Underprivileged Students Earn Top Honours At Jasin Community College Convocation

JASIN, Aug 3 (Bernama) -- Two graduates from Jasin Community College (KKJS) have proven that hardship is no barrier to success, earning top honours at the 2025 Melaka State Community College Convocation Ceremony today.

Gabriel Akob, 21, became the first student from the Seletar Orang Asli tribe to receive the Excellent Student Award (APC). At the same time, Muhammad Azrul Hazami Abu Hassan, also 21, took home the Director-General’s Award (AKP) despite personal challenges, including his mother’s battle with kidney cancer.

Gabriel, a Certificate in Architectural Technology graduate, said his family survives on his father’s income as a fisherman, averaging just RM40 a day.

“To afford my studies, I had to apply for financial assistance from the college and the Orang Asli community,” the younger of two siblings told reporters.

Now pursuing a Diploma in Architecture at Merlimau Polytechnic, Gabriel expressed his determination to give back to his community and break stereotypes.

“Orang Asli students can succeed if given the opportunity and support. I want to prove we can compete like everyone else,” he said.

Muhammad Azrul, from Slim River, Perak, completed a Certificate in Computer Systems and Networking with a CGPA of 3.91. He credited his success to his mother’s prayers and his perseverance.

He is now studying at Sultan Zainal Abidin Polytechnic in Dungun and is active in the Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM), having won bronze medals in the force’s SISPA Challenge at the national level in 2022 and 2023.

“Initially, I wanted to join the navy’s special forces unit (PASKAL), but my involvement in APM sparked a new interest in this uniformed services, which I plan to pursue after graduation,” he said.

Muhammad Azrul was selected for the AKP in recognition of his academic excellence, co-curricular achievements and consistent top performance across all semesters.

Polytechnic and Community College Education Department director-general Datuk Dr Mohd Zahari Ismail presented the awards. Also present was KKJS director Mohamad Kelana Juwit.

-- BERNAMA