ME, MY EDUCATION AND CAREER PLANNING

Written by : Imran Bin Ariffin, former student of Maktab Sultan Ismail

NRIC : 930704-03-5959
My full name is Imran Bin Ariffin, the third child of Ariffin Bin Noor, a
doctor posting in Hospital Gua Musang and Kamariah Binti Awang, a
Biology teacher at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Sultan Ismail. I have 5
siblings three brothers and two sisters with all of them are still
studying, two in tertiary education while three others are schooling. We
live in a peacefully serene village located not far from Pantai Cahaya
Bulan, called Tok Dokang. About my education background, I finished my
primary education at Sekolah Rendah Islam Aman (SRI Aman), a private
Islamic school which integrates national curriculum and fundamental
Islamic studies. Obtained 5 As in my Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah
(UPSR), I entered Maahad Muhammadi Lelaki (MML), at which I studied for
only 3 months before I went to Maahad Tahfiz Sains (MTS), a boarding
school in Tanah Merah. Despite the tough 4 years of interdisciplinary study
academics, Islamic subjects and memorization of the Holy Quran at
MTS, I managed to obtain 9 As in Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR)
along with 34 other high achievers in 2008 PMR and Mumtaz class in Sijil
Menengah Ugama (SMU), 2009. The next year, I then enrolled in Sultan
Ismail College (SIC), a premier school awarded Cluster School of
Excellence (KSC). At SIC, I took Bahasa Arab Tinggi as an additional
subject for SPM, though knowing the school do not have certified teacher
to teach me the subject for I think that as a memorizer of the Holy Quran,
it is of paramount importance for me to understand the verses and to
integrate them with science. And all praise to Allah the Almighty, I
managed to obtain 10 A+s in Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) 2010 and be
among 363 other students who got A+s for all subjects taken. This is a
proof, I think, that albeit having difficulties in conforming to different
cultures and education systems in different schools I have been in, being
objective-aware and passionate in learning is the key towards my
consistency in academic success.
Being a boarder was quite a challenge for me as I had to manage my time
efficiently, be independent and learnt to lead myself and others
effectively. During my years in MTS, I was very active in sports,
particularly in football and badminton as well as in other co-curricular
activities. When I was only in form two, I was given responsibility to be
part of the school editorial staff and the post was Ketua Unit Grafik Badan
Redaksi. The first year of my upper secondary was the busiest year I ever
experienced since I needed to balance my time, not just between
academics and co-curriculum, but taken also the study of SMU subjects

into timetable. In that year, I was the President of Kelab Tarannum Dan
Qiraat, Secretary of Kelab Sains Dan Matematik, monitor of my class, 4
Ibnu Awwam, and member of Solahuddin Al-Ayubi Usrah and Pasukan
Briged Bakti Sekolah. And also, I had actively participated in various
competitions and activities held by the school and by other bodies such as
Majlis Menghafaz Al-Quran, state level, Perkhemahan Perdana Briged
Bakti, district level, football and badminton sport tournaments, school
level, Public Speaking Competition, school level, and Pertandingan
Pentomen Malam Kesenian Islam, school level. While in SIC, I focused
more on my study, but still, I tried to actively take part in competitions,
such as National Physics Competition (NPC), in which I was awarded Silver
Certificate, making me the only student in my school who got it; and
public speaking competition, school level. Other than school related
programmes, I had also attended ESQ Basic Training, a professional class
leadership training organized by The ESQ Way 165. As for the awards I
have been bestowed upon, SIC conferred on me Sijil Anugerah
Kecemerlangan for obtaining 8 As and 1 B in Peperiksaan Kendalian
Berasaskan Sekolah 2 and Silver Certificate Winner in NPC 2010. And
during my post-SPM period, I attended a month-long Stepping Into the
Real World, a university preparatory course as to prepare myself for the
challenging future ahead and Interview Preparatory Course, both
conducted by Brig. General (B) Datuk Hussin Yusoff.
It has always been my ambition to be a mechatronics engineer. Both an
aspiring engineer and a maniac of Physics and Mathematics, I wish to
become a master of intricate expertise who can combine these disciplines
into innovatively scientific applications. As you might know, Mechatronics
is a newfound branch of engineering governing mechanical, electronics
and software engineering which I find very interesting a field to study in.
A mechatronics engineer usually work in large-scale industry where
robotic limbs replace humans, maintaining the already have system,
finding bugs and invent better system by improving the mechanics and
the programme scripts. Hoping to work in a respectable company in
future, I plan to obtain a first class degree in mechatronics engineering
from a reputable and government-accredited university in the United
States and come back to Malaysia as a registered engineer by Board of
Engineers Malaysia, BEM. After several years of working experience in
large industrial companies and an Ir. title in hand, I want to set up a
research-based business, preferably with my brother or colleagues with
the main intention to contribute to my nations economic growth. But, if
my first plan to work in large company and start my own business up
fails, I will still continue my life on, with a contingency plan. I will continue
my study to Masters degree in engineering and become a lecturer in a

