&ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t know what to do. And I still don&rsquo;t.&rdquo;That might not sound like the most inspiring start to a story, but for Parsa Bahreini, it&rsquo;s the most honest way to describe how he got here. Now working in HR for a company in Dubai, the 24-year-old Iranian has lived in three countries, pursued a degree in psychology, founded an indie music label, and taken on roles from creative producer to HR consultant, all without ever following a fixed plan.Instead, Parsa&rsquo;s life has been shaped by gut instinct and a willingness to keep trying. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s always been about figuring out what makes sense at the moment. You just go with it, see what doors it opens up, and go from there.&rdquo; <h1>Early Experiments in Creation</h1>By the time most teenagers were figuring out what subjects they liked in school, Parsa Bahreini was already deep into his own self-directed education. At just 13, he began teaching himself how to code, design websites, and use creative tools like Photoshop and Logic Pro. For the next few years, he bounced between side projects and freelance gigs, trying his hand at anything that sparked his curiosity. <img src="https://img.afterschool.my/storage/uploads/images/68761968a7bdc_1752570216.jpg" alt="" width="4032" height="100%" /> It was around this time, while helping a relative translate a corporate anthem into Farsi, that Parsa stumbled into songwriting. A phone call with a local lyricist left a strong impression. &ldquo;He was so passionate about music and lyrics,&rdquo; Parsa recalled. &ldquo;Something about that call just lit something up in me.&rdquo;Soon after, he recorded his first track with a producer named Saeed Karsa. The two stayed in touch for years, eventually forming the creative partnership that would later lead to the founding of Elanvital, an independent music label built on fairness, collaboration, and accessibility. But at the time, Parsa was just following what felt right.&ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t know where it would go,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;I just knew I wanted to keep making things.&rdquo;&nbsp;<h1>A New Chapter in Malaysia</h1>Parsa moved to Malaysia when he was 16. His parents had decided it was time for a change, both for practical reasons and long-term visa security, and Malaysia was one of the few countries that offered relative stability and accessibility for Iranian citizens. For Parsa, the shift was more than logistical. It meant leaving behind the entrepreneurial routines he had built for himself back home: a cycle of web development, coding projects, and small creative ventures. When he arrived in Kuala Lumpur, everything paused.&ldquo;I wasn&rsquo;t freelancing anymore. I wasn&rsquo;t making websites. I wasn&rsquo;t making music,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;It was just school.&rdquo;He enrolled first at Sayfol International School, a private secondary school in Ampang known for its high volume of international students. The adjustment period was awkward at times, but not unfamiliar. Having moved homes frequently, even within Iran, Parsa was no stranger to the discomfort of starting over. But it wasn&rsquo;t until he graduated from Sayfol and began the Canadian International Matriculation Programme (CIMP) at Sunway College that things started to shift.&nbsp;<h1>Rediscovering Creativity with CIMP</h1>Unlike traditional pre-university programmes, CIMP encouraged expression, experimentation, and a strong sense of agency. Parsa enrolled in drama and music in his final semester at Sunway College, and the two classes would leave a lasting mark on him. In drama, he found himself in an ensemble that demanded vulnerability and trust. He acted in scenes, collaborated on skits, and stepped outside himself in a way no other subject had required him to do. Music class provided him with a more technical outlet, one where songwriting and production began to take shape in tangible terms.&ldquo;It was the first time I felt like the people around me weren&rsquo;t just chasing a degree. They were doing things. They had ideas.&rdquo; <img src="https://img.afterschool.my/storage/uploads/images/687619aa89649_1752570282.jpg" alt="" width="3840" height="100%" /> It was also during this time that he contacted Kasra, the music producer he had worked with in Iran. They had stayed in touch sporadically, but the energy of CIMP reignited something. Parsa was surrounded by peers with potential, many of whom had no idea how to take their first steps into the music world.&nbsp;He and Kasra began talking seriously about creating a platform that could help people like them get their work out into the world&mdash;a label. <h1>Elanvital: A Home for Honest Sound</h1>That blueprint became reality soon after. Together with Kasra, Parsa co-founded Elanvital, an independent record label founded on one belief: that good music deserves a fair platform, regardless of the budget or the artist's level of experience.&ldquo;There were so many great musicians around, but no one was really doing it professionally,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;We thought, why not create something of our own?&rdquo;Most of the artists they worked with came from the Sunway community: new voices who were serious about their craft but unsure how to begin. Elanvital provided them with a platform to record, release, and refine their sound. It was self-funded, rough around the edges, but built with heart. The focus was always on the art, never the algorithm.As time went on and the team scattered across different countries, the label was put on hold. But Parsa still sees it as unfinished business. &ldquo;We still talk about bringing it back,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Just waiting for the right moment.&rdquo;&nbsp;<h1>A Turn Towards Psychology</h1>Psychology wasn&rsquo;t part of some long-held plan; it just felt right. After completing his pre-university studies, Parsa searched for a field to pursue his degree in that could hold his attention. One evening, while watching the Netflix series Mindhunter with a friend, something clicked. &ldquo;That show got me thinking,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;You know what? I&rsquo;ll do psychology!&rdquo;He enrolled at Sunway University in 2020, just as the pandemic disrupted traditional campus life. Lectures moved online, student life disappeared, and he, like many others, found himself learning alone from behind a screen. &ldquo;I hadn&rsquo;t even properly started uni, and suddenly everything was remote,&rdquo; he recalled. But rather than deterring him, the material pulled him in. Topics like abnormal psychology, cognitive science, and personality theory opened up a world that felt both relevant and deeply human. <img src="https://img.afterschool.my/storage/uploads/images/687619d3ef49e_1752570323.jpg" alt="" width="4032" height="100%" /> Although the isolation of lockdowns made it difficult to form new connections, Parsa appreciated the intellectual freedom that came with studying at his own pace. &ldquo;Psychology is one of those degrees where you can really explore what interests you,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h1> A New Chapter in Rotterdam</h1>After completing his psychology degree at Sunway, Parsa moved to the Netherlands to reunite with family (who had moved there during his degree) and explore postgraduate options. He had initially planned to continue with psychology, but the language barrier made it impossible, as Dutch fluency was required for clinical placements. Instead, he pursued a master&rsquo;s in People, Organisations and Change (Human Resource Management) at Erasmus University Rotterdam.The application didn&rsquo;t go smoothly. Erasmus initially rejected him due to his Malaysian degree, but he pushed back, supplying detailed course materials with help from Sunway&rsquo;s faculty. &ldquo;Stubbornness works sometimes,&rdquo; he said.Once in Rotterdam, adjusting to the culture took time. Orientation week, though pricey, helped him form early friendships that carried over into his course. Erasmus&rsquo;s program, titled People, Organisations and Change, blended theory with real-world experience, including a consultancy project for Stanley Black &amp; Decker. Still, he noted, &ldquo;People glamorise these institutions. But intelligence is everywhere.&rdquo;The degree proved valuable sooner than expected. Through a connection made in Dubai, Parsa was invited to assist with a new startup. What began as an informal project soon became a full-time role. Since January, Parsa has been working remotely in a dynamic HR role that sees him taking on far more responsibility than a fresh graduate typically would. From interviewing over a hundred senior-level professionals to drafting job descriptions, conducting policy audits, and enhancing employee training, his day-to-day responsibilities are packed with high-stakes decision-making. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m doing much more than I would be doing with my experience and my degree,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s a start-up, so I wear a lot of hats.&rdquo;His plan is to move to Dubai soon, where the company is based, though he still intends to keep one foot in Europe. The job may not have come through conventional means, but for someone like Parsa, conventional never really held much appeal anyway. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m doing way more than I would elsewhere with my experience,&rdquo; he said. Although his heart is still drawn to creative work, he views this role as a crucial step. &ldquo;All of it, Sunway, Erasmus, even the record label stuff, helped me get here.&rdquo;&nbsp;<h1>Looking Back, Moving Forward</h1>Parsa has never been one to follow a rigid plan. &ldquo;At a lot of points, I didn&rsquo;t know what I was doing, and I still don&rsquo;t!&rdquo; he said. His journey, from Iran to Malaysia to the Netherlands, has been defined less by certainty and more by instinct, curiosity, and a willingness to pivot.As for the future, he&rsquo;s still exploring. The long-term dream is to run a small, creative company with close friends&mdash;music, film, or whatever feels genuine. Not necessarily to chase millions, but to make something that feels like his.&ldquo;Just try something,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;And believe that something will come. It might not be what you expected, but it&rsquo;ll be something.&rdquo;

Sunway College is one of Malaysia&rsquo;s leading institutions, offering a wide range of programs in fields like business, hospitality, and design. With a reputation for academic excellence, Sunway provides students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in today&rsquo;s competitive job market. The college&rsquo;s experienced faculty, modern facilities, and industry links ensure that students are well-prepared for both academic and career success. Sunway College&rsquo;s commitment to holistic student development and global exposure further enriches the educational experience, preparing graduates for leadership roles in their fields.

