We did it!: (From left) Shek, Yuven, Soon, Sherrylyn, Wong and Nur Aisyah celebrating with their scholarship certificates. — RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star
EVER since she was 11, Sherrylyn Tarel Krishnan has worried about her family’s financial situation.
Her worries stemmed from her father’s passing, when he succumbed to a heart attack.
“It left my mother, two siblings and me feeling lost. We struggled a lot, especially financially. My mother worked multiple jobs to support us,” the 19-year-old told StarEdu.
When preparing for her Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) 2023 examinations, Sherrylyn wanted to sign up for tuition classes but could not afford them.
“I realised that I shouldn’t compare myself to classmates who had gone for extra classes. I studied very hard and tried my best,” she shared.
Her determination paid off as she scored 8As in her SPM and was among 81 students awarded the Star Education Fund scholarship for the year 2024, paving the way for her to pursue the Foundation in Arts leading to the Bachelor of Information Technology (Hons) Data Analytics at HELP University.
“I hope to give back to society by helping others overcome obstacles like I did. I want to mentor and inspire individuals facing similar challenges, showing them that persistence and hard work can open doors to opportunities,” she said.
Fellow student Shek Jun Yi described the scholarship, which allows him to undertake the Bachelor of Software Engineering (Hons) at Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology, as a “life-changing opportunity”.
“In 2023, my father was involved in an accident that left him with a broken leg, making it impossible for him to continue working.
“This scholarship not only relieves us from the stress of tuition fees but also allows us to focus on recovery and other essential needs,” the 21-year-old said.
Madelyn Soon Zhi Cian, who is studying for the Bachelor of Computer Science (Hons) at Taylor’s University, also expressed gratitude for the scholarship.
“I come from a B40 background, with my father being the sole breadwinner as a lorry driver supporting five of us. Additionally, my younger brother is an OKU (persons with disabilities) cardholder, which adds to the financial strain.
“This scholarship allows us to allocate resources towards other essential needs and gives me peace of mind to focus on my education,” said the 20-year-old.
Yuven Siva Kumar, who is enrolled in the Foundation in Science leading to the MEng Civil Engineering at Heriot-Watt University Malaysia, is determined to make the most of the opportunity.
The 19-year-old’s journey to pursuing tertiary studies had been met with obstacles.
With his family of three struggling financially after his father’s death from a heart attack in 2018, he studied hard in hopes of securing a scholarship to ease his family’s burden.
Despite scoring 7As and 2Bs in his SPM examinations, his applications for multiple scholarship programmes were unsuccessful until he secured a full scholarship through the Star Education Fund.
“Civil engineering has always fascinated me because it combines creativity and problem-solving to build solutions that benefit society and economic development.
“I believe that by specialising in a field that strengthens my country’s infrastructure, I get to make my country proud,” he said.
Healing paths
Eunice Wong Luo Ee, who is pursuing the Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine at Monash University Malaysia, aims to provide holistic care for patients.
The 21-year-old received treatment at a government hospital at age 16 after being diagnosed with prolactinoma, which is a benign pituitary tumour that produces a hormone called prolactin.
“This has strengthened my resolve to contribute to Malaysia’s healthcare system as a qualified and compassionate medical professional. I aspire to provide accessible and equitable healthcare to my future patients, treating every individual with fairness and dignity.
“I believe that all patients, regardless of their backgrounds, deserve quality care and support during their time of need,” said the aspiring oncologist.
Nur Aisyah Khairul Hezry, who is working towards the BSc (Hons) Psychology at Sunway University, said she is eager to understand not only how the mind, emotions and behaviour connect, but also why.
“My past challenges have shown me the value of emotional support. My goal is to use this knowledge and make a positive impact on others,” said the aspiring child psychologist.
At age 10, Nur Aisyah was diagnosed with astrocytoma, a tumour in her spine that left her temporarily unable to walk for two years and required her to undergo 70 cycles of chemotherapy.
Besides affecting her studies, her battle with the illness put a strain on her family’s finances.
The 20-year-old shared that she almost gave up after being shortlisted for a few scholarships but ultimately facing rejection.
“My parents always remind me, ‘Failing once doesn’t mean it’s over. Get back up and try again’,” she said.
“Personal experience is the best teacher. My experiences have given me a passion for helping others find their inner strength, just as I did,” she added.
Launched in 1994 by the late Tan Sri Dr Sulaiman Daud – who was the education minister at the time – the Star Education Fund has benefited 4,520 scholarship recipients with a total value of RM170mil.
For the 2024 edition, a total of 81 scholarships valued at RM5.78mil were awarded. The recipients were selected from 2,620 applications vying for scholarships in various fields and disciplines, ranging from pre-university and diploma to degree and master’s programmes.
Applications for the Star Education Fund Scholarship Awards 2025 are targeted to open this April. For enquiries, email edufund@thestar.com.my. – By ROWENA CHUA
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