LEARNING to seize opportunity was something Carroll Kee (pic) took time to develop.
As a student, she did not actively pursue scholarships, believing that public education was her clearest path forward.
Growing up in Parit Baru, a small fishing village in Selangor, she was the middle child in a family with limited means. Her father worked in construction while her mother was a homemaker.
But her family consistently showed her the value of taking charge of one’s own destiny.
Her early schooling was in a small Chinese school with fewer than 10 pupils per class. When she was eight, her mother decided to move the family to Sungai Besar in search of better educational opportunities, opening up a wider world for her children.
When it was time for Kee to pursue tertiary studies, her older brother stepped in to help source opportunities and submit multiple scholarship applications on her behalf, including one to the Star Education Fund.
“At that point, it was less about expectation and more about hope,” Kee recalled. “It felt like a chance.”
So when she received the call informing her that she had been awarded a fully sponsored Tier 1 scholarship – one of only three recipients – she was in disbelief.
“It took me a while to process it,” the 41-year-old said. “More than excitement, I felt grateful.”
The scholarship changed her life in immediate and tangible ways. It lifted the financial burden that had always lingered in the background, allowing her to pursue her information technology degree at Universiti Malaya without the constant worry of making ends meet in Kuala Lumpur.
Just as importantly, it provided emotional reassurance.
“That sense of being supported gave me stability,” she said. “It allowed me to focus and move forward with confidence.”
Receiving a scholarship from the fund also fundamentally expanded her mindset, giving her the affirmation she needed that someone believed in her potential.
It gave her the confidence to take risks, embrace uncertainty and grow.
“That foundation stayed with me,” she said.
Her newfound confidence also helped her through university life, which came with its own set of challenges.
Kee had chosen a less conventional field at the time and often faced questions from those who believed she could have pursued a more traditional path.
Financial limitations remained part of her daily reality, where even basic tools like a laptop were considered a luxury.
Yet these experiences proved formative. They built resilience, independence and a willingness to navigate uncertainty – qualities that would later define her career.
After graduating, Kee began her career as a web developer before pivoting into marketing, eventually carving out a path across digital agencies and regional roles. Today, she is the managing director of Radiance Asia, leading her own business in retail experiential and marketing solutions.
For Kee, the scholarship’s true impact lies not just in enabling her education, but also in shaping her mindset.
She said it gave her the assurance to step forward with conviction and embrace opportunities she might otherwise have hesitated to pursue.
It is a belief she carries forward today, which she seeks to pass on by opening doors for others.
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 RM176mil. 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 ever tried something that didn’t work out? What changed in your life because you tried? Write about it.
2 “Opportunities should always be taken, even if you feel unsure.” Do you agree? Why or why not? Discuss with your class.
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.
