Passion has no limits.....
Although her results qualified her to study at several Public Universities, Zuraidah Abu Bakar turned them down as the courses offered fell short of her dream to become a doctor.
Instead, Zuraidah, a Sabah born girl, decided to pursue her calling through the AUCMS Diploma in Medical Sciences which is stepping stone to a full medical degree program.
"I received two offers, one from Islamic International University(IIU) and another one is from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) but the courses they offered were Syariah Law and Accounting, neither of which would lead me to my dream, so therefore I don't mind turning them down to come here," she said.
Distance or a change in pace were no deterrences for this spunky young girl who was living with her father in Kuala Lumpur and didn't hesitate to move all the way up north to the AUCMS campus in Kepala Batas, Penang.
An oath taking ceremony among the new students.
"I don't mind being away from my family as long as I get to accomplish my dream, it's their dream too," she added.
Zuraidah also mentioned that she really likes the idea of the collaboration between AUCMS and well -regarded and established local and International Universities.
"There must be a high standard achieved by this college otherwise the other educational institutions would not agree to the joint ventures, so that convinced me to come here," I believed that this college might be the best place for me to shape my career."
At the same time, Muhammad Amirul Fiqri,18 from Johor Baharu, spoke about how quickly he was able to make new friends because of the Orientation Program organized by AUCMS's Student Affairs Department.
"I had seen an advertisement in the newspaper and I then after further research and discussing it with my parents, I decided to come to AUCMS and study Diploma in Physiotherapy," he said.
Both of them were among the new batch of students who registered during the first week of July and were then asked to attend the carefully structured Orientation Program which quickly helps students get over their shyness and familiarizes them with the college and its expectations of them.
AUCMS Counselor and Career Unit (CnCU) executive Norhasan Abu Bakar said that these students are initially reminded of the need for good values and good behaviour even though they had probably listened to similar lectures from thier teachers during thier school time.
"We are not trying to nag them, but we want the students to know that here at AUCMS, the CnCU is here to help them and try its earnest to solve thier problems be it academic or a personal problem," he said.
Norhasan further advised all students who had registered for the three diploma courses offered during the intake, Diploma in Pharmacy, Diploma in Physiotherapy and Diploma in Medical Sciences, that to succeed, they would have to commit to a serious work ethic.
"We don't want our students to just only pass thier exams but to excel,and they can do that if they really concentrate on thier studies."
Norhasan also elaborated on the course emphasis by stating that 60 percent is based on coursework with the final exam accounting for the remainder. He concluded by highlighting that besides himself, there are three other counselors available for students at all times namely, Dr.Eddie Soon, Cik Faridah Saman and Nor Zahizan Ismail.
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