Ik Shim, Royal Award recipient perseverance becomes beacon of success

GAMBANG, 8 November 2025 – Behind the success of becoming a System Engineer (Cybersecurity) at Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn. Bhd. (PERODUA), lies the story of the perseverance of a child who made the love and sacrifice of her mother the main source of strength.

For Ik Shim a/p Eh Fhot, 24, a Bachelor of Computer Science (Cybersecurity) with Honours graduate from Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA), the success she holds today did not come easily.

“It was forged with tears, patience, and extraordinary spirit, especially during the most difficult moment in her life, the passing of her beloved mother, the late Sam Tjin Ik, in February 2024.

“It all happened during the final examination week when my mother fell ill and had to be admitted to the hospital.

“Every night I stayed by her side, but when the examination day arrived, I had to return to the university,” she said.

She said that although in a weakened state, her mother still told her to focus on her studies.

“Not long after the examinations ended, Ik Shim returned home and received the news she feared the most, that her late mother had been diagnosed with final-stage cancer.

“In that short period, her mother managed to express her pride and hoped to witness the success of her child at the convocation ceremony.

“However, fate decided everything when her mother breathed her last on 19 February 2024,” she added.

The incident became a major turning point in Ik Shim’s life.

She further explained that it was very painful, but she knew her mother wanted her to stay strong and succeed.

“Every time I feel weak, I remember my mother’s smile and her words of encouragement.

“She is the reason I am still standing today,” she said.

Yet behind the sad story, the excellence and brilliance of an extraordinary student is clearly seen, as throughout her studies at UMPSA, Ik Shim successfully maintained a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.88 during her diploma studies and 3.98 during her bachelor’s degree.

She also received the Faculty of Computing (FK) Excellent Student Award three times, which is proof of her dedication and unwavering commitment despite facing heavy trials.

As a student of the first batch of the Work-Based Learning (WBL) Cybersecurity programme, Ik Shim demonstrated exceptional ability in integrating theory and industry practice.

During her training at PERODUA, she led the implementation of internal cybersecurity awareness training for more than 130 staff and developed Smart Device (OT & IoT) Policies and AI Policies to strengthen the organisation’s IT security governance.

Her excellence at the university level was also evident when she was appointed as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of the student startup company Cybersphere Solution.

Under her leadership, the team succeeded in placing UMPSA among the 16 best university companies in Malaysia under the LaunchX University Startup Accelerator 2024 programme.

In the field of innovation and research, she also won various international recognitions through multiple competitions, including a gold medal and a Social Impact Award at CITREX 2024 for a diabetes management application based on Gemini AI, as well as achievements in the Huawei AppGallery mobile application competition and other international innovation competitions.

Apart from being active in academics and innovation, Ik Shim also excelled in student leadership when she was appointed as the Honorary Treasurer of the PETAKOM Club for the 2022/2023 Session and served as the Deputy Director of Cybersecurity Awareness Week 2023, during which she also acted as the official emcee for the faculty.

In sports, she helped the FK team win the Dodgeball SUKOM 2024 event, bringing home the gold medal.

International experiences also enriched her academic journey when she was selected to join the Chinese Bridge Summer Camp 2023 at Hebei University, China and the Mobility Programme to Indonesia 2024 at Universitas Multimedia Nusantara (UMN), where she was also invited to give a talk on Ethical Hacking to students and lecturers there.

When asked about the secret behind her success, Ik Shim admitted that everything stemmed from her family upbringing, especially her late mother.

She grew up in a modest family; her father worked as an aluminium installer while her mother sold kuih at the morning market.

From them, she learned the meaning of hard work, discipline, and gratitude.

For her, every achievement attained is not merely a sign of her own effort but also the result of the prayers and sacrifices of her parents.

Now, as a System Engineer at PERODUA, Ik Shim continues to advance in the world of cybersecurity, a field that not only reflects her passion but also her commitment to contributing to society through technology.

When asked about the life principle she holds, she smiled and quoted the words of Buddha that guide her, “Mind is everything. What you think, you become”.

“For me, true strength comes from a calm mind and a sincere heart.

“When we can control the mind, we can control the direction of life,” she said.

Ik Shim’s story is not only about academic and professional success, but about the love of a child who made her mother’s sacrifice the light that continues to guide her forward.

From a resilient student, she now emerges as an inspirational example that behind every great success lies a story of love and priceless strength.

By: Nur Hartini Mohd Hatta, Centre for Corporate Communications

Translation by: Dr. Rozaimi Abu Samah, UMPSA Press