Sunway College

From Psychology to Indie Music Label: Parsa Bahreini’s Unplanned Journey

When Sharyl Shabri left university in 2022 with a degree in international business, he wasn&rsquo;t excited. He wasn&rsquo;t even sure if business was the right field for him; he had only ended up there after his hopes of becoming a teacher fell through. Today, he represents Google through the global outsourcing firm Concentrix, working in a role that allows him to use his voice, intuition, and empathy to drive real-world impact, but that sense of purpose didn&rsquo;t come easy.Born as Sharyl but widely known by his work alias, Shay, he spent the past few years moving across industries, roles, and even identities, trying to find where he fits in a fast-moving world. From failed teaching dreams to working in PR, crypto, mental health tech, and finally sales, Shay&rsquo;s journey is one that&rsquo;s covered in detours and rejection, but also one that forced him to adapt and, ultimately, grow.<h3>&nbsp;</h3><h1>From Teaching Aspirations to a Degree He Never Wanted</h1>After SPM, Shay set his sights on becoming a teacher. He had always excelled in language and communication, so he enrolled in a foundation programme in TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language), hoping to build a career in education.But things didn&rsquo;t go as planned. To enter the public teaching system, Shay had to pass an eligibility test. Unfortunately, he didn&rsquo;t. That single outcome derailed the path he thought he was meant for. &ldquo;It was really disheartening,&rdquo; he recalled.With few options left, he submitted applications through UPU and was offered a spot in UiTM&rsquo;s international business programme. He accepted it not out of interest, but because he didn&rsquo;t want to lose time or add financial pressure on his family.Adapting to the course was tough. Subjects like accounting and economics didn&rsquo;t come naturally to him, and he often felt out of place. Still, he pushed through. Over time, the knowledge began to stick. It wasn&rsquo;t what he wanted to study, but it became the foundation for his career in ways he didn&rsquo;t expect.&nbsp;<h1>Finding His Footing Post-Graduation</h1>After graduating with a degree in International Business, Shay didn&rsquo;t have a clear plan. What he did have, however, was a sense of urgency. &ldquo;I thought I was free,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;but I graduated during COVID. Times were tough. I had to step up.&rdquo;As the eldest son in his family, there was pressure to contribute. With no clear direction, Shay started reaching out to friends, asking if they knew of any employment opportunities. One of those conversations led to an internship at the Energy Commission of Malaysia. It wasn&rsquo;t glamorous, but it was his first real glimpse into working life.&ldquo;I thought I&rsquo;d just be doing data entry. But I had to solve problems, understand clients, figure out the ins and outs of the organisation.&rdquo; It was a jolt of reality, and it pushed him to learn quickly.From there, Shay moved into a string of roles that had him bouncing across industries. A stint at a PR company in Singapore saw him handling high-profile beauty brands. Later, he joined a local agency managing clients like Foodpanda and Chef Wan. The work was fast-paced, but the environment was toxic. One manager in particular made his life miserable. &ldquo;She screamed at me every day, called me stupid. Seven months of that, I finally quit.&rdquo;It wasn&rsquo;t a brave leap. He left without another job lined up, without savings, and without a plan. But he knew staying wouldn&rsquo;t be healthy, so he left.<h3>&nbsp;</h3><h1>From Chaos to Clarity</h1>After walking away from the agency job, Shay found himself back at square one: jobless, broke, and behind on rent. At one point, he went days without eating. &ldquo;I was scared,&rdquo; he admitted. &ldquo;I had no safety net.&rdquo; The fear wasn&rsquo;t just financial. It was the creeping uncertainty of not knowing where he belonged or what was next.<img src="https://img.afterschool.my/storage/uploads/images/686f4b4456e1d_1752124228.jpg" alt="" width="512" height="100%" />Eventually, through his network of contacts, he managed to secure a role at a Singapore-based cryptocurrency company called Medicaidx. It wasn&rsquo;t something he had planned for, but it was a lifeline. &ldquo;One of my old colleagues put in a word for me,&rdquo; he says. Working remotely for the first time, he was thrown into the world of NFTs, which until then had been a complete mystery. &ldquo;I had to learn everything from scratch again.&rdquo; The job involved campaign management, marketing, and community outreach. It was fast-paced but manageable. For a while, it gave him breathing room. But the stability didn&rsquo;t last. When the NFT bubble burst, the company folded, and Shay was laid off.It was another blow in a long stretch of instability. But this time, the fallout brought something useful with it: clarity. &ldquo;That&rsquo;s when I realised I didn&rsquo;t want to just be in the background anymore. I wanted to be on the frontlines, talking to people. That&rsquo;s where my strengths were.&rdquo; What started as yet another setback quietly became a turning point.<h1> Finding Ground at Naluri</h1>Shay didn&rsquo;t expect much from his next freelance role. It was meant to be temporary, just a way to stay afloat. However, Naluri, a digital health startup focused on mental wellness, unexpectedly evolved into something more. The role, which focused on mental health tech and patient communication, turned out to be an unexpected lifeline. He studied the product, learned on the go, and discovered that helping people came naturally to him. &ldquo;It wasn&rsquo;t scary. It was growth,&rdquo; he reflected.As time passed, he became one of the top performers. He was promoted to Customer Support Specialist and eventually took on the role of Quality Assurance Engineer, despite having no prior background in tech. &ldquo;I learned everything from scratch,&rdquo; he said. The experience, along with the support of his team, helped rebuild both his confidence and his work ethic.Eventually, the company faced funding issues and could no longer offer him a full-time position. Shay returned to freelance work, but he knew it was time to move forward. He continued helping out on nights and weekends, but his focus had shifted. He was ready to aim higher.&nbsp;<h1>Building a Life, One Call at a Time</h1>Shay&rsquo;s next move was a job at Marcus Evans Group, where he worked as an Account Executive, handling clients from the Australian and New Zealand markets. Unlike his earlier roles, this was full-fledged sales: cold calling, pitching, negotiating, and learning to navigate rejection.He found it electrifying.While most of his peers were nervous before calls, Shay found himself energised. &ldquo;It felt like this was it,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;This was the lightbulb moment. I loved the challenge, the structure, the rewards. If I worked harder, I earned more.&rdquo; He appreciated the clear metrics of success and the direct correlation between effort and outcome. For someone who had bounced around jobs and industries, it was the first time everything seemed to align.He stayed with Marcus Evans long enough to build a solid foundation. He learned how to ask the right questions, read a client&rsquo;s tone, and negotiate strategically. Just as importantly, he saw the job not as manipulation or persuasion, but as service. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t sell products, I sell solutions. I try to understand your pain point and fix it. If I can&rsquo;t help you, I won&rsquo;t force it.&rdquo;<h3>&nbsp;</h3><h1>A Salesman at Google (Sort Of)</h1>Today, Shay is a Sales Development Representative for Google, though technically employed under Concentrix, a global business outsourcing firm that manages Google&rsquo;s sales support. His role is inbound-focused: he responds to leads who have already expressed interest in Google&rsquo;s products and services.It&rsquo;s a stark contrast from cold calling. &ldquo;Now, people come to me,&rdquo; he explains. &ldquo;They&rsquo;re already curious, and it&rsquo;s my job to guide them to the right solution.&rdquo; Whether it&rsquo;s helping businesses choose the right ad tools or troubleshooting service packages, Shay&rsquo;s job is to bridge gaps with empathy and clarity.Working in tech has come with its perks, including global exposure, a fast-paced environment, and the prestige of handling one of the world&rsquo;s most recognisable brands. But Shay&rsquo;s takeaway is more personal. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve learned how to speak without filler words. How to listen before I talk. And how to stay resilient.&rdquo;He recalled making up to 200 calls a day during his early sales days. Ninety percent of them ended in rejection. &ldquo;Can you keep going after hearing 190 nos in a row?&rdquo; he asks. &ldquo;That&rsquo;s what resilience looks like. That&rsquo;s what this job taught me.&rdquo;<h3>&nbsp;</h3><h1>A Life Reimagined</h1>Even with everything Shay has endured, he doesn't consider himself a success story just yet. Life is more stable now, but the journey is far from over. What has changed is how he carries it. The uncertainty that once haunted him has given way to a sense of direction. <img src="https://img.afterschool.my/storage/uploads/images/686f4b1b2891b_1752124187.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="100%" /> Working at Concentrix wasn&rsquo;t part of the plan when he set out to become a teacher. He never imagined himself in tech or sales, much less supporting one of the world&rsquo;s biggest companies. But in this role, he&rsquo;s found something that feels right. It&rsquo;s not about prestige. It&rsquo;s about showing up with purpose, using his voice to help others find solutions, and finally feeling aligned with the work in front of him.His dream remains simple: a small home, a close family, and the freedom to build something of his own. Not to impress anyone, but to live on his own terms.&ldquo;I just kept going,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Even when I had nothing, I kept moving forward. And every time I did, something opened up. That&rsquo;s how I survived. That&rsquo;s how I got here.&rdquo;&nbsp;

