Young Rizal Shahputra is a survivor, with an incredible will to live.

His story has been turned into an inspiration for many of his fellow students. At the Awards Ceremony today, Rizal was given an award for his courage and bravery in surviving the tsunami, which hit Banda Aceh on the ill-fated December 26 last year.

Clinging on to nothing but a log for nine days in the open sea is a nightmare for anyone, but for the 20-year-old Rizal, his nightmare has become a movie and novel potential.

That was a chapter of his life that Rizal said he hopes to leave behind before starting a new life now, that he has chosen to accept the offer from UCSI (University College Sedaya International) in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur to continue his education.

Refraining from shedding tears, the eloquent young Rizal said: “I believe everyone in my family is dead. Even my house and my whole village have been totally wiped out by the killer waves. But life has to go on.”

Rizal, who completed his highest level of education in Aceh at the Sekolah Menengah Atas (SMA) level, majoring in Ilmu Pengetahuan Sosial (Social Studies), said that he is living his second life now. “I cannot believe that I am still alive,” he said. “And now, I am being offered to study English at UCSI. I am very thankful to UCSI for offering me a full scholarship to complete my education here.”

According to UCSI’s Vice President of Research and Corporate Affairs, Professor Dr. Norfadzillah Hitam, the offer is for Rizal to improve his English, with the hope of opening new opportunities for him and giving him a better chance at life.

She said that the scholarship will include free accommodation at UCSI’s Residential Hall, a free one- year English Language course.

Subsequently, she said if Rizal performs well in his English Language studies, UCSI will consider offering him the opportunity to continue at the diploma or degree level in the field of his choice.

“This will depend on whether he meets the academic requirements for our programmes. We will also offer him an on-campus job to enable him to earn an allowance for his personal expenses,” she said.

Currently, Rizal said he is happy with the English course he is taking. “I am hoping to continue studying in English and return to my own country to teach English,” he said. “I am truly grateful for the support that I am getting from UCSI.”