Top Petronas scholars share tips
Published on: Thu, Aug 07, 2025 Text Size: Auni Athirah Azali Kota Kinabalu: Time management is the most crucial factor for top student Chelinda Majon, 18, from Sabah Science Secondary School, who scored 8A+ and 1A in last year's SPM examination. She credited her success to a positive environment and strong values, which ultimately led to her being awarded an education sponsorship by national oil company Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas).
Advertisement 'My top tip is to manage your time well, surround yourself with positive friends who motivate you to study, and finally, maintain good manners – especially in how you treat your parents, teachers, and religion. I'm proud and grateful for this opportunity,' she said. Chelinda, who hails from Kiulu and is the eldest of three siblings, is the daughter of a primary school teacher. She has been offered a preparatory course at INTEC Education College in Shah Alam before pursuing her degree at a selected university in South Korea. Her schoolmate, Wan Khaira Wardiya Wan Ardey, 18, from Kampung Kuala Abai, Kota Belud, also received a Petronas scholarship to pursue Petroleum Engineering in Australia.
Advertisement 'I was offered a one-year preparatory course in Malaysia, followed by four years in Australia. My advice to those from underprivileged backgrounds is to study hard, and insyaAllah, opportunities will come,' she said confidently. Meanwhile, for 17-year-old Kudat native Edmond Linggahan Formon, being the eldest of four siblings came with its own pressure – but he viewed it positively as motivation. His dream of studying abroad became a reality after receiving a Petronas scholarship to pursue Chemical Engineering in Australia. 'We've known about Petronas scholarships since secondary school, so getting one feels like a dream come true. Thank you, PetronaS, for making this happen and giving me global exposure,' said Edmond, who scored 6A+ and 3A in Pure Science from Tuaran Science Secondary School. For disabled father Azali Mahmud, 54, from Ranau, tears of joy flowed as he watched his youngest daughter, Auni Athirah Azali, 18, stand on stage as one of the Petronas scholarship recipients. Confined to a wheelchair for the past five years, Azali did not let his condition hinder him from ensuring all four of his children received a proper education. His perseverance became a source of inspiration for Auni, who was offered a place to study Economics at Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM). 'Auni is my second child to be sponsored by Petronas. Her older brother is now an engineer at the Kuala Lumpur City Center (KLCC). Alhamdulillah. 'My condition serves as a motivation for them – despite our limitations, with strong determination and a clear dream for self-improvement, anything is possible. Nothing is out of reach if there's a will,' he said, echoing the Malay proverb: Where there's a will, there's a way.
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