From TESL to Tech Sales for Google: How Shay Found His Groove

Sharifah Hani Yasmin&rsquo;s work has always centered around creating access, particularly for women, youth, and communities often left behind. As a WOSSO (Women Of The South Speak Out) Fellow and a selected speaker for the upcoming <a href="https://hlpf.un.org/">United Nations High-Level Political Forum</a> in New York, she continues to contribute to global conversations around gender and economic equity.&nbsp; At home, she has led workshops, mentored young women, and advised on policy gaps. Online, her platforms, followed by over 45,000 on LinkedIn and 15,000 on X, have become a hub for career advice, graduate opportunities, and honest reflections on work and life.At 30 years old, she has already worn many hats: law student, youth mentor, workshop trainer, social media strategist, founder, and an emerging voice on the employment scene. Her journey is a testament to the importance of values-driven work and the doors that open for the people who dedicate themselves to opening doors for others.<h1> Studying Law at The University of Essex</h1>Sharifah&rsquo;s decision to study law was both practical and personal. Her family valued the stability of a legal career, and she felt the subject aligned with her strengths in language and argument. At the same time, she saw law as a means to understand how systems worked and how to eventually challenge or reshape them.&ldquo;I chose law because I thought it would help me understand systems and power structures,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;It wasn&rsquo;t just about memorising statutes. I wanted to understand how the world worked.&rdquo;At the University of Essex, she immersed herself in the subject. But over time, her ambitions began to shift. The reality of practising law felt misaligned with her long-term goals.&ldquo;I never really saw myself practising,&rdquo; she admitted. &ldquo;But the degree gave me the foundation to think critically, to advocate, and to create structure where it&rsquo;s lacking.&rdquo;Law, it turned out, wasn&rsquo;t her final destination. It was a launchpad.&nbsp;<h1>Building a Career Across Sectors and Screens</h1>After graduating from Essex, Sharifah returned to Malaysia and began building a portfolio career that moved across public, private, and social sectors. One of her earliest roles was with SOCSO, where she worked in corporate communications supporting the CEO, helping to communicate the organisation&rsquo;s social protection programmes to the wider public. From there, she took up a position at the British High Commission, managing a scholarship programme that offered her a front-row seat to Malaysia&rsquo;s talent pipeline, and subsequently, the barriers many faced in accessing opportunities. <img src="https://img.afterschool.my/storage/uploads/images/686b406243629_1751859298.jpg" alt="" width="335" height="100%" /> It was at the Commission that Sharifah began noticing a recurring pattern. &ldquo;At most of our outreach events, it was always the women who came up to me saying they weren&rsquo;t good enough for scholarships,&rdquo; she recalled. &ldquo;Even though they had amazing track records, they lacked the confidence to apply.&rdquo;That moment stayed with her, sharpening her interest in gender equity and further solidifying her desire to create systems that could support (not stifle) ambition. It also led to further stints at PwC and Crimson Education, where she gained additional experience in employability and strategic consulting. Each role offered something different, but all reinforced a core value: that access to meaningful work is not just a personal goal, but a public good.&nbsp;<h1>One Step Closer: Creating Access Through Community</h1>During the pandemic, Sharifah launched a career support initiative that began with reviewing CVs for friends and strangers. What started informally soon snowballed into a structured offering under the name One Step Closer, a platform designed to give job seekers a fairer shot at employment, particularly those from non-traditional or under-resourced backgrounds.&ldquo;The idea was to support people who didn&rsquo;t have a network or couldn&rsquo;t afford professional services,&rdquo; she explained. Sharifah provided tailored feedback on resumes and job applications, often offering small grants to help people attend interviews or upskill themselves. As demand grew, she moved from one-on-one sessions to workshops and organisational collaborations, supported by a growing network of over 40 HR professionals who contributed their time and expertise. That collective effort continues today through ad-hoc engagements, as testament to the idea that community-driven support can scale without losing its heart.As the momentum continued beyond the height of the pandemic, Sharifah decided to create a more formal structure around her efforts. In 2023, she launched SY Professional Review Services, a remote consultancy offering career and personal development services like resume and CV reviews, scholarship coaching, LinkedIn optimisation, mock interviews, and referral facilitation. &ldquo;It was a way to centralise everything I&rsquo;d been doing informally for years,&rdquo; she said.Today, Sharifah works closely with partners like TalentLabs and previously TalentCorp, delivering employability programmes and workshops to broader audiences. She also supports younger students as an Education Consultant with Crimson Rise, a division of Crimson Education focused on early career guidance. The role allows her to continue working remotely while providing mentorship that bridges education and opportunity across borders.The mission remains unchanged: to remove invisible barriers and build bridges between talent and access. &ldquo;A lot of people just need someone to say, &lsquo;You belong here too,&rsquo;&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;That can make all the difference.&rdquo;&nbsp;<h1>Content with a Mission: Personal Branding and Thought Leadership</h1>Sharifah didn&rsquo;t stumble into her online presence; it was built with intention. She began cultivating a following on Twitter, where she shared job opportunities, graduate programmes, and upskilling tips. But it was LinkedIn where her content truly found its audience.Her content generates over 15 million impressions annually on LinkedIn, reaching professionals across Malaysia and beyond. In March 2025, she was ranked Malaysia&rsquo;s #6 LinkedIn creator by Favikon: an achievement that reflects not just visibility but resonance.&nbsp; <img src="https://img.afterschool.my/storage/uploads/images/686b40b26e438_1751859378.jpg" alt="" width="1500" height="100%" /> &ldquo;I actually enjoy cultivating a following because it&rsquo;s one of the easiest ways to give back,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;You never know who it might impact.&rdquo; Her posts are written in a clear, accessible style, often breaking down complex systems, like CV tailoring or career transitions, into digestible advice.&nbsp;This consistency and clarity have not only supported others but also unlocked new doors for her. Organisations have reached out for workshops, collaborations, and speaking engagements. Through it all, she has remained focused on the deeper &lsquo;why&rsquo; behind her work. &ldquo;Create with heart, but share with strategy.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<h1>Advocacy in Action: Championing Women&rsquo;s Economic Participation</h1>Sharifah&rsquo;s advocacy work is rooted in patterns she noticed while working in policy, community building, and recruitment. Women, she saw, were disproportionately underrepresented in both opportunity and outcome. That realisation led her to become a mentor with Girls for Girls Malaysia, a structured leadership programme aimed at empowering young women in universities. She later joined Lean In Malaysia, contributing to initiatives that support women returning to the workforce.These experiences laid the groundwork for her involvement with the WOSO (Women of the South Organisation) Fellowship, a regional programme supporting gender-based advocacy across Asia-Pacific. Through WOSO, Sharifah developed a pilot programme focused on remote work and entrepreneurship for women who had become caregivers and were no longer able to take on traditional employment.&ldquo;I was shocked to learn that the female labour force participation rate in Malaysia hasn&rsquo;t changed in 20 years,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s not even under any ministry&rsquo;s clear mandate. There&rsquo;s no accountability mechanism.&rdquo; Her current goal is to push for policy reform and advocate for structural changes that can close the gender gap at scale.&nbsp;<h1>The Realities of Remote Work</h1>Sharifah&rsquo;s life may appear scattered across continents and sectors, but the throughline is clear: access. Whether she&rsquo;s building career resources for young job seekers, designing workshops with TalentLabs, or travelling to and from Tokyo for her master&rsquo;s application, her work is united by a commitment to expanding access to opportunity.But that freedom didn&rsquo;t come without trade-offs.In her case, remote work has enabled her to say yes to global fellowships and high-impact consulting roles, but also meant saying no to opportunities that weren&rsquo;t hybrid or flexible enough. &ldquo;A lot of people glamorise remote work or digital nomading, but stability is rare,&rdquo; she added. &ldquo;You give up a lot, especially in the beginning.&rdquo;What makes it work, Sharifah believes, is alignment. Most of her roles and projects, though distinct, orbit around the same axis: economic empowerment and employability. She carves out time each week to intentionally block out space for these pillars and relies on a strong sense of internal clarity to prevent burnout.&nbsp;<h1>Advice for the Lost and Looking</h1>For young people just starting, or those deep in doubt, Sharifah&rsquo;s advice is clear: don&rsquo;t do it alone.&ldquo;Find a mentor. Reach out. Leverage the communities around you,&rdquo; she says. &ldquo;If you don&rsquo;t have support from family or friends, you can still find it through initiatives like FutureLab, Skola, or Closing the Gap.&rdquo; <img src="https://img.afterschool.my/storage/uploads/images/686b41177afb6_1751859479.jpg" alt="" width="3000" height="100%" /> In her view, the willingness to ask for help is not a weakness: it&rsquo;s a strategy. She&rsquo;s seen countless examples of Malaysians lifting each other up when given the space and tools to do so. But it starts, she says, with taking that first step.&ldquo;It won&rsquo;t happen overnight. But if you lead with values and stay consistent, you&rsquo;ll get somewhere. Just keep going.&rdquo;

From Workshops to the UN, Sharifah Hani Yasmin Is on a Mission to Create Access

If you&rsquo;ve just finished SPM or IGCSE and are wondering what&rsquo;s next, you&rsquo;re not alone. The pressure to pick the right pre-university path can be overwhelming, but if there&rsquo;s one place worth considering, it&rsquo;s Kolej Yayasan UEM (KYUEM).Since 1998, KYUEM has helped countless students unlock their full potential and gain entry into some of the world&rsquo;s top universities, including Oxbridge and Ivy League schools like Princeton and Columbia. So, if you&rsquo;ve got big dreams and the drive to achieve them, KYUEM might just be the perfect place for you.KYUEM offers the Cambridge International A-Levels programme &mdash; one of the most globally recognised qualificationsSo, when it comes to universities, you&rsquo;ll have plenty of options, from the UK and US to Australia, Germany and beyond.In the last five years (including 2025), KYUEM graduates have started their university journey at some of the world&rsquo;s most prestigious institutions. They have:<ul><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Received 38 offers from Ivy League universities such as Harvard, Columbia, Cornell, Princeton, the University of Pennsylvania and Yale.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Gained admission into top US schools like Stanford, Caltech and UC Berkeley.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Received 33 offers from Oxford and Cambridge.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Enrolled in top UK universities like Imperial, UCL, LSE and King&rsquo;s College.</li></ul>They&rsquo;ve also received offers from leading universities in Australia, Ireland, Canada and Hong Kong.In short, KYUEM isn&rsquo;t just preparing you for A-Levels &mdash; it&rsquo;s preparing you to confidently take on the world.Not Your Average Teachers<img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://img.afterschool.my/storage/uploads/images/686b323b68fa8_1751855675.jpg" alt="" width="560PX" height="auto" />KYUEM&rsquo;s teachers go above and beyond, nurturing excellence, inspiring confidence and preparing students for prestigious universities around the world.It goes without saying that teachers make a big difference in their students&rsquo; academic success. At KYUEM, you&rsquo;ll learn from experienced, passionate and qualified A-Level specialists, many of whom are international educators. More than 80% of them have been teaching for over a decade, and more than half hold postgraduate degrees.But what makes them really stand out? The answer is simple: they genuinely care. They take the time to understand how you learn, and let&rsquo;s face it, learning is so much better when teachers really get how you learn. &ldquo;At KYUEM, we cater to different learning preferences, whether that&rsquo;s through discussion, visual aids, written practice or complex-problem-solving activities,&rdquo; says KYUEM Head of Academic, Ms Pravinjit Kaur Harter Lochan Singh.The college focuses on small class sizes, which means you&rsquo;ll never feel like just another face in the crowd. &ldquo;The small class sizes at KYUEM allow for individualised attention,&rdquo; explains Ms Pravinjit. &ldquo;I often check for understanding, use differentiated instruction and encourage discussion so that each student feels supported and intellectually challenged.&rdquo;KYUEM also keeps things rigorous in the best way. With structured coursework, regular assessments and exam-focused tutorials, students are constantly encouraged to push their limits. &ldquo;We track academic progress closely,&rdquo; says Ms Pravinjit. &ldquo;When students need extra help, we offer targeted support through clinics, tutorials or mentoring sessions.&rdquo;It&rsquo;s a supportive, interactive environment where asking questions is welcomed and learning feels more personal.A Setup That Helps You SucceedKYUEM is more than just books and exams. It&rsquo;s about building your confidence, independence and essential real-world skills.Teachers here don&rsquo;t just stick to textbooks. They bring lessons to life using real-world examples, case studies, and even flipped classrooms (where you do more active learning in class). &ldquo;I like to use polls, surveys and peer instruction to spark students&rsquo; curiosity and deeper investigation,&rdquo; explains Ms. Pravinjit.You&rsquo;ll be taught to think critically, manage your time and take charge of your own learning &mdash; skills that&rsquo;ll really help you in university.And for the teachers, the impact goes beyond academics. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s incredibly fulfilling to play a small part in a student&rsquo;s journey, especially when they overcome personal or academic challenges. Watching them grow in confidence and move onto the next stage of their lives is the most rewarding part,&rdquo; reflects Ms. Pravinjit.Help Getting into UniversityThere comes a time when you&rsquo;ll have to make the daunting decision of choosing a university and course that's right for you. But at KYUEM, you won&rsquo;t be navigating university applications alone. KYUEM&rsquo;s dedicated University Relations Office (UR) supports you every step of the way.&nbsp;&ldquo;The University Relations Department encourages students to start thinking about their university options early,&rdquo; says KYUEM Acting Principal &amp; Head of University Relations Pn Kasthuri Thilaga Munikrishnan. &ldquo;We support them through briefings, information sessions, personal statement workshops, mock interviews, and preparation for admissions tests required by highly selective universities.&rdquo;You are guided in choosing the course and university that fits your strengths, interests and even learning style. Students are encouraged to understand themselves first &mdash; how they learn, whether they thrive in small group settings or large lectures, and whether they prefer structured schedules or more independent study. &ldquo;All these factors matter when picking the right university,&rdquo; adds Ms Kasthuri.Even things like course structure are taken into account. Take Economics, for example. At a place like LSE, the course may be quite quantitative, while other universities take a more theoretical or essay-based approach. &ldquo;Knowing these details helps students make smarter, more informed university choices.&rdquo;And yes, writing a personal statement can be tough. But you&rsquo;ll get guidance there, too. &ldquo;We tell students to start early and keep track of their super-curricular activities, volunteering, and wider reading beyond the A-Level syllabus,&rdquo; explains Ms Kasthuri.&nbsp;Besides large briefings, students also get one-on-one or small group guidance from their teachers. The UR team also collaborates with partners like MABECS to give students extra support in writing their personal statements.Interviews? Don't stress &mdash; KYUEM gets you ready by organising Mock Interviews. &ldquo;We encourage students to reflect deeply on their experiences, like competitions, volunteering, and leadership roles, rather than rehearse scripted answers,&rdquo; says Ms Kasthuri. Plus, the UR team connects you with KYUEM alumni who&rsquo;ve been through it all so that you can get real advice and insider tips. &ldquo;At the end of the day, self-awareness and authenticity go a long way.&rdquo;One of the best parts of KYUEM is the sense of community. You&rsquo;ll study in a beautiful, secure residential campus with friends who are just as driven and focused as you are. You&rsquo;ll find clubs, sports and student-led activities that keep your studies fun and balanced.And when the university offers start rolling in, KYUEM continues to support you, helping you make smart, informed decisions about where to go, what to study and how to adjust to life abroad.Is KYUEM Right for You?<img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://img.afterschool.my/storage/uploads/images/686b32c3d6373_1751855811.jpg" alt="" width="560px" height="AUTO" />With holistic support and world-class guidance, KYUEM students consistently achieve outstanding results and secure top placements year after year.If you&rsquo;re serious about your studies, want a supportive learning environment and dream of getting into leading universities abroad, then yes, KYUEM could be just what you&rsquo;re looking for.You don&rsquo;t need to be perfect. You just need the right mindset, guidance and a community that believes in you and your potential. KYUEM has helped many students like you take that next big step &mdash; and they&rsquo;re ready to help you too.For more information, visit <a href="https://www.kyuem.edu.my/admissions.php">https://www.kyuem.edu.my/admissions.php</a>.&nbsp;

