KOTA KINABALU: It is a dream come true for Norhayati Abd Latif, 20, who will be leaving her comfort zone to further her studies in England.
The former matriculation student, from Kampung Batu Putih in Sandakan, will be enrolling at Sheffield University in September, leaving behind her family.
She was among 35 young Sabahans to receive full scholarships from Shell Malaysia to pursue their pre-university or first-degree studies at approved institutions locally and abroad.
"I am very excited about this scholarship. Studying abroad is a dream come true for me. I have been waiting for this opportunity all my life.
"I come from a poor family and being awarded a Shell scholarship has open up a door for me to venture out and show people that I, too, can be successful in life," said Norhayati.
The only daughter among four siblings, Norhayati shows a huge interest in mechanical engineering, adding it could help bring economic changes to the people.
"My parents operate a small food stall and I also hope to gain knowledge and use it to create a technology that can help develop the food industry."
Shell Malaysia also presented bursaries to 82 students who had achieved excellent academic results in the 2011 Penilaian Menengah Rendah yesterday.
Deputy Chief Minister and Resource Development and Information Technology Minister Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai and Shell Malaysia corporate affairs general manager Frank Saing were present at the Shell Student Excellence Award.
Another recipient, Mohd Khairul Safuan, 19, said the scholarship had help to reduce the burden of his parents.
"My father was a driver and my mum is a housewife. They have given their endless support to us and this is my gift for them," said the Tawau-born lad from Kampung Ranggu.
Khairul aimed to pursue his study in Petroleum Engineering with the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman, in his speech delivered by Dr Yee, said Shell's effort in providing scholarships and bursary awards serves as a good example of how the private sector can effectively support the country's human capital requirement.
"We must continue to nurture and support school leavers who are keen to pursue their tertiary education, and who will, trough knowledge and qualifications, drive the nation's further transformation in future.
"We also must provide support and encourage students from poor families to stay in school and break the cycle of poverty that their families are in."
Musa added education opportunities for all citizens would help ensure the gap between rural and urban areas was narrowed.
This year, Shell Malaysia had committed RM10 million towards its scholarship programme for talented students across the country.
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