A day to proud

TWO years after working in island state, I felt time to upgrade my career skill if I am willing to save my job as long as possible. In 2008 the world suffered from record high global recession and it impact the job market. Frequently heard fire, retrenchment news among friends. Since my degree and diploma are not recognized here, I decided to take a recognized course by this government. So I submitted application form via fax to academy of building construction authority.

I'm trained as civil engineer but I am working as a Quantity Surveyor. Lack of relevant certificate to my current job make me feel insecure. If I want to get promotion or a raise, it is a must to have a recognized certificate to match my prevailing experiences. Luckily my Malaysia experience seem recognized by some SMEs. So I could find a job without much difficulties. But I realize I have improve myself through skill upgrading programme. It is expensive and there is no way to get redemption as a foreign worker. But I have to brave in investing in a right place for better future.

Firstly I am suppose to submit my application form through fax for paper test. Few months later I am informed that I pass paper test and I am invited to site English screen test before I can enjoy their course. Actually I was applying Specialist diploma course and I am a degree holder from my native land. It proof that our English proficiency are not recognized too. I later understood that only China and Myanmar student candidate are required to sit this particular exam. Some course also need us to test our Mathematics screening test. My proposed course is Building cost management and considered only English skill is important to them. We, Myanmar workers, have reputation with the poor English language skill among workers from other countries.

No choice but I have to accept their test if I want to study something new at their college. So I went and sit the exam. I noticed that less than 50% of participants passed the test. Thanks god I'm selected to join the course. Being underdogs, I worried, at first, myself if I can catch up the lecturer's instruction. We are joined by some locals and other country classmates who don't need to sit English screening test like we did. Never mind, they are considered their education is good enough compare to us. I tried my best so that I can catch up in every subject. Some subjects like common laws and principal of valuation are quite strange to me. Locals took advantage from their knowledge as they are used to such area compare to us. Fortunately I could able to manage to pass first semester with flying colors.

The second semester came much easier to me compare to first one because it's much related to my job. This time most of locals who came from other sectors are visibly struggling to cope with. By time, I gain and cumulative my confident and finally I passed the final exam with merit award. I am proud to be selected as a merit award winner while locals who were considered better and privileged only able to pass ordinarily. The minister of State development and education gave certificates to only award winners. The lower grade students were handed over by school principal. I finally feel comfortable not only for myself but able to show the quality of Myanmar student to school's management. I am so happy to learn a lot of my fellow citizen scored high and included in the award lists from various courses. I even can say this graduation day is a day to proud for Myanmar students among the campus if it is not for all migrant workers from the island.