Juggling a part-time job and studies, rubber tapper’s son wins Tun Mustapha Award

By: Patrick Beech

He cycled from his college to a nearby shopping mall in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah to work at a restaurant to cover his college fees.

Unlike most other students, Siaw Shing Pau Johnson Jenoven, 24, does not rely on his family to pay his college fees and juggles a part time job and his studies.

The graduate from Kampung Kaduko in Paapr is studying at the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Sustainability, University College Sabah Foundation (UCSF).

He says he comes from a poor family and his mother works as a rubber tapper. He lost his father when he was eight and was raised by his stepfather and mother.

However, before Siaw's graduation, his stepfather suddenly died on Jan 3 a day after they had dinner together.

Met during the UCSF Convocation Ceremony at the Sabah International Convention Centre, Siaw was presented the Tun Mustapha award by Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.

He was among 566 students who completed their studies.