QIU HEROES
Shemalatha
“I believe that you should do what you like and be good at it”
Who am I? I’m a QIU Computer Science graduate. I’m a web developer and copywriter who’s incredibly grateful to have gotten an internship and a full-time job in a thoroughly exciting industry. I’m an Ipoh native who’s planning to do a Master’s degree.
I’m also a wheelchair user. It’s a condition I’ve had since I was born. For many people, that’s the first and only thing they see. But just like all of you reading this, I am so much more than just one thing.
There are challenges that come with being a wheelchair user. Things that seem mundane can be difficult for us—mobility issues, accessibility, restroom facilities…the list goes on. I’ve felt like giving up multiple times in life, and I bet we’ve all felt this way. It’s difficult to remain strong and positive when things don’t work the way we expect, but I’ve always bounced back stronger. I believe my willpower pulled me through tough times and helped me to keep moving forward, braver and stronger each time.
For me, I feel many people tend to label us too quickly. We’re either inspirational or underestimated. Sometimes people exaggerate our achievements. You’ll hear something like “She’s in a wheelchair but she can do it”. Others put us down, saying “She can’t do it because she’s in a wheelchair”.
I wish more people knew that everything doesn’t need to relate to our disabilities. I studied like you. I work like you. Maybe I can’t do some things like everybody else but there’ll be some other way that I can do it. You’ll only know once you give me a chance.
I don’t see myself as special. I want to be as genuine as possible. I don’t want my achievements to be exaggerated because I’m not inspirational. I’m just like you.
I was lucky enough to get a full-time job right after finishing my internship. It’s something I’m incredibly grateful for. During my internship, my skills were minimal, to say the least. I was willing to learn new things, work in teams, learn to accept criticism, improve my performances step by step, and most importantly, I delivered all the projects assigned to me, right on time.
Here’s the thing about working life: you really don’t know where your job will take you. I studied computer science but now I’m doing digital marketing, copywriting, content writing, and web development. I never studied writing; all I knew about writing was from the books I loved to read.
But my company gave me the chance to learn on the job and now I love writing. It’s exciting to craft ideas into words. You get such a buzz when someone reads what you wrote and says “good job”.
I owe so much to my family and friends for being my pillars of support in times of need. I’m so grateful because QIU catered to my needs perfectly. I felt safe and comfortable with the understanding lecturers and students who aided me throughout my journey in QIU; creating some unforgettable memories along the way. Academics apart, I strongly believe that university life is a one time experience that gives us knowledge and confidence to face the real world. QIU gave me the connections and knowledge that prepared me for something I always wanted.
I believe that you should do what you like and be good at it. Right now, I want to be better at what I’m doing. In the future, I would love to do something for young women like me. I have a vision, but I’m realistic: I’m not at the point of my career where I could get it started. But hey, stay tuned.
SAMMY
“I’m here to tell you something about university that some people might not like to hear—it’s really not all about studying.”
I’m a Theme Park marketing executive at Genting Malaysia Berhad. I’m part of the opening team of the most anticipated theme park in Malaysia, Genting SkyWorlds, and I was blessed to receive this fantastic job offer before I even completed my internship.
And I’m here to tell you something about university that some people might not like to hear—it’s really not all about studying.
I’m not here to tell you not to study—no one’s going to tell you that. I’m saying that there’s so much else you can learn; so much that will help you grow in the extra-curricular activities available at university.
In the early years of my childhood, I didn’t quite understand what my role was or how I would turn out. At 18, I made the decision that really changed my life path: I joined QIU.
I was average in school, but when I joined QIU I made up my mind to excel in my studies and extracurricular activities to become a better version of myself.
Before classes even started, the extracurricular activities were teaching me. During the Orientation Talent Quest and treasure hunt, I realised the importance of working in groups.
It just got better from there. I joined the Innovation Club, where we organised Halloween & Colour Splash events. And as part of our course requirements, we organised fundraising events that helped donate books to deserving schools—giving us a chance to contribute to society.
