Lovely Sabana Registers As UPSI Student

IPOH, Sept 13 (Bernama) -- Lovely Sabana Augustine, a young woman from Tumpat, Kelantan, was registered as a Bachelor of Education student at Sultan Idris Education University (UPSI) in Tanjong Malim yesterday.

In a statement, UPSI noted that Lovely, 20, who achieved a perfect 4.00 Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) in the Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) examination while attending Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Cabang Empat, Tumpat, was accompanied by her mother, E. P. Mek Kenui, 56 (a cleaner), and other family members.

Her two older brothers, who work at food establishments in Johor, were also present to see her off.

Lovely, the daughter of a couple of Kadazan-Siamese descent, expressed her joy and hopes to study diligently and pursue her ambition of becoming an educator one day, aiming to improve her family's livelihood.

"I am deeply touched and grateful to everyone for the contributions made to me. May your kindness be rewarded with blessings.

"I may not be able to repay the kindness you have all shown me. "I am only human; if I stumble or fail to achieve everything one day, please keep me in your prayers, for there are ups and downs in life," she said.

Lovely shared that she had received interview invitations for two Bachelor’s degree programmes—Malay Language Education and Moral Education—but ultimately secured a place in the Moral Education programme

Meanwhile, UPSI deputy vice-chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni) Prof Dr Norkhalid Salimin expressed hope that the new student would remain active and showcase her talents throughout her studies, alongside pursuing academic excellence.

"UPSI today is not what it was decades ago; many students have made history by achieving success at both national and international levels," he said, noting that the university offers various facilities and a conducive, comfortable learning environment that Lovely can utilise.

On August 17, media reports highlighted that the student required financial assistance to enroll at UPSI in September, following the viral spread of her story on Facebook.

At the time, Lovely Sabana also needed a laptop to support her studies.

UPSI identified the student's situation and took proactive measures to address the need for assistance regarding her university education.

Her late father, Augustine Sandalun—a soldier stationed at Lok Kawi Camp, Sabah, and of Kadazan descent from Papar—passed away from a stroke on Nov 10, 2017, when Lovely was 11 years old.

-- BERNAMA