Being a Yayasan UEM (YUEM) scholar opened doors I never knew existed. In secondary school, I was hardworking and ambitious, but my dreams did not have much direction.
Upon receiving my 10A+s, 2As and 1A- in SPM, I applied diligently for scholarships. I was immensely grateful when YUEM called me to attend an interview for a scholarship to study law at any of the top universities in the world. It was time to pack my bags and move out from home for the first time.
I spent the next two years at Kolej Yayasan UEM (KYUEM) in preparation for my law studies. KYUEM was a life-changing, life-enriching experience. The A-Level subjects offered were interesting and sufficiently challenging.
I was taught by highly qualified teaching staff and had the opportunity to study alongside other top scorers in the country.
By my second year at KYUEM, I found myself excelling in every subject that I took. KYUEM’s amazing sports facilities and regular social activities added balance to my life.
At KYUEM, every student is assigned to a ‘house’ – Topaz, Garnet, Diamond or Sapphire. This house system and the friendly rivalry for the much-coveted ‘house cup’ added excitement and camaraderie to college life.
While at KYUEM, I was editor of the college magazine and president of the debate society.
I also found myself in the rather unexpected role of Topaz’s chief make-up artist for the annual ‘Bangsawan’ competition, where each house puts on an extravagant Malay period drama performance in the hope of winning first prize.
YUEM’s expert eye saw in me untapped potential and encouraged me to apply to the University of Cambridge to read law.
At KYUEM, I had the space to explore new ways of thinking, to test out my ideas and to have my opinions challenged. This proved crucial in preparing me for the University of Cambridge’s Law entrance exam and interview.
The euphoria of receiving my conditional offer to study at Newnham College, University of Cambridge fuelled my determination to meet the grades required.
With revision sessions by my teachers and countless hours of study group meetings with my friends, the finals flew past and it was Awards Day.
I was overjoyed to receive KYUEM’s Academic Excellence Award for Arts and some weeks later to score 4A*s in my A-level exams.
Saying goodbye to my family, I flew to the UK for the first time, thankful for the generosity of YUEM.
Arriving at Newnham College and wandering around the gardens was magical. I could not believe that I was finally there.
I made my best friends while at Cambridge. The small group tutorials of two to five students, known as supervisions, were challenging and the eight-week terms were demanding.
However, there was still plenty of time for fun. I found time to volunteer to help children with their homework at a local primary school and to go for ballet and Zumba classes.
When it was finally time to graduate and to move to London to complete the Bar Professional Training Course, I left Cambridge feeling like a part of me would forever be there, forever floating around the gardens of Newnham College.
I recently joined the Newnham Young Alumnae Committee and am looking to help alumnae stay connected with the college.
Returning to Malaysia after being Called to the bar at Lincoln’s Inn, I underwent the requisite period of pupillage and was Called to the bar at Kuala Lumpur.
On the very day of my Call, YUEM arranged for a job interview for me at PLUS Malaysia Berhad (PLUS) and soon after I was offered a position as an entry-level legal executive with the Legal and Corporate Secretarial department.
Thus, began another chapter of my life.
I enjoyed my time at PLUS. The opportunity to work and learn under the expert guidance of my head-of-department, Puan Noor Meiza Ahmad, was an experience to be treasured.
My department became my family and I found myself learning new organisational and communication skills alongside the expected legal-related demands of challenging, exciting, and diverse work portfolios.
PLUS recognised my contribution and in my second year of service I received a platinum award from the assessment of my Key Performance Indicators.
Reflecting on my life, I am grateful for the support of YUEM and my time in KYUEM.
The opportunity that YUEM and KYUEM provided, of a world-class education, has set me on a trajectory that I am confident will enable me to serve my community and my nation better.
YUEM and KYUEM threw me a rope, giving me a chance of a lifetime, and I have not stopped climbing since.
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