PETALING JAYA: When options began to dwindle for Nur Ain Afieqah Ahmad Jafri, her mother’s persistence and the scholarship she received from City University helped secure not just her future, but that of her family, too.
Having just completed her secondary school studies at SMK Seremban 2 in Negeri Sembilan, finding a place in a higher education institution that her family could afford was a challenge.
“My mum, who raised the five of us alone, made sure we all continued our studies,” Nur Ain Afieqah said.
After family troubles derailed her chance to attend Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia, she was left in limbo.
“But my mum insisted I pick up my studies as soon as possible, and that was when I got an email for the scholarship programme from City University. After doing a survey and everything, we finally agreed for me to be enrolled at City U.”
Nur Ain Afieqah began her foundation in science in the university in 2014, before moving on to complete her Bachelor in Biomedical Sciences. With the help of her scholarship, which almost entirely wiped out the RM15,000 foundation fee, her only major expenses during her first year were buying food and the paying for the transport cost of LRT trips to campus.
“The best memory I had during my studies is that of my supervisor during my final year, Madam Adilla Makhtar. She helped me a lot in terms of polishing my thinking skills. Personally, I would say all my lecturers were easy to approach and encouraging.”
Now a coordinator at the Malaysian Global Innovation & Creativity Centre under the science, technology and innovation ministry (Mosti), she told FMT her journey would have been cut short if not for the help she received from City University and her mother’s encouragement.
Nur Ain Afieqah, who is also a Perdana fellow, said her current job with Mosti gave her an opportunity to engage with government ministers and take part in the policy-making process.
With the SPM results released today, she offered some advice to school-leavers unsure of their next steps.
“I would say that wherever you are, just be open to gain as much knowledge as you can.”
In collaboration with City University Malaysia, FMT is offering over RM2.5 million worth of scholarships to deserving Malaysian students, especially those in the B40 or underprivileged groups.
Interested students below the age of 25 looking to pursue their undergraduate studies may head to City University’s scholarship microsite to apply online or download the application form.
The City U-FMT Scholarship programme covers all City University’s undergraduate programmes from pre-university to degree courses across 28 fields of studies such as accounting, health sciences, design, communications, psychology, architecture, engineering, hospitality, and information technology.
In addition, all students who enrol at City University in the June 2021 intake will be eligible to receive a free laptop and a RM300 monthly allowance for the first year of their studies.
City University is also hosting a weekly webinar every Saturday at 1.30pm, which will focus on the pathways for SPM achievers as well as scholarships and career opportunities they could consider.
Those interested in joining the webinar may register here.
