KOTA KINABALU: Siaw Shing Pau, 24, would cycle from the college to a shopping mall nearby to work at a restaurant to cover his study fees.
Instead of relying on his family, the University College Sabah Foundation (UCSF ) graduate from Kampung Keduko in Papar, decided to juggle a part time job and studying at the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Sustainability.
"The money I earned varies depending on the number of working days. For example, during the examination season, I only got RM300, but it could go up to RM600 at other times.
"I come from a poor family and understand my mother's financial situation working as a rubber tapper with a precarious income," he said after being interviewed during the UCSF Convocation Ceremony at Sabah International Convention Centre here recently.
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.
"My late stepfather is a strict person who always emphasised virtues in life," said Siaw, who works as an environment officer with a private company in the state capital.
During the convocation, Siaw was presented the Tun Mustapha award by Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
He was among 566 students who completed their studies.
Out of the total, 247 completed their bachelor's degree program, 316 completed their diploma studies and three completed their foundation certificate programme.