Later on, I was honoured to represent the Faculty of Business and Management at the Social Venture Youth Exchange programme, which exposed me to social entrepreneurship and the Korean culture. It was eye-opening in so many ways.
I was also part of the team that established QIU’s Connecti Club, which has brought distinguished entrepreneurs to share their knowledge with our students.
And on a more personal note, one of my most memorable experiences was performing on stage with my buddies on Quest Night. Just like all the other events, it was a tiring process, having to practice after classes, but everybody was determined and we made it happen.
So why I am I telling you this? It’s because all these accomplishments prepared me for the challenges of work. When Genting Malaysia Berhad accepted me as an intern, I was lost for words and was determined to shine brighter than the stars there. I worked tirelessly for long hours and I feel that’s why the management team acknowledged my work and performance.
That work ethic was built when I was striving to balance my studies and extracurricular activities.
Don’t get me wrong—I had the time of my life with the club projects, but I was also giving my very best in every examination, test, quiz and assignments.
You don’t join a university just to study; you look for the university experience. In my 4 years here, I organised conferences and fundraisers, represented QIU at international competitions, and performed on stage with my friends.The fun I had built my confidence and I’ve grown beyond my wildest dreams.
Today, I’m having a blast at my job. I’m responsible for creating the best experiences and memories for our visitors—just like what QIU did for me.
JINESYAH
“Everyone should be colour blind to see the beauty of people—Anonymous”
It starts from our youth.
As I was growing up, I was bullied by my friends for being dark-skinned. I remember being in a secondary school class with almost 36 people (I was the only Indian) and out of nowhere, someone from the other end of the class cracked a joke implying that I have a dirty skin color and my appearance looked very depressing to them. Classmates that I considered friends laughed at those remarks.
When a relative of mine came over to my house for a visit, he said that I look different from my siblings. He even compared me to a Drishti doll (a fearsome face of a demon that is usually placed at the front of Indian households to ward off evil gazes).
On another occasion, I expressed my interest in journalism to one of my school teachers. She just laughed and said that in the media industry, people of colour like me will go ‘missing’. I wasn’t white and pretty enough to be in front of the camera.
Why am I telling you this? I want you to know that I wouldn’t be here today, pursuing Journalism in QIU without these people. See, when all these taunts were thrown to me, I had two options – to believe in whatever they say, or pick myself up, take a deep breath and use their taunts to build my confidence.
Today, I am who I want to be: fearless, confident and a stronger person. And honey, no one can take this from me. Always remember that you can’t let other people’s perception define who you are. If I were to believe whatever they say, I wouldn’t have had the confidence to stand in front of a large crowd and do a welcoming speech!
I want you to remember that all these insults or taunts you hear could drain you emotionally, mentally or physically. But no matter how much it drains you, do not give up. You will learn to rebound from setbacks and come out stronger!
Abraham Lincoln is believed to have said that achievement has no colour. I couldn’t agree more.
LEON
Zimbabwe
“I believe that if the electronics field is tapped the right way, the 4th Industrial Revolution can become the best revolution in human history.”
I go by the name Leon Garai Marwendo; the last born in a family of four. I was born and raised in Zimbabwe, the citadel of academia in Africa. To those who know me from a distance, I’m a quiet introvert but I think my circle of friends would know that I’m sociable and curious.
From as young as I can remember, football has always been my passion. There was a time when I thought of pursuing it as my career. It didn’t live long as I was constantly discouraged by those around me.
At that tender age, society convinced me that being a medical doctor or an engineer was the only way to guarantee a fat bank balance (although I now differ from that notion). With that perception, I channeled all my energy into my studies.
There’s a famous African proverb which says ‘It takes a village to raise a child’ and I’m living proof. I got my inspiration from my next-door neighbor who was studying electronics engineering at that time. His knowledge blew my mind and his quest to solve electronic problems inspired me to explore this fascinating world.
I passed my A levels with flying colours and enrolled at QIU where I am currently doing the final year of my Bachelor of Electronics Engineering (Communication) with Honours. Now that QIU is helping me achieve my dream, I can see a future of endless possibilities.
