‘A Hidden Gem’: Why a Donor Backed a Student Before She Believed in Herself

When SUSS donor Dr Lillyn Teh established one of the University’s most prestigious scholarships, she knew there was one thing she could never be certain about: how the recipient’s story would end. 

Shasmeen (second from right) receiving her scholarship from Dr Lillyn Teh (second from left)
at the SUSS Scholarship Awards ceremony on 4 September 2026 

This year, that recipient is Shasmeen Banu Binte Ayoob Marican, a Business Analytics student who took a less conventional route to university and once wondered if she had fallen behind her peers. 

Why back someone before the outcome is known? 

For Dr Teh, that is precisely the point. 

“We may not know exactly where each student will end up,” she says, “but seeing them grow, gain confidence, and fulfil their potential is what makes it very worthwhile.” 

She describes it as discovering “hidden gems” – students who may have considerable potential but need someone to give them a chance. Scholarships and bursaries, in her view, do more than ease financial pressure. They can create the conditions for that potential to emerge. 

Shasmeen understands that feeling. 

Before receiving the Dr Lillyn Teh Endeavour Scholarship, she had often questioned whether she was capable of achieving what she wanted academically. The financial commitment of pursuing a degree added another layer of uncertainty. 

Learning that she had been selected brought a mixture of disbelief, relief, and gratitude. 

“Being chosen for this scholarship means a lot to me because it feels like someone believed that I was worth investing in,” she says.  

For Shasmeen, the award came at a time when she was still questioning her own abilities and comparing her journey with those of her peers. 

Receiving it meant realising that someone else had seen something worth backing. 

“Sometimes, just having someone say, ‘You can do this,’ gives you the confidence to take the next step, take a few risks, and keep going when things don’t work out.” 

Dr Teh credits her own parents, mentors, teachers, and others who encouraged and guided her at different points in her journey. 

People rarely succeed entirely on their own, Dr Teh says. If someone once opened a door for us, there may come a time when we can hold that door open for somebody else.