Diplomatic dreams
Bravery comes in many forms and, in some cases, means making a pivot.
For L. Subateeswarran, 27, changing his academic direction was a difficult move that ultimately paid off.
“I began my academic journey by studying biotechnology at Nilai Polytechnic. It was a field I genuinely enjoyed and was passionate about.
“However, as I progressed, I became increasingly aware of the limited career opportunities available within the field locally,” the Shah Alam, Selangor, native said.
When Covid-19 hit the country’s shores in 2020, Subateeswarran found himself drawn to global political developments with a deepening interest in international affairs.
With that direction in mind, he took a leap of faith and applied for a BA (Honours) International Relations at the University of Nottingham Malaysia through the Star Education Fund (SEF).
“I come from a modest background. My parents are retired schoolteachers and pursuing higher education at a private university, let alone a UK university based in Malaysia, was financially out of reach for my family,” he said.
“Despite achieving strong academic results and being actively involved in extracurricular activities, my earlier attempts through conventional pathways were uncertain as placements did not always align with my aspirations. This made that period particularly challenging,” he added.
Subateeswarran still remembers his scholarship interview, where he spoke about his academic transition, motivations and how he would make the most of this crucial opportunity.
“Reflecting on my journey, applying for the SEF scholarship was a turning point in my life. During my time at university, I fully immersed myself in both academic and extracurricular life.
“I participated actively in debate, Model United Nations and student organisations while also engaging in sports, arts, cultural and community activities.
“Beyond university, the scholarship opened doors that would have otherwise remained closed. I secured a traineeship with the Delegation of the European Union to Malaysia, where I later progressed into a consultancy role and that led to further professional opportunities,” he said.
Now stationed at the Royal Danish Embassy in Malaysia as a communications and political officer, Subateeswarran credited the SEF as the starting point of his career.
“It was the catalyst that enabled everything that followed.
“The SEF did more than support my education; it changed the trajectory of my life,” he said.
Solid roadmap
Working on transit systems may be part of Christine Valirie Sabanal Teti’s current job, but securing a strong roadmap through education made it all possible.
Growing up in a vibrant Bidayuh-Filipino family, Christine obtained a Diploma in Technology (Quantity Surveying) from Tunku Abdul Rahman University College in 2018 with the help of the SEF.
“The SEF scholarship significantly eased my family’s financial burden and allowed me to focus fully on my studies without the constant worry of tuition fees.
“More importantly, it gave me a sense of assurance and responsibility to make the most of the opportunity given to me.
“For my family, it brought a sense of relief and pride, knowing that I was supported in pursuing my education,” said Christine, who grew up in both Sarawak and the Philippines.
Now working as an administrator for Sunway Construction, Christine has contributed to a number of large projects in Johor, including the Rapid Transit System, the Multi-Storey Park & Ride and most recently, a data centre development.
Becoming extraordinary
The road to a good career is often wrought with challenges and sometimes, one becomes one’s own stumbling block.
For Alex Chee Kai Hong, 24, securing a scholarship shattered preconceived notions he had about himself.
“I often saw myself as just someone ordinary and thought that I would not achieve anything special.
“Financial limitations reinforced that mindset; it justified my reluctance to step out of my comfort zone with thoughts of ‘that’s something other people can afford, we shouldn’t (think about it)’.
“Receiving this scholarship from the SEF helped to disrupt that way of thinking,” the Selangor native said.
Given the opportunity to pursue a BSc (Honours) in Computer Science at Sunway University, Chee began to reassess the possibilities his future held.
“The scholarship gave me more than an academic opportunity; it changed how I saw myself and what I believed was possible.
“I became more open to trying new things and being more optimistic about what I could achieve.”
For Chee’s family, the impact was just as important.
“Instead of depending on my siblings, who sacrificed so much to support me, I am now in a position to give back and support them in return,” he said.
Now working as a software engineer in the rising age of artificial intelligence (AI), Chee urged young students to choose a path of continuous learning and improvement.
“Job displacement by AI is not new, as roles of the past like film projectionists and human computers have already become obsolete due to technological advancements.
“New industries will emerge unexpectedly. Fields like digital content creation, esports and cybersecurity were once seen as hobbies or even science fiction and yet, individuals who were passionate about creating videos or gaming continued to refine their skills and eventually turned these interests into impactful careers,” he noted.
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. For enquiries, email edufund@thestar.com.my or call 03-7967 1388 ext 1466.