I believe that if the electronics field is tapped the right way, the 4th Industrial Revolution can become the best revolution in human history. As an aspiring technopreneur I encourage my generation to take advantage of this revolution and make a difference for a better now and a safer tomorrow.
I am so grateful to QIU for taking care of the students, especially us international students. Their love and support make me feel at home. A special mention goes to all my lecturers and classmates for all the times we cross-pollinated ideas and the friendships created as a result. I won’t forget the memories with my futsal squad and during those special QIU events like the ‘Bonfire’ and the ‘Quest Night’.
GARIMA
India
“I don’t want fame, glory or a net worth of millions; but I simply want my existence to be useful.”
If you ask me to describe myself, I’ll probably be at a loss for words.
I believe my personality to be an amalgamation of every experience of my life, the people I’ve met, the places I’ve been to and the hurdles I’ve overcome. I am originally from a city called Kolkata in East India. But I grew up in different parts of the country and later moved to the Sultanate of Oman in Middle East where I finished high school.
Enter a complete change of backdrop, and voila— I am in Malaysia for my undergrad! So when somebody asks me where I am from, I simply can’t name a particular place because home is where the heart is, and I’ve left a piece of my heart every city I’ve lived in.
People often ask me, why would I choose a quiet city like Ipoh to spend the peak of my youth when I can easily thrive in a big city? My answer is that there is peace
in slow life. There is humanity and warmth. Not once have I felt out of place here.
And I think that is truly a charm of a small city that keeps me hooked to it. The historic buildings and the vintage lanes. The sweet and helpful people. The bustle of cultures blooming and the aroma of amazing food flooding your senses; for a lover of the world as me, I couldn’t simply ask for more.
Choosing a profession wasn’t difficult. I always knew I wanted to help people. I don’t want fame, glory or a net worth of millions; but I simply want my existence to be useful. They say, when you’ve found your calling, there is nothing in the universe that can stop you.
The COVID19 crisis has made me more aware than ever about my role in the society. More often than not, it is the reassurance and comfort that people seek in medical professionals and I want to be able to live up to that. My inspiration are all those men and women who have risked their lives to help people, those working round the clock to come up with vaccines, researching giving moral support to people. Maybe being a med student puts me at the bottom of the fraternity chain, but my goal is to become a professional who is not just skilled, but also a kind and empathetic individual.
ZAHRAA
Sri Lanka
“My fortunate life changed when my parents divorced. It made me decide to be strong like my mother.”
I’m known around campus for the energy and excitement I bring, but reality is slightly different. I was that fortunate, animal-adoring kid; travelling the world, having more than one car and a family that loves me (although I was occasionally mocked for my tomboyish looks and attitude).
But this life changed when my parents divorced. I was 13.
I watched as my single mother and elder sister made necessary sacrifices for our survival and my education. After a few years of struggling with the divorce in the courts and scraping through recession, my mother fell into a brief period of cerebellar stroke, a year after I had my appendix operation.
I thought these situations were happening only to me; that only I was cursed with such instances. But I gradually realised how many people came from families with struggles of their own. It was then I decided to be strong like my mother with the support of those closest to me.
So, I worked for five years prior to joining our university, studying the outside world. It wasn’t as simple as school or university. We were required to assess the situation, our bosses’ moods, and to think on our feet. Seeing my account drain after paying the bills was the hardest part. I gradually climbed up the ranks until I had my own team. I built up my own image of who I want to be and how I want to be seen.
I no longer simply adore animals. Now I plan to give them a better life and biotechnology is the first step towards achieving that goal.
It’s true that humans are capable of great things, but sometimes how much we want to gain depends on how much we’ve lost. Build yourself up and know your worth. Be the joy other people need by always lending a helping hand. You may not know how much it means to them.
RAYMOND
“No matter how much money you have gained, how rich you have become, without proper manners, good behaviour, and the right attitude, you are nothing.”
