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MRSM Ranau: Cultivating science and self-reliance

An aerial view of MRSM Ranau

RANAU (Oct 11): After half a year of campus life, students at Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) Junior Science College (MRSM) Ranau are settling in well. Since its first intake of students in March, the Petronas-funded campus has provided them with not only quality education but also the opportunity to develop self-reliance.

Spanning over 26,000 square metres, the RM132 million campus stands as a testament to Petronas’ collaborative efforts with the Sabah government and Mara, with the aim to enhance access to quality education for Sabah students and stimulate interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

With ample space to accommodate up to 450 students, the campus is equipped with various facilities, including an administrative building, academic block, resource centre, student dormitories, student centre, dining hall, multi-purpose hall, pavilion, surau, staff residence, teacher’s residence, ancillary buildings, and sports facilities.

In his first few months at MRSM Ranau, Meldy Melol has already made new friends who radiate positivity and are willing to lend a helping hand. He is also pleased to have capable teachers who are always ready to help him master his subjects.

Nurturing self-reliance among students

“Here, I want to learn how to be self-reliant – to live independently without having to rely on others and to better manage my time. I also want to excel in my studies during my time here to make my parents proud. I want to be able to change their lives,” said Meldy, who hails from Kampung Lingan Lama, Papar.

Meldy Melol

He opined that the numerous facilities at MRSM Ranau provide a conducive environment for the students to study comfortably. Furthermore, the fact that it is one of the newest MRSM institutions in the country, piqued his interest even more.

Deborah Richard, from Kampung Matan, Ranau, shared: “I feel blessed to have been given the opportunity to study at MRSM Ranau, where I can gain knowledge from highly skilled teachers. My mother’s prayers were finally answered.”

Deborah Richard

Driven by her desire to support her single mother and sick brother, she aims to score 9A+s in her Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) exam.

She said the well-equipped laboratories for biology, chemistry, and physics make it easy for her to conduct experiments. Additionally, the multipurpose room in her hostel provides a comfortable space for group discussions with her classmates.

Deborah said that campus life has taught her the importance of time management by balancing time for studies and rest. She was also pleased that campus life gave her the chance to participate in exciting activities such as the Earth Day celebration, where she learned about upcycling and recycling.

Cultivating passion for science

Fatin Natasyah Abdullah from Kampung Tarawas, Ranau wants to learn as much about science as possible during her time at MRSM Ranau.

“I have studied science subjects before but never went as in-depth as I have here, as MRSM Ranau is equipped with all sorts of lab equipment,” she said.

Fatin Natasyah Abdullah

Coming from a modest family background, she said it was challenging for her at first as she had to buy new school items. However, this did not discourage her. She is determined to work hard so that one day she can provide a better life for her mother, who works as a farmer.

Another reason why she chose MRSM Ranau was because of its convenient location, just 20 kilometres from her home.

Additionally, she was drawn by the cool breeze and stunning views. During her free time, she enjoys taking advantage of the ample space on campus for walks with her friends, which she finds to be a “healing” experience.

Felicity Cornelius, from Kampung Kaingaran, Tambunan, expressed her desire to improve her communication and teamwork skills at MRSM Ranau. She aspires to secure a high-paying job in the future to help ease her family’s financial burden.

At times, she would need to borrow her friend’s phone to call her parents, as she does not have one of her own.

Felicity Cornelius

“One of the challenges I faced here is that when I run out of daily necessities, without my own phone, I can’t easily contact and ask for help from my parents,” Felicity said, reflecting on how campus life has changed her.

She has learned to become independent since she was nine years old.

She mentioned that facilities like the self-service laundry and student centre have significantly improved her campus experience, making her stay much more convenient.

Impact to education development in Ranau

Meanwhile, Principal of MRSM Ranau, Ismail Badri said: “I believe MRSM Ranau will make a significant positive impact to the development of education in Ranau and throughout Sabah for several reasons. We have an excellent lineup of teachers and staff who are highly competent in their respective fields.

“All teachers are experts in their subjects, with 80 per cent being experienced educators from other MRSMs. This team will undoubtedly promote STEM subjects through various activities in both the district of Ranau and at the state level.”

He is confident that MRSM Ranau will offer a valuable platform to help eligible and potential students from rural areas to access better educational opportunities, helping them realise their potential to pursue tertiary education and secure professional careers, such as becoming medical doctors, dentists, and other professionals.

Nestled amidst the scenic surroundings of Mount Kinabalu, MRSM Ranau generated a huge social media buzz months before its completion in September 2023 due to its picturesque and modern design.

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