My days are numbered.

First of all, let me wish all of you a Happy and Prosperous New Year!

All right, the title of this post may not sound auspicious or good but the truth is this: my days in Ipoh are numbered. I've been offered a scholarship (more like a sponsorship) by Petronas to further my studies in Universiti Teknologi Petronas, or Petronas Technological University (UTP), which is situated in Tronoh, about 40 to 50 minutes' drive from Ipoh.

Here, I'm going to complete my Engineering Foundation studies which will last for only a year, before going for a four-year programme to obtain my Bachelor of Engineering (Hons.) in Civil Engineering.

Well, I won't be going alone. Apparently, two of my other friends, namely Jared Ee and Aaron Lai have also been given the offer to further their studies too in the similar university. Jared Ee will be going for the Technology Foundation studies because he's chosen to do Business Information Systems for his degree. Aaron Lai chose to do Civil Engineering, just like me.

Jared's degree programme will last for only three-and-a-half years whereas mine is four years. After graduating, we're obliged to service Petronas or any related company to repay the sponsorhip. Conclusion: We're bonded with them. For every year you receive the sponsorhip, you'll have to service them for two years, which means that I'll have to service them ten years and Jared nine years, provided that they want us to work for them. Otherwise, we'll have to pay them back the money. However, that is unlikely. Chances are that you may be working for another company, and part of your salary will be deducted to pay Petronas if you're not requested to service Petronas or any related companies. You may not even need to pay them back the money, if you're a high achiever.

Like many others, I'm also wondering how will life in university be like. No more uniforms, no more long hours of studying, etc. There's a gigantic (and I mean it literally) library that is four storeys high (there's an elevator to get you up and down floors), a beautiful lounge in the library and a high class Chancellory Hall. Everything there is new (I know because I went for the Educamp in UTP) and first class, except for the accomodation (but it's still too early to make a judgement).

Studying in a university marks a new phase in my life, but as it is near Ipoh, travelling down to Ipoh to meet friends and teachers wouldn't be that hard or inconvenient. Keeping in touch with family and friends is still as easy. Need I say that we, as future UTP scholars, can find many facilities to keep in touch with friends? There is a computer lab, too, although I've not been in there before. Is it necessary for me to tell you that there is a bank and a Petronas petrol station within the university compound? Also, the are of the university is about 1000 acres, I reckon.

So, friends, my leaving to UTP doesn't mean that our friendship or contact just end as thus. I shall still keep my blog updated whenever possible, not to mention that I shall find a way to keep my piano playing skills intact. Please remain in contact with me, as friends are people whom I treasure most after my family.