Kolej Yayasan UEM is a dynamic institution offering a variety of industry-focused programs, designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed for successful careers. With a strong emphasis on practical learning and academic excellence, the college prepares students for the workforce through hands-on training and industry collaborations. Known for its specialized programs in engineering, business, and technology, Kolej Yayasan UEM provides students with a solid foundation for both personal and professional growth. The college&rsquo;s state-of-the-art facilities and experienced faculty ensure a holistic learning experience, empowering students to excel in their chosen fields.

Kolej Yayasan UEM (DK090(B))

KYUEM has helped countless students unlock their full potential and gain entry into some of the world’s top universities, including Oxbridge and Ivy League schools like Princeton and Columbia.

Why KYUEM Could Be Your Next Best Move After SPM or IGCSE

Multimedia University extends its heartiest congratulations to its Permata Dunia, Mr. Thashidaran Tharmar, who has been crowned the National Youth Icon 2025 &mdash; Malaysia&rsquo;s most prestigious youth award recognising outstanding leadership, community service, and contributions to nation-building. The award was presented by YAB Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia, during the National Youth Day celebration held at Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur, on 15 June 2025.<img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://img.afterschool.my/storage/uploads/images/68674949d5cfc_1751599433.jpg" alt="" width="348" height="464" />A graduate of the Faculty of Management (Class of 2019), Thashidaran currently serves as Managing Director at Global One Logistics (M) Sdn Bhd. Known for his selfless spirit and strong community values, he has consistently championed causes that uplift young people and promote civic engagement. Notably, he was first named the Selangor State Champion before advancing to win the award at the national level.<img style="text-align: center; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://img.afterschool.my/storage/uploads/images/686749205c5b3_1751599392.jpg" alt="" width="560px" height="auto" />Thashidaran is a passionate youth leader focused on empowerment, entrepreneurship, and personal growth. Over the past 11 years, he has participated in volunteer missions across eight countries &mdash; including Laos, Nepal, Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, Brunei, Vietnam, and India &mdash; contributing to education and community development efforts.His journey into volunteerism began at MMU through the Indian Cultural Society. One of his earliest initiatives was a transition camp for Standard Six students at a Tamil school in Dengkil, where he helped organise team building and leadership activities. This experience sparked his deep commitment to community service.In 2018, he led a team on a two-week mission in Laos, carrying out 37 projects including teaching English, building bus stops, and repairing school facilities. Two years later, he spent over two months in Nepal to help construct a water pipeline that continues to supply clean water to around 300 families.MMU takes great pride in its alumni&rsquo;s remarkable achievements and wishes him continued success in all his future endeavours!

Find a comprehensive overview of the courses available at Multimedia University (MMU) Cyberjaya along with their respective fee structures.

MMU - Multimedia University - Courses and Fee Structure

<h3>Before Applying to Multimedia University (MMU)</h3>
Why Study at MMU
<ul>
<li>As the first private university approved by the Malaysian government, MMU adheres to the strictest requirements for a high-quality degree. A study by Gartner and MSC Malaysia found that MMU is among the top five universities preferred by major ICT players for graduate employment &mdash; a testament to the quality of our academicians, curriculum, student development programmes and our solid reputation with the industries.</li>
<li>Well-rounded Education</li>
</ul>
Be empowered with the fundamentals of your field of study that also incorporate entrepreneurial skills and expertise which are relevant to your respective industries and job markets.
<ul>
<li>Industry on Campus</li>
</ul>
Experience the best and latest technologies from our collaborations with major ICT players such as ZTE, Huawei, Nokia, Microsoft, Intel, Cisco and Motorola.
<ul>
<li>Ready for Industry</li>
</ul>
Be enthused with Start-up Schemes from the Entrepreneur Development Centre (EDC) and nurture your entrepreneurship mind set.Be enthused with Start-up Schemes from the Entrepreneur Development Centre (EDC) and nurture your entrepreneurship mind set.
<ul>
<li>Top 20 among universities in Malaysia, 2021 under&nbsp;QS World University Rankings&nbsp;</li>
<li>Top 10 list in&nbsp;Times Higher Education (THE) World University Ranking 2021&nbsp;among all universities in Malaysia.</li>
</ul>
Internal Scholarships Provided by MMU
MMU PRE-U AND UNDERGRADUATE EXCELLENCE SCHOLARSHIP&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>MMU PRESIDENT&rsquo;S Scholarship&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Awarded to high-flying and well-rounded students with outstanding academic results.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>MMU MERIT Scholarship
<ul>
<li>Awarded to undergraduate students who would consistently deliver outstanding results in their degree programme.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>MMU SPORTS EXCELLENCE Scholarship
<ul>
<li>Awarded to students who have outstanding sports achievement at State and National levels</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
MMU LOYALTY SCHOLARSHIP
<ul>
<li>MMU SIBLINGS Discount
<ul>
<li>This discount is given to new Foundation, Diploma and Bachelor&rsquo;s Degree students who have a sibling enrolled in MMU or graduated from MMU.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>MMU ALUMNI Discount
<ul>
<li>This discount is given to MMU Diploma Alumni who are pursuing their studies at MMU's Bachelor's Degree Programmes</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>MMU STAFF Discount
<ul>
<li>MMU Staff (Contract / Permanent) who have served a minimum of one (1) year of service are eligible to apply for the discount of tuition fees for themselves or their children studying in MMU.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>TM STAFF Discount
<ul>
<li>TM Staff and its subsidiaries (Contract / Permanent) who have served a minimum of one (1) year service are eligible to apply for the discount of tuition fees for themselves or their children studying in MMU.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Yayasan Universiti Multimedia (YUM)
<ul>
<li>Open to MMU Muslim students from Asnaf category(&nbsp;Fakir, Miskin, Fisabilillah, Muafal &amp; Ibnu Sabil) and fulfil the asnaf criteria set by Lembaga Zakat Selangor</li>
<li>Open to Malaysian and International student with household income below RM4K</li>
</ul>
LOAN
<ul>
<li>MARA loan and PTPTN also available for potential student</li>
</ul>
<h3>What You Should Know About Multimedia University (MMU)</h3>
Student Accommodation`
On-Campus: Hostel Block
Hostel Facilities
<ul>
<li>Common room</li>
<li>Pantry</li>
<li>Laundry room</li>
<li>Common bathroom and washing room</li>
<li>24 hours security</li>
</ul>
Hostel Rental
<ul>
<li>Twin sharing: RM350/monthly/person</li>
<li>Triple sharing: RM250/month/person</li>
</ul>
Contact&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Male Hostel: 03-8312 5443</li>
<li>Female Hostel: 03-8312 5212</li>
</ul>
Off-Campus
<ul>
<li>The Arc @ Cyberjaya&nbsp;</li>
<li>Cyberia Crescent 1 town Villa</li>
<li>Cyberia Smarthomes</li>
</ul>
Transportation
Available public transportation around the university and transportation to get to the university
Student Parking
Parking spots are available in MMU at each building for all students
Things to Do Around the Campus
<ul>
<li>Places to eat, hang out or events near the university etc.</li>
<li>D&rsquo;pulze Shopping Centre - 5 minutes away</li>
<li>Tamarind Square - 5 minutes away</li>
<li>Cyberjaya Farmers Market @ RekaScape - 10 minutes away</li>
</ul>
Nearby places that offer student discounts
<ul>
<li>TGV Dpulze - 5 minutes away</li>
<li>Padi House - 5 minutes away</li>
<li>BonaVox Karaoke - 10 minutes away</li>
</ul>
Security
MMU is equipped with 24-hour surveillance systems and security guards around the campus ground.&nbsp;
<h3>Education at Multimedia University (MMU)</h3>
Most Popular Courses&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>In terms of field (e.g. Engineering,&nbsp;<a href="https://afterschool.my/find-course/top-malaysian-university-for-information-technology-">Information Technology</a>)</li>
<li>These are the most trending and popular field in MMU&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Information Technology</li>
<li>Law</li>
<li>Creative Multimedia</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Applying to the University with SPM Trial Results
Students can apply to MMU with their SPM trial results
Affiliated Organisations &amp; Job Opportunities
<ul>
<li>MMU has come to collaborate with some of the biggest names of the global industry, a veritable who&rsquo;s who of the world, including ZTE, Nokia, Dell, Intel, Microsoft, Cisco and Motorola. Our work with them ensures that our students will become a new generation of innovators, regardless of how challenging the industry becomes.</li>
<li>The students are allowed to find their internship placement on their own. MMU also provides internships programs for students in various departments.</li>
</ul>
General Education Subjects (MPU)
1-2 subjects per semester
<ul>
<li>the MPU subjects required to take in the university?
<ul>
<li>Pengajian Malaysia 2</li>
<li>Bahasa Melayu Komunikasi 1</li>
<li>Basic Academic Writing</li>
<li>Grooming and Professional Etiquette</li>
<li>Family and Society in Malaysia</li>
<li>Introduction to Cultural Practices in Malaysia</li>
<li>Personal Responsibility</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Graduation Details
<ul>
<li>Cost&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<table border="1" cellspacing="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>LEVEL</td>
<td>GRADUATION FEES *</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Diploma &amp; Degree Holder</td>
<td>RM150.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MBA &amp; Master Holder</td>
<td>RM200.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DBA &amp; PhD Holder</td>
<td>RM250.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Requirement:&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ol>
<li>Passed all required subjects stipulated in program structure as determined by the faculty with the approval from the Senate and minimum CGPA of 2.00&nbsp;</li>
<li>Fulfilled the minimum requirement of Malaysian University English Test (MUET) &ndash;applied for local students only.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Settled all outstanding debts to the University (fees, and/or dues)</li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>Graduation ceremonies for the students are held once a year (September)</li>
</ul>

Explore Multimedia University (MMU) Cyberjaya, Malaysia. Find comprehensive information on intakes, application deadlines, available scholarships, and diverse academic programs. Start your educational journey at MMU Cyberjaya.

