Life-changing journey in Scotland
IZUIN Abu Bakar’s relationship with the University of Dundee goes back much further than 2017, when she began her Economics and Politics degree.
Her father, former Science, Technology and Innovation deputy minister Datuk Abu Bakar Mohamad Diah, studied at the university from 1989 to 1994.
Although her family’s Scottish stay happened before Izuin was born, she has always felt a strong connection to the city.
“I would grow up hearing stories about my family’s time in the city and we would visit when I was little,” she recalled.
“I remember being on campus and my dad telling me about his time here when I was about 10, thinking that I’d love to study here one day and here I am.”
Since moving to Dundee, Izuin has helped run the university’s Malaysian Society, performed on stage as part of the operatic and musical theatre society (OpSoc) and was recently elected engagement vice-president at the Students’ Association.
The university has a mission to transform lives and Izuin readily admits that this is exactly what happened to her since she matriculated as a shy 19-year-old fresh out of boarding school.
“We were taught to behave in a certain way if we wanted to succeed academically, which made me suppress my personality a bit,” she said.
“In my first year I held back but in my second year, I was determined to get more involved, put myself out there and be myself. I never used to have that kind of confidence but in my time here, I’ve been learning about what a great place Dundee is to help you blossom into the person you want to be.
“Here, you are encouraged to find out who you really are. I’ve become more outgoing and gotten involved in things I wouldn’t have done before. I’ve made so many new friends that way.”
Izuin volunteered to be the Malaysian Society vice-president at the start of her second year. While mixing with fellow Malaysian students was important to her, Izuin was equally determined to make new friends from all over the world.
“Joining OpSoc was the best thing I could have done. It’s important to feel comfortable being yourself in musical theatre and that’s what everyone from different backgrounds do.
“I was a specialist dancer in one of our productions and have also performed in an acoustic concert. I love being on the stage, but I never would have done it if I hadn’t decided to throw myself into everything I wanted to do. I don’t want to regret things I haven’t done.”
Having followed her father to Dundee, Izuin has also now taken her first footsteps into politics. The role of engagement vice-president will see her work particularly closely with groups such as disabled students, students based off the main campus and online students.
The aim is to deal with any issues these groups might have and proactively improve their student experience.
She says, “It is a voluntary position, so it means taking on a lot of work on top of my coursework, but I like being busy and throwing myself into things. I feel so lucky to live in this small and beautiful city.
“The Dundee Law is an extinct volcano in the middle of the city and the view from the top is one of the most spectacular things I have ever seen.
“The campus is great and tight-knit, and I love bumping into friends walking to and from class. I want all our students to love their time at Dundee as much as I do.”
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