He
said that his speech, which went viral on social media when a clip was
shared, has received overwhelmingly positive responses.
“Many people could relate to the story I shared, expressing their concerns and struggles,” he said.
He
conceded that there were occasionally different reactions from people,
specifically bumiputera, who might be benefitting from racial quotas in
the education system.
“The responses vary slightly. While some
individuals demonstrated a keen awareness of the inherent unfairness and
rallied in support of the message, there is also a segment that
attempts to justify the existing disparities through less relevant
comparisons.
“Despite these varying reactions, the collective hope
remains that by fostering open dialogue, we can work together to
address these concerns and strive for a more equitable and inclusive
system,” he said.
Nahvin, 23, was born in Muar, Johor, but
currently lives in Bahau, Negeri Sembilan, with his parents Muthusamy
Ramasamy and Vasuntha Devi Perumal, as well as his younger sister
Priayanga.
He graduated from UTeM with a bachelor degree’s in
computer science (artificial intelligence) earlier this month. His
speech was livestreamed by the university and excerpts have been
spreading online.
Royal Education Awards are conferred annually to
two students in each of the 20 public universities. The award itself is
based on race - one award for a bumiputera student and another for a
non-bumiputera.
‘Lonely and depressed’
Nahvin
said his speech was not about him but the plight of minorities and how
education should be available to all who qualify, regardless of race and
religion.
He cited the case of his late friend who became
emotionally distraught after failing to be offered a place to further
his studies despite results that were very similar to Nahvin’s.
“He felt defeated as if it was the end of his life. He became lonely and depressed because he felt he was not good enough.
“When
I entered matriculation, I felt surprised because there were students
who had grades that were similar (as my friend) and even lower than him.
“Ladies
and gentlemen, my friend is no more. I can assure you that if he was
given the same opportunity as I, he would be the one giving this speech
and not me,” said Nahvin in his speech.
Determination and opportunities
Nahvin said he was grateful to be able to study what he was passionate about, which in his case was artificial intelligence.
“I also prioritised understanding over memorising and I believe in hard work. That is, you get what you worked for.
“Another
thing that fueled me was the fact that I also witnessed a lot of issues
in our society and always have a solution in mind.
“But, no one
would pay attention if I were no one. So, I had to create value for
myself, so that when I speak, it is heard. And that value for me was
education.”
He
said his long-term aspiration is a continuous journey of
self-improvement, where he strives to elevate his capabilities and
knowledge.
“Simultaneously, my passion lies in advocating for a
fair and improved Malaysia. I envision a transformative process, a
metamorphosis for Malaysia, where the nation evolves into a beacon of
fairness and excellence.
“We need to give priority to meritocracy
in our education system instead of quotas introduced by political
parties to divide and separate us.
“Meritocracy is the only way to
see a united and fair future for Malaysia. I have worked so hard to be
here (and) to represent the voice of minorities that are often
silenced,” he added.
‘Reverse brain drain plausible’
Asked if the Malaysian brain drain will accelerate or be reversed, he said such a trajectory hinges on governmental actions.
“Personally,
I, like many, harboured reservations about settling in Malaysia due to
perceived unfairness. However, I opted to become an agent of change,
embodying the transformation I desire for Malaysia.
“The key to
reversing brain drain lies in responsive governance. If our leaders
actively listen and implement policies that foster inclusivity and
equity, a reversal is plausible.
“Conversely, inaction on these
fronts could propel the acceleration of brain drain. The power to
reshape our nation’s future lies in the hands of those shaping its
policies and priorities,” he said.
“Some may argue, ‘What’s the
point? Nothing will change; that’s the sad reality of Malaysia.’ Yet,
the true sorrow lies in the inaction of those who witness disparities
but choose not to act,” he added.
Nahvin argued that while initiating change may seem daunting, the collective power of voices demanding fairness is formidable.
He said that while transformation may not happen overnight, each expression of concern adds momentum to the journey.
“I
firmly believe that if more individuals unite in voicing their concerns
through various mediums, change becomes not just possible but
inevitable - a slow, bumpy ride towards a more equitable Malaysia.
He also disagreed with the view that education standards in Malaysia are falling compared to previous generations.
“I don’t think that is fair at all. The underlying issue, in my opinion, stems from the allocation of education opportunities.
“Instead
of prioritising qualifications and merit, the government appears to
emphasise racial considerations. To truly elevate education standards,
we must ensure that deserving and qualified students have unhindered
access to educational resources.
“Investing in the potential of
these students, who can derive maximum benefit from their education,
holds the key to enhancing our country’s progress in various domains,”
said Nahvin.
