While his mother retained partial vision and could manage some daily tasks, his parents’ condition generally made it difficult for them to earn a high income.
So from a young age, Ng understood that if he wanted to pursue higher education, he would have to carve out his own path.
“I knew early on that I had to actively look for opportunities and apply for scholarships wherever I could,” the 32-year-old said.
As he prepared to further his studies in 2012, the odds were, however, not in his favour. He recalled that scholarships were limited and highly competitive, with strict requirements that made the process uncertain.
For Ng, securing financial support was not just important; it was imperative.
His persistence paid off when he was awarded the Star Education Fund scholarship, which enabled him to pursue A-Levels at Methodist College Kuala Lumpur.
The moment he received the news remains etched in his memory.
“I felt absolutely ecstatic and, more than anything, relieved,” he shared. “I wasn’t sure how I would continue my education otherwise.”
The scholarship became a crucial stepping stone. It provided him with the academic foundation needed to pursue his ultimate goal – a career in medicine – and allowed him to focus fully on his studies and future.
“Without the A-Levels, I wouldn’t have been able to bridge my way into medical school,” he said.
Ng went on to pursue his medical degree in Sarawak, a journey marked by years of rigorous study, discipline and perseverance. This was followed by the demanding training period of housemanship, where long hours and high-pressure environments tested both his resilience and commitment.
Today, Ng serves as a medical officer in the healthcare sector, a role that reflects both his ambition and the sacrifices made along the way.
He described the scholarship as pivotal, not just in shaping his professional path, but also in transforming his life.
“It opened the door for me to pursue medicine, something that would have been very difficult given my financial circumstances. It didn’t just support my education; it changed the trajectory of my life,” he said.
Beyond financial assistance, he said the scholarship also strengthened his confidence and belief in his own abilities.
It reinforced the idea that hard work and determination can create opportunities, even in the face of significant challenges, he added.
With resilience as his key to making the most of opportunities, it is also the advice Ng offers to students hoping to carve out a path for themselves: “Work hard, stay focused, and be genuine about your story and purpose.”
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 Describe a time when you had to be resilient. What happened, and how did you overcome it? Share the lessons you learnt with the class.
2 Create a montage using today’s newspaper to show examples of resilience in action. Then, write a short paragraph reminding yourself to stay resilient.
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.