Multimedia University MMU Cyberjaya​ | MMU Malaysia Review, Ranking

Multimedia University (MMU)

Get the latest news, announcements, events, and updates from Multimedia University (MMU) Cyberjaya. Stay informed about campus life, research, and achievements.

Multimedia University MMU News & Updates: Stay Informed

Multimedia University (MMU) Malaysia is a leading institution recognised for its strong focus on technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

MMU Permata Dunia Receives National Youth Icon Award 2025

<img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://img.afterschool.my/storage/uploads/images/686649b0d2c70_1751534000.jpg" alt="" width="560px" height="auto" />UM SATU opens doors for students to access world-class education through a direct, flexible channel.If you&rsquo;re aiming for a world-class education at Universiti Malaya (UM)&mdash;the No.1 university in Malaysia and No.58 university in the world (QS World University Rankings 2025)&mdash;there&rsquo;s more than one way to get there.UM SATU (Saluran Terbuka Universiti Malaya) is a direct application channel that provides eligible students with an alternative way to pursue higher education at one of Asia&rsquo;s most prestigious universities.Whether you&rsquo;re an SPM, IGCSE or O-Level graduate, UM SATU enables you to pursue a globally recognised degree through a world-class university.<img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://img.afterschool.my/storage/uploads/images/68664a1637ffa_1751534102.jpg" alt="" width="560px" height="auto" />As Malaysia&rsquo;s top university, Universiti Malaya offers students a world-class education and a dynamic learning environment that enables them to thrive academically, personally and professionally.&nbsp;<h1 style="text-align: justify;">Foundation Programmes for a Smooth Transition</h1>UM SATU offers students a direct route into Universiti Malaya, while upholding the university&rsquo;s high academic standards.Applicants must first meet rigorous academic entry requirements to gain admission into all the UM Foundation Programmes offered. Once accepted, applicants embark on a foundation curriculum designed to prepare them for their degree-level studies across a wide range of disciplines, including science, engineering, business, arts, and social sciences.However, this is not a shortcut. UM SATU is a parallel pathway that maintains the same level of academic quality and rigour as the standard programme.Progression to a degree programme is subject to academic performance and seat availability, ensuring that every student admitted into a UM degree programme continues to meet its world-class standards.UM SATU Foundation tracks, each leading to a wide array of undergraduate degrees, are:<table style="height: 724px;" width="720"><tbody><tr><td style="width: 157.738px;">Faculty</td><td style="width: 126.963px;">Foundation in Life Sciences</td><td style="width: 137.887px;">Foundation in Physical Sciences</td><td style="width: 132.387px;">Foundation in Social Sciences</td><td style="width: 135.825px;">Foundation in Islamic Sciences</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 157.738px;">Built Environment</td><td style="width: 126.963px;">✅</td><td style="width: 137.887px;">✅</td><td style="width: 132.387px;">✅</td><td style="width: 135.825px;">&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 157.738px;">Engineering</td><td style="width: 126.963px;">✅</td><td style="width: 137.887px;">✅</td><td style="width: 132.387px;">&nbsp;</td><td style="width: 135.825px;">&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 157.738px;">Science</td><td style="width: 126.963px;">✅</td><td style="width: 137.887px;">✅</td><td style="width: 132.387px;">&nbsp;</td><td style="width: 135.825px;">&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 157.738px;">Computer Science &amp; Information Technology</td><td style="width: 126.963px;">✅</td><td style="width: 137.887px;">✅</td><td style="width: 132.387px;">&nbsp;</td><td style="width: 135.825px;">&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 157.738px;">Sports &amp; Exercise Science</td><td style="width: 126.963px;">✅</td><td style="width: 137.887px;">✅</td><td style="width: 132.387px;">✅</td><td style="width: 135.825px;">&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 157.738px;">Islamic Studies</td><td style="width: 126.963px;">&nbsp;</td><td style="width: 137.887px;">&nbsp;</td><td style="width: 132.387px;">&nbsp;</td><td style="width: 135.825px;">✅</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 157.738px;">Malay Studies</td><td style="width: 126.963px;">✅</td><td style="width: 137.887px;">✅</td><td style="width: 132.387px;">✅</td><td style="width: 135.825px;">&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 157.738px;">Languages &amp; Linguistics</td><td style="width: 126.963px;">✅</td><td style="width: 137.887px;">✅</td><td style="width: 132.387px;">✅</td><td style="width: 135.825px;">&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 157.738px;">Education</td><td style="width: 126.963px;">✅</td><td style="width: 137.887px;">✅</td><td style="width: 132.387px;">✅</td><td style="width: 135.825px;">&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 157.738px;">Business &amp; Economics</td><td style="width: 126.963px;">✅</td><td style="width: 137.887px;">✅</td><td style="width: 132.387px;">✅</td><td style="width: 135.825px;">&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 157.738px;">Arts &amp; Social Sciences</td><td style="width: 126.963px;">✅</td><td style="width: 137.887px;">✅</td><td style="width: 132.387px;">✅</td><td style="width: 135.825px;">&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 157.738px;">Law</td><td style="width: 126.963px;">✅</td><td style="width: 137.887px;">✅</td><td style="width: 132.387px;">✅</td><td style="width: 135.825px;">&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 157.738px;">Creative Arts</td><td style="width: 126.963px;">✅</td><td style="width: 137.887px;">✅</td><td style="width: 132.387px;">✅</td><td style="width: 135.825px;">&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table> <h1 style="text-align: justify;">Flexible Financing for Malaysian Families</h1>The cost of studying at UM through this pathway is structured to be affordable for students. To make education even more accessible, flexible funding options are available:&nbsp;<ul style="text-align: justify;"><li aria-level="1">EPF Withdrawal</li></ul>Parents can withdraw from their Account 2 and 3 of their Employees Provident Fund (EPF) accounts to fund the tuition fees. It&rsquo;s a secure, government-approved way to support their child&rsquo;s studies, and one that has been used by thousands of Malaysian families (Applicable to both foundation and degree programmes).<ul style="text-align: justify;"><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">PTPTN Study Loan</li></ul>Students may consider applying for a PTPTN Study Loan to support their studies at UM, which can help cover tuition fees and living costs (Applicable to degree programmes only).<img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://img.afterschool.my/storage/uploads/images/68664ab3cf68c_1751534259.jpg" alt="" width="560px" height="auto" />Beyond academics, UM is a place where students are empowered to grow into leaders and changemakers.&nbsp;<h1 style="text-align: justify;">Why Universiti Malaya?</h1>Located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, UM is known for combining academic excellence with real-world relevance. Here&rsquo;s what sets it apart:<ul style="text-align: justify;"><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Ranked #1 in Malaysia and #58 in the World (QS 2025)</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">A diverse student body with over 12,000 international students</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">A comprehensive suite of academic programmes at every level, from Foundation to PhD</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Industry partnerships, global mobility and hands-on learning experiences</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">50+ research centres making breakthroughs across disciplines</li></ul>&nbsp;<h1 style="text-align: justify;">Your Future is Within Reach</h1>The UM SATU Channel offers Malaysian students a direct pathway to join a globally respected university with a legacy of excellence.Your future at Malaysia&rsquo;s top university starts here! Apply directly through the UM SATU Channel at: <a href="http://apply.um.edu.my">apply.um.edu.my</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

<section class="half-section">
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<div class="rPeykc" data-hveid="CAMQAQ" data-ved="2ahUKEwiTjpzP3u-MAxXzZmwGHVpxOFQQo_EKegQIAxAB">
Founded in 1905, Universiti Malaya (UM) stands proudly as Malaysia&rsquo;s oldest university and the nation&rsquo;s top-ranked institution. Located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, UM combines tradition with innovation, offering world-class education backed by over a century of academic excellence. In 2025, UM is proudly ranked #60 globally by the QS World University Rankings, affirming its position among the world&rsquo;s elite universities.
&nbsp;
Why Study at UM SATU
The UM SATU (Saluran Terbuka Universiti) pathway is your opportunity to be part of UM&rsquo;s legacy, through a flexible, alternative admission route. Designed to open doors for passionate learners, SATU lets you apply directly to UM&rsquo;s most sought-after programmes, giving you access to the same globally-recognised education, outstanding campus facilities, and vibrant student life. While the fee structure reflects its premium offering, SATU ensures that more students can experience UM&rsquo;s excellence without waiting for the conventional intake channels.
&nbsp;
What You Should Know About UM SATU
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Student Accommodation: UM provides various residential colleges (Kolej Kediaman) with affordable housing options for students.​</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Transportation: Public transport options around Universiti Malaya (UM) include the RapidKL T789 bus connecting to the KL Gateway Universiti LRT station and the RapidKL T790 bus for shorter walks to specific departments.&nbsp;</li>
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Additionally, UM offers its own shuttle bus services, including routes to various locations on and off campus.
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<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Student Parking: Parking permits are available for students, with designated parking zones across the campus, such as Library and KPS.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Things to Do Around Campus: The Kompleks Perdanasiswa (KPS) offers eateries, ATMs, and social spaces. The campus also features sports facilities, including an Olympic-sized swimming pool, pickle ball courts, kayaking, and jogging tracks around Varsity Lake.​</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Security: UM security team ensures the safety and well-being of its campus community.</li>
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Education at UM SATU
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<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Most Popular Courses: Medicine, Law, Engineering, Business, and Social Sciences. (Medicine and Law have very limited seats and require interviews. Best not to sell them)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Applying to UM SATU with SPM Trial Results: Cannot</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Affiliated Organisations &amp; Job Opportunities</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">General Education Subjects (MPU)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Graduation Details</li>
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Universiti Malaya (SATU)

Your future at Malaysia’s top university starts here!

