Yayasan Telekom Malaysia 2018- FUTURE LEADERS SCHOLARSHIP

Here I am again, writing about my experience for a scholarship interview that I attended back on the 12th of April 2018. This time, it was for Telekom Malaysia. Why am I writing this scholarship experience now? you may ask. Well, let's just say that I was successful with this one. To get called for the interview, we obviously had to submit an online application beforehand. I applied for Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence) in the UK. The event was held not only for overseas applicants but also for local applicants at the same time.

I wasn't really prepared for this interview as I was hospitalized the day before and sick the week leading up to it. But I insist on getting discharged to be able to attend this scholarship because it didn't matter to me if I did well or not, only the fact that I have been given a chance to attain a scholarship.

The interview in Semenanjung was held for 3 days. Mine was the third day. The event was held at the TM Convention Centre. When we reach, we had to scan a QR Code and register in a webpage (they will guide you there). After registration, you will be randomly divided into 2 sessions. Also, did I mention that this interview had 3 stages? The IQ Test, Case Study and the Interview. Anyways, the first session went to sit for the IQ Test followed by the second session. The IQ Test is based on a set of question ranging from verbal, numerical and abstract. You can get a jizz of it by clicking this webpage (https://practicetests.cubiks.com/ability-tests/intermediate). It wasn't too easy for me but you are required to think fast as you are only given 4 minutes for each section. Do not second guess your first answer.

After the IQ Test, we will be brought to an auditorium to listen to a talk about MMU since MMU is TM's university. After the talk, we were brought into a room with 3 TM workers. An ice-breaking session and games were carried out to kill the time for them to calculate the marks for the IQ Test. Shortly after, we were then brought to the same auditorium as before for the shortlisting for the afternoon session (the interview and case study). I wasn't expecting my name to be called because I didn't do that well for the test but thankfully my name was there. We were given time to eat and pray(food was provided).

After the break, we had to gather at the lobby(where we started) to wait for the afternoon session to begin. They will divide all the applicants into groups. Each group has a TM representative, mine was a woman (I can't remember her name). She brought us to a room and asked us to sit outside on the chairs provided. She was really friendly and gave us a bottle of mineral water. The case study was first. We were all sat on bean bags inside the room with 2 interviewers. We were each given a paper on "bullying" and how to start a bullying campaign. We were given a total of 40 minutes to discuss the topic (10 minutes individually and 30 minutes with your group). I would recommend taking charge of the group by standing up and writing on the whiteboard. Start conversations and tell others your opinion/points. Do not control the whiteboard the whole time, better if you give others room to speak and feel comfortable. My group was actually very good. There weren't any silent moments.  Everyone spoke and gave good points.

After the case study, all of us left the room and sat back on the chairs. We were all happy because we thought we did well for the case study. For the interview, on the other hand, I was the first to enter because I had to go to the hospital again that day(long story). Anyways, I entered the room, greeted the 2 interviewers (same people as the case study). They asked me to introduce myself and started with the questions. Here are some of them that I can remember:


1. Why Computer Science?
2. Did you face any difficult situations in school?
3. Tell me about your co-curricular involvement?
4. Question from your answer from Q2 (eg: How did you find that and etc)
5. Why the UK, why not other countries?
6. Can you speak another language? (I spoke French)
7. Did you apply for any other scholarships?

That is as far I can remember. I am sorry. The interview was more than a month ago. It wasn't really that long because each applicant gets 20 mins. After the interview, I was able to leave and head home after a tiring day. A month later, I got an SMS from TM saying I got the scholarship. I am yet to receive my offer letter but was told through a phone call that I got Canada.

UPDATE: I was offered a scholarship to US. I will be doing my preparatory programme at Taylors.