WORLD-CLASS opportunities are within reach, regardless of where one comes from.
It is a belief Jayvin Sharad hopes more young Malaysians will embrace.
A recent University of Cambridge law graduate who received his degree on July 4, he topped his cohort of 238 students, earning a Starred First with Distinction in Law.
For Jayvin, success is not measured solely by academic achievements, but by how many doors he can help open for others.
Throughout his university years in the United Kingdom, the 24-year-old made time to mentor aspiring law students, advising them on Oxbridge admissions, scholarship applications and university choices. He also reviewed personal statements, conducted mock interviews, and helped applicants prepare for the Law National Aptitude Test.
“Having benefited greatly from the generosity of teachers, seniors and mentors throughout my educational journey, I have always felt a responsibility to pay that forward.
“Education is one of the few things that becomes more valuable when it is shared, and I believe opportunities should not be limited by a lack of information or guidance,” he told StarEdu.
Jayvin added that what motivates him most is seeing students achieve goals they once believed were beyond their reach.
“Many talented young people underestimate themselves, particularly those from less privileged backgrounds.
“If sharing my experiences can help someone gain the confidence to apply to a university they once thought was unattainable, then I consider that immensely rewarding,” he shared.
At Cambridge, Jayvin consistently excelled academically, earning several prestigious awards, including the Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Overall Degree Classification Prize and the Serle Court Chambers Prize for Best Overall Performance.
He attributed his success to staying focused on his goals and drawing strength from a strong support system that helped him persevere through setbacks and self-doubt.
“My father has always reminded me not to place unnecessary pressure on myself, and my mother, despite being thousands of miles away, would regularly call to check on me and make sure I was coping well.
“Quite simply, without their encouragement and financial support, I would not have been able to study at Cambridge, let alone achieve this result,” he said.
He also credited Wolfson College, Cambridge, director of studies in law Assoc Prof Dr Liron Shmilovits, whose advice – that the sacrifices made through studying, discipline and perseverance can open doors and create lifelong opportunities – stayed with him throughout his degree.
Jayvin’s journey began long before Cambridge.
The SMK Tengku Ampuan Rahimah, Klang, Selangor, alumnus, who later pursued his A-Levels at Sunway College, said the discipline instilled by his parents, coupled with the freedom to choose his own path, laid the foundation for his success.
“My mother used to be a teacher, and while she never pressured me to achieve certain grades or be at the top of the class, she instilled in me the importance of discipline, consistency and taking my education seriously.
“My father was equally supportive. He always encouraged me to pursue what genuinely interested me and never imposed any particular career path on me.
“Having that freedom gave me the confidence to pursue ambitious goals without becoming overly apprehensive about failure,” he said.
Jayvin advised students to appreciate the guidance of their teachers and mentors.
“One habit that I think is often overlooked is showing genuine respect and appreciation to teachers and mentors.
“Small gestures, such as thanking a teacher after they have helped you, wishing them a Happy Teachers Day, or simply keeping them updated about your progress, can go a long way.
“When you genuinely value their guidance, you become more receptive to learning from them, and those relationships can remain meaningful long after you leave the classroom,” he said.
Looking ahead, Jayvin, who has signed a training contract with an American law firm in London, hopes to pursue postgraduate studies through programmes such as Harvard University’s Master of Laws and the University of Oxford’s Bachelor of Civil Law.
“I hope to continue mentoring students and sharing what I have learnt from my own experiences.
“In the long run, my ambition is to build a successful legal career while remaining connected to the wider community.
“I hope whatever success I achieve professionally can also be used to create opportunities for others, particularly young Malaysians who aspire to study or work internationally,” he said.
