With a grade point average of 4.99, the 24-year-old agricultural engineering graduate from Sandakan, Sabah was the first Malaysian to deliver a speech on behalf of the students at their graduation ceremony.
She wore traditional the Bugis attire known as baju Bodo, or baju Tokko, for the event at the University of Szeged, about a two-hour drive away from the Hungarian capital of Budapest. Some of her family members were present at the ceremony.
Many were impressed with Afiqah for starting her speech in Bahasa Melayu.
“I began with the Malay proverb, ‘Kalau tidak dipecahkan ruyung, manakan dapat sagunya’ – which means success cannot be achieved without effort. This proverb resonates deeply with me because success does not come easily. I owe my success to hard work, prayer and perseverance,” she told Bernama.
Afiqah, who is of Bugis descent, said she never expected her decision to wear traditional attire to capture so much interest. Her unique appearance was widely covered by the Hungarian media.
“I am proud to be a Malaysian as my country is known for its diverse society, and I am equally proud of my heritage. Wearing this traditional outfit is not just about fashion, it is my way of showcasing Malaysia’s ethnic diversity to the world,” she added.
She said the fabric and accessories (songkok Bugis and belt) for her green baju Bodo were custom-ordered from Indonesia, while the stitching was done by a tailor in Sandakan. The entire process of making the traditional attire took around three months.
Next, Afiqah will be heading to Switzerland for an internship at a research centre from April until July to further her findings into the biological control of weeds.
Aspiring to be an agricultural research and development scientist, she hopes her achievements will inspire her five younger siblings to similarly do well in their studies.
“Everyone faces challenges in life, which is why it’s important to have a clear purpose and stay true to one’s faith. For me, my purpose is to gain and apply beneficial knowledge while always keeping my family in mind,” she concluded.