PAPAR: Yong Chiew Chung beamed with happiness after being declared as one of the seven excellent graduates of National Youth Skill Institute (IKBN) during its fourth convocation here yesterday.
The 28-year-old has another reason to smile – he is on track of fulfilling his dream of becoming an architect.
After completing his skills training at Certificate Level Three, he now hopes to further his studies in Diploma of Architecture and then at degree level.
Being a graphic designer, Yong has no regrets switching to architecture because he had made the right decision considering the two fields are related but totally different.
“I think I will not regret it as architectural field is really interesting and has potential in the future as we are moving forward to a developed country by 2020,” he said.
He said he took a Diploma in Graphic Design in 2001 at Sabah Institute of Art and worked as the graphic designer for four years at a company in the city.
“Architecture is quite complex to learn and as I love challenges, I do not think it would be hard for me to adapt to architecture.
“I would try my best to fulfill my dream and be a great architect in the future,” said Yong, who is now working as a draftsman in an architecture firm in the city.
Yong’s father, Yong Teck Leong, 62, said he put his faith and hope in his only son and the youngest in family.
“As a retiree, my wife and I are depending on our three children. We have two daughters and a son … Yong’s sisters are working as a teacher and journalist.
“We are really happy for Yong who is declared as the excellent graduate of IKBN,” said the elder Yong.
Meanwhile, Nickholin Melvin Nahfirin, a Level Three graduate in building construction, said his attempt to enter IKBN just for the fun of it finally made him realize his interest.
“I’ve heard about the IKBN from my cousin as he graduated from here. I told my parents that I wanted to study in IKBN and they agreed. I was thinking it would be easy for me but it was not to be. I have to work hard to make sure that I would not disappoint my parents,” said Nickholin, a Diploma in Building Technology student at Yayasan Sabah College.
“The potential of working in this industry is high and I do not think I want to switch to other fields. I would make an effort to ensure that my decision to take up the building construction course is right,” he said.
Nickholin’s mother, Resinta Elias, 47, said she was really proud of her son for emerging as an excellent graduate of IKBN.
“I hope he would achieve his dream and as a mother, I would support him so that he gets what he wants,” said Resinta.
Yong and Nickholin were among seven IKBN excellent graduates who were applauded for the outstanding achievements.
Meanwhile, IKBN director Mohd Dahali Haji Matsin said a total of 666 IKBN graduates received the Skill certificates and Energy Commission certificates respectively yesterday.
Of the total, 213 graduates are from the Civil Engineering School, 228 from Electronic School, 107 from Electrical School and 118 from the Refrigeration and Air-conditioning School.
Mohd Dahali hoped that the graduates would make full use of skills in improving themselves.
According to Dahali, they received various enquiries of late from youth who were interested to study in IKBN.
“This shows that the youth in the state are interested in skills fields, including the courses offered in IKBN, Kinarut.
“In line with the current needs, IKBN is starting a new course, namely Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Commercial in addition to the existing seven courses,” he said.
Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Razali Haji Ibrahim officiated at the convocation.