Life throws different challenges at each one of us.  We will all have our different ways of handling them, hopefully coming out stronger and better, whilst learning lots of important lessons along the way.  We’d like to share an inspirational story of how one of our MICPA candidates has faced his set of personal challenges – so positively and bravely, too!  We hope you are as inspired as we are.

Hazmi bin Salihudin, a 24-year-old Kajang boy went to high school at Kolej Yayasan Saad – a boarding school, and then moved on to take up accounting at Kolej Yayasan Saad Business School, sponsored by MARA.  It was a twinning programme that allowed him to spend his final years of study at the University of Auckland in New Zealand.  He is now a Commerce graduate, holding a double major in Accounting and Commercial Law.   He was a very active student who would get involved in as many activities as he could, and was very enthusiastic about a future career in accounting.

Since high school, he has always dreamed of becoming a successful entrepreneur. Choosing to become a professional accountant would be his biggest stepping stone to achieve it.  He believed that becoming an accountant would help him develop his industry knowledge, and that the work experience gained whilst training to become a professional accountant would allow him to learn more from others – be it their strengths or weaknesses.  He thought that at the very least, even if he fails as an entrepreneur in the future, he would still have a backup plan to practice as an accountant.

In pursuit of his goals, Hazmi faced a setback.   “In November 2018, I flew home to Malaysia during the summer break for my internship with EY.  Within a few days of arrival, I was admitted to the ICU for breathing difficulties. For the next 2 months, I had lots of procedures performed on me and I was admitted to the ICU on another 2 occasions. During the last ICU experience, my oxygen levels were so critical that my parents were told to bid me farewell. Fortunately, I survived, but was diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease which requires me to commit to dialysis 4 times a day. My parents and I managed to convince the doctor to permit me to finish my final semester in New Zealand. Thankfully, I managed to score much better in my final semester compared to the previous ones, even though I had to commit to regular daily dialysis while studying. Of course, I had to skip lots of lectures and do more self-study, but I never once used my disease to excuse myself from compulsory classes or assignments. All of these couldn’t be achieved without the endless support from everyone around me, especially my parents and the medical staff. Only a few months ago, my mom and I went through a successful major surgery, where my mom’s kidney was transplanted into me. Because of that, I’m now free from dialysis and finally able to have the luxury of living a normal life, and I’m definitely going to make the most of it.”

 

Upon completing his degree in New Zealand, Hazmi took up the MICPA Programme which will pave the way for him to hold a dual qualification from MICPA and CA ANZ.   In the meantime, this March 2021, he will be starting his career at KPMG as a Tax Consulting Assistant under their Tax Trekkers programme.

 

“I started the MICPA Programme around February 2020 as a full-time student under MARA sponsorship.  I would have completed 4 out of 5 modules by the end of September, however, my tax paper was postponed during the COVID-19 outbreak and I had to undergo my kidney transplant surgery. My plan is to complete the Taxation and Capstone modules as a part-time student while I am working with KPMG.”

 

When asked what influenced his decision to take up the MICPA Programme, he shares, “It was an easy decision. As someone who prefers exercise over reading and memorising, MICPA became the clear choice for me as they offer open book examinations, which is something I really like about the Programme. Personally, I feel that a closed book exam may be tougher and requires a lot of memory work, but does not necessarily provide more exposure on real work experience. Spending more time on practical exercises exposes me to multiple situations that require different approaches in problem-solving. Being a full-time student has offered nothing but more flexibility in time, more friends to study with and less distraction.  Although doing 2 modules per semester may sound taxing, I strongly believe it is nothing compared to committing to one module whilst working.”

 

Even with his health challenges, he remained determined in his pursuit of the MICPA Programme.  “As a chronic kidney disease patient, I was required to commit to dialysis 4 times daily. Each procedure consumed 40 minutes to 1 hour of my time. Instead of spending my lunch breaks with friends, I needed to commute home for my dialysis and would come back late to class feeling exhausted. Still, I would sit right at the front of the class so that no matter how tired I felt, I would be inclined to focus on the lecture and at least understand it partially.”   Though the Programme can be fully self-studied, tuition classes were provided as part of his sponsorship.  “For me, passing 3 modules so far was the result of both 70% self-study and 30% tuition classes. To learn something new, I need someone to introduce the concept to me. But it takes personal commitment to truly understand it. Tuition classes will speed up getting answers to your queries and is a great option at an introductory level.”

 

“With introductory level knowledge, I attempted lots and lots of exercises using the given answers and found the explanation in the softcopy version of the Candidate Study Guide for better navigation. The first few attempts may make us feel like we know so little, but it’s only a matter of making more queries, more attempts and doing some research to understand a particular concept. It’s quite the opposite to the method that others use, but it works well for me.  To excel in the Programme, make less assumptions, do more research and don’t be afraid to ask! Good social skills and a supportive community also plays a vital role for your personal development.”

To keep himself motivated, he shares: “Personally, I feel obliged to push myself in the corporate world while I’m still in my youth and full of stamina. There’s never really been the thought of giving up in anything I do, including my studies, but only backup plans if I ever fail. The famous Malay saying ‘bersusah-susah dahulu, bersenang-senang kemudian’ has never been clearer to me. I know that there is more to gain by putting in the effort now, rather than later.”  He is of the view that aspiring accountants should pursue the MICPA Programme because the job market is getting more and more competitive. “Pursuing a professional programme will definitely add value to us in the eyes of employers.  If you want to stand out in the accounting industry, being a MICPA professional should be your first step.”

 

With a deeper insight into what matters most in life, he shares these words of advice: “Define your ultimate goals for your life and make sure that you truly believe you’ll get there. For me, I see myself in my 50’s owning an important company with a kitchen in my office, feeling healthier than I am right now, and being a great inspiration to my family and the nation. Believing in those goals motivates me to see the solution and opportunity in every problem, even when it is as big as being sick. If you see your goals as feasible, nothing can stop you.”

 

Thanks Hazmi, for sharing your insights and wisdom – we’re sure our readers have been truly inspired and benefitted from your honesty and openness to share.  We wish Hazmi the very best in his last leg of completing the MICPA Programme and in his new career ahead!

 

 

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