local research university, doing researches and doctorate studies until I

get a Ph.D. But, I will make sure that I give significant contribution to my
nations economic growth; both my careers are planned to converge into
the same business, and again I say, research-based business. I realize
that this is a duty of noble respect and I need to work very hard to
accomplish it; my mission, a national mission.
I want to pursue my study in engineering in a prestigious university in the
United States, a country famous for its massive findings in technology and
science. But first, why over-sea? Well, studying abroad, as to me, is all
about broadening my horizon of thinking, globalising my point of view,
gaining new insights and outlooks through cross-cultural relationships and
putting me in a position where there is no one I can cling to, except to
myself shaping me to become a well-developed adult, spiritually,
mentally and physically. By studying in US, the most racially diverse
country in the world, I can learn from and indulge in other cultures from all
over the world and assimilate what is good into ours. In particular, it has
always been a highly aspirational wish for me to study in Massachusetts
Institute of Technology (MIT) for my undergraduate study. I know that I am
hoping beyond the skies but I am certainly sure that it could be made
possible if I give my very best for pre-university study and outshine others
in examinations. MIT, the most sought-after university by every
prospective international student, is a private university, which research in
science and technology is its emphasis. Ranked no.3 in Times Higher
Educations 2011 World University Ranking, MIT scored relatively high in
both international mix and teaching, which I think would provide the best I
could ever hope for a conducive learning environment. Among other
universities in the United States, MIT stands in the second top, beating all
the private Ivy League universities. Therefore, if I was chosen by MARA for
doing university preparation under, I would be a lot happier if it is Advance
Level General Certificate of Education (GCE A-Level) at Taylors College,
one of the best A-Level institutions in Malaysia. Competing with bright
students at Taylors College and learning from them as well, I will surely
get enough motivation to hard-push on my study until I succeed in my ALevel and the standardized Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) examination
with distinction, hence opening wide my chance to successfully enrol in
MIT.
That is all about me, my education and career planning. I hereby put my
hope in Allah, for I know Allah knows what is best for me. I will strive with
all my strength to fulfil my dream. Surely, if I were given a chance to get
this scholarship, I will it as a responsibility for my nation, specifically for
Malays. I am confidence that with the right intention, enough hard-work

and aspiration along with tawakkal to My Lord, I will become a successful

mechatronics engineer.

Please use this section to summarise your financial situation; please

explain why you wish to study your chosen course, how this relates to
your career ambition and why you would be unable to take up your place
without financial assistance. Continue on a separate sheet if necessary,
but do not exceed 500 words

I wish to pursue my graduate studies at XXX (university name) Your most

esteemed institution, as I believe that a Masters degree will help me
realize my ultimate goal, which is to develop myself as a well trained
chemical engineer and launch a career into the oil and gas industry.
My interest in sciences stemmed from my days in the local high school,
where 90% of the students receded from the sciences it was perceived
as a "no go area"; extra-challenging, no good teachers and less than 20%
of those that attempted ever passed. It seemed the way to hell and for me
that was the way to go!
In the sciences, engineering appealed to me more than medical sciences
due to the love for mathematics and then chemical engineering owing to
its versatility and the interest to play in the most essential sector of
Nigerian economy oil and gas.
Masters in advanced chemical engineering will equip me with the required
technical skills; enhance my research, analytical and data collection ability
while facilitating the goal for a change of career.
I had finished from the university not as the best student. Of course Paul
did and though I finished top 10 of about 145 students I knew I had a
capacity to do a lot better.
My mum, a nurse, had died in 1998 just while I was preparing for my
university exams and Dad, teaching in a high school with a monthly
income of about N30, 000 (Thirty thousand naira) , had to support
everyone; my elder brother who just got admitted in XXX( another
university), myself and three younger ones in the high school. He actually
insisted everyone had to go to school.
We understood how hard it was for my Dad and we knew that my siblings
had to have the opportunity to come through the high school, so my elder
brother and I had to work our ways through the university.
It was a very difficult time for me, missing classes and lab work in most of
the evenings and weekends so I can take my sessions in a Lesson center
where I taught high school students physics and mathematics.

