Surviving Stage‑3 Cancer at Age 22, Annas Abdul Aziz Pursues His Dreams

Troubled by persistent headaches and fever, Muhammad Annas Abdul Aziz rushed to the hospital’s Emergency Department.

After several tests, doctors discovered a tumor in his throat and nasal region. Further diagnosis confirmed that Annas had stage‑3 nasopharyngeal cancer (cancer of the throat and nasal passages).

At the time, he was just 22 years old and still serving his National Service.

“When I first learned about my cancer diagnosis, I was stunned. My reaction was the opposite of what people expected, I actually laughed, while everyone else in the room cried. It was ironic, but for me, that was my coping mechanism. I’ve always been a playful person who loves making others laugh. I didn’t want to appear weak,” Annas shared with journalist Hidir Ezat.

“Outwardly, I smiled and joked in front of everyone, but behind closed doors, I cried. I often asked myself, ‘Why me? What did I do to deserve this?’ After a period of negative thoughts, I decided to shift my mindset. Maybe this happened to teach me something about myself,” he recalled, reflecting on the moment two years ago.

Despite the weakness and pain, Annas found the strength to keep going. He underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy over the course of four and a half months.

“The first month passed without much change, everything seemed okay, and I still hadn't lost my hair. But by the second and third months, side effects began to kick in. I felt tired easily, lost my appetite, experienced nausea, and all my hair started falling out,” Annas recounted.

Rising Above Cancer

Despite facing such a life-changing diagnosis at a young age, Annas was determined to fight on.

With strong support from his family and close friends, he resolved to continue his battle until he recovered.

“During treatment, there were times when I felt like giving up because I couldn’t take the pain anymore. I wasn’t sure I had the strength to go on. But I told myself that once I completed treatment, I would become a better version of myself. If I could endure this, I would be able to handle any challenges in the future,” said Annas, now 24.

After completing National Service, he began working as a Junior Interior Designer at Blender by ImC.

Even while undergoing treatment, Annas was eager to improve his skills and knowledge. He chose to pursue a part-time Specialist Diploma in Lighting Design at Temasek Polytechnic, the only institution offering this course.

“This course taught me how to design a space with lighting that suits its intended use. I also learned about the psychology of lighting and how it affects users’ moods. So anything I’ve learned that I can apply to my work, I will,” he explained.

Embracing Life and Opportunities

Initially, Annas felt pressured and insecure, worrying that he might lag behind classmates with more industry experience.

But he received strong support and encouragement from others.

“During the Lighting Design course, I met many people from diverse backgrounds. I gained insights and advice from them that I wouldn’t have gotten in school,” he said.

In May, Annas graduated with his specialist diploma and was promoted from Junior Designer to Designer at his workplace.

Reflecting on his difficult journey, he now values life more deeply and makes the most of every opportunity.

“Put yourself first before others. I’ve learned that whatever you want to achieve, go for it—because you only live once. Even if your dream seems small, pursue it, and don’t be afraid to try,” Annas said.

He also expressed his gratitude for the support of his lecturers and friends at Temasek Polytechnic.

The article was published on BERITA Mediacorp / Hidir Ezat (June 20, 2025)

Watch: Suria Berita (meWatch) June 2025 - SURIA Berita

From Service to Self-Discovery

I’ve always loved meeting people from different walks of life. Working in customer service and admin for many years taught me a lot about human behaviour but deep down, I knew I wanted to learn more. Not just to move ahead in my career, but to grow as a person and truly add value in whatever I do.

That’s why I took a leap of faith and signed up for the Diploma in Business Practice (Human Resource Management & Psychology) at Temasek Polytechnic.

It wasn’t an easy decision - balancing work, studies, and personal life isn’t a walk in the park. But I told myself: It’s never too late to start.

The course opened my eyes. I used to think HR was mainly about hiring and resignations. But now I see it’s so much more like talent development, strategic planning, and building strong teams. The psychology part helped me a lot too. I’ve become better at reading people, communicating clearly, and handling different situations both at work and in my personal life.

My background in admin helped me manage my time better, and my customer service experience gave me a head start in understanding people. I may be an introvert, but that’s never stopped me from stepping up. Whether it’s giving great service or pushing myself out of my comfort zone, I do it because I care.

Learning at TP has been such a positive experience. The lecturers are patient, the admin staff are kind, and I’ve always felt supported.

If I could sum up this journey in one sentence, it would be this: It’s never too late to start something new.

Take that leap of faith, believe in yourself, and keep watering your dreams — that’s how you’ll see them grow.

Siti Nursabariah Binte Jafarin 

CET Graduate 2025

Diploma in Business Practice (Human Resource Management & Psychology)

Embracing Growth Through Lifelong Learning

The world of technology never stands still—and neither should we. That’s why I decided to push myself further by enrolling in Temasek Polytechnic’s Specialist Diploma in Robotics and Automation under the sponsorship of my company -Applied Materials South East Asia.

After years as a technician, I knew that upskilling was the key to staying ahead, taking on new challenges, and leading with confidence in an ever-changing industry.

When I first heard about the programme, I saw more than just a course - I saw an opportunity. A chance to grow my skills, expand my expertise, and prepare for the future. And though balancing work, studies, and family wasn’t easy, every moment was worth it.

A Journey of Resilience and Growth

Think of it like navigating a river—some stretches were smooth, while others tested my limits. There were late nights, tough deadlines, and moments of doubt. But with the support of my lecturers and peers, I kept pushing forward.

The hands-on training was incredible. We worked with industrial robots, articulated arms, mobile robotics and learned how to automate processes to boost efficiency. These weren’t just textbook concepts; they were real, practical skills I could apply at work.

My biggest takeaway? The power of lifelong learning. This experience reinforced my belief that growth doesn’t stop with a diploma, it’s a continuous journey.

Paying It Forward

Now, my company has nominated me for Temasek Polytechnic’s Effective Coaching workshop under the National Centre of Excellence for Workplace Learning (NACE). It’s an exciting next step that will help me guide and mentor others in my workplace.

Because here’s the truth: Every new skill we learn doesn’t just benefit us—it lifts up our teams, our companies, and even our industry.

As I look ahead, I’m excited for what’s next. This certification wasn’t just about upskilling—it was about reinventing what’s possible. And if I can do it, so can you.

The learning never stops. Where will your journey take you next?

Muhammad Khairul Huda Bin Ayub

CET Graduate 2025

Diploma in Robotics and Automation

Growing Through Lifelong Learning

As an Auxiliary Police Officer with Certis Cisco, I’ve spent years leading teams and handling real-life operations. Today, I serve as Deputy Officer Commanding, where I look after over 150 officers every day. It’s a big responsibility and one that I take with pride.

But even with years of experience in the field, I came to realise something: Leadership is not just about giving instructions, it’s about growing with your team and staying ready for the future.

That’s why I decided to go back to school and enrol in the  Diploma in Policing & Security Managemen at Temasek Polytechnic. I wanted to strengthen my leadership skills, learn new ways of thinking, and stay relevant in this fast-changing world. The course has helped me do just that.

In class, I’ve picked up practical tools I can apply right away from team planning and stakeholder communication to strategic decision-making. My experience on the ground helped, but this course taught me how to see the bigger picture - to lead not just for today, but for the future.

The support from my lecturers and classmates has made this journey even more meaningful. I’ve grown not only as a professional, but also as a person.

I believe in lifelong learning and this journey has shown me how powerful that mindset can be.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: When you face challenges with curiosity and discipline, you’re already halfway to success.

Choo Mohamed Johari Bin Mohamed Amin

CET Graduate 2025

Diploma in Policing & Security Management