ALOR SETAR: Suffering from heart complication did not dampen Mohamad Nizam Alias’ spirit from excelling in his studies while at the same time earning money for his heart surgery which costs RM11,000.
For two years, the 21-year-old Diploma of Nursing student from Kolej Poly-Tech MARA (KPTM), Kota Baru, Kelantan burnt the midnight oil daily to do revise his studies and at the same time sell burger at his hostel compound.
Through assistance and support from the college’s Entrepreneur Club, family, friends and lecturers, Mohamad Shahrul Nizam Alias began his burger business with a RM500 capital and operated his stall from 7pm to 10.30pm.
The experience gained when he helped his parents selling food at night market at his hometown in Terengganu since eight-year-old came in handy and he managed to set aside RM40 daily for his surgery expenses.
“I was diagnosed with heart complication after I enrolled to the college in July 2014 and doctor told me the cost for the surgery is about RM11,000.
“Coming from low income-group, I did not want to burden my parents and that was why I was determined to find ways to raise money for the surgery on my own.
“Thanks for everyone that helped and supported me, I was finally able to undergo the surgery on Oct 3, 2016 at Raja Perempuan Zainab Hospital in Kelantan,” he said when met at the KPTM Student Affairs Excellence Award 2016/2017 here last night
His hard work working while studying, also earned him the Best Entrepreneurship Award trophy and RM500 in cash presented to him by KPTM chairman Datuk Ahmad Nazlan Idris.
Shahrul’s business is thriving these days and he added several new menus such as chicken chop and French fries at his stall.
He has also hired a number of friends to help his at the stall in order to help them cover their daily expenses.
“I saved the RM1,000 profits monthly for follow-up treatments. My advice to other students, never give up when we are facing a trial and there are always better chances for us, as long as we work hard,” he said.
Meanwhile, Nazlan said KPTM targeted every Bottom 40 per cent (B40) household to have one graduate from the college in a bid to pull the family out from poverty through education.
He adds that every Umno division leaders and members of parliament have been going to the ground to search and help the qualified students under “One House One Graduate” programme launched on Aug 8.
“To date, there are 15,000 graduates undergoing studies KPTM and Poly-Tech Mara University College has been aimed for the September intake and we are planning to add another 3,000 graduates.