Pathway to Universiti Malaya

UM SATU: An Alternative Pathway to Malaysia’s Top University

So, you're considering studying medicine in Malaysia, but aren't quite sure which path to take? Whether you want to stay local the whole way, head overseas partway through, or get a foreign degree right here at home, this guide will help you explore all the recognised options out there.We&rsquo;ve listed all the major institutions offering medicine and grouped them into three main pathways:<ul><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Local private universities</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Twinning or credit-transfer programmes</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Foreign branch campuses in Malaysia</li></ul>Each option includes key information, such as clinical hospital partners and estimated tuition fees, so you don&rsquo;t have to dig for it! <h1>Understanding the Programmes: MBBS and MD</h1>First things first, understanding the programme. Most private medical schools in Malaysia offer either an MBBS or an MD. Both are five-year undergraduate degrees that include pre-clinical studies and clinical training.MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) is the more common title and is awarded by most private universities such as IMU, MAHSA, and Taylor&rsquo;s.MD (Doctor of Medicine) is awarded by some universities instead, often following a similar structure. In Malaysia, it is not a postgraduate degree like in the United States.So why does this matter? Knowing the difference helps you avoid confusion later on, especially if you&rsquo;re planning to work or pursue postgraduate training abroad. It also ensures you&rsquo;re not misled by the title; both degrees carry the same recognition in Malaysia, as long as they&rsquo;re accredited by the Malaysian Medical Council.&nbsp;<h1>Local Private Universities (MBBS/ MD Fully in Malaysia)</h1>These are private institutions where you complete your entire MBBS programme within Malaysia. Clinical years are done in local hospitals (either government or university-affiliated).<div class="table-responsive"><table style="min-width: 700px; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ffffff;"><tbody><tr><th style="min-width: 150px;">University</th><th>Local Student Tuition Fees (Estimated)</th><th>International Student Tuition Fees (Estimated)</th><th>Clinical Hospitals / Training Sites</th></tr><tr><td>International Medical University (IMU)</td><td>RM 597,500 </td><td>RM 672,500</td><td>Hospital Tuanku Ja&rsquo;afar, Hospital Batu Pahat, others in Negeri Sembilan and Johor</td></tr><tr><td>UCSI University</td><td>RM 420,650 </td><td>RM 501,300</td><td>UCSI Hospital (Springhill), Hospital Tuanku Ja&rsquo;afar</td></tr><tr><td>Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR)</td><td>RM 278,250</td><td>Programme Not Available for International Students</td><td>UTAR Hospital (Kampar)</td></tr><tr><td>MAHSA University</td><td>RM 377,650</td><td>RM 449,450</td><td>Hospital Sungai Buloh, Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Hospital Tanjung Karang, various Klinik Kesihatan</td></tr><tr><td>SEGi University</td><td>RM 339,050</td><td>RM 341,050</td><td>Sibu Hospital (Sarawak)</td></tr><tr><td>AIMST University</td><td>RM 319,850</td><td>RM 386,850</td><td>Hospital Sungai Buloh, Hospital Kuala Lumpur</td></tr><tr><td>Taylor&rsquo;s University</td><td>RM 422,690</td><td>USD 106,264</td><td>Hospital Sungai Buloh, Hospital Bentong, Hospital Muadzam Shah, Hospital Kuala Kangsar, Klinik Kesihatan Rawang and others</td></tr><tr><td>Manipal University College Malaysia (MUCM)</td><td>RM 375,000</td><td>USD 90,000</td><td>Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan (Kuantan), Pekan Hospital, Clinics under the Ministry of Health (KKM)</td></tr><tr><td>MSU &ndash; International Medical School (IMS)</td><td>RM 295,000 - RM 395,000</td><td>RM 546,000</td><td>Hospital Shah Alam, Hospital Sungai Buloh, and Hospital Klang</td></tr><tr><td>Quest International University (QIU)</td><td>RM 330,000</td><td>RM 330,000</td><td>Perak General Hospitals, such as GH Ipoh, Taiping, Teluk Intan, Bahagia, and government clinics, as well</td></tr><tr><td>Widad University College</td><td>RM 320,000</td><td>RM 394,750</td><td>Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan Kuantan,&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td>University of Cyberjaya</td><td>RM 350,000&nbsp;</td><td>RM 380,000</td><td>Putrajaya Hospital, Kuala Lumpur Hospital, Serdang Hospital, and Cyberjaya Hospital</td></tr><tr><td>UniSHAMS</td><td>RM 255,260</td><td>RM 305,206</td><td>Kulim Hospital, Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital, and Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah</td></tr><tr><td>Sunway University, in partnership with UKM</td><td>RM 471,000</td><td>RM 471,000</td><td>Sunway Medical Centre</td></tr><tr><td>Lincoln University College</td><td>RM 315,000</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table></div> All these programmes are MMC-accredited, meaning graduates are eligible to register with the Malaysian Medical Council and begin their housemanship training in local hospitals.&nbsp;When exploring medical study options, it&rsquo;s important to consider where you&rsquo;ll be placed for clinical training. These placements (often lasting up to three years) play a major role in shaping your practical experience, exposure to real-world cases, and future job prospects.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h1>Twinning or Credit Transfer Programmes</h1>This pathway allows you to begin your degree in Malaysia and then complete it overseas. You do your pre-clinical years here, then transfer to a partner university for clinical training and graduation.&nbsp;Final qualifications are awarded by the foreign university.<div class="table-responsive"><table style="min-width: 700px;"><tbody><tr><th>Malaysian Institution</th><th>Overseas Partner(s)</th><th>Total Local Student Tuition Fees (Estimated)</th><th>Total International Student Tuition Fees (Estimated)</th></tr><tr><td>IMU</td><td>UK&nbsp;</td><td>RM 1,040,449 - RM 1,471,225 </td><td>RM 1,077,949 - RM 1,508,725</td></tr><tr><td>IMU</td><td>Australia</td><td>RM 816,250 - RM 1,022,091</td><td>RM 853,750 - RM 1,1,059,591</td></tr><tr><td>IMU</td><td>Malta</td><td>RM 861,250</td><td>RM 898,750</td></tr><tr><td>IMU</td><td>New Zealand</td><td>RM 1,076,242</td><td>RM 1,113,742</td></tr><tr><td>MSU-IMS</td><td>Bangalore (India)</td><td>RM 295,000 - RM 395,000</td><td>(Not currently available to International Students)</td></tr></tbody></table></div> In most IMU twinning programmes, the Phase 1 (in Malaysia) duration is 2.5 years, followed by Phase 2 (clinical training) abroad, which has a 2.5-3 year duration. Certification is awarded by the partner university where students complete their degree. Many graduates go on to do their housemanship in their respective countries, which can improve their chances of securing work there, though this depends on local policies and is not guaranteed.&nbsp;Alternatively, most programmes are MMC-accredited (with a few exceptions), allowing students to return to Malaysia for housemanship if they choose. Visit MMC&rsquo;s official website for the official list of recognised institutions. For MSU&rsquo;s twinning programme with its Bangalore campus, students complete Phase 1 in Malaysia over a period of two years, followed by Phase 2 in Bangalore over a three-year period.&nbsp;Graduates are required to return to Malaysia for their housemanship. &nbsp;<h1>Foreign Medical Branch Campuses in Malaysia</h1>These are Malaysian campuses of international medical schools. You complete your entire degree in Malaysia but graduate with a foreign qualification.<div class="table-responsive"><table style="min-width: 700px;"><tbody><tr><th style="min-width: 150px;">University</th><th>Parent University Country</th><th>Local Student Tuition Fees (Estimated)</th><th>International Student Tuition Fees (Estimated)</th><th>Clinical Hospitals in Malaysia</th></tr><tr><td>Monash University Malaysia</td><td>Australia</td><td>RM 571,200</td><td>RM 674,400</td><td>Hospital Sultanah Aminah (Johor Bahru), Hospital Sultan Ismail</td></tr><tr><td>Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia (NUMed)</td><td>UK</td><td>RM 503,000</td><td>RM 632,500</td><td>Hospital Sultan Ismail, Hospital Enche&rsquo; Besar Hajjah Khalsom</td></tr><tr><td>RCSI &amp; UCD Malaysia Campus</td><td>Ireland</td><td>RM 620,000</td><td>RM 740,000</td><td>Hospital Pulau Pinang, Seberang Jaya, Bukit Mertajam, Taiping</td></tr></tbody></table></div> All three institutions listed above are accredited by their respective foreign medical councils:<ul><li aria-level="1">Monash University Malaysia &ndash; accredited by the Australian Medical Council (AMC) </li></ul><ul><li aria-level="1">Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia (NUMed) &ndash; accredited by the General Medical Council (GMC) </li></ul><ul><li aria-level="1">RCSI &amp; UCD Malaysia Campus &ndash; accredited by the Irish Medical Council (IMC) </li></ul>This means that graduates are eligible to pursue housemanship and apply for medical registration in Australia, the UK, or Ireland, depending on local licensing requirements. At the same time, all three programs are fully recognised by the MMC, ensuring that students can complete their housemanship in Malaysia and register as doctors locally. <h1>Final Notes</h1>Choosing the right medical pathway isn&rsquo;t just about cost or location; it&rsquo;s about finding the best fit for your future. Whether you're aiming to practice in Malaysia or abroad, this guide highlights the key factors every student and parent should consider: accreditation, clinical training, total cost, and global recognition.As you narrow down your options, remember that your clinical years will shape much of your hands-on experience. Where you&rsquo;re placed can influence the cases you see, the mentors you meet, and ultimately, the doctor you become.Take the time to ask the right questions, compare each route carefully, and stay informed. Medicine is a long journey, so starting with the right foundation makes all the difference.

Explore the various pathways to studying medicine in Malaysia. From entry requirements to program options, discover all the information you need to pursue a medical degree in Malaysia.

