Moving around is no excuse be idle in gaining knowledge, Aimi receives Srikandi Matahari Award

GAMBANG, 21 October 2023 - Ever since she was a kid, her family has always moved around due to the demands of her mother’s job as a teacher in Tawau, Sabah.

Her father gave up his job so that their family stays together.

These events had encouraged Aimi Soleha Baba, 25 to study hard and succeed.

The Sabah-born received the Srikandi Matahari Award at Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah's (UMPSA) 18th Convocation Ceremony.

Aimi grew up in Sime Darby’s Mostyn Estate, Kunak until she completed her Primary School Achievement Test (UPSR) and then moved to Binuang Estate, Kunak following her mother’s transfer.

“Because I went to Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Madai, I commuted every day for almost 40 minutes by bus to go to school.

“Alhamdulillah, I obtained 8A in the Lower Secondary Assessment (PMR) and managed to enrol into a boarding school in the Lahad Datu district,” she explained.

Aimi is the eldest daughter of Baba Mahide, 55 and Normadiah Manah, 52.

For the sake of knowledge, she was willing to travel far to continue her study in Diploma in Civil Engineering at UMPSA while at the same time her family moved again to Bandar Sri Indah, Tawau.

Her father rejected an offer to work on another Sime Darby estate when Mostyn Estate was closed because he wanted to stay together with his family, and works instead as a self-employed bus driver.

She then continued her study at UMPSA by pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational Safety and Health from the Faculty of Industrial Sciences and Technology (FIST) and received the Dean’s List Award for six consecutive semesters with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.67.

She also won a gold medal in the Creation, Innovation, Technology and Research Exposition (CITREX) 2023 for her final year project, Development of Tracking System to Comply with COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedure at Construction Site.

Aimi did not solely focus on academics as she was also active in various programmes at the university and was entrusted with various positions including the 2019/2020 Multimedia and Publicity Exco of Student Residents’ Representative 3 (PEKA3), President of PEKA 3 2020/2021 and Secretary General of the UMPSA Students’ Representative Council (MPP) 2021/2022.

“During my involvement in the organisation, I gained various new experiences, was able to get involved in programme management, and had the opportunity to take several courses to increase my knowledge regarding the preparation of programme protocols, ethical appearance, official document preparation courses for organising and accepting invitations in implementing an organisation’s internal and external affairs.

“In addition to participating in the organisation, I helped ensure the success of UMPSA 17th Convocation Ceremony by volunteering as a Welcoming Committee.

“I was also the Treasurer for Student Induction Week (MINDS 2022) and was also involved in Phase 1 of MASUM Sports Carnival 2022.

“At first, I was a little worried that my involvement in co-curricular activities would affect my academic results, but in the end, I was able to organise my time as best I could,” she said.

For Aimi, it is crucial to grab every opportunity that comes along because the same opportunity might never come back and she holds fast to the saying “You won’t know until you’ve tried it”.

“Seize whatever opportunities whenever you can but be smart in distinguishing and prioritising the more important ones and do not neglect your own self.

“We need to make the most of our youth, identify our abilities and don’t give up if we haven’t tried at all,” she added.

Having the opportunity to pursue her diploma and bachelor’s degree at UMPSA, she believes that the university has many dedicated and passionate lecturers with extensive knowledge and expertise in their respective fields.

“UMPSA also does not neglect the students’ welfare and is always committed to providing good and quality facilities and infrastructure in meeting needs and satisfying students in pursuing their ambitions to become excellent and successful.

“I would like to thank all staff and students who were directly and indirectly involved while I was carrying out my duties as one of the PEKA 3 and MPP members.

“All the teaching, encouragement and guidance have helped me to improve my existing skills and knowledge, especially in organisation and programme management,” she said.

Aimi further explained that an active learning approach and co-curricular integration give UMPSA graduates an advantage in understanding real-world issues and valuable practical experience for them to apply in the workplace in the future.

She holds fast to the principle of “If not me, then who?  If not now, then when?  If not here, then where?” and stated that the mainstay of her success now is her parents who never tire of giving moral, financial and energy support and always strive to give their best.

“Not to forget the UMPSA management that has contributed a lot in the technical aspects such as the provision of good infrastructure and facilities during my studies here, lecturers, especially FIST, friends and the people around me who have always provided support, encouragement and advice during my time at UMPSA.

“Wherever we are, remember that Allah SWT is always with us, remember every sacrifice of our parents, and remember our main focus at the university.

“Always strive to be extraordinary and wherever you are, don’t forget to keep your parents’ good name,” she said.

Aimi is currently participating in the Graduate Employability Enhancement Scheme (Protégé-GEES Petronas) at Petronas Gas Processing Kerteh and is assigned to the Department of Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE).

She said that her current job scope is very suitable and similar to what she learned during her studies at UMPSA.

She was placed in one of the Gas Processing Units under Petronas Gas Berhad and is involved in handling matters related to Occupational Health, Industrial Hygiene (OHIH) and Occupational Safety.

In addition, she received an offer to continue her studies at the Doctor of Philosophy level (fast track) and was also offered a DRS scholarship: JOM SAMBUNG PhD from UMPSA.

By: Nur Hartini Mohd Hatta, Centre for Corporate Communications

Translation by: Dr.  Rozaimi  Abu  Samah, Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology