BUKIT MERTAJAM: A medical student finally completes her final year study with cash contributed by several elected representatives and two organizations to settle her RM62,000 outstanding tuition fees.

Lee Foundation contributed RM30,000, Penang state executive Councilor Chong Eng RM12,000, Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow RM10,000, Batu Kawan member of parliament P. Kasthuri RM3,000, Penang deputy chief minister II Dr P. Ramasamy RM5,000 and Penang Hindu Association RM2,000.

C. Gowreshankere, 26, from Bukit Mertajam, wrote to 50 people to ask for help as she was unable to pay her final year tuition fees.

Pursuing a degree in medicine at AIMST University, her elder brothers and retired parents can no longer finance her for her final year study.

Gowreshankere, the youngest in the family, has three elder brothers.

Her father Chandrasgaran is a retired technician and mother a retired nurse.

Affected by the Covid-19 pandemic while both parents had retired, the family was unable to pay the final year tuition fees.

Previously, Gowreshankere’s parents and an elder brother paid for her tuition fees at AIMST University.

She was not successful in securing a scholarship.

Despite not coming from a well-to-do family, Gowreshankere was determined to become a doctor.

Gowreshankere was thankful that the university allowed her to sit for the final exam from January 3 to 11 although she was unable to settle her tuition fees.

She can only collect her results after settling the fees.

Chong Eng, Penang state executive councilor in charge of social development and non-Islamic religious affairs who was approached by Gowreshankere, discovered that she is not only a hardworking and determined student but also active in sports and extracurricular activities.

She is also a footballer, chairman of the university student council, good at public speaking and has participated in leadership camps.

Gowreshankere is a well-rounded and talented young woman the Penang state government is looking for.

“We must let her have confidence with the government and society so that she will help the needy in future,” said Chong Eng.

“I hope she is not only a doctor but also a leader,” said Chong Eng when handing over the money to Gowreshankere at her home in Kampung Sungai Rambai recently.

Gowreshankere studied at Convent Primary School, then Convent Secondary School and Bukit Mertajam High School.

She scored a 9A1s in her SPM.