At just 18, Leia Mayssa Masyerin from Petaling Jaya, has made the nation proud by becoming the only Malaysian undergraduate this year to be accepted into the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), one of the most prestigious universities in the world with an admission rate below 5 per cent.
Image credit: Bernama
An alumna of Pusat PERMATA@Pintar Negara (PPPN) at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Leia has begin her four year degree in computer science this August. Describing her acceptance as “a dream come true”, she credited her success to her teachers, mentors, and family.
“It still feels unreal. I never thought I would make it, but I never stopped dreaming,” she said.
Image credit: Bernama
Leia expressed gratitude to PERMATA@Pintar for providing a nurturing environment that shaped her academic foundation and inspired her to aim higher. She also acknowledged the vital role of the PERMATA@Pintar High School Diploma (HSD) and her participation in the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) where she represented Malaysia three times.
“The HSD programme prepared me well for university life, and the support from my coaches and MARA made this dream possible,” she stated.
Shaping future innovators
Prof Dr Ismanizan, the director of PPPN UKM, said the centre, established in 2009, aims to identity and nurture gifted Malaysian students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). He added that the centre’s ecosystem, from research based learning to academic mentoring, which enables students like Leia to reach global students.
He emphasized that the High School Diploma (HSD) offered by PERMATA@Pintar is recognized by top international universities, giving Malaysian students a strong foundation to compete at the global level.
Image credit: Bernama
Support and sponsorship for young talent
Deputy director Mohd Hakimie Zainal Abidin, who taught Leia, said her academic excellence and discipline sets her apart.
“She consistently achieved above 95 per cent in all subjects and was part of the Accelerated Learning Programme during the pandemic,” he said.
Mohd Hakimie added that Leia received a special MARA scholarship that will support her studies at MIT and urged more corporate sponsors to assist gifted students in pursuing higher education abroad.
Leia’s achievement not only highlights the success of Malaysia’s gifted education system but also serves as an inspiration to young Malaysians that with the right support, dedication, and opportunities, even the most ambitious dreams can become reality.
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