Aim high, work hard

Datuk Seri Dr Sabin Samitah Chief Executive Officer/director General, Inland Revenue Board Bachelor of Science (Geology), 1983

AS a young lad coming from a rural area in Sabah, I was very hopeful entering UKM. Hopeful for better access to education, to improve myself and contribute to the community when the time comes. I had big dreams of better opportunities to improve myself and to prove that my background will not hinder me from being successful in the future.

I was a very social and active student. I was a student representative and active in the Student Council, and represented my faculty in football. One of my best moments in UKM was meeting with then Deputy Vice Chancellor (Student Affairs) Tan Sri Dr Mohamed Yusof Mohamed Noor as my faculty’s student representative to voice out our grievances on the lack of facilities on campus and issues surrounding the welfare of students. I believe the meeting was a rare opportunity and helped shape my leadership as well as communication skills.

UKM taught me many lessons on life and dealing with challenges heads on. It taught me that nothing substitutes hard work, and with the right attitude, passion and determination, we can achieve far beyond what we envisioned. The leadership skills I gained in UKM has been beneficial in helping me steer the Inland Revenue Board today.

Keep inspiring futures, nurturing possibilities, which is UKM’S motto. Always remember, it is not how you started, but what matters is how you end.

Keep giving your best until you become the best. Happy 50th Anniversary UKM!