KUALA LUMPUR – Izzati Kausar Azman has always aspired to become a successful researcher. Her dream to achieve this has intensified over the past year when she observed how important research is in battling the Covid-19 pandemic.
The only daughter of a single mother, Izzati took a major step towards seeing her wish being fulfilled when she was awarded a scholarship by Yayasan Khazanah.
The successful recipient of the Khazanah Watan Scholarship will pursue a master’s degree in medical microbiology at Universiti Malaya.
“In order to succeed, I need to pursue my postgraduate studies to deepen my knowledge,” she said.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has intensified my eagerness to extend my grasp of virology and so this scholarship resolves my financial challenge and allows me to pursue my dream.”
Izzati is among 104 students who were conferred scholarships during the Yayasan Khazanah Awards Day 2021 recently.
The occasion reflected the foundation’s 15-year legacy of recognising educational excellence by providing opportunities to outstanding students for tertiary and postgraduate education, both locally and overseas, including at premier universities in the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia..
This year’s awards theme, “Investing in and enabling tomorrow’s changemakers today”, underscores the importance of offering scholarships to deserving students identified as leaders of tomorrow.
Addressing the recipients, Datuk Amirul Feisal Wan Zahir, managing director of Khazanah Nasional Bhd, emphasised the importance of seizing opportunities.
This amazing and exciting experience marks the beginning of your career, so cherish your scholarship and glean what you can from it. You have the opportunity to reshape your future and, at the same time, help the country reshape its future by contributing to its economic development.”
Of the 104 scholarship recipients, 37 are beneficiaries of the Global Scholarship Programme to pursue their A-Levels at Kolej Yayasan UEM, while 62 students are under the Khazanah Watan Scholarship, which enables them to undertake undergraduate and postgraduate studies at local universities.
The remaining five students were awarded the inaugural Khazanah Lestari Scholarship to pursue executive and academic programmes on sustainable development towards the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 targeted by the United Nations.
Life-changing opportunities
Tan Gary, who recently graduated from Imperial College in London with first-class honours, was awarded the Khazanah High Achiever Award for Outstanding Achievement. Tan had distinguished himself at Imperial College and was featured on the dean’s list.
“As the first-generation university graduate in my family, it truly changed my life.
“It has allowed me to gain access to an exceptional education experience, both in an international school and in a world-renowned institution like Imperial College.
“The scholarship has allowed me to experience and learn from different cultures at a very young age and enabled me to cultivate a global mindset,” said Tan.
Another scholar, Danial Izat, completed his secondary school education in Johor and was awarded a Khazanah scholarship, which enabled him to pursue his IGCSE and International Baccalaureate (IB) at an international school.
At the school, Danial stood out as an all-rounder, taking an active part in music and theatre. With outstanding IB results and five rounds of vetting, he was awarded the Khazanah Global Scholarship to pursue a master’s degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Edinburgh starting this month.
“When one seeks change in a time of tribulation, one must change oneself,” said Danial, who believes in seeking knowledge without boundaries.
‘Build relationships, learn from environment’
Yayasan Khazanah chairman Datuk Shahril Ridza Ridzuan said it is heartening to see the progress the scholars have made.
“I am sure you have faced many challenges along the way. Nonetheless, you have strived and today, we celebrate your successes,” he told the proud students.
Latifah Daud, Khazanah’s executive director and head of strategic human capital management, reminded the recipients that there will always be a time for them to contribute.
“The focus should be on what you intend to do now,” she said. “So, fulfil your obligations, stay connected and be engaged. Build friends and relationships. Learning from each other is just as important as from books.
“Wherever you are, try to learn from your environment,” said Latifah, detailing the time she stayed with a foster family in the US to experience the culture and living experiences in the country. – The Vibes, October 10, 2021
