Blind Son Of A Contract Worker Tops UiTM. Now, He Needs Your Help To Further His Studies
Top scorer Razlan Ibrahim Mukhtar is eager to pursue a degree in Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship at University of South Australia but the UiTM topper does not have enough funds.
By Sadho Ram — 27 Jun 2015, 04:56 PM
Meet Razlan Ibrahim Mukhtar. At the age of 10, he lost his eyesight. He, however, persevered academically and recently, topped in his Universiti Teknologi MARA diploma in Business Studies class.
Razlan now wants to pursue his further studies. Filled with determination, he hopes to become the second person from St Nicholas Home Penang in the last 50 years to further his tertiary education in Australia. Problem? He doesn't have enough funds.
Razlan Ibrahim Mukhtar, 21, has until July 13 to come up with RM262,000 so that he can enrol for a two-year degree programme in Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship at University of South Australia.
But the son of a contract worker can ill-afford the fees and expenses needed for him to pursue his studies Down Under.
During a press conference organised by St Nicholas Home in Georgetown to urge Malaysians for financial aid for the UiTM topper, Razlan said that the University of South Australia has offered him a place and he would very much like to go, The Star reported
“I will set up my own business when I return with my degree and I will help empower the visually impaired community and provide employment for many,” he told a press conference organised by the home here to plead for financial aid.
thestar.com.myHis father is a contractual worker who installs air-con piping and earns RM2,000 a month. His mother is a housewife from Sabah.
St Nicholas Home executive director Daniel Soon said RM250,000 of the funds would cover Razlan’s tuition fees, flights, and living expenses.
“He will also need a refreshable braille display machine which costs about RM12,000,” he said. “We have helped him apply for scholarships from Astro, Maxis, Maybank and Great Eastern but have received no reply yet except from Maxis which has called him for an interview,” Soon said.
While Razlan lost his eyesight at early age, he didn't let his visual handicap stop him from excelling in extra-curricular activities
He represented Perlis in 2012 and Perak in 2015 in the ‘Goal Ball’ national-level competitions for Paralympics and had participated in elocution and debating events, as well as in poetry composition and recitation contests.
During his secondary school years in SMPK Setapak, the second largest secondary school for the blind in the country, he was the president of the Language Club, the school library’s assistant head prefect, peer counselling programme secretary, and Scouts treasurer.
Meanwhile, according to The Star's report, Razlan's plight has grabbed Pulau Tikus assemblyman Yap Soo Huey's attention
“It is very rare to see a visually impaired individual perform so well. Razlan has the determination to strive for his goals. I urge members of the public to help in this worthy cause,” she said.
thestar.com.mySt Nicholas Home executive director Daniel Soon said if Razlan could not start his course in July, he would try again for the February intake
Those who wish to contribute to the Razlan Study Fund can bank-in the money to Hong Leong Bank account no: 37000002252 and e-mail the payment advice with the note Razlan Study Fund to [email protected] or send a cheque to St Nicholas’ Home, Penang (write Razlan Study Fund behind cheque).
For details, call Khoo at 04-2290800.