By Marlynda Meraw

Copyright dayakdaily

WHEN Amiruddin Mohd Ghazali was appointed Principal of MARA Junior Science College (MRSM) Bintulu in June 2025, he brought with him over two decades of experience and an unwavering pride for the institution he now leads.

A native of Machang, Kelantan, Amiruddin previously served at MRSM Kota Kinabalu, Sabah’s leading MRSM campus. That experience, he said, equipped him to face the challenge of elevating MRSM Bintulu to similar prominence in Sarawak.

Despite being new to the campus, Amiruddin quickly recognised MRSM Bintulu’s immense potential. To him, its strength lies in the dedication of its educators and the indomitable spirit of its students.

“I’m proud of our 34 teachers and 22 support staff. They are deeply committed to ensuring our students excel, especially in STEM competitions. Our students are also very determined and dedicated in their studies,” he said.

Unyielding Spirit of the Students

This determination is obvious in students like 17-year-old Jasmine Delaila Jimmie.

The Kenyah student from Belaga said her mission is to challenge herself to excel beyond the familiarity of her hometown. Jasmine has already made a name for herself—excelling academically and representing her school in events like the Global Leadership Summit 2024 and Mathematics Supreme League 2025.

Her dream is to become a research and development engineer and return to Belaga to help improve its infrastructure and living conditions.

“I’m from a rural area, so I want to contribute to development, like better roads, waste management, and living conditions,” said Jasmine.

One of her proudest moments was participating in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Rocket Fair (STERF), where her team developed textile sand using old clothes—an innovative attempt at sustainable construction. The experience taught her valuable lessons in innovation, teamwork and perseverance.

For Eeshan Shwaran, 17-year-old Bidayuh student from Siburan, his motivation is driven by the emotional challenges of living away from home. “The more I feel homesick, the more I want to study,” he said with a smile.

As the first President of the Students’ Representative Council, Eeshan leads with compassion and ambition. Passionate about Biology, he aspires to become a neurosurgeon—driven by curiosity and a desire to help others.

Nurul Maysara Arwan, a Melanau student from Kampung Igan, Mukah, enrolled at MRSM Bintulu to challenge herself in a new environment. Once indifferent to STEM subjects, she has since discovered a passion for learning, leadership, and psychology.

“When I came here, my perspective changed. I want to be a psychologist so I can help people by understanding them and solving their problems,” she shared.

Her growth in confidence and discipline has inspired pride within her family and further fuelled her determination.

Originally from Bintulu, Clarissa Wong Menis, a Chinese-Iban student, followed in the footsteps of her sister, an MRSM Kuching alumna. While she dreams of becoming an accountant, Clarissa embraced the science-oriented environment at MRSM Bintulu with enthusiasm.

“I like it here because learning isn’t just based on textbooks,” she said. “I enjoy the hands-on experiments—it helps me understand difficult concepts better.”

Her goal is to further her studies at the University of Queensland in Australia, drawn by its top-tier accounting programme.

Also from Bintulu, Stephen Liew Soon Seng, another Chinese-Iban student, is the first in his family to attend an MRSM. Naturally curious and inventive, Stephen was drawn to MRSM Bintulu’s pure science curriculum.

Initially surprised by the disciplined environment, he soon found it empowering.

“It was a culture shock at first, but a good one. I learned to be more independent and disciplined,” he said.

Stephen dreams of becoming an entrepreneur in the food industry, combining his love for food and his STEM background to innovate in a field close to every Malaysian’s heart.

“Since I was a kid, I’ve wanted to be a food entrepreneur. I know it might sound odd, but Malaysians love food—and I do too!” he laughed.

Admissions to MRSM Bintulu are determined through the MRSM Admission Aptitude Test, ensuring only students with the right aptitude and commitment for the pure science stream are selected. Yet Amiruddin stressed that excellence at MRSM Bintulu goes beyond academics.

“MRSM is about holistic development. We don’t just focus on academic achievement—we also nurture leadership, discipline, and character,” said Amiruddin.

Although MRSM Bintulu has yet to produce its first SPM results, with its pioneer batch of Form Five students sitting for the exam this year, Amiruddin remains optimistic. Drawing from their strong performance in the 2024 semester exams, he believes the school is on the right track.

He hopes MRSM Bintulu will one day mirror the success of MRSM Kota Kinabalu. “All this while, Kota Kinabalu has been number one in Sabah. Hopefully, MRSM Bintulu, even though we are very new, can rise to greatness.”

A Platform for Excellence

MRSM Bintulu stands as a testament to what collaboration can achieve. This RM122-million purpose-built campus was made possible through a joint effort between PETRONAS, the Sarawak government via Yayasan Sarawak, and Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA).

Initiated in 2018 and launched in November 2023, MRSM Bintulu welcomed its first students in March 2024. Located on a sprawling 26,000-square-metre site, the school is Malaysia’s first and only fully science-stream MRSM, setting a national benchmark for STEM education.

The facilities include fully equipped science labs, a modern amphitheatre-style seminar hall, and state-of-the-art academic blocks. The seminar hall, in particular, has become a favourite among students for its professional layout and immersive atmosphere.

Currently, the school is home to over 300 students across Forms One, Two, Four, and Five. With full enrolment projected by 2026, MRSM Bintulu is poised to become a flagship for STEM excellence in Sarawak.

The construction and infrastructure were fully funded by PETRONAS under its Powering Knowledge programme. Land arrangements were facilitated by Yayasan Sarawak, while MARA oversees academic operations—creating a powerful tripartite partnership committed to transforming education in the region.

MRSM Bintulu is more than just a school. It’s a launchpad for bright young minds to dream boldly, pursue knowledge, and shape the future of Sarawak and beyond. —DayakDaily