Five years ago, Veveonah Mosibin captured the world's attention by climbing a tree to secure an Internet connection for her online exams. Today, the Sabah native is charting a new path as a medical student at the Management and Science University (MSU) in Shah Alam.
Veveonah's remarkable dedication to her education has borne fruit. Her 11-minute YouTube video, titled '24 Hours On Tree', catapulted her to fame, and the 23-year-old is now pursuing her dream of becoming a surgeon. However, her journey has been far from straightforward.
Photo via New Straits Times
Before embarking on her medical studies, Veveonah earned a degree in marine science from Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS). Yet, she eventually realised that her true passion lay elsewhere. Reflecting on this period, she revealed, "It's a long story, but an unstable mental state and depression can lead to poor choices that don't align with one's true abilities and passions."
The COVID-19 pandemic further compounded her struggles, as online learning proved incompatible with the hands-on nature of marine science. "I began to lose interest," she admitted. Determined to realign her career path, Veveonah graduated from UMS last year and commenced her medical degree at MSU in October.
While her viral fame brought opportunities, it also came with challenges. In an interview with The Star, she recalled the mixed reactions to her video. "There was a lot of cyberbullying, with some calling me an attention seeker. But I chose to focus on the positives and was just happy to have contributed to my community in some way," she said, adding that she has since recovered from the mental toll.
Veveonah's story did spark tangible change. Following her viral moment, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) upgraded the Internet infrastructure in her village, greatly benefiting her community.
Now, with her sights set on becoming a medical doctor, Veveonah hopes to return to her hometown and give back to the community that supported her. Her journey from treetop student to aspiring surgeon is a testament to resilience and the pursuit of one's true calling.