Studying Medicine in Malaysia: EVERY Pathway You Need to Know About

When Erin Eu Lakshmanan was three years old, she asked her mother why money existed. Though babies don&rsquo;t typically get the answers to their burning monetary-economic questions, Erin never stopped looking for them. That curiosity eventually led her across the world to the University of California, Berkeley, where she graduated in 2024 with a major in Economics, minors in Data Science and Public Policy, and a 3.9 GPA.But numbers and models were never the end goal. For Erin, economics has always been about people: how resources shape lives, how systems empower or exclude, and how a better understanding of these forces can lead to a more equitable and just world. Whether she was interning at BCG, founding Nova Consulting at Berkeley, or teaching her own student-led class, Erin has consistently asked the same question: how can we make complex structures more human?&nbsp;<h1>From Alice Smith to Berkeley</h1>Erin spent her entire school life at Alice Smith, a British international school in Kuala Lumpur. It was during her A-Levels that the subject of economics began to take root as more than an academic interest. The subject felt deeply relevant, not just in theory, but in the way it touched nearly every part of society. From education and healthcare to public infrastructure and inequality, Erin started to see the significance the subject had in how our lives are shaped.She says, &ldquo;Economics just made sense; it intersects with everything.&rdquo; This newfound conviction even led her to start a social impact group in school, discovering that economics wasn&rsquo;t just a way to understand the world, but a way to improve it.&nbsp;Outside the classroom, Erin was equally committed. She swam competitively throughout her school years, balancing rigorous training schedules with academic demands. Her life was structured and guided; between school and the pool, there was little room for uncertainty, which made applying to university all the more daunting.&nbsp;Erin finished her 12-year-long Alice Smith academic journey in 2021, completing her A-levels with 3 A*s. There was no question that the next step was a degree in economics; the challenge came in deciding at which institution.Her final shortlist came down to UCLA, UBC in Canada, Yale-NUS in Singapore, and UC Berkeley. She had visited UCLA and was drawn to the comfort of familiarity. UBC offered a generous scholarship and a beautiful campus. Yale-NUS appealed to her love for interdisciplinary learning, and even had a study abroad partnership with Yale, her dream school. But Singapore felt a little too close to home. <img src="https://img.afterschool.my/storage/uploads/images/685ba2fdb90f6_1750835965.jpg" alt="" width="633" height="100%" /> Berkeley, on the other hand, was a leap of faith. She had never visited, and online forums painted a mixed picture; the programme was prestigious, but the city was rough, and the culture was high-stress. Still, she couldn&rsquo;t ignore the pull. &ldquo;I knew it had one of the best economics departments in the world. And if my parents were going to invest in my education abroad, I wanted to make it count.&rdquo; Berkeley&rsquo;s legacy of activism and social change only strengthened the decision. &ldquo;It wasn&rsquo;t just about the academics. I wanted to be part of a community that believed in using what they learned to actually do something.&rdquo; It felt like the kind of place that matched her values and an environment where she could start figuring out who she wanted to be. <h1>Figuring It Out Abroad</h1>Moving from a tightly structured life in Malaysia to the open, high-pressure environment of a massive public university in California wasn&rsquo;t just a change of scenery, it was a clear beginning of an independent, adult life. For the first time, Erin had complete freedom. No more swim practices dictating her daily routine, no more tightly packed schedules. &ldquo;I suddenly had all this free time, and I didn&rsquo;t know what to do with myself,&rdquo; she recounts. Academically, the transition was equally intense. At Alice Smith, she was used to small class sizes and consistent support. Berkeley was the opposite. &ldquo;You&rsquo;re not handheld here. You're thrown into massive lectures, and you're expected to figure things out on your own.&rdquo; She struggled at first, earning a B-minus in her freshman year, which served as a severe personal crisis. &ldquo;It shook me to my core,&rdquo; she laughed. But it also became a turning point. From then on, she never scored below an A. Between juggling classes, friendships, internships, and clubs, Erin had to develop a sharper sense of discipline. She leaned into technology, using AI tools to streamline her studying and review material efficiently. But she also made space for a social life. &ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t want to spend all my time in the library. I wanted to actually experience college.&rdquo;And she did. In those first few months, she naturally gravitated toward other international students from Southeast Asia, finding comfort in shared backgrounds, but slowly, expanding her circle, travelling across the U.S., visiting friends&rsquo; hometowns, and seeing the country more personally. For all its challenges, Berkeley became a place of growth: intellectually, socially, and personally.&nbsp;<h1>Beyond the Classroom</h1>While Erin&rsquo;s classes grounded her in theory, it was her involvement outside the classroom that shaped much of her growth at Berkeley, especially in consulting. What began as a small role in the Undergraduate Economics Association&rsquo;s consulting arm soon became a defining part of her college life. Her first project? Helping LinkedIn&rsquo;s Women in Tech division identify target schools to recruit more girls into STEM. &ldquo;It was my first real dive into data science,&rdquo; she said, recalling how she built a classification model using public data sets. <img src="https://img.afterschool.my/storage/uploads/images/685ba3b5e56eb_1750836149.jpg" alt="" width="633" height="100%" /> From there, things accelerated. She led marketing strategies for B2B brands like Lasko, managed a student project for Milk Makeup, and eventually interned with the company itself. Seeing room for improvement in how things were run, Erin and a few peers co-founded Nova Consulting, a student-run group that had real-world partnerships with companies like Aston Martin. &ldquo;We just ran it better.&rdquo;&nbsp;She also wrote for The Sycamore Institute on pandemic-era education inequality and interned at Nest, an impact investing firm. But despite the wealth of experience she had garnered, Erin wasn&rsquo;t set on any one path. &ldquo;Knowing what you don&rsquo;t want to do can be just as valuable as knowing what you do.&rdquo;&nbsp;<h1>Leaving the Consulting Track, Finding Her Place</h1>In May 2025, Erin walked across the graduation stage at UC Berkeley, officially marking the end of a journey and the start of a new one. With a 3.9 GPA and a resume packed with research, internships and leadership roles, she left Berkeley with more than just a degree. She left with clarity about what mattered to her: work that was meaningful, socially conscious, and open to evolution. Despite all her consulting experience, Erin never saw herself settling into a traditional consulting path. &ldquo;I realised I didn&rsquo;t want to go into consulting,&rdquo; she inferred, &ldquo;which was kind of unfortunate because I had so much experience under my belt.&rdquo; But the detour was far from wasted. Consulting had taught her how to work with data, manage large projects, and collaborate with people across industries and cultures. It also helped her land internships at places like BCG and, eventually, at the global asset management firm Schroders.Erin first joined Schroders as an intern in the summer of 2024, while finishing up her final semester at Berkeley. She then transitioned into a part-time role a few months after graduating in December, and has recently moved to New York to join their rotational programme, which will commence in September. The programme is intended to be a structured, multi-departmental experience that allows young professionals to explore different verticals within the company.In her current role with the client group, Erin supports various departments by analysing Salesforce data, identifying client engagement trends, and helping to inform strategic planning. The job is analytical and collaborative, and, thanks to her background in data science and economics, it feels like a natural next step.&nbsp;<h1>Big-Picture Thinking and Looking Forward</h1>As much as Erin enjoys the technical work she does today, she&rsquo;s always been drawn to the bigger picture. For her, economics is not just an academic subject or a set of models, but a lens through which the world can be better understood.&ldquo;I think economics has a really important role to play in how we vote, how we interpret the news, and how we make decisions at a community level; the challenge is just in making it accessible.&rdquo; She is rooted in her belief that the first step to an economically just society lies in informed and educated voting. <img src="https://img.afterschool.my/storage/uploads/images/685ba42b3f95a_1750836267.jpg" alt="" width="633" height="100%" /> As for what&rsquo;s next, Erin is keeping her options open. She&rsquo;s curious about working abroad for a few more years, possibly in the UK or Europe. She&rsquo;s also toying with the idea of graduate school in public policy. Eventually, she hopes to return to Malaysia and build something of her own; &ldquo;Maybe a social enterprise, or maybe a wine bar,&rdquo; she joked. &ldquo;Something small, something meaningful. I just want to create a space that brings people together.&rdquo;&nbsp;What that looks like is still unfolding. But if there&rsquo;s one thing Erin&rsquo;s story makes clear, it&rsquo;s that even a zigzag path can still lead to somewhere fulfilling.&nbsp;

From Berkeley to Wall Street: Erin Eu’s Journey Through Economics, Consulting, and Impact

