KOTA SAMARAHAN: Hard work and sacrifices he made during his studies paid off for Izrie Hasfiezul Hashim, 25, who received the Best Graduate Award (Bachelor’s Degree) from UiTM Sarawak.
Izrie, who graduated with a Bachelor of Administrative Science (Honours) from the Faculty of Administrative Science and Policy Studies, finally achieved his dream of wearing the pink sash.
The youngest of four siblings does not view challenges or difficulties as excuses to halt his learning.
“Every obstacle that is overcome is a process that every student must go through before completing their studies.
“Unlike other students, I do not have a ‘recipe for success’ other than focusing in class and studying at my own pace. I also do not rely solely on notes and textbooks.
“We need to expand our knowledge by reading from various credible sources such as the internet, newspapers, documentaries, and others,” he told Suara Sarawak after the 99th UiTM Convocation Ceremony at Dewan Jubli UiTM Samarahan yesterday.
Hailing from Kuching, Izrie also said that he is someone who prefers to complete tasks at the last minute, as he believes this approach makes the work more effective.
Now working at the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in Putrajaya, he said that all the knowledge gained in class, especially in his field, must be understood thoroughly to be applied in the working world.
This is because, he added, it is that knowledge that will be used in industry, and he is determined to continue excelling in his current field.
“Because I genuinely love this field. The knowledge I gained during my studies was very useful in securing the job I wanted,” he said, expressing his desire to pursue higher education in the future.
Meanwhile, Nur Syamimi Sabdin, 22, the recipient of the Best Graduate Award (Diploma), acknowledged that her success was largely due to the support and encouragement of her family, especially her parents, throughout her studies.
Originally from Sabah, the eldest of three siblings also received the Leadership Award.
Sharing her tips for success, she said she studied at night because she found it easier to remember topics by writing and reading aloud during that time.
“I also plan before doing anything by asking what, how, and why the task needs to be done,” she said.
She adheres to the principle that if you try, you have a chance; if you give up, you get nothing.
In addition to her academic achievements, she was also active in co-curricular activities, which earned her the Leadership Award at UiTM Sarawak.
“The main challenges faced by university students today are the pressure from the overload of assignments, time management issues, and personal problems, all of which can affect academic performance and studies.
“It’s true that I, too, experienced stress during my studies, but I chose to manage it as best as I could, and I would share my problems with my mother for advice and support. This made me feel calmer, and I never neglected my prayers,” she said.
She added that stress management is very important for students because if not handled well early on, it can persist even after completing studies and entering the working world.
