Sharing the same dream: Nur Aliyah (right) and her friend Delvia Dores, both from Beluran, are pursuing the cosmetology programme at Sandakan Vocational College 2.
KOTA KINABALU: In a quiet corner of Beluran lies Kampung Ranpik – a small village about 20km from town – where 16-year-old Nur Aliyah Qalesya Rasman made a decision that could shape her future.
Rather than continue in mainstream secondary school, the former SMK Beluran student took a leap and enrolled in Sandakan Vocational College 2, choosing to pursue skills-based training in cosmetology.
“I’ve always believed that having skills is more important these days. With vocational training, I know I’ll be able to find a job – maybe even faster than those who take academic courses,” she said.
Her soft-spoken nature hides a fierce determination.
“I want to become a dermatologist – that’s really my dream,” she said.
“But if that doesn’t happen, I’d love to work in a spa or salon and eventually start my own business. I want to be independent. I don’t want to just wait around for opportunities – I want to create them.”
The vocational programme she’s enrolled in begins at age 16 and runs for two years, after which students continue with a two-year diploma – shorter than the typical three-year diploma offered elsewhere. All four years can be completed at the same campus, Sandakan Vocational College 2.
Nur Aliyah lives with her family in Kampung Ranpik, where her mother is a homemaker and her father earns a living driving a lorry. Her elder brother is also a lorry driver, while her 13-year-old sister is still in school.
The village is part of Beluran district, which is one of Sabah’s interior areas and listed among the eight poorest districts in Malaysia.
While the area isn’t isolated, it still lacks access to many resources and exposure compared to urban centres.
Nur Aliyah said her decision to take up vocational studies was not just for herself but also for her family.
“If I succeed, I want to be able to support my parents and my siblings. That’s always been my heart’s desire,” she said.
She admitted to having struggled in several academic subjects – a challenge that led her to consider vocational education as a more realistic path.
“I was worried I couldn’t finish my SPM. I have always found subjects like History and Science really difficult,” she said.
“So I figured this was the best chance I have to succeed and build a future.”
Sandakan Vocational College 2 is one of eight vocational colleges in Sabah, with each offering different specialised fields.
Nur Aliyah’s campus is the only one in the state that offers cosmetology.
She believes that vocational education is often underestimated – especially by those who see it as a “second option”.
I think people sometimes look down on vocational courses, but I see it differently. These are real skills that people need every day. Whether it’s beauty, plumbing, electronics – they’re all valuable,” she said.
For Nur Aliyah, beauty isn’t just about appearance, it’s also about helping people feel good about themselves.
“People feel more confident when they take care of themselves. I want to be someone who helps others feel beautiful inside and out,” she said.
