Kuala lumpur: Despite facing health problems that kept her away from classes for nearly a month, it did not stop Nurul Allyssa Saadon from winning the Minister's Special Award (Best Overall Graduate) at the 31st Baitulmal Skills Institute (IKB) convocation ceremony, here today. Nurul Allyssa, 25, who graduated with a Certificate in Computer Graphic Design, said the encouragement given by her family and teachers strengthened her resolve to keep studying to secure a better future for herself and her family.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Allyssa expressed her surprise at receiving the award, acknowledging the support and guidance from her teachers that helped her catch up on missed lessons and complete all assignments. As the sixth of seven siblings, Allyssa aspires to start her own business one day, grateful for institutes like IKB that assist students from B40 families with support such as free meals and monthly allowances.

Meanwhile, another student, Nur Athirah Nadhilah Abdul Rahman, 21, a Diploma in Fashion Design Technology graduate, was announced as the recipient of the Excellent Skills Award. She attended the ceremony with her mother and father, who has been suffering from a stroke for the past 10 years. Athirah expressed that her parents are her source of strength and shared her dream of becoming a well-known fashion designer and opening her own brand boutique to better her family's future.

A total of 97 graduates from seven skills programmes, one diploma programme, and six certificate programmes received their scrolls at the 31st convocation ceremony. The graduates also received skills certificates, including the Malaysian Skills Certificate (SKM) Level 3, Three-Phase Wireman Competency Certificate (PW4), and Construction Skills Competency Certificate (CIDB). The ceremony was officiated by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs), Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar.