MELAKA - Despite his busy schedule as a national javelin thrower, Syed Abrar Syed Ahmad Zawawi has also managed to achieve excellence in the academic field, receiving the Royal Education Award at the Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) 19th convocation ceremony here yesterday.
Syed Abrar, 23, who graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering with Honours and obtained a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.73, said his success was based on high discipline and proper time management so as not to fall behind in his responsibilities both as a student and national athlete.
"I have to divide my time well between my studies and sports training because every day I need two hours in the evening to practice on the field," he said in a statement issued by UTeM here today.
"At the same time, I have to pay full attention on my studies to ensure I do not fall behind in my studies at the expense of competing in sports events."
The Perlis-born also said he hopes to further his studies by pursuing a master's degree at UTeM and aspires to become a lecturer.
Based on his achievements, the national javelin thrower has scooped 13 gold medals and two silver medals from 16 sports championships that he has participated in...the latest being the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia held in May.
Among the competitions, Syed Abrar has participated in the Asean University Games, Malaysia Games (SUKMA), Malaysian Athletics Federation (MAF) National Athletic Championship, Higher Learning Institution (IPT) Athletics Competition, Institutions of Higher Learning Games (SUKIPT), IPT Circuit Athletics Championships, Varsity Track and Field and Malaysian Educational Institutions' Games (SIPMA).
In the three-day 19th UTeM convocation, which began yesterday, Syed Abrar was among 3,378 graduates who received their diploma, bachelor's degree, master's degree and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree scrolls. - BERNAMA