By Christine T
KUCHING, Nov 3: Financial constraints and personal struggles did not stop two Sarawak graduates from pursuing academic excellence, with their journeys highlighting the importance of educational support, perseverance, and self-belief.
For Mohd Saifuddin Abdullah of Bintulu, support from Yayasan Sarawak eased his family’s financial burden and motivated him to work harder throughout his university studies.
The Bachelor in Quantity Surveying graduate from the Faculty of Built Environment, who received the Yayasan Sarawak Outstanding Graduate Award 2026, said financial considerations were among his concerns when pursuing higher education, as his family came from a modest-income background.
“Honestly, yes, I did think about finances because I come from a family with a modest income. This assistance helped reduce the burden on my family,” he said.
Now working under Shell Middle Distillate Synthesis (MDS), Saifuddin hopes to contribute his professional knowledge and experience to Sarawak’s development, particularly in quantity surveying.
Recalling the Sarawak Premier’s remarks that Sarawak still has a shortage of quantity surveyors, he said he was keen to apply his skills towards the State’s development.
Meanwhile, fellow award recipient Sharon Leong Hui Jin, 24, showed that academic excellence often comes with its own challenges, having achieved a near-perfect CGPA of 3.99 in her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with Honours.
She admitted that balancing academic commitments with extracurricular activities had been difficult, revealing that she experienced several emotional breakdowns during her university journey.
However, she said identifying the root causes of her problems, finding solutions, and taking action helped her overcome those difficult periods.
“I did not expect this award at all because I believe there were many other candidates who were also better than me and had good grades,” she said.
Leong credited her family, friends, and lecturers for helping her through the challenges, adding that she hoped her achievements would inspire younger generations.
Offering advice to students, she encouraged them not to underestimate themselves or measure their progress against others.
“Do not compare yourself with others, as everyone has their own path and journey. Just keep trying your best, stay consistent, stay disciplined and trust the process,” she said.
Both graduates also supported the Sarawak government’s efforts to widen access to higher education through initiatives such as the Premier’s free tertiary education programme.
Leong described the initiative as a valuable opportunity for underprivileged students who might otherwise struggle to access higher education.
She also stressed the importance of having well-trained lecturers to guide and educate future generations.
Saifuddin added that student-focused initiatives could encourage youths to broaden their development beyond academics through participation in leadership programmes, volunteer work, and sports activities.
He also encouraged students to practise discipline in managing their time and surround themselves with supportive friends who could help them through challenging periods. —DayakDaily
