PENANG, 3 October 2013 - Success and satisfaction in carrying out something even without any reward can be achieved by the practice of giving only the best and be equipped with four positive attitudes of expressiveness, systematic, responsiveness and diligence.

Member of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Board of Governors and the Students Volunteers Foundation (SVF) Chairperson, Dato’ Zuraidah Atan, said when commenting on the secret to success in one’s career as well as being actively involved in voluntary and community work.

She said that anything is possible to do with the conditions as long as an individual is committed and not easily admit defeat, as well as to have an interest and passion for the things done.

“In any profession that we do, we have to show excellence regardless of the situation. In any situation, regardless of it being easy or difficult, interesting or not, we must give only the best.

“We also need to challenge ourselves to keep moving forward. Compete and show a strong commitment to getting the results you want,” he said in a lecture here today.

Zuraidah was at USM to deliver a public lecture at national level organised by the USM Women's Development Research Centre (KANITA) titled Women's Ways of Knowing: Mobilising For A Better Malaysia. A Sharing of Experiences.

She, among others, revealed the positive attitudes for an individual, especially women, to continue to grow and remain competitive by sharing her experiences as a nationally well-known woman personality.

Zuraidah, an alumnus of the University of Buckingham, England, is very active and is involved in the corporate world and also a committed social activist in volunteerism and community activities.

She has more than 26 years experience in the banking industry, being the first woman appointed to HSBC Bank Malaysia Berhad Board of Directors in 2004 and becoming the President/CEO of Affin Merchant Bank (now known as Affin Investment Bank) in 2000.

In the perspective of volunteerism, she said, one does not have to wait to be under any organisation, group or association to act.

“They have to start with the individual spirit. Use existing networks to mobilise networks and act especially through the context of friends, acquaintances, and various personalities.

“This is one of the strategies I used in the course of my volunteer activities and community services. It is an indirect way that has proven to be effective, without having to be in any groups,” she said.

Through her involvement with SVF, Zuraidah also succeeded in introducing and exposing university students to organising joint activities with the local community beyond the local context with the involvement of ASEAN countries.

She has also been active in the National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM) and lead a host of activities to help women improve their skills and core competencies so that they can play a role as knowledge workers. - Translation: Yong Check Yoon​​/Photos: Mohd Fairus Md Isa