Success stories from past recipients
THE Star Education Fund offers the support for deserving students who find it financially hard to achieve their potential. Here are four who have used the opportunity to shine in their career and life after graduation.
Thankful for the chance to excel
Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman student Yong Yew Rong was born and raised in Sarawak, a third child to a middle-class family. He wanted to further his studies in an engineering course that will not burden his family too much.
“I couldn’t get any scholarship after my SPM,” Yong admitted, “so, I decided to continue studying in Form 6 in hopes of entering a public university.”
Having studied diligently in Form 6, Yong managed to produce results that were slightly above average – just enough to apply for a private scholarship.
“I tried my luck in a few scholarships and one of them is The Star Education Fund.”
Yong was granted the scholarship to study the course he wanted, which was mechatronics engineering in Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman.
“Thanks to The Star Education Fund scholarship, I was able to complete my engineering degree in a university away from my home state of Sarawak, with minimal burden on my parents.”
Yong has since completed his Master’s degree in Engineering and is currently working in Schneider Electric as an application engineer.
“Now after years as a working adult, I’m thankful and appreciate the opportunity that was given to me. I was essentially debt-free from student loans when I started working, which is a relief,” Yong added.
Chance for a better career path
For Management and Science University alumni and 2009 scholarship recipient Anne Hee Lai Kuan, receiving an offer to further her studies in an unfamiliar subject from a university far from her family was difficult to accept.
“My father passed away when I was in Form 6 and my mum was quite worried for me, so I agreed with my family to let (the offer) go. But I was upset that I had to look for a job at an age when all my friends were continuing their tertiary education.”
By chance Hee’s sister read about a scholarship offered to those in need in
The Star and showed her the article.
“Although I didn’t think I would be lucky enough, I still submitted my application.”
Within a few months, she received a call from The Star to attend an interview.
“Much later on, I received an offer letter from MSU that stated I was selected as a scholarship recipient. I was so happy, and I thank God, MSU and The Star for making this possible.
“In my three and a half years of study, I did really well in order to secure my scholarship. I graduated in the Bachelor of Food Service Technology with First Honours and the Best Academic Student awards.”
Before graduating, Hee received a job offer to work for a well-known food manufacturing company.
In the following years, she joined a top international food manufacturing company to further her career.
“Thanks to MSU and The Star, I am following a totally different path in my life now,” said Hee.
Fulfilling dreams and ambitions
Coming from an average income family, 2009 scholarship recipient Joel Dass always lived on just enough while he was growing up.
Joel’s father told him he dreamt of being an accountant but due to insufficient resources, he was confined to a clerical job.
As Joel’s family could not afford to send him to a foundation studies course or A-Levels, he opted for Form 6 instead. During those two years, he studied hard, developed his social and leadership skills and participated in extracurricular activities.
Although he did significantly well in the STPM examinations and held leadership roles at school, Joel was not offered his ideal course at a public university.
“Around that time, my dad and I spotted The Star Education Fund advertisement in the paper.”
Joel decided to apply and to his joy, he was shortlisted for an interview which turned out to be a success. Joel was offered a scholarship to study at Taylor’s University and pursue an honours degree in Accounting and Finance from the University of the West of England, Bristol in 2009.
That opened up a route for him to further pursue qualification exams with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).
Six years on, Joel is a qualified chartered accountant and corporate planner at Boustead Holdings Berhad, driving sustainability initiatives for the entire group and involved in corporate finance exercises.
“Not only was I able to fulfil my dad’s lifelong dream, I’m also able to support my wife and two-year-old daughter.
“I’ll forever be grateful to God and The Star Education Fund for giving me this life-altering privilege.”
The will to succeed
For 1999 scholarship recipient Edward Teoh Wee Ming, The Star Education Fund had helped changed many Malaysians like himself who was not born with a silver spoon as his parents could only afford to send him to high school.
“I stumbled upon this scholarship and it has since fulfilled my dream for tertiary education in Sunway University, graduating with a BSc (Hons) in Computer & Information Systems.”
Teoh is grateful that the scholarship opened up many opportunities for him.
“I had the chance to meet and interact with interesting people. This broadened my perspective in life as I was able to learn and experience working on projects with many experienced individuals.”
Currently working with Convergys, the second largest business process outsourcing provider in the world, Teoh manages the contact centre operations, which include multiple regional programmes across different verticals.
“Together with my teams, we won multiple industrial awards for many years.”
Teoh said The Star Education Fund scholarship has changed his life and helped him believe that “where there’s a will, there’s a way”.
“This belief and the stubbornness of never giving up drove me to achieve what really matters to me.
“My 100km ultra marathon, my adventure to Annapurna and Everest Base Camp are some good examples.”
A sports enthusiast, Teoh is passionate about fitness and mental challenge and combines adventure and travel.
“Thank you The Star, thank you The Star Education Fund and congratulations on your 25th anniversary,” lauded Teoh.
I will be forever grateful to God and The Star Education Fund for giving me this life-altering privilege. Joel Dass