WHEN Joel Dass (pic) received the call confirming his Star Education Fund scholarship in 2008, he and his father sat silently in their car, overwhelmed by the magnitude of the moment.
With the scholarship, he enrolled in a Bachelor of Arts (Accounting & Finance) programme at Taylor’s University
in 2009, but the impact extended far beyond covering tuition fees.
For Dass, who had spent 13 years in the government school system, stepping into a private university environment felt unfamiliar and intimidating.
Yet it was precisely this exposure that shaped his future.
“Coming from a modest background, being selected made me feel that I belonged in spaces I once thought were beyond me,” he said.
Interacting with students and lecturers from diverse backgrounds built his communication skills and confidence – qualities that would prove essential in his career.
That exposure also fuelled his ambition. After graduation, Dass pursued professional accountancy qualifications and became a fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.
His career evolved from finance and accounting into broader leadership responsibilities, eventually leading him to his current role as chief financial officer at Juris Technologies Sdn Bhd, a Malaysian-grown fintech company transforming credit management through digital and artificial intelligence-powered solutions.
Today, at 37, Dass oversees not only financial management but also talent, legal affairs, contracts and commercial strategy. He has contributed to internal automation, strategic initiatives and product innovation.
“The scholarship was not just financial support,” he said. “It was a turning point that gave me access, confidence and hope. It changed the trajectory of my life,” he said.
His advice to students hoping to secure scholarships is grounded in the perseverance that carried him through his own journey.
“Stay humble, never stop dreaming and keep moving forward. No matter how hard it gets, do not stop. Progress may not always be fast, but as long as you keep moving forward, you are still progressing,” he 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.Have you experienced a “turning point” in your life? Share it with a partner. Your partner will then summarise your story in one or two sentences for the class. For example: “One day, ___ happened, and it changed his/her life by ___.”
2. Create a short mantra to encourage yourself and your friends when things get tough. Post it on the classroom noticeboard. Have fun!
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
