By Asmahanim Amir
Pix Centre for Corporate Communication

BANGI, 1 November 2015 – Noviatin Syarifuddin, a labourer’s daughter from Tawau, Sabah, who just graduated from the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities (FSSK) at the National University of Malaysia (UKM), is living proof that hardships of life is no barrier to success.

Noviatin was conferred the Royal Education Award for being an outstanding all-round student of FSSK, at the 43^rd Convocation of UKM.

The eldest of eight siblings was cited as a committed student and very keen on co-curricular activities, both in campus and at the national level.

“I always believe that knowledge is everything. I don’t need to ‘fight’ anyone to be a great person because education will make me excellent,” she said to reporters  after the Convocation ceremony, here, yesterday.

She said being far away from her family has not made her complacent about the pleasures of an urban life city. On the contrary, every hardship endured by her  family makes her even more determined to succeed.

“I am not the type who always goes to the library to study, but I prefer to study in a group with my friends because we will share the ideas and knowledge together,” she said.

When asked about her recipe for success, she replied concentrating on  the lectures helped a lot.

“I always make preparation before class starts and will respond to lecturers during  the teaching and learning sessions.

“To be successful is not hard. If your intentions are sincere, God willing, He will help,” she added.

Giving an account of her life, Noviatin portrays herself as a role model to her siblings.

“I come from a poor family. My dad is a casual labourer, while my mom sells snacks  on the streets. So, only education will change  my family’s fortunes.

“I always advice and encourage my siblings to give priority to education, so that they do not become complacent with everyday life,” said Noviatin who is currently studying for a Masters of Philosophy in Sociology at UKM.

Aspiring to be a lecturer one day, Noviatin is already planning to go further by studying for a Doctoral degree abroad after she gets the Master Degree.

She completed her bachelor’s  Degree in Anthropology Sociology with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.74 and was active at the Faculty and college levels.

She also received many awards for participating in co-curricular programmes and was in the dean’s  list in every semester.