Inspiring Malaysians talk about finding your/their place in the world.
DO you have a passion that you hope to nurture into a dream job or profession? If the answer is yes, you are not alone.
The journey to carving a place for yourself and your ideas in the world begins with identifying your passion and the right environment to support you.
Here is what four inspiring Malaysian alumni of the University of Nottingham Malaysia, who have found their place in the world, have to say about starting your very own journey.
A sustainable future
Harith Ridzuan, who is the founder of The Green Factory, is a designer-maker of sustainable future, and home and living products.
Harith Ridzuan, better known as the ‘Green Carpenter’ says that his time at University Nottingham of Malaysia fuelled his creativity and drive for making a positive impact with sustainability.
“The University of Nottingham Malaysia’s 48-hectare foothill campus and lush greenery provided an inspiring environment that ignited my passion for sustainability,” says Harith, who graduated with a BA in Management Studies in 2008.
“Pursuing a degree in Management Studies, I gained valuable business knowledge that remains applicable today. Furthermore, the university’s commitment to environmental consciousness and its dedication to fostering innovation, provided the perfect platform for me to explore and develop my ideas.
“My alma mater played a vital role in fuelling my creativity and drive to make a positive impact, which resulted in my purposeful journey towards success, with sustainability at its core.”
Developing youth towards unity and nation building
Dr K. Nagulendran’s heart for public service in Malaysia has led to a career spanning a total of 28 years.
Dr K. Nagulendran attests that exposure to different cultures, perspectives, and ideas at University of Nottingham Malaysia shaped his vision for unity and nation-building.
Currently serving as the Youth and Sports Ministry’s secretary general, Nagulendran believes the foundation for his passion to serve the community and nation was laid from a very young age.
During his early years of service, he had the opportunity to continue postgraduate studies at the University of Nottingham UK for his Masters, and later his doctorate at the University of Nottingham Malaysia.
“As a proud alumnus of the University of Nottingham Malaysia, I can attest to the transformative power of an international and diverse student community,” he says.
“Interacting with students from over 70 countries further augmented my knowledge in public administration.
“Reflecting on my journey, I am grateful for the exceptional learning environment that combined the Malaysian ecosystem with the invaluable input of UK perspectives, and exposure to different cultures and ideas.
“This was pivotal in shaping my vision for unity and nation-building, igniting my passion for developing the youth towards a brighter future.
“The University of Nottingham Malaysia truly prepares graduates to thrive in a globally interconnected world,” adds Nagulendran, who was also the 2017 winner of the University of Nottingham’s Vice-Chancellor’s Medal.
Mental well-being literate society
Genevieve Wong, a licensed and registered counsellor with the Malaysian Board of Counsellors and an accredited Mental Health First Aider, finds joy in walking the journey with patients experiencing distress towards finding hope.
Genevieve Wong finds joy in journeying with patients experiencing distress towards finding hope as a licensed counsellor an accredited Mental Health First Aider.
“The best years of my life were at the University of Nottingham Malaysia. I found my passion which led me to pursue Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience. It opened a whole new world to me.
“I met inspiring lecturers who guided me to become who I am now, and achieved good counselling skills and cultivated my research skills,” says Wong, who graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience in 2016.
A new innovative era in agrifood
FarmByte chief executive officer Aiman Syed Jaafar, who is a Computer Science and Management Studies BSc (Hons) graduate, has four key ingredients to success for SPM leavers.
“First, it does not matter what job you do, have something to do outside work. Be it a club or a society, joining them is the best way for you to expand your network.
“Second, stay connected with everyone. Once you graduate, you will quickly realise that you do not meet your classmates daily, so stay connected via social media.
“Third, read books. It is one of the things I learned and appreciated during my time at the University of Nottingham Malaysia: the need to continuously learn. There's wisdom in reading books and it keeps you grounded.
Aiman Syed Jaafar believes in the need to continuously learn, a lesson he credits the University of Nottingham Malaysia for instilling in him.
“Finally, stay humble and be grateful. No matter how fast you achieve success in life, stay humble, because the moment you allow ego to get in the picture, you will be clouded in terms of how you move forward,” says Aiman.
Beyond formal education, these inspiring individuals have displayed the critical soft skills that every individual striving for success in their passion really needs; all of which are present in a good higher education environment.
From passionate educators and diverse student mobility to a stimulating extra-curricular environment, the University of Nottingham Malaysia offers it all to help students find their place in the world.
Follow in the footsteps of these Malaysians and carve your place in the world, starting with the right university.
If you are looking to pursue a UK education in Malaysia, visit the University of Nottingham Malaysia’s Campus Open Day this June 24 - 25.
For more information, visit https://www.nottingham.edu.my/.