Before joining QIU, I made the decision to work for a year. Why? I’ll be honest: I was just confused because I didn’t know what to do next at the time. So, I decided to gain some experience, working as a kitchen helper, a service crew member and a bartender.
To some, it may be a strange decision, but I’ve never regretted it. I really enjoyed the working life because it was tough but fun. I’m someone who knows what I want, and I feel it helped me find my way towards doing a Diploma in Hotel Management. My advice for students who never worked before: be brave, be yourself, and do something you like.
A bit about me: I would describe myself as an introvert but at the same time an extrovert too? I know it might sound weird, but if you really want to know me more, leave me a comment or a question.
I’ve been through circumstances that were unexpected at the time. We all have. But for me, everything I’ve gone through serves as lessons from the past. I will always tell myself to keep moving forward and taking them as examples or experiences, in case they may happen again in the days ahead.
In my life, I’ve been guided by these principles. No matter how much money you have gained, how rich you have become, without proper manners, good behaviour, and the right attitude, you are nothing.
Do not be afraid of how others judge you. Do not hold a grudge on those who judge you without hesitation because they know nothing about your past. Forgive them, because it is also a way of setting yourself free from anger.
You live your life for yourself and not for them. Be yourself, because you don’t have to imitate anybody to make yourself look better
YEARIM
Indonesia
“Learn new languages, overcome your arachnophobia, meet new people, acquire new skills because it’ll all come in handy someday.”
Am I curious? Totally. That is a double entendre – I am a queer fish. No, really. I’m the most childish 20-year-old you’ll see and I ask a lot of questions. I’m a huge fan of learning new and random stuff that people don’t really think of. We could be talking about a topic and I’d throw you a random question like “Why does quicksand work slowly?”.
My inquisitive mind propels me into loving genetics because there is so much more that can be unlocked through those double helix strands. My Bachelor of Biotechnology programme equips me with the knowledge I need and I’m having the best of time prepping myself at QIU.
I also venture out into other realms – I was in the badminton school team, I excelled in javelin and I was a track athlete. My profound passion for theatrical arts and music has not stopped me from expressing my true self and it has ameliorated my discipline. Singing both on stage and in church while also being a classical Chinese dancer, I get to channel my inner artist and break the stereotype that men can’t and shouldn’t do performing arts. I stayed true to myself, shutting my ears to the negative comments, and in the end, I’m the happiest and proudest of what I have accomplished.
My biggest fear is regret. I don’t want to rue things I could have done but didn’t – and I encourage everyone to do the same. Learn new languages, overcome your arachnophobia, meet new people, acquire new skills because it’ll all come in handy someday. Be true to yourself because you’ll be your greatest reward. All I’ve said might sound very cliché, but hey, I’m living proof and I’m here to tell the tale.
DAVID
“I have encountered many young artistic minds blooming here – people who are just aching for an avenue to express themselves without the need to travel far from home.”
Growing up in Ipoh, I want people to know there’s more to this city than just being ‘a sleepy town north of KL’. I have encountered many young artistic minds blooming here – people who are just aching for an avenue to express themselves without the need to travel far from home.
I’d like to think I’m one of those people. I’ve always had a knack for musical experimentation. At the outset, what I play can sound almost unbearable. But with time, the magic happens. Suddenly, what you thought was an idea evolves into a journey and that journey is yours to carve out.
Being a rock guitarist with an interest in many obscure sub-genres of rock, I’ve learned how music can be expressed in so many unconventional ways. When the music happens you dwell into the mind of the artist, you understand more than just their thoughts but the nature of their soul.
And that’s one place where I really love to be; a place where people are connected not by race or colour or anything physical but by powerful emotions interpreted through the expressions of sound.”
RESHMI
“I believe that we humans are the only creatures on Earth who will say we care and love this planet but yet, we do so much harm to it every day.”
Those who really know and understand me would say I am an adventurous person; always willing to take risks and try out new ideas and experiences. I believe I am this way because I have been a scout since my school days, and I’ve also received the King Scout award – the highest award in the Malaysian scout movement.