During my four-month sojourn in XXX(a bank's training institute), the first

time in my adult age to engage in a sound academic contest without
financial worries, I held the my class and staff spellbound, beating the
second best student ( a 2.1/ MSc graduate in Banking and Finance) with
the highest grade point difference ever recorded in the school.
With a focus on my career goal, I saved at least 120,000 out of the
170,000 Naira I earned thereafter as my monthly income to enable me
pursue a more complete education in my chosen career line.
I had applied and secured an unconditional acceptance in the department
during the last session, registered on-line and put together the over 2
million Naira I had saved from my salary and bonuses, with which I applied
for a Visa for XXX(name of school), explaining to the embassy that I hoped
to pay up my fees in Instalments.
Well, the embassy insisted the financial implication was too much for me
not withstanding mediations from some members of XXX(name of school)
staff including Dr XXX of the International Office.
I have saved up more money since then, but that still is not enough and
having lost one, I have the last opportunity to join XXX(name of school)
I realize that there are cheaper schools but XXX(name of school) seems to
me the way to hell!
I can say there's one thing I'm sure of - receiving this scholarship will be
the defining moment in my education that will change the very essence of
my whole life. Thank you.

First and foremost, my name is Muhammad Hilmi Bin Khairuddin. I was

born in Hospital Sultanah Aminah, Johor and recently I live in Kota Tinggi,
Johor Darul Takzim.
Previously, I was a student of Sekolah Menengah Sains Tuanku Munawir
and I really appreciate the experience I gained. I actively involved in
sports and undeniably it taught me a lot about responsibility and
punctuality. Sports enhanced my teamwork spirit, which I found highly
applicable in my career soon. I represented my school for 3 games;
football, futsal and athletics in various stages until state level. I was
appointed as team leader for several times, it was not easy but I managed
to learn how to tolerate with other team members and boost up the
sportsmanship spirit in me. Sport not only improve me physically, but It
also help me to think quickly and effectively and become more discipline
toward time and attitude. As for me, I had represent my school football
team which known as Saser FC to a state competition, Piala Menteri Besar
with 78 schools participate and we managed to get to the fifth place in
that prestigious event.

As the Vice President of Peers Society Club, it helps to improve my

confidence to talk and communicate to other and also improve my
responsibility and leadership quality
as I was being looked up as one of the role model. I synchronized my
curricular and co-curricular activities, thus I successfully learned how to
manage my time wisely so I could be excellent in both. As a peer, I also
gained the knowledge about generosity, courtesy and appropriate social
manners as one of my responsibility is managing school events. One of
the events that my club members and I had organized was Earth Hour
Programme. All the electricity were switch off for an hour to promote and
practice conservation of energy and reducing carbon emissions through
awareness, by educating and uniting people to realize the risks of climate
change. I also the Vice President of Mathematics Club and I stood to the
club vision, gave my fullest commitment and encouraged my team to
come up with exceptional ideas into the activities planned in order to be
the most active and the best club.

As my higher education future planning, I would like to pursue my

study in chemical engineering. Chemical engineering is an engineering
discipline that involves the application of principles of physics , chemistry

and life sciences in the process of converting raw materials or chemical

into more valuable and useful things. I would like to do A-level first at any
local university. Hopefully I would be given the opportunity to pursue my
study at United Kingdom(UK) . The reason why I want to pursue my study
there is because chemical engineering is more developed in that country
compare to other country across the globe with many top universities in
United Kingdom had produce an excellent graduate for this type of field. If
I were to pursue my study at the UK I will take my own initiative for selfenhancement by going to few factories to gain more knowledge and
experience such as exxon oil and gas company about the technology
applied in real life situation of chemical engineering. I will also eagerly
learn the way of their working cultures, environment and crisismanagement skills which might be applicable into my career soon. As a
future Chemical Engineer, I would like contribute and serve as much as I
could towards my beloved country, Malaysia. It will be my pleasure to
share and apply the knowledge that I gained with others in order to
develop our local technology and infrastructure. I also determine to find
another source of fuel for vehicles which are eco-friendly and will not
pollute our environment . I clearly believed that it would not be invented
without hard work and determination on advancing our beloved country,
Malaysia. I hope that I will be given this scholarship in order for me to
pursue my study abroad.

