Leiu Yu Xuan from the Department of Chemical Engineering, Class of 2019/04, finished her time at Xiamen University Malaysia (XMUM) with a CGPA of 3.71.

"Through my studies at XMUM, I have gained a clearer understanding of myself and met many great friends and lecturers, whose attitudes to schoolwork and life have inspired me and, in turn, encouraged me to become a more cheerful, resilient, and warm person," said Leiu Yu Xuan.

Leiu Yu Xuan first learnt about XMUM during its open day in December 2017. Being attracted by its teaching styles, pleasant environment and scholarships provided, Leiu Yu Xuan joined the course of Foundation in Science first, then progressed into Chemical Engineering in 2019.

Before starting university, Leiu Yu Xuan had set a goal to balance her studies and extra-curricular activities. Thus, at XMUM, she joined Drama Xell and became active in clubs and school event-planning committees through Community Service. She was also encouraged by her friends and lecturers to become the Deputy Secretary and President of XMUM IChemE Student Chapter, organizing activities to promote students’ understanding of chemical engineering industry.

Due to her long-last interest in scientific research, in her senior year, Leiu Yu Xuan tried to participate in innovation competitions, incorporating classroom knowledge into practical works, and joined Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ong Wee Jun's research team as a Research Assistant, focusing on photocatalysis.

"I really appreciate the guidance given by Dr. Ong," said Leiu Yu Xuan, "Every time I met difficulty, Dr. Ong and all other team members would give me suggestions to facilitate my reasearch. My review project has just been published!"

Leiu Yu Xuan with her teammates at CONNECT

All achievements don't just fall out of the sky, and there have been numerous stumbles along the way. During Leiu Yu Xuan's first year, she was stressed out about not being able to keep up with her classes. "However, my family and lecturers always encouraged me and told me not to be too hard on myself," Leiu Yu Xuan recalled,

"I was so fortunate to talk about my problems with Dr. Yvonne Choo Shuen Lann, whose patient response gave me great comfort and courage to continue my studies."

Leiu Yu Xuan also shared some ways to self-regulate. She said that photographing the campus landscape helped her escape from reality for a short while. In addition, she would write about the things she felt grateful for when available. She believes these trivial but beautiful things would warn her and remind her that life is not as bad as she imagined it to be.

"Without my lecturers' and friends' encouragement and support, I probably would have given up on myself. Every person I have met and everything I have experienced during my five years at XMUM has been a precious gift to me,"  Leiu Yu Xuan summarized.

(Contributed by Gong Linqian)