Trucker's son graduates from hardship to become a master of his own destiny

SHAH ALAM, Dec 3 (BERNAMA) -- Family hardship and parental encouragement served as an inspiration that pushed a young man to graduate with a Master's Degree in Food Service Technology and scoop the President's Award at the 30th Convocation of Management and Science University (MSU) today.

Arivananthan Kanakasundar, 29, said that even though his family was often tested by the torments of hardship, he turned the travails of life into momentum for knowledge and change their fate of a destitute life.

The son of a truck driver believes that education can change a person's future.

“My father had no easy life, our family faced a lot of difficulties in life, and that gave me the inspiration to slog it out in my studies. I also believe that education is the key to bringing the family out of the cocoon of poverty.

“I am grateful to have a family that saw the importance of education in life. When I wanted to pursue studies first, my mother and father did not object but supported my desire even though they were aware of more burdens and demands made on them,” said Arivananthan after the convocation at Section 13, here today.

He said his parents never saw hardship as a reason not to provide the best education for him and his siblings.

Arivananthan, who is working as an administrative and diplomatic officer (PTD) in the Prime Minister's Department, also intends to pursue a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in the field of health sciences at the same university.

However, the eldest of three brothers wants to first focus on his PTD career before continuing his studies to the pinnacle.

In the meantime, the outstanding graduate also advised students struggling with difficult times due to simple family life to always ‘get going when the going gets tough’.

"However difficult it may be, work hard, don't give up and always try hard,” he said.

The 30th MSU Convocation taking place today and tomorrow will see 2,373 graduates from 117 study programmes receiving their scrolls.

A total of 19 graduates will receive PhDs, Master’s (35), Bachelors Degree (1,580) and Diplomas (739).

The convocation was presided over by MSU Chancellor the Raja Muda of Kedah Tengku Sarafudin Badlishah alongside MSU president Prof Tan Sri Dr Mohd Shukri Ab Yajid and MSU vice-chancellor Prof Puan Sri Dr Junainah Abd Hamid.

-- BERNAMA