Two 13-year-olds of SMK Baling, Kedah were overjoyed, albeit a little nervous upon finding out they were selected to continue their studies at a branch of a United Kingdom-based international school in Malaysia, on fully paid scholarship.

Muhammad Afiq Amir Muhammad Fauzi and Nur Thayiebah Hamdan never dreamt they would have the opportunity to pursue their ambition, alongside 370 students of various cultures and backgrounds from around the world at EPSOM College in Bandar Enstek, Negeri Sembilan.

According to the two in a recent interview, entry into the new school was a golden opportunity for them to change the fate of their families, who had so far depended on rubber tapping to survive.

They received their scholarship from the 1 Billion Education Fund (TP1B), a fund organised by the UiTM Malaysia Alumni Association.

"Although there are students from so many countries, they helped me to strengthen my English, and I will continue to learn until I am fluent...I want to improve and contribute to the country," said Nur Thayiebah, the third of five siblings who aspires to become a paediatrician.

Muhammad Afiq Amir said although the learning methods and study sessions at the school were different from that of a regular government school, he was determined to get accustomed to the new environment and do well.

"At first, I was a little nervous about mixing around with the other students here. However, I am trying my best to succeed, my mother and father always pray (for me)...this is my chance (to make them proud) and I don't want to disappoint them," said the teenager whose ambition is to become a pharmacist.

The EPSOM College in Malaysia is a daily and full boarding school based on the British learning curriculi - International General Certificate of Secondary Education, and A Levels.

Meanwhile, TP1B executive secretary Afiza Abdul Aziz said the two students were selected out of a shortlisted 15 candidates based on the results of their Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah and a number of other tests, including admission tests into EPSOM College itself.

She said this was the first time the fund targeted students from poor backgrounds with high potential to be given opportunity to study in the school, and this would inspire more children among the rural poor communities.

Afiza said the TP1B launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in April last year had benefited 49 students so far, which included the provision of bursaries.

TP1B is the brainchild of Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh, who in 2014 announced the fund aimed to raise RM1 billion from the UiTM alumni to provide scholarship and welfare aid, improve university faculties, and sponsor research and development. -- BERNAMA