Being a scout taught me to always embrace all the positive traits and be the greatest person you can be. All the things you do for others and for yourself, even something small like a compliment can change someone’s life.
That’s probably also the reason why I care so much about our Mother Earth. In this university, people usually see me as an environmentalist as I was the leader of the QIU Eco-Rangers , a club that helps create a sustainable, greener campus.
I believe that we humans are the only creatures on Earth who will say we care and love this planet but yet, we do so much harm to it every day. You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make. We should all start caring for our lovely Earth and start living a better, sustainable life.
But I have to say, my number one passion would be entertaining others, whether it is music, acting or even just cracking a joke. Singing has been my most beloved hobby since I can remember. I used to sing my lungs out to @linkinpark with my siblings, sitting on the pillar in front my house during the evenings, just enjoying childhood. Entertaining others and being creative allows you to express yourself without relying on words. So, to everyone out there, I encourage you be creative and explore all the things in the world. You will never know what is best for you if you do not look far enough.
My story is probably not as interesting as you may think. But my story explains why I am who I am, not just who I am. People see me differently from who I actually am, but this is the real Reshmi.
MICHAEL
“I was born with a hole in my heart. I’m now in the University’s hockey team”
I am who I am today, thanks to the good upbringing I received at the orphanage home where I grew up. I’m staying there to this day with my three siblings.
I was born with a hole in my heart. When I was younger, I couldn’t join any outdoor activities or do the stuff that other kids were doing. I often felt weak and tired, even when I wasn’t doing anything much. I ended up feeling left out and sad because I couldn’t join my friends and I usually ended up getting bullied by those who looked down on me. It wasn’t easy back in school because I couldn’t do what I loved.
Not wanting to dwell in this situation, I picked myself up and began to join my friends to play football. Even though I know that I would fall along the way, I did not give up. I continued to have more faith and believed in God’s miracle healing.
Thanks to the support and prayers from my family at the orphanage and my friends, I became stronger and this enabled me to play sports without any complications. Currently, I am in the university’s hockey team where I can play without fear and worry. There is still a lot for me to learn, but my passion for the sport overshadowed my fear.
So, here’s the thing. I want you to never give up in anything you’re pursuing until you achieve it. Have a determined heart and mind when you reach for your life goals. Life may seem difficult at times, but have faith. Believe even when you don’t see it. All that matters is your mindset.
EMMA
“We are fortunate that we have problems, because finding solutions to these problems enhances our minds.”
Assalamualaikum.
Da Jia Hao.
Epedi Irukingge Vanakam.
I’d describe myself as an interesting person who’s hard to understand, with a selfless attitude towards anyone whom I meet. I am of a very friendly nature and love to be with people who are not selfish.
At the same time, I’m ambitious and I can do anything to achieve my aim because I am very competitive, but I love to find good in everything that I see.
My philosophy is that there are many things that makes us depressed or upset, but that does not mean that we have to stop living. In fact, problems are a sign of life. They mean we are alive. We are fortunate that we have problems, because finding solutions to these problems enhances our minds.
I am from Ipoh and I love this city. It’s the place where tons of memories were and still are created, the place where I lived for years, the place where I studied from kindergarten to university. Ipoh is such a beautiful and peaceful place to live in because Ipoh has lesser traffic, lesser pollution and there is still so much of nature around us.
I also love the fact that it’s a food haven. We have lots of places that offer a variety of delicious food, from the famous nasi ganja to tauge ayam (beansprouts with chicken). It’s said that the beansprouts here are better because of the water that runs through the lime stones. The water’s also supposed to make the girls here prettier, just like Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh and me!
There’s a fascinating mix of historical, natural and modern attractions here – you have places like the Ipoh Railway station, the Gunung Lang recreational park, and of course the multitude of tourist spots and hipster cafes in the Old Town district
I know many people in my life that had moved out of Ipoh and forgot their roots or where they came from; perhaps you could call it a culture shock. But I am not like that because no matter where I go, I will still come back to my roots.
