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From tree tops to ocean floor, Veveonah now on a journey to be doctor
MALAYSIANSKINI | From climbing a tree to studying creatures under the sea, Veveonah Mosibin dominated public discussions during the Covid-19 pandemic with her 11-minute video “24 Hours on Tree” to secure an internet connection for an online examination.
Several years later, the 23-year-old from Pitas, Sabah, graduated with a Marine Science degree from Universiti Malaysia Sabah, and since Oct 1, commenced her Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery at the Management and Science University (MSU), Shah Alam.
Veveonah has long dreamed of becoming a doctor, inspired by...
Summary
Sabahan Veveonah Mosibin who shot to fame after her video climbing a tree during the pandemic to get internet access is now studying to be a doctor.
Veveonah reveals ambition inspired by her mother and sister, and her preference for practical, hands-on tasks over academic research.
MALAYSIANSKINI | From climbing a tree to studying creatures under the sea, Veveonah Mosibin dominated public discussions during the Covid-19 pandemic with her 11-minute video “24 Hours on Tree” to secure an internet connection for an online examination.
Several years later, the 23-year-old from Pitas, Sabah, graduated with a Marine Science degree from Universiti Malaysia Sabah, and since Oct 1, commenced her Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery at the Management and Science University (MSU), Shah Alam.
Veveonah has long dreamed of becoming a doctor, inspired by her mother, Rofinah Ungo who worked as a cleaner at Pitas Hospital, and her sister, who is now a nurse.
“One of the reasons I aspire to become a doctor at Pitas Hospital is to honour my mother’s wishes and continue her legacy - not as a cleaner, but as a doctor.
“My dream of becoming a doctor is to serve humanity, help patients, and make meaningful contributions to society and the nation in the long run,” she told Malaysiakini.
‘From the pandemic to the hospital’
At the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021, Veveonah shared she contemplated dropping out of her studies due to mental stress and frustrations with online learning.
“I was extremely stressed and lost interest in studying, especially during the online learning period. I felt I missed out on many practical components of the course,” she said.
However, upon reflection of her family’s hardships, Veveonah was determined to complete her initial studies before pursuing her personal ambitions to be a doctor.
“What captivates me most about the field of medicine is the need for lifelong learning. As a doctor, we must continuously acquire new knowledge to provide the best care to patients.
“Their lives are partly in our hands, and we make critical decisions to save them. This responsibility and commitment drive my passion for medicine,” she added.
Beyond personal gains, Veveonah’s story not only raised awareness about internet connectivity issues in rural areas but also contributed to improved digital infrastructure in Sabah.
‘Never give up’
On her experience at the MSU, Veveonah expressed gratitude for supportive friends from diverse backgrounds.
“We hope to graduate and complete our housemanship together,” she added.
Although she missed attending the convocation for her marine science degree at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) on Dec 9 due to high flight costs, Veveonah’s spirit remains strong.
“Never give up on pursuing your dreams, so you won’t have regrets in old age. Keep fighting as long as you can. As the saying goes, where there’s a will, there’s a way,” she said.
Veveonah’s story in her own words:
Question: Could you share the secret to your success in Marine Science despite facing internet access challenges, as well as your life journey so far?
Veveonah: I have a few reasons. First, is resilience. I live by the principle: Always finish what you’ve started, no matter how difficult the situation is.
Second, responsibility. I feel responsible for myself, my sponsors, and my family’s expectations, especially my parents. That’s why I strived to complete my Marine Science degree before transitioning to medicine.
Why did you decide to switch from Marine Science to pursuing an MBBS degree?
I have dreamed of studying medicine at MSU since 2021. Initially, I thought Marine Science was mostly about swimming and conservation activities. However, after immersing myself in the field, I realised it’s broad and not very specific.
Over time, I lost interest in studying science subjects, especially during the online learning period, as I missed many practical course components.
Despite this, I enjoyed aspects of marine ecosystem conservation and my industrial training experience. I had the opportunity to train at the Aquarium & Marine Museum (Amums), and rotate through the Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture, and the Borneo Marine Research Institute at UMS. Overall, I trained in three different locations within UMS.
From these experiences, I discovered an important aspect of myself - I dislike research and paperwork. Instead, I prefer practical and hands-on tasks, like feeding fish, cleaning aquariums, and participating in activities like turtle necropsies at Amums.
This realisation led me to focus on my main goal - pursuing a degree in medicine.
What inspired you to choose medicine and not Marine Science?
Honestly, I didn’t have a specific ambition as a child. However, from an early age, I realised I was gifted in academics.
At 19, I began to understand that my purpose in life was to contribute as much as possible to my family, my village (Kg Sapatalang and Kg Pinonibasan), my district (Pitas), my state (Sabah), and my country (Malaysia).
After going viral, I became increasingly proud and happy when my family and community benefited from the attention I received. I felt fulfilled when my story brought positive changes to my state, especially in terms of better internet connectivity.
I also felt happy to inspire others and build meaningful relationships with influential figures across the country.
From these experiences, I started reflecting on my future and envisioned a career aligned with my values and principles. I decided to become a doctor - a profession involving close interaction with people, directly helping patients, and making meaningful contributions to the community and nation in the long run.
Who inspired you to pursue medicine?
My inspiration came from my mother and sister. My mother worked as a cleaner at Pitas Hospital for six years (2012–2017), while my sister has been a registered nurse since 2020.
I vividly remember visiting my mother at the hospital because my secondary school (SMK Pitas) was next to it. My mother was highly respected by the doctors there due to her hard work and dedication, receiving their admiration and recognition.
One of the reasons I aspire to become a doctor at Pitas Hospital is to honour my mother’s wishes and continue her legacy - not as a cleaner, but as a doctor.
As for my sister, though she was not a science stream student, she excelled in her nursing profession. Her experience in nursing transformed her into a more professional and logical individual, and I greatly admire her resilience and growth.
Do you have advice for those struggling in their fields of study?
Every individual has their purpose in life, with unique missions and visions. So, the motivation to study must come from within.
Never give up on chasing your dreams, so you won’t have regrets in old age. Keep fighting while you’re young. As the saying goes, where there’s a will, there’s a way.
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