Grad funds own surgery
ALOR STAR: Suffering from a heart complication did not prevent Mohamad Shahrul Nizam Alias from excelling in his studies while earning money for his RM11,000 heart surgery.
For two years, the 21-year-old Diploma of Nursing student from Kolej Poly-Tech Mara (KPTM) in Kota Baru, Kelantan, burnt the midnight oil daily for his studies while selling burgers in his hostel compound.
With the assistance of the college’s Entrepreneur Club, family, friends and lecturers, Shahrul Nizam began his business with RM500 in capital. He operated the stall from 7pm to 10.30pm.
The experience he had gained while helping his parents sell food at a night market in his hometown in Terengganu since he was 8 came in handy, and he managed to set aside RM40 daily for his surgery.
“I was diagnosed with heart complications after I enrolled at the college in July 2014. Doctors told me the surgery would cost about RM11,000. I was determined to find a way to raise money for the surgery on my own.
“Thanks to everyone who helped and supported me, I was able to undergo the surgery on Oct 3 at Raja Perempuan Zainab Hospital in Kelantan,” he said at the KPTM Student Affairs Excellence Award 2016/2017 here yesterday.
His hard work earned him the Best Entrepreneurship Award trophy and RM500, which were presented to him by KPTM chairman Datuk Ahmad Nazlan Idris.
His business is thriving as he has added new items, such as chicken chop and French fries, to the menu. He has hired friends to man the stall to help them cover their daily expenses.
“I have saved RM1,000 monthly for follow-up treatments.
“My advice to other students is to never give up when faced with trials as there are always options for us, as long as we work hard,” he said.
Nazlan said KPTM targeted every Bottom 40 per cent (B40) household to have at least one graduate from the college to pull the family out of poverty through education.
He said every Umno division leader and member of parliament had been going to the ground to help the qualified students under the “One House One Graduate” programme launched on Aug 8.
“There are 15,000 graduates undergoing studies at KPTM. We are planning to add another 3,000 graduates.”