Iza Azahari
Two recipients of the Special Merit Award shared their experience of using Sunday Bulletin at the Micronet International College 2022 Graduation Ceremony at The Empire Brunei yesterday.
The first was Nurshafikah Nazihah binti Hasli, the 25-year-old who graduated from the Pearson BTEC International Level 3 Diploma in Information Technology with four honours, three merits and two passes for a total of double honors.
Nurshafikah said: “I didn’t expect to receive this award but I feel like all my hard work has paid off. I often had to motivate myself, especially during the pandemic where we had to study from home because it was difficult to catch up.”
“My mom is my biggest inspiration,” she said, adding that she weathered the struggles related to the pandemic by frequently taking notes, recording lectures, and referring to records when completing tasks.
“Every time you encounter difficulties and lose motivation, you still have to keep going. Writing things down really helps with learning,” added Nurshafikah.
Next was Fitriana Nur Amal Khairiyah binti Dadang Supriatna, a 25-year-old who graduated from the Pearson BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Computing (Network Engineering) with 15 honors and an overall honors.
The graduate representative said: “I actually expected that my fellow student would accept the award. Even though we’re not close, we’ve worked together professionally on assignments. I hope my parents are proud of me too.”
Fitriana Nur Amal Khairiyah described her time at Micronet as “very enjoyable as everyone was always very helpful and the faculty were always there when we needed them”.
She shared the adjustment struggles she faced as the Sultanate was hit by COVID-19, movement restrictions were enforced and some segments of the population had to work or study from home.
“Initially I found maneuvering difficult, especially with connection issues. But the professors were in constant communication with us about assignments and lectures, and when I had internet problems, I would go to the library to double-check. The faculty were definitely supportive,” she said.
Fitriana hopes to continue her studies in a course closely related to network engineering.
“The choices here are minimal, but I will never give up and keep looking for better,” she said, before wishing her peers who still take her classes “don’t give up.”
