UTAR Alumni

JULY 2013

Puven: UTAR is well recognised

By Puvendran a/l Marappan

Bachelor of Science (Hons) Actuarial Science

First-class honours, March 2013

Risk Management Division Executive, RHB Bank

'UTAR is an educational institution that is very well recognised among employers,' says Puvendran Marappan, a first-class honours Bachelor of Science (Hons) Actuarial Science graduate of March 2013.

He adds, 'The internship experience provided by the University is another key factor that has enabled me to stand out from graduates of other universities. My active involvement in extracurricular activities while at UTAR has equipped me with the essential leadership and interpersonal skills that helps me to perform in my job.'

At the convocation (from left): With UTAR President Ir Prof Academician Dato' Dr Chuah Hean Teik (Puven's left) and family; and with friends

Puven, as his friends call him, grew up in Bentong, Pahang. He had his early education in Bentong Tamil Primary School and Ketari National Secondary School.

'My first love is Mathematics,' he says, and that was why he opted for Actuarial Science programme offered in Kuala Lumpur Campus after studying the Foundation in Science programme in Perak Campus. He studied hard during his university days and was awarded the first-class honours Bachelor of Science (Hons) Actuarial Science in March 2013. He was employed as an executive in the risk management department of RHB Banking Group even before he received his final trimester exam results. His studies in UTAR have made him analytical in crunching numbers and the skills were recognised by the employer.

'I do owe UTAR,' says Puven, because he received 50-percent tuition fee waiver from UTAR after entering the President's List and Dean's, which he says were his greatest accomplishments during his study.

'I do indeed feel proud and am very excited,' expressing how he feels about being awarded the first-class honours, which he has aimed for and eventually achieved. He attributes his excelling in studies to his family, friends, lecturers and tutors, whom he thanks for always standing by his side, and for their sacrifices, assistance and support. He says, 'Without any one of them, my success would not have been fully accomplished.'

He was also active in extracurricular activities during his study. He and best friend Edmond Jairus were active members in the First Aid Unit of Kuala Lumpur Campus. Together, they had organised various events such as blood donation campaign, health screening day, and healthcare exhibition.

'In fact, I don't really have any super secrets of success,' says the humble Puven. What he did was to do revisions early, do a lot of extra exercises and managed his time well. His advises his juniors to balance time between their studies and playing and socialising well, as he believes both aspects are essential to keep them physically and mentally fit.