Wednesday September 5, 2012
Oxford extends PhD offer to Terengganu lad who dreams to be a scientist
By FARIK ZOLKEPLI
farik@thestar.com.my
HULU TERENGGANU: Mohd Firdaus Samsuddin is always focused on his studies, picks his friends carefully and has practically no social life.
But the Kuala Terengganu lad does not mind not having an active social life, at least until he achieves his main goal in life to be a respected scientist.
Mohd Firdaus, who is just 24, is the first student from his state to be accepted to do his PhD at the prestigious Oxford University.
“All my diligence and hard work paid off when I was accepted to Oxford,” said Mohd Firdaus from his home in Kampung Kemat here.
Proud parent: Mohd Firdaus showing his father his degree certificate at their home in Kampung Kemat, Terengganu, before returning to Oxford University. He is home to celebrate Hari Raya with his family.
Mohd Firdaus, who obtained a First Class Honours degree in bio-chemistry in October last year from the Imperial College of London, was doing his Masters in Oxford when the PhD offer came.
The second of four siblings, Mohd Firdaus said he sacrificed his social life to be where he is.
With the offer, he is getting nearer to achieving his goal of becoming a scientist and making his family proud.
“I am grateful for the opportunity,” said Mohd Firdaus who some day hopes to work with a pharmaceutical company so he can do research in developing medicine.
As for hobbies, Mohd Firdaus often escapes into a make-believe world by reading novels to relax and relieve stress.
“Reading keeps my mind sharp and relaxed,” he said.
Meanwhile, his father Samsuddin @ Mustapha Mamat, 62, a retired Felcra technician, said he was proud of his son's achievements.
“I never pressured him to study. He did it voluntarily,” he said.
“He is truly gifted and the whole family is very supportive of him.”
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