SINGAPORE - Top Malay Muslim students from the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) were honoured on Wednesday for excelling in their studies and co-curricular activities.

At a ceremony at ITE College West in Choa Chu Kang, 45 students received the Bestari Award from the Malay Youth Literary Association (4PM). The annual award has been given out since 2001 to reward outstanding Malay Muslim students at the ITE.

Facilities technology student Mr Mumammad Asyraf Chumino received the Outstanding Student Award for doing well in his studies and finding time to serve the community. The 20-year-old is currently pursuing a diploma at Singapore Polytechnic.

Mr Muhammad Nabil Noor Mohamed, one of the vice-presidents at 4PM, said the award is meant to "motivate and encourage our ITE youths to be an inspiration for other students".

The ITE, he said, "exerts considerable influence on the Malay Muslim student population which makes up almost 40 per cent of the total number of ITE students".

Education Minister Heng Swee Keat, who attended the event, commended 4PM's collaboration with ITE through initiatives such as a mentoring programme for academically weaker students and service-learning projects.