UMPSA Vice-Chancellor’s caring visit brings hope to the daughter of Cendol Cartoonist, Arysha Rania

SHAH ALAM, 15 July 2025 – “I am truly grateful and happy. This is a blessing that came through my daughter’s opportunity to study at the university of her choice,” said Shahrul Nizam, better known as Cendol Cartoonist, during a special visit from the Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA), Professor Dr. Yatimah Alias, accompanied by Datin Nur Sharmila Shaheen, Member of the Board of Trustees of the UMPSA Foundation.

The visit was held in conjunction with UMPSA’s Caring Visit for New Diploma Students programme and took place at the family home of new student Arysha Rania Shahrul Nizam, located in Section 17, Shah Alam.

Arysha, the eldest child of Shahrul and his wife, has been accepted into the Diploma in Electrical Engineering programme at the Faculty of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technology (FTKEE), UMPSA Pekan.

According to Shahrul, UMPSA was Arysha’s top choice in her UPU application.

“She has a real passion for engineering, so when she received an offer from UMPSA, which was her first choice, we were overwhelmed with gratitude,” he shared.
Their joy was further multiplied when Arysha was awarded the B40 TVET Scholarship and received a laptop to assist her studies, easing the financial burden on the family as they prepare for the upcoming academic session.
The aid was personally presented by Professor Dr. Yatimah Alias during the visit.

Shahrul also expressed his surprise and deep appreciation upon learning that the Vice-Chancellor herself would be visiting their home.

“I never imagined that such a prominent figure from the university would personally visit us. 

“I was truly touched,” he said. 

Arysha began her early education at Sekolah Kebangsaan Section 17 and KAFA Al-Amin, then continued her secondary education at Sekolah Menengah Section 16, before enrolling at Sekolah Menengah Teknik Tunku Jaafar in Seremban.

Her strong academic performance eventually led her to UMPSA, where she will pursue studies in a field she is deeply passionate about.

Shahrul hopes that Arysha will complete her studies with excellence.

“If she has the opportunity, I would love to see her further her education to a higher level at UMPSA,” he added.

The Ziarah Prihatin programme is one of the key initiatives under the UMPSA Prihatin Squad, aimed at supporting new students from B40 families by providing moral support and essential resources as they begin their university journey.

For UMPSA, programmes like this embody the values of compassion and care, aligning with its mission to be a caring, inclusive technical university that prioritises student welfare.

By: Naqiah Puaad, Centre for Corporate Communications

Translation by: Aminatul Nor Mohamed Said, UMPSA Career Centre (UMPSACC)