Munirah. That is the name given to me which means 'to radiate'. I was
born to my dearest parents, Mr Mohamad Nordin Yusoff and Mrs Siti
'Aishah Sopian on 17th September 1994. I'm the second child from six
siblings which consists of four girls and two boys.
I started my journey in the world of education at Sekolah Rendah Islam
Pintar, Permatang Pauh until I was 7 years old where I was taught to
memorise verses of Quran and also learned the basics and skills of life like
the moral values and reading. After that, I was transferred to SK
Permatang To' Kandu and SK Kuala Ketil where I sat for my UPSR in 2006.
Praise to ALLAH, I consistently attained the top position in annually during
my primary studies and was awarded The Academic Award in 2006.
Due to my excellent result in UPSR, I was offered to pursue my secondary
study in Maktab Mahmud Alor Setar, a prestigious college which had
produced famous professionals and Muslim scholars. With the help from
teachers and friends, I quickly adapted to the 21 subjects learned in the
school and managed to maintain top-five position in my classes from Form
One to Form Three.
After achieving 9As in PMR 2009, I was offered a place in science stream
classes for my upper secondary studies. This was the most crucial part in
my studies where I had to study hard to achieve my dream to become a
professional Muslim scholar, a Muslim gynaecologist, to be exact.
Praise to the Al Mighty God that I excelled in my SPM 2011 with flying
colours after attaining 11 Mumtaz for Sjil Menengah Rendah Agama
Maktab Mahmud(SMRAMM) in 2010. The result 8A+ 3A- really had
strengthened my will to be a pious gynaecologist, the one who will live up
to the need of Muslims.
Besides excelling in my studies, which I'm very sure could not be done
without the support from my parents, teachers and friends, I was also an
active member in the Red Crescent Society. I frequently attended the first
aid classes thus improving the skills I've obtained from the 'Doktor Muda'
programme I had joined.
Furthermore, I was also given the responsibility as the Vice President for
Science and Mathematics Club where I get most of my leadership skills.
This is because I had to deal with the administrators, teachers and
students in organising activities for the club. Therefore, the school had
awarded me with the Co-Curricular Award for my involvement in the Club.
Moreover, I've also been selected as the school prefect and 'Pembimbing
Rakan Sebaya' under the School's Counselling Board. However, my
leadership and communication skills were further sharpened when I was

given the portfolio as Secretary for Information and Communication

Bureau of Badan Dakwah dan Kebajikan in my school. Besides, I also
represented my school and district to the state level in chess tournaments
under Majlis Sukan Sekolah-sekolah Kedah (MSSK). There, I learned a lot
on how to handle emotional distress and socialise with students from
various schools and races.
On the other hand, I also involved actively in voluntary works with the
society. I was selected as facilitator for many out-of class programmes
which had earned me a lot of interesting and precious experiences. I got
to know the skills to control my emotion when handling the children with
their antics, especially when I was sent to Kem Anak Soleh 2010 and Kem
Bina Insan 2010 organised by the state government as facilitator and
coordinator.
Like everyone in this world, I want to be a virtuous person, the one who
serve my religion, race, king and nation best. For me to achieve it, I've
chosen to further my education in medical field.
For a long time, I've been mesmerised by the job as a physician. I was
introduced to the world of medicines by my uncle, Dr Yahya Baba and my
aunt, Dr Rope'ah Yusoff who were currently working in Banting, Selangor.
My parents also pushed me hard and motivated me to become a doctor.
To me, a physician a.k.a doctor is a very noble career who treats the
patients without any prejudice. A doctor also not only treat the physical
pain, but also help to ease the patient emotionally. Besides, being a doctor
is not only about practising the right skills, it is also about having
humanity, empathy and a conscientious heart to perceive the pains of
others.
I love to read books online from internet for informations, particularly on
the recent discoveries in medical researches. From that I 've decided to
take gynaecologist as my future walk of life. The main reason I choose it is
to bring my heart and soul closer to the Creator. I want to study and
explore the miraculous creation from Al Mighty God and brace up my faith.
In order to accomplish my vision, I've outlined my mission plan. I'm going
to get my Medicine Bachelor & Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) in Middle East
preferably in Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST) as I want
to be a Muslim scholar as well as a gynaecologist just like my idol, Syeikh
Dr Yusri Rushdi Sayyid Jabr Al-Hasani who is a surgeon and a Muslim
scholar. After enduring intern ship for about three years where I will be
practising the knowledges that I got from medical school, I'm going to
pursue my study in Master of Medicine (MMED/MRCOG) to specialise in

Obstetric and Gynaecology, preferably in our beloved country, Malaysia. If

possible, I'm going to Ireland for my Ph.D. where I could widen my insight
and experiences as their technologies are more advanced, so that I can
learn and bring back home all the skills to teach other doctors and treat
the patients more effectively.
I'm choosing MARA to support my studies as I know MARA will consent my
dream to open a so-called Maahadian Medical Centre, the Muslims
medical centre which will recruit Muslims physician of various specialities
in Malaysia to work together and bring back the glory of Malay and
Muslims, for the sake of our peaceful and beautiful Malaysia.