Internationally acclaimed teacher wants to share success tips

KUALA LUMPUR: Mohd Sirhajwan Idek, 30, a teacher who has once again received another recognition at the international level, aspires to continue sharing knowledge which is the recipe for his success in the field of education in the country.
Kota Belud-born teacher who won the Community Award for Citizenship in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Wednesday said: I want to share my ideas. No matter where you are, you can succeed at the global level if you work earnestly.
The teacher from Keningau Vocational College had previously won three internationally acclaimed awards, besides being a finalist in other international competitions.
He was named the world champion of the 2017 International Innovation and Entrepreneurship Excellence in Teaching Award in Paris; the global winner of the Express Publishing IATEFL Scholarship 2017; and winner of the Global Macmillan Teacher at My Heart 2016 in Norwich, United Kingdom.
"The win in Paris last year was like winning a gold medal in the Olympics, while the 'Oscar' in Dubai showed that there is no limit to what we can do," he told Bernama via WhatsApp.
In the competition in Dubai, he defeated seven other participants in the final held in conjunction with the Global Educational Supplies and Solutions (GESS) Education Awards.
Mohd Sirhajwan, who has also been previously named National Teacher Icon, said the secret to his success was to achieve excellence at international level.
The teacher said he was recognised for his efforts in helping and encouraging his students to venture into innovation and entrepreneurship and winning several competitions in the process.
"(This effort) is very meaningful to our students who live in the interior. In addition, we have also conducted several community programmes that enable these students to contribute to the community while gaining learning experience," he said.
He hoped his success at the international level would inspire all Malaysians, especially educators and Sabahans that people have their own strengths.
"It means that we should strive to pursue our dreams and hone our talents, as each individual is unique and has his or her own talents," he said.
Mohd Sirhajwan, who graduated from Gaya Teachers' Institute in Kota Kinabalu and obtained a Bachelor's degree in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) from Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), Shah Alam said he was often invited to share ideas through roadshows conducted by the Ministry of Education as well as TEDx programmes held at local universities.
The well-decorated educator was also a finalist in the GESS Outstanding Contribution in Education Award 2018, the Global Teacher Prize 2017, the Bett Asia Collaboration Award 2017, the Commonwealth Class Story Writing Teacher Category 2016 and the SEAMEO Australia Education Link Award 2015. — Bernama