MARA Scholar Credits Role Of Tahfiz Education In Us Academic Success

By Abdul Rahman Fahmi Abdul Aziz

KUALA LUMPUR, June 17 (Bernama) -- The discipline cultivated through Quranic memorisation has proven to be a strong foundation for academic and professional success for Muhammad Izzahan Isman, 22, who recently graduated from Michigan State University (MSU) in the United States.

The Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) scholar, who completed a Bachelor of Arts in Economics under MARA’s Young Talent Development Programme (YTP), said the analytical and cognitive skills developed through tahfiz education played a key role in his academic journey abroad.

"Quranic memorisation is an excellent mental exercise as it requires both memorisation and understanding. This helps the brain become more adaptive to learning and strengthens memory retention.

"If you excel in Quran memorisation, you can apply the same principles of memorising and understanding to other fields of study," he told Bernama.

A former student of Sekolah Berasrama Penuh Integrasi (SBPI) Rawang, he graduated with a CGPA of 3.72 and earned several academic distinctions during his time in the US.

Beyond academics, Izzahan applied his analytical skills in the workplace while working part-time as a management assistant.

He identified an operational challenge in which experienced student employees were regularly lost upon graduation, leaving managers to repeatedly train new staff.

To address the issue, he developed a comprehensive training manual that streamlined the onboarding process, reduced training time and improved operational efficiency.

The initiative earned him two university recognitions - the Spartan Difference Award and the Green Cranium Award.

Izzahan also received the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) Academic Ribbon for maintaining a GPA above 3.5.

Despite adapting quickly to life in a foreign country, he said remaining grounded required self-discipline and a clear sense of purpose.

"When I was in the US, I constantly reminded myself of my long-term goals and the future I wanted to build. That helped me avoid actions that could negatively affect my relationships, health, behaviour and personal values," he said.

Looking ahead, Izzahan hopes to contribute to Malaysia's financial sector and support the country's ambition to become a leading regional financial hub.

"After completing my bachelor's degree, I want to further develop my expertise and contribute to strengthening Malaysia's financial industry," he said.

The former tahfiz student previously gained attention on social media for balancing a strong academic record with a series of high-level achievements during his studies in the United States.

-- BERNAMA