IN 2015, Saidatul Maisarah Faiesall (pic) found herself at a crossroads.
Having long envisioned a future in foreign service, she had a deep interest in international relations – a field then considered a less-trodden path, and one with limited financial support.
For a time, practicality won. She enrolled in a law foundation programme at a public university. But just a month in, the call came – she had been awarded a Star Education Fund scholarship, in partnership with the University of Nottingham Malaysia, to pursue a BA (Honours) in International Relations with Mandarin.
It was, she recalled, both thrilling and daunting.
“Law school was the safer choice but international relations felt like a calling. I didn’t want to live with the question of ‘what if’,” the 29-year-old said.
Raised in a middle-class family that valued education, Saidatul Maisarah had enjoyed a relatively comfortable upbringing. But as the youngest child, timing worked against her.
By the time she was ready for university, her father was nearing retirement and facing financial strain. The scholarship eased that burden. More importantly, it gave her the freedom to pursue what she truly cared about.
“The scholarship didn’t just fund a degree,” she said. “It funded my purpose.”
At university, Saidatul Maisarah immersed herself not only in academic study but also in personal growth. While tuition fees were covered, she worked part-time in retail and food and beverage to support her daily expenses.
She regarded the scholarship as a form of rezeki, an opportunity that carried with it the obligation to give back.
With that mindset, she actively participated in youth-led volunteering initiatives.
She said her time at university broadened her perspective of how the world works. Beyond political theory, she developed critical soft skills – strategic thinking, diplomacy, negotiation, and the ability to communicate complex ideas across diverse audiences.
Her career path has not been linear. After graduation, she worked with think tanks and non-governmental organisations on social issues, before training briefly for diplomatic service.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, she contributed to Malaysia’s National Immunisation Programme under the Prime Minister’s Office – an experience that deepened her understanding of how policy impacts communities on the ground.
Today, those skills underpin Saidatul Maisarah’s work as head of policy, strategy and advocacy at the Sunway Centre for Planetary Health.
In her role, she operates at the intersection of environment and public health, engaging with government stakeholders, contributing to international platforms such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the World Economic Forum, and advocating for inclusive, sustainable policies.
Saidatul Maisarah credited the scholarship not just for opening doors, but also for affirming her choices.
“It was the first major external validation that my interests had value. It taught me that if you are clear about your ‘why’, the resources to support your ‘how’ will eventually come,” she said.
She added that it ultimately shaped a career dedicated to serving both people and the planet.
“I carry the weight of knowing I was chosen over many others who were just as deserving. I owe it to the sponsors and the community to pay it forward through the work I do now,” 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 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. What career do you see yourself pursuing in the future? If that plan does not work out, what other career would you consider, and why?
2. Which less well-known career path do you find interesting? Explain why you think it deserves more attention.
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.
