Every success story has its struggles, and for Lee Yu Shi, the road to achieving one of Malaysia's most prestigious academic honours was filled with rejection, self-doubt and perseverance.
Today, the first-year PhD student in Chemical Engineering at Universiti Malaya's Faculty of Engineering has been awarded the prestigious Yang di-Pertuan Agong Scholarship (BYDPA), a recognition reserved for the nation's most outstanding postgraduate scholars.
But her journey to this remarkable achievement began very differently. According to Universiti Malaya Facebook post, Yu Shi spent much of her childhood being bullied because of her height. Classmates often mocked her, calling her "too short," while others looked down on her because she needed more time than her peers to understand certain subjects.
Her academic performance frequently placed her near the bottom of the class, making her an easy target for ridicule. The emotional impact was devastating.
There were occasions when classmates refused to include her in group assignments, leaving her feeling isolated and unwanted. The constant criticism slowly eroded her confidence, and at one point, she became so discouraged that she refused to attend school because she believed she simply wasn't good enough.
Yet, while some chose to judge her, her teachers saw something different. They continued to encourage her, reminding her that determination often matters more than where someone starts.
Inspired by their belief in her, Yu Shi made a life-changing decision. She refused to let other people's opinions define her future. Instead of giving up, she committed herself to working harder than ever before. Every morning, she woke up at 4am to study until 6am, believing those quiet hours allowed her to concentrate without distractions.
If her classmates needed to revise a lesson once, Yu Shi would repeat it over and over until she fully understood every concept. Beyond the classroom, she also embraced leadership opportunities, serving as a school debater and peer counsellor while continuing to excel in her studies.
Slowly but surely, her hard work began to bear fruit. Her determination eventually led her to one of the proudest moments of her life, receiving the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Scholarship from His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, the King of Malaysia.
Today, Yu Shi is not only pursuing her doctorate but also conducting research that could contribute to a more sustainable future.
Her work focuses on catalytic liquefaction, an innovative technology that converts plastic waste into oil using catalysts. Compared with conventional methods that require high temperatures and significant energy consumption, her research offers a cleaner, more energy-efficient solution for plastic waste management.
From a young girl who once doubted her own abilities to a nationally recognised scholar working to solve real-world environmental challenges, Lee Yu Shi's story is a powerful reminder that success is not determined by where you begin.
Sometimes, the people who are underestimated the most become the ones who inspire an entire nation.
Source : Universiti Malaya