Earning her PhD is former Miss Malaysia’s crowning glory

KUALA LUMPUR: There is no success without sacrifice, as former Miss Malaysia Soo Wincci (pic) found out in her quest to achieve a doctorate in Business Administration.

Dr Soo Wincci, as she is known now, said that the six years it took her to finish her PhD was a steep learning experience.

“I started from zero. In the first two years I couldn’t manage between my entertainment career and my studies,” said the 31-year-old actress, singer and model, adding that she almost gave up on her studies.

“My supervisor kept throwing away my thesis into the dustbin, as she had high stan­dards for me. She kept reminding me that I was writing a topic that no one has written before, so I needed to be better,” she said.

She said it was a period in her life where she had to deal with a lot of stress.

Soo said she could not hold back her tears upon learning she had passed her PhD viva.

She said that the biggest sacrifice she made was in her personal life.

She added that receiving her scroll at the Open University Malaysia convocation ceremony yesterday at the Putra World Trade Centre here was akin to a “solo wedding”.

“At my age, a lot of my friends have become Mrs or Mr. For me, I became a doctor. It’s what I have always dreamt of,” she said.

Soo said she intended to use her thesis subject on personal branding strategy on social media to help Malaysians.

“Social media is progressing so fast. Overseas, they are earning money through social media but here, many do not know how,” she said.

She added that she also wanted to inspire fellow artistes to further their studies.

After the convocation ceremony, Soo was also awarded the Malaysian Guinness Book of Records title for being the first Miss Malaysia to get a PhD.

“Sometimes it’s hard, if you are a beauty queen. The stereotype is that you are a bimbo, but if you work hard in academics, you can do it,” said the 2008 Miss Malaysia.