Ain Husniza&rsquo;s name first entered national consciousness when she was only 17, after she called out a teacher&rsquo;s insensitive and inappropriate joke about sexual violence during class. Her decision to speak up sparked the viral hashtag #MakeSchoolASaferPlace, triggering a nationwide discussion about how schools handle harassment and student safety. What began as a simple TikTok video became a rallying cry for many young Malaysians.Today, Ain is more than a symbol of student activism. She is the founder of Pocket of Pink, a youth-led organisation advocating for inclusive, comprehensive education, particularly around issues of consent and bodily autonomy. She is also an advisory board member with Comic Relief US, a former youth advisor with Purposeful and the Child Rights Innovation Fund, and a TEDx speaker who continues to amplify the voices of girls and children often left out of policy conversations.&nbsp;Her advocacy has taken her from local school halls to international platforms; yet, her mission remains grounded in a simple belief: education should be safe, inclusive, and empowering for all.&nbsp;<h1>The Girl Who Grew Up in a Library</h1>Before the headlines, Ain was just a curious kid from Shah Alam who spent her weekends at the local library. Her family didn&rsquo;t have much, but her father made sure she and her siblings had access to books. &ldquo;I could only borrow five books per card,&rdquo; she said, &ldquo;So I used all my siblings&rsquo; memberships and borrowed twenty books a week.&rdquo;Those hours spent reading weren&rsquo;t just a pastime. They were her first window into the world beyond her immediate surroundings. Through novels, non-fiction, and everything in between, Ain discovered global issues, social justice movements, and perspectives far removed from what she saw around her. &ldquo;If we didn&rsquo;t live near that library,&rdquo; she said, &ldquo;I wouldn&rsquo;t even be speaking to you in English like this.&rdquo; <img src="https://img.afterschool.my/storage/uploads/images/6850df319f6b6_1750130481.jpg" alt="" width="100%" height="auto" /> The internet played a parallel role. Growing up in a Malay-Muslim household, she noticed how narratives about certain communities were often skewed or divisive. Online, she found alternative viewpoints and stories that helped her form her own convictions about equality and rights. &ldquo;I realised that every person deserves the same rights. And to me, that right is education.&rdquo;It was this early exposure to books, ideas, and different ways of thinking that laid the groundwork for the activist she would become.&nbsp;<h1>A Campaign That Shook the Country</h1>The incident happened in the middle of a classroom lesson. A male teacher made a crude comment, joking that sexual violence should be reserved for those over 18. Ain was stunned. Even more shocking was the silence. &ldquo;It wasn&rsquo;t just about what he said,&rdquo; she later explained. &ldquo;It was about how normal it was for everyone else.&rdquo;She went home and recorded a TikTok video, speaking plainly about what had happened. She didn&rsquo;t expect it to go viral, but within hours, her words sparked a wave of responses from students nationwide. They began sharing their own experiences under the hashtag #MakeSchoolASaferPlace, revealing the deep-rooted culture of harassment, inappropriate behaviour, and systemic neglect in Malaysian schools.What began as a moment of frustration quickly transformed into a national conversation. &ldquo;When I spoke up, I was scared. But I realised I wasn&rsquo;t just speaking for myself. I was speaking for every student who had been ignored, shamed, or silenced.&rdquo;The backlash was severe. Ain received threats, faced relentless harassment online, and was even called in for multiple rounds of questioning at the police station. The trauma ran deep. At one point, she shared that her family wouldn&rsquo;t let her lock her bedroom door out of fear for her safety. &ldquo;I thought if I failed my SPM, everything would be over,&rdquo; she recalled. &ldquo;People kept saying, &lsquo;You&rsquo;re disrespectful, you&rsquo;ll never succeed.&rsquo; I had to prove them wrong, not just for me but for girls like me.&rdquo;&nbsp;<h1>Turning Advocacy into Education</h1>Advocacy had pulled Ain into the spotlight, but it was art that helped her stay grounded. Before activism became her full-time calling, she was a teenager who loved to draw, especially people. &ldquo;I like drawing them doing everyday things, like being at the supermarket or at the beach,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s how I de-stress.&rdquo;As a child, Ain spent her weekends at the Shah Alam public library, reading up to twenty books a week. Her love for knowledge, paired with a developing sense of justice, formed the foundation of who she would become. But it was art that helped her make sense of the chaos when things turned overwhelming. &ldquo;Art is calming. It&rsquo;s peaceful,&rdquo; she explained. &ldquo;When you're teaching kids about consent or boundaries, especially those who&rsquo;ve experienced trauma, you need to make it feel safe.&rdquo; <img src="https://img.afterschool.my/storage/uploads/images/6850e08f3c353_1750130831.jpg" alt="" width="100%" height="auto" /> That belief became the cornerstone of Pocket of Pink, the youth-led organisation she founded in September 2024. Through its flagship programme Express2Empower, Pocket of Pink brings comprehensive sex education to children, blending facts with fun. One example is a body autonomy exercise that uses colouring sheets to help children express what parts of their body they&rsquo;re comfortable with others touching. It&rsquo;s visual, accessible, and rooted in empathy.&ldquo;I wanted to make comprehensive sex ed more palatable to our culture and more engaging for the youth,&rdquo; Ain explained. &ldquo;That meant combining it with art, joy-based activities, and interaction. It&rsquo;s not about making it taboo. It&rsquo;s about making it safe and understandable.&rdquo;With a team of over 20 young volunteers, Pocket of Pink has already reached more than 400 beneficiaries. Workshops are conducted in schools, and future plans include an exhibition showcasing student artwork. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re creating pockets of safety, threads of empowerment,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;Every session is a step toward rewriting what education can look like.&rdquo;<h1> From Local Roots to Global Conversations</h1>Ain&rsquo;s activism didn&rsquo;t stop at the school gates. What began as a national movement soon led her to global platforms: each one expanding her understanding of advocacy, policy, and community-led change. Through her involvement with Purposeful, a feminist collective supporting girls' organising worldwide, Ain joined monthly discussions about gender-based violence, rights, and the challenges faced by girls across different regions.&ldquo;For me, the platform they gave was truly priceless,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;Even if you&rsquo;re young or inexperienced, your opinion is still taken as seriously as someone who&rsquo;s been in the scene for twenty years.&rdquo;Her experience with Purposeful opened doors to other international roles. With the Child Rights Innovation Fund (CRIF), Ain was part of the &ldquo;What&rsquo;s Possible Fund&rdquo;&mdash;a global grantmaking initiative where youth advisors decided which grassroots projects deserved funding. &ldquo;We had the autonomy to decide what&rsquo;s important for us,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;Rather than some big funder deciding what children need, we, as youth, made that call.&rdquo;She reviewed hundreds of applications and helped shortlist several Malaysian-led initiatives, contributing to the distribution of over one million US dollars in grants. &ldquo;Youth deserve to be empowered,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;We deserve to be in decision-making spaces.&rdquo;Today, she continues that work as an advisory board member with Comic Relief US, where she focuses on understanding how poverty affects young girls, especially in marginalised communities. Her current efforts centre around the Juntanza Fund in Africa, with lessons she hopes to bring home.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h1>Rising Above Uncertainty</h1>Amid all this, Ain never stopped being a student. During the height of the backlash from #MakeSchoolASaferPlace, she was also preparing for SPM. She had just transferred to a new school on scholarship, and the pressure to succeed was immense. &ldquo;If I didn&rsquo;t get good results, I would have to work right after SPM. My family had no savings for education.&rdquo;&nbsp;But the threats kept coming. She was called to the police station multiple times. She received messages almost daily&mdash;some deeply disturbing, others mocking her for speaking out. The emotional strain pushed her to the brink. &ldquo;I was diagnosed with major depressive disorder,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;There was a point when my dad wouldn&rsquo;t let me lock the door to my room. If he heard a loud sound, he would immediately come in, thinking something had happened.&rdquo; <img src="https://img.afterschool.my/storage/uploads/images/6850e8145853f_1750132756.jpg" alt="" width="335" height="447" />She describes that period as one of her darkest. &ldquo;I barely slept. I&rsquo;d study one hour a night and spend the rest trying to stay sane.&rdquo; But despite all that, she made it through. She passed her exams with flying colours and secured the scholarship she had feared she&rsquo;d lose. &ldquo;I had to prove it wrong,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;Not just for me, but for the girls out there who feel like the world wants them to give up.&rdquo;&nbsp;<h1>Why She Keeps Going</h1>Ain is currently pursuing a degree in Politics and International Relations at the University of Nottingham Malaysia. Even as she transitions into university life, her advocacy remains central to who she is. For her, education is not just a personal achievement but a platform for empowerment and equity. She believes that access alone is not enough. What matters is the quality of education, the safety of the environment, and the inclusiveness of the system. &ldquo;It doesn&rsquo;t matter what nationality you are, what race you are, what gender you are&mdash;everyone should have access to education,&rdquo; she said.That belief continues to guide her as she juggles lectures, project deadlines, and community work. Whether speaking on global platforms or running workshops with Pocket of Pink, her goal is the same: to build a world where every child, especially every girl, feels seen, safe, and supported. &ldquo;Education always comes back to the community, it lifts all of us.&rdquo;&nbsp;

As the first British university to establish a campus in Malaysia, the University of Nottingham Malaysia, founded in 2000, delivers world-class education rooted in UK academic traditions. It offers diverse undergraduate and postgraduate programs, including Engineering, Business, Medicine, and Environmental Sciences. The campus features cutting-edge facilities, research labs, and a scenic environment conducive to learning. Students benefit from a global curriculum, international exposure, and the opportunity to transfer to its UK or China campuses. Renowned for its academic rigor and employability focus, Nottingham Malaysia produces graduates equipped to thrive in competitive global markets.

Discover University of Nottingham Malaysia’s top courses and programmes. Get details on scholarships, intake 2025, entry requirements, and fees structure. Apply online with Afterschool.my.

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Ain Husniza: The Voice Behind #MakeSchoolASaferPlace

If you&rsquo;re a recent SPM leaver who applied for public university through UPUOnline, take note: UPU results will be released this Monday, 17 June 2025, at 12:00 noon. Whether you&rsquo;re aiming for Asasi (foundation) or diploma admission through UPU, this moment can feel overwhelming, especially after months of waiting.But the truth is, no matter the result, there are clear steps you can take next. This guide will help you check your result, understand what it means, and figure out your next steps. <h2>How to Check Your UPU Results</h2>There are a few ways to access your result: <ul><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Visit the UPUOnline portal at upu.mohe.gov.my </li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Download and open the UPUPocket app. </li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Some public universities may also display results on their websites </li></ul>Make sure to log in with your IC number and the password you used during your application.Tips: <ul><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Try checking right at 12:00 noon to avoid slow loading times </li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Screenshot your result as soon as it loads </li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Only trust official channels. Ignore messages or sites claiming to give early access </li></ul><h2>What Your UPU Result Might Say</h2>When the result appears, you&rsquo;ll see one of a few possible outcomes: <ul><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">You received an offer for one of your selected programmes </li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">You received an offer, but it&rsquo;s not your preferred course </li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">You did not receive an offer</li></ul>If you got an offer, congratulations! Even if it wasn&rsquo;t your first choice, it&rsquo;s worth seriously considering the opportunity. If you didn&rsquo;t receive an offer, don&rsquo;t panic. There are still ways to appeal or explore alternative routes. <img src="https://img.afterschool.my/storage/uploads/images/684befab983c6_1749807019.jpg" alt="" width="100%" height="auto" /><h2>If You Got an Offer</h2>Once you&rsquo;ve received an offer, act quick. You have until Wednesday, 25 June 2025, at 5:00 p.m. to confirm your acceptance.Here&rsquo;s what to do: <ol><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Log in to UPUOnline and accept the offer before the deadline </li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Prepare the required documents, which include: </li><ul><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2">Your offer letter (downloadable from the portal) </li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2">A copy of your IC </li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2">Your SPM result slip </li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2">Passport-sized photos </li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2">Medical check-up forms or health reports, depending on the university&rsquo;s requirements </li></ul><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Check your university&rsquo;s website for registration dates, accommodation info, orientation schedules, and any additional documents they may need </li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Sort out financial matters early. You can apply for PTPTN loans or look into scholarships and zakat aid offered by the university or state government </li></ol>Even if you're unsure about the course, it's better to accept it first while you think things through. Some universities offer pathways to degree programmes later on, depending on your academic performance and programme availability.<h2> If You Didn't Get an Offer</h2>Not getting an offer can feel discouraging, but that doesn&rsquo;t mean you&rsquo;re out of options.<h3>Submit an Appeal (Rayuan)</h3>The UPU appeal window for SPM leavers will be open from 17 to 21 June 2025. You can submit your appeal through the same UPUOnline portal. You can choose up to two new programmes, but only those for which you meet the minimum requirements.Before submitting your appeal, take a moment to:<ul><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Recheck the minimum requirements for the programmes you&rsquo;re choosing </li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Choose courses with lower competition or different subject areas </li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Avoid picking choices that were previously unsuccessful </li></ul>The appeal results usually come out in mid-July.<h3>Consider Other Pathways</h3>If appealing doesn&rsquo;t work out, there are still plenty of options to explore: <ul><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Private universities offer foundation and diploma programmes, many of which accept PTPTN and provide scholarships or fee waivers </li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">TVET and ILKA programmes focus on skill-based training and are still open for application through the eTVET portal </li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">If you&rsquo;ve applied earlier, you may still be eligible for Matrikulasi or Form 6, depending on placement status. These options are typically confirmed before UPU results are out. </li></ul>Take the time to research. Many students who started outside the public university system eventually transferred into it or found success through entirely different tracks.<h2> Final Thoughts</h2>UPU result day is important, but it&rsquo;s not everything. Whether you got your dream offer, a backup course, or no offer at all, what matters most is what you do next.Relax, review your options, and know that one result doesn&rsquo;t define your future.

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