah Abd Halim/Text: Rafizah Md Nor. Zain & Marziana Mohamed Alias