R&D Engineer to Royal Malaysian Air Force Best Cadet Officer

His Royal Highness The Regent of Pahang, Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah presented the honour to Mohammad Khairil Ikhwan Anuar.

While others would rather choose a smooth ride to their dream career, it is a different experience for Mohammad Khairil Ikhwan Anuar.

The Universiti Kuala Lumpur Malaysian Spanish Institute (UniKL MSI) alumnus landed a stable job at a manufacturing company as a research and development (R&D) engineer upon completing a bachelor’s degree in Engineering Technology (Hons) Applied Electronics.

But, one is unable to foretell what the future might hold. In December 2021, Mohammad Khairil Ikhwan chose to quantