Shahmir Varqha, a passionate software engineer currently excelling at Grab, traces his journey back to his childhood days, which were filled with a love for gaming. This passion ignited his curiosity towards coding, prompting him to delve into YouTube tutorials and embark on the journey of creating his own applications. Despite the initial challenges, Shahmir found solace in the complexity of coding, setting the stage for a promising career in technology.

Graduating from Sunway University in August 2020 with a Bachelor's in Computer Science, Shahmir credits much of his success to the networking opportunities provided by his alma mater. A pivotal moment came during a workshop conducted by a Grab engineer, where Shahmir gained insights into industry requirements and set his sights on joining Grab. Through perseverance and guidance from industry professionals, he secured a position as a software engineer at Grab, marking his entry into the tech industry.

Throughout his university years, Shahmir holds strong to one of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals; ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all, by being actively engaged in various extracurricular activities that enriched his skill set and broadened his horizons.

As the lead of the Google Developer Student Club at Sunway University, he organised events, workshops, and hackathons, fostering a community of innovation and collaboration among fellow students. Additionally, Shahmir's involvement in initiatives promoting sustainability and social responsibility reflects his commitment to creating positive change through technology.

Reflecting on his university experience, Shahmir highlights the invaluable role of Sunway's diverse curriculum, particularly the Startup Foundry module, which instilled in him essential skills such as public speaking, critical thinking, and an entrepreneurial mindset. Beyond academics, the vibrant campus life at Sunway University provided Shahmir with opportunities to forge lasting friendships and explore his interests outside the classroom.

As he transitioned into the workforce, Shahmir encountered the competitive nature of the tech industry, emphasising the importance of continuously refining one's skills and portfolio to stand out among peers. Drawing from his own journey, he advocates for a hands-on approach to learning, emphasising the significance of practical experience in honing one's engineering skills.

Despite the challenges posed by the job market, Shahmir remains optimistic, urging aspiring engineers to persevere and embrace the learning opportunities presented by both academia and industry. With a firm belief in the power of collaboration and innovation, Shahmir continues to push boundaries in his role at Grab, contributing to the evolution of technology in Southeast Asia.  

Beyond his professional endeavors, Shahmir remains deeply connected to his roots, maintaining friendships forged during his university days and giving back to the community that supported his academic journey. As a recipient of the Jeffrey Cheah Scholarship, he acknowledges the role of scholarships in enabling access to education and is dedicated to paying it forward through mentorship and volunteering.

Shahmir Varqha's story serves as a testament to the transformative power of passion, perseverance, and lifelong learning in the pursuit of a fulfilling career in technology.