I have dreamed of studying abroad since I was young. However, coming from a humble background in Johor, I knew studying abroad would place an enormous financial burden on my family.
When I was in secondary school, I worked hard to achieve good grades while juggling my roles as head prefect, cadet corporal of St John Ambulance and president of the Chinese Society.
My SPM results (8A+s, 2As and 1A-) motivated me to apply for a scholarship to further my studies. That’s when I came across the scholarship offered by Yayasan UEM.
I submitted my application as I was eager to study in a premium A-Level college before pursuing my education overseas. The selection process was tough but I got through. Little did I know however, that this scholarship would completely change the trajectory of my life.
Kolej Yayasan UEM (KYUEM) has certainly lived up to its reputation as one of the best A-Levels colleges in Malaysia. I loved being surrounded by driven individuals who inspired me to work even harder. I also made life-long friends who have supported me through thick and thin.
Apart from a quality education, the many extra-curricular activities at KYUEM gave me a new platform to grow and develop.
Serving as vice-president of the student council and participating in the annual Bangsawan night helped me discover my potential. I was also thrilled to be named a recipient of the KYUEM Best Subject Awards and later scored 3A*s and 1A in my A-Level examinations.
Clearly, my time at KYUEM taught me the life-long lesson that success is the child of hard work, determination and perseverance.
With Yayasan UEM’s support, I was able to pursue a degree in civil engineering at the University of Nottingham in Malaysia.
The academic environment was challenging but with Yayasan UEM’s encouragement as well as that of my family and friends, I found the confidence to excel in my exams while tackling new areas of interest. I joined Toastmasters to improve my public speaking and won a national level competition.
Later I received the Dean’s Excellence Academic Award for scoring among the top 8% of the cohort, both in my first and second years of study.
Arriving in the UK in 2020 was a new and exciting chapter of my academic journey. Yayasan UEM covered the cost of my flight and visa as well as ensured I had sufficient allowance to live comfortably.
Studying in the UK meant I could join the United Kingdom and Eire Council for Malaysian Students (UKEC) as the Regional Chairperson of East Midlands.
In collaboration with presidents and vice-presidents of Malaysian societies across the UK, we organised nation-building events and conferences to benefit Malaysian students.
There’s never a dull moment here. There are many competitions and group design projects to participate in with course mates. Under our lecturer’s guidance, we emerged as Regional Champion in the High Early Strength Concrete Cube Competition 2022, organised by the Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE) East Midlands, UK.
I was also awarded the Nottingham Engineering Excellence Award for scoring in the top 5% of the cohort in the UK campus and recognised as Malaysia and Asia’s Top 100 young talents for 2020 and 2021.
I also made time to relax – going skydiving and travelling around Europe with my friends.
In hindsight, the Yayasan UEM scholarship gave me wings to fly high and fulfil my ambitions. This scholarship allowed me to put my best foot forward in all my endeavours.
I also benefited from Yayasan UEM’s Scholars Development Programme. Whether through their classroom-based communication and leadership training or mountain hiking and white-water rafting in the wild, they encouraged personal growth and helped shape my career path.
My life would have turned out different if not for Yayasan UEM’s continuous support. This scholarship has been the stepping stone to a world of opportunities.
Believe it or not, I still jump in excitement when I read Yayasan UEM’s email to me back in 2016 offering me this life-changing scholarship – I am forever grateful.
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