SINTOK, Having his university application rejected twice actually spurred Muhammad Azri Mizra not only to obtain a degree but also emerge as the recipient of one of Universiti Utara Malaysia’s (UUM) most prestigious awards, the Royal Education Award at the 36th convocation ceremony held here today.

The 25-year-old Business Administration (Logistics and Transportation) degree graduate said that his failure in securing a spot in a university after finishing his Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examinations in 2015 was a bitter experience for him.

"I didn’t do so well in several subjects so my application was rejected twice and I felt very down, but it didn’t break my spirit and I was determined to be consistent and furthered my studies at the MARA professional college in Johor before finally being accepted into UUM after finishing my diploma,” he told reporters here after the convocation ceremony.

Muhammad Azri, who hails from Kuala Lumpur, is now working as a procurement officer in a company and he dedicated his success to his mother.

“Being a single mother, she raised us all by trading… Alhamdulillah today I’m happy with my success. What’s important is that we have interest, be consistent and persistent, there’s no easy way to success,” he said.

Fellow award recipient J Kaavilash Nair, 24, graduated with a communications degree, while Islamic Finance and Banking graduate Nurfarazida Salleh, 23, received the Chancellor’s Gold Medal.

Kaavilash Nair shared that he also suffered a similar setback when he did not do well in his SPM exam and was sad when he was not get a place in a university initially.

"I felt I had disappointed both my parents, but today I dedicate my success to both of them, who have always supported and encouraged me,” he said.

Meanwhile, Nurfarazida, who is a farmer’s daughter, said that she managed to get where she was today thanks to the prayers and efforts of both her parents.

"My style is to focus during lectures and interact with lecturers if I have any doubts. Actually, I also would pray and read the al-Quran nearly every day. I need to be hardworking to improve my family’s lifestyle,” she added.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency