Daily Lessons from Life 20 May 2009

"Wed, May 20, 2009 The Straits Times - First to score distinctions for all 33 of his modules

It is a first in his polytechnic's 55-year history.

SINGAPORE Polytechnic (SP) student Kuriakin has scored distinctions for all 33 of his modules, a feat no other student from the school has accomplished since it was established 55 years ago.

The electronics, computer and communication engineering student will be graduating top of the 5,000-strong cohort of students graduating from SP next week. For his excellent performance, the 23-year-old will be receiving the Lee Kuan Yew Award, given to top polytechnic graduates from technology courses.

His all-distinction record is made all the more impressive by the fact that he achieved it while juggling several jobs and co-curricular activities in the guitar and Rotaract clubs. He also participated in community involvement projects in the Philippines.


An Indonesian who arrived in Singapore four years ago from his hometown on Bintan island, Mr Kuriakin has worked as a waiter, sales assistant and roadshow promoter to pay off his $6,000 tuition loan and living expenses here.

His efforts are even more resounding as Mr Kuriakin was not always an A-grade student. He did poorly in Indonesia's high school leaving examinations in 2004 and was denied a place at SP.

He said: 'I am glad I did not give up when I did not do well in my high school exams. If I had given up, I would not be able to chase my dreams now.' "

I like this story. Good for the young man. He is an example other young people can learn from.

The lessons for me are:

1. it is ok to fail sometimes. Things will work out if you don't give up and try harder. It is easier said than done. However, if we don't try, we will never succeed! This is the universal truth. Yes?;

2. the society does give people the 2nd chance. However, it is for the people to make good use of the 2nd chance given. The ability to realize one needs to change one's habit and behaviors is critical to be successful. We know for sure that using the same method to do something that we failed with all things being equal will yield the same failed result. We must try something different to make any progress. Or at least we learned another method that did not work!;

3. as a young man, I hope that he will not lose the love to help others. I am sure he will be successful in his own way later in life. Hopefully he will continue to help others as well as influence others in his sphere of influence to help others as well!

All the best to Mr Kuriakin. May you convert to become a Singaporean soon. ;-)