Six years ago, a girl from Sapatalang village in Pitas Pitas, Sabah climbed a tree just to sit for her online exam. Today, Veveonah Mosibin, 24, has completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Marine Science from Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and is well into her next chapter.
From tree to lecture hall
Veveonah first came to national attention in 2020 when she climbed a tree to access better internet connection during her online exams. She documented the experience in a video titled “24 Hours On Tree Challenge”, which went viral and put a spotlight on the connectivity struggles faced by students in rural Sabah.
A change in direction
The pandemic made it difficult for her to continue with marine science due to the lack of hands-on learning opportunities, prompting her to switch to medicine in 2021.
Her goal is to become a surgeon and give back to her community.
She is currently in her second year of the MBBS programme at Management and Science University (MSU) in Shah Alam, supported by a scholarship from Yayasan Tunku Abdul Rahman.
Setting the record straight
Following news of her first degree, Veveonah clarified on Facebook that she has not yet graduated from her medical programme and is still very much in the middle of it.
She thanked those who had supported her along the way and said she was hopeful about the road ahead.
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