She spent most of her teenage years growing up in Beaufort, a quiet rural town on the west coast of Sabah, where her father – an imam at the local mosque – worked side-jobs to support their family of five.
The scholarship, however, is designed to be more than just financial aid; the holistic nature of the programme includes a slew of engagement and development programmes as well as job placements within Gamuda. This element that nurtures talent beyond tertiary education is also the reason why the scholarship is one of the most sought-after in the country. This year alone, the programme received a staggering 3,500 applications.
Being able to pursue her dream is also about becoming a role model for her younger siblings and contributing her talents to her country. Gamuda Scholarship student Deeva Haren understands limitations at a very young age, ‘when you come from the B40 bracket.’ “Today, when I talk to young people in the B40 community, I can tell them from my own experience how it has helped me widen my horizons and allowed for much personal growth.