By: Nurul Ezzaty Mohd AzhariPhoto by: Creative Media Section and Corporate Visibility
SERDANG, March 22 – Eight to ten-hour journey to the town of Miri is no barrier for Kelvin Niyok, 25, the only Sarawak’s Penan from Kampung Long Meraan, Baram, Sarawak, to attain a degree.
Kelvin is a graduate of Bachelor of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (Hons) and said his success today will change the fate of the minority groups in Sarawak for the better.
“When I became the first person who made it to further studies at a university, I planned to succeed and show my people that education is not meant only for some people.”
“I am responsible for my tribe as we are the future generation,” he said after receiving his degree at the UPM 45th Convocation Ceremony today.
However, Kelvin admitted that he once felt like giving up in the first semester when he could not achieve a CGPA of 3.00.
“I almost quit then, but as I was surrounded by great friends who offered endless support, I was determined to do better in the following semester, and I managed to achieve a CGPA of 3.75 in the second semester.
“To me, where there is a will, there is a way. My advice to fellow Penan people, take the opportunity to further your studies as it will help our people,” he said.
Previously, he studied Diploma in Agricultural Engineering at UPM Bintulu Campus (UPMKB) and graduated in 2018. - UPM
