Yayasan UTM Paved Way for Faculty of Science Student to Study in Kent

Norhaiza Ahmad

Growing up in Ipoh, undergraduate Mathematics student from the Department of Mathematical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Law Kahyan never imagined she would leave Malaysia to continue her studies. But thanks to Yayasan UTM, she could pursue an Actuarial Science undergraduate degree at the University of Kent in England.

Kahyan was fortunate enough to receive some financial assistance in the form of partial loan from Yayasan UTM to support her studies in Kent.

Yayasan UTM is a foundation established in UTM in which one of its causes is to provide financial assistance to UTM students on such terms and conditions as the Board of Trustees deems fit.

The academic track that Kahyan is currently pursuing, enables a third year Industrial Mathematics undergraduate student at UTM to get another degree qualification in Actuarial Science from the United Kingdom, all within five years of study. This academic pathway is a testament of UTM strong relationship with other universities abroad specifically in the United Kingdom.

Prof. Abdull Rahim Mohd Yusof, Dean, Faculty of Science with Law Kahyan and the academic staff at the Faculty of Science.

Based on her academic performance, Kahyan was shortlisted as one of the potential students for this academic pathway during her second year of study at the Department of Mathematical Sciences, Faculty of Science . She successfully completed her industrial internship for three months at Bank Negara Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur and submitted her final year project ahead of other students in her batch whilst in her third year.

Meeting with the Dean at the Faculty of Science and UTM-Kent coordinator, Dr. Norhaiza Ahmad before flying off to Kent.

Kahyan began her two year of studies at Kent in early October 2019. Upon passing all the related modules, she is expected to graduate in the summer of 2021. She has made new friends since, and of whom she describes as welcoming and kind. She said “They have been very helpful in explaining the materials that I may not have understood during lectures. My course mates and I will also see the lecturers when we need further help in our studies.” She has also recently joined the Invicta Actuarial Society, an Institute of Actuaries’ regional society for the Kent county. The society typically arranges open lectures, discussions and social meetings for actuaries and actuarial students in the area.

Law Kahyan, an Industrial Mathematics undergraduate student from the Faculty of Science now studying at the University of Kent, England.

Kahyan stresses that she is ever grateful to the Board of Trustees including the honourable Vice Chancellor Prof. Datuk Ir. Dr. Wahid Omar, and the managing team of Yayasan UTM for helping ease the financial burden of her studies in Kent. She explains that the living cost abroad can be unbearable but the financial aid have allowed her to spend more time on her studies and less time worrying about her finances.