TOP STUDENT: Shafie (second right) presents a mock cheque to Abdul Raziz (centre). Naroden is at right. From left are Abdul Raziz’s parents Junaidi Bakeri and Majnis Amin. — Photo by Hii Kheng Juong
KUCHING: Bintulu’s Abdul Raziz Junaidi has become the first Sarawakian to receive the best student award for the Japanese Associate Degree (JAD) programme sponsored by the Mara Education Foundation (YPM).
The 21-year-old electrical and electronic engineering student scored 12A’s for the final semester of his three-year diploma programme in Malaysia.
He will leave for Japan tomorrow (March 19) to complete his two-year degree programme in Keio University of Japan, in Tokyo.
Abdul Raziz said the nuclear plant crisis in Japan due to the recent earthquake and tsunami will not deter him from the golden opportunity of studying there.
On Wednesday night, YPM presented him with RM400,000 to cover his course fees and RM10,000 for his living expenses.
Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, who presented the award, promised YPM would give Abdul Raziz an additional RM300,000 and RM600,000 if he pursued his Master’s degree and PhD respectively.
“Raziz has set a good example where students from rural areas can also achieve great success. The key to success has nothing to do with where someone is from but their commitment and determination to succeeded,” said Shafie, who is the minister in charge of Mara.
The government, he said, is highly aware of education’s role in shaping the future of the nation.
“Therefore, rural development in the context of the government is not limited to the physical development but also in human resources.”
Meanwhile, Abdul Raziz said he was surprised by the monetary award and pledged to study harder.
“I want to be a useful person and contribute to my country. I’m glad I have the blessing from Allah and my parents, who have pushed me to achieve this success,” he said.
On his choice to study in Japan, he said the country’s remarkable resilience after World War II amazed him.
“Japan quickly emerged after World War II and successfully became one of the great powers in the world.
“I want to know its key to success. I hope I can bring the secret home and use it to help in the development of my nation and especially my state, Sarawak,” he said.
Among those present at the ceremony were Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office Mohd Naroden Majais and YPM chairman Datuk Dr Rosli Mat Hassan.