For the album: (From left) Jawaher, Fahad Mohammed and Moneerah posing for a family photo at UCSI University.
THE Zhaiylkhan siblings – Alikhan, Alizhan, Zaragul and Zeregul – are now on record as Education Malaysia Global Services’ (EMGS) first international quadruplet student applicants to pursue their studies here.
The 17-year-olds from Kazakhstan, who will further their studies in the Foundation in Computing & Technology, Foundation in Engineering, and Foundation in Business and Finance (with two of them pursuing this programme), have chosen to embark on their tertiary studies at the Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) in Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysia, they said, proved attractive, as the country has a reputation for cutting-edge innovation, affordable top-tier education, as well as a multicultural environment.
Kazakhstan is among the top 10 countries for new applications to study in Malaysia in 2024, EMGS said in a press release.
International students from Kazakhstan have a growing interest in studying abroad in Malaysia, with more than 1,900 applications received since 2020.
EMGS chief executive officer (CEO) Novie Tajuddin said it is a great honour to have the quadruplets from Kazakhstan choose Malaysia for their studies.
“We believe that our world-class education system and warm hospitality will provide them with an unforgettable experience,” he said.
APU CEO Datuk Parmjit Singh said the varsity has been receiving students from Kazakhstan and other countries in the Central Asian region for more than 20 years.
“Our experience with students from this region has been very positive, as they have always done their country proud as highly conscientious, mature and cultured students.
“We are truly touched that the parents of Alikhan, Alizhan, Zaragul and Zeregul have entrusted us with their children’s education.
“As the first and only Malaysian university accredited by the United Kingdom’s Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA), APU has established a strong reputation for academic excellence,” he said, describing APU as a vibrant, multicultural campus, where local and international students from over 130 countries thrive.
“With over 80,000 successful alumni worldwide, I am confident that Alikhan, Alizhan, Zaragul and Zeregul will greatly benefit from their decision to study here and will enjoy studying at APU and living in Malaysia.
“All of us look forward to working with them in their transformation into global professionals,” he said.
Exciting journey: Parmjit (centre) welcoming the quadruplets to APU.
The quadruplets were welcomed by representatives from EMGS, the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and APU at the EMGS International Student Arrival Centre upon touching down at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 2 on Sept 8.
Kyran Orynbekov, the consul at the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Malaysia, said he was proud to receive the quadruplets.
“The embassy will always give our full support to our students studying in Malaysia.
“We wish them the best of luck and hope they enjoy the best study experience in Malaysia,” he said.
EMGS, together with the Higher Education Ministry, is committed to making Malaysia the education hub of choice among international students around the world, said Novie.
Meanwhile, during the recent 37th convocation ceremony at UCSI University, a Saudi mother-daughter duo stole the limelight when they graduated at the same time with the same credential.
Cheered on by their friends who flew in from Riyadh, Moneerah Homoud B. Alblaihed and her daughter, Jawaher Fahad M. Alshemmeri, were over the moon as they received their scrolls, embodying the saying that the apple does not fall far from the tree.
The pair completed their Master’s degrees in International Hospitality Management, showcasing their shared passion for the field, a press release dated Sept 21 read.Moneerah said studying alongside her daughter had been a great experience as they were able to encourage each other and share this important milestone.The family’s connection to Malaysia runs deep.
Dr Fahad Mohammed N. Alshemmeri, Moneerah’s husband and Jawaher’s father, serves as the Saudi cultural attaché in Malaysia. He also holds a PhD from a Malaysian public university.
UCSI University vice-chancellor and president Prof Datuk Dr Siti Hamisah Tapsir praised the duo’s achievement.
“This unique and encouraging account of a mother and daughter graduating together reminds us that education is not bound by age.
“They embody the spirit of lifelong learning that we cherish at UCSI, showing us that the pursuit of knowledge can bridge gaps across generations,” she said.
