AS a student fresh out of Form Six, Chan Wai Ling (pic) had a dream: to pursue tertiary studies in accounting, economics and finance.
Aware that gaining admission to a public university was highly competitive, she kept her options open by applying to the Star Education Fund (SEF) with her Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia results, hoping to secure a spot in her preferred course at an educational institution along with a scholarship.
That proactiveness paid off – she enrolled in accounting and finance at UCSI University, and went on to build a career that has spanned leadership roles across Malaysia’s banking sector and beyond.
Describing the moment she received the scholarship as unforgettable, the 36-year-old market risk manager at Bank Islam recalled the relief and excitement of being selected from a competitive pool of candidates.
“It felt like winning the lottery,” she said, adding that she saw the SEF as a practical step towards securing a university education.
That first step in 2008 opened doors to opportunities that extended far beyond the classroom for Chan.
Through internship placements during her university years, she gained early exposure to the banking industry, starting in a market risk division of a bank.
By the time many of her peers were entering the workforce, she had already built a foundation in project management and risk analysis. It also sparked her interest in strategic, cross-functional roles, setting the tone for her future career moves.
Over the years, Chan steadily expanded her experience across several major financial institutions, and earned her certification as a Financial Risk Manager, strengthening her technical expertise.
A defining milestone came in 2018, when she joined First Abu Dhabi Bank, the largest bank in the United Arab Emirates. Just as the Covid-19 pandemic began to unfold in 2020, she returned to Malaysia, continuing her contribution to the banking industry.
Looking back on her career, Chan credited the SEF as a defining influence.
Beyond financial support, being a scholarship recipient instilled discipline, accountability and a strong work ethic – qualities that have underpinned her career progression, she noted.
Balancing academic demands with extracurricular commitments taught her to prioritise, manage time effectively and stay focused under pressure, she said, adding that these early lessons continue to guide her today.
In a fast-evolving world, she emphasised the importance of staying curious, proactive and open to learning – qualities she believes are just as important as academic results.
“One of the greatest advantages of youth is the energy and curiosity to explore new opportunities. Stay hungry, curious, be proactive, and get involved in activities that help you grow both academically and personally,” she said.
This feature is part of a series highlighting beneficiaries of the Star Education Fund (SEF), in celebration of Star Media Group’s 55th anniversary. Since its inception in 1994, the SEF has benefited 4,601 scholarship recipients, with a total value of RM176 mil. Applications for the 2026 edition are now open at https://www.thestar.com.my/edufund. For enquiries, email edufund@thestar.com.my or call 03‑7967 1388 ext 1466.
With the theme of the article in mind, carry out the following English language activities.
1. Think about your daily life – school, home, hobbies or friendships. Make a list of areas where you could be more proactive, and explain why taking initiative in these areas is important.
2. in groups, brainstorm activities that can help you grow academically and personally. pick your top three activities to try, and explain why you chose them and how you will include them in your routine.
The Star’s Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) programme promotes English language learning in primary and secondary schools nationwide. For Star-NiE enquiries, email starnie@thestar.com.my.
