By Siti Lailatul Mastura Norazlan
Pictures by Pusat Komunikasi Korporat

BANGI, November 2, 2019 – ‘Like father, like son’ … That’s an apt expression given to Nalina Santhiran who made her father, Santhiran Veloo, an idol in pursuing her dream of becoming a lawyer.

Her profound interest in analysis and love for reading became a driving force for a girl who was born in Petaling Jaya, Selangor and raised in Teluk Intan, Perak to realize her dreams.

Nalina, the recipient of Royal Education Award at UKM’s 47^th Convocation, is the first of three siblings of Leela Palanisamydan and Santhiran Veloo.

“Initially, I aspired to pursue a degree in English Literature, but I was compelled to venture into a legal field at the time of the application process at the Matriculation level due to my academic curiosity,” she said.

She said both of her parents had never pushed her and her siblings to venture into the field they loved.

“They (parents) have always encouraged our siblings to pursue our ambitions. My own parents did not expect that I was interested in pursuing my education in law,” she said.

Speaking of her success, she said it was rather a cliché for her to say that she had no secret to her success.

“I just make a to-do list every day and focus on that list,” she said.

Following in her father’s footsteps, who is a law practitioner and a former magistrate, Nalina continues to step in to explore the field.

However, her interest lies more in civil law compared to her father who is more focused on criminal law.

Nalina’s success is not only realised in the classroom, but she is also actively involved in social entrepreneurship. In fact, as a freshman in UKM, she participated in pitching new ideas at the Dubai Regional Finalist The 7th Clinton Foundation’s HULT Prize Social Entrepreneurship Challenge in Dubai.

In addition, among the programmes she participated internationally include the World Federation United Nations (WFUNA) Youth Seminar 2016, German Southeast Asian Centre of Excellence for Public Policy and Good Governance (CPG) Summer School Programme, Goethe University, Germany 2017 and Harvard Project for Asian and International Relations (HPAIR).

“Through these activities, I have more skills in commercial awareness,” she said.