Dad goes the extra mile to realise varsity dream of Temuan Orang Asli daughter

KOTA BHARU, Oct 2: Forty-one-year-old Eron Binchar of the Temuan tribe in Pahang is proof that a father’s love knows no bounds when he not only borrowed a car but also endured an arduous 300-kilometre (km) drive to ensure his daughter could chase her dream of pursuing her education at a local university.

Eron, a resident of Kampung Sungai Bot Telemung, Karak, took about four hours to reach Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK) Bachok to register his daughter, Fida Adira, 20, who successfully enrolled in the Bachelor’s Degree in Heritage Studies programme at the Faculty of Creative Technology and Heritage (FTKW) at the university on Sunday.

“Previously, my eldest daughter received an offer to pursue further studies at a university. Unfortunately, due to financial constraints, we had to turn it down. This time, I was determined to overcome these financial challenges and ensure they don’t hinder my daughter’s success,” he said.

Eron and his wife, Fatimah Ali, 49, set out from their home on Saturday night in his brother’s Proton Saga car to register Fida Adira at UMK to ensure their daughter’s education wouldn’t be affected.

Despite working in the village and earning a modest income and living in a remote area, Eron is committed to ensuring his children’s education is not overlooked.

“Fida Adira has consistently shown dedication and excellence in her studies since a young age. I am determined not to disappoint her and support her ambition to pursue higher education.

“As such, through the special pathway initiative by the UPU Admissions Division and the UMK Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International), my daughter has succeeded in pursuing her studies at UMK,” he said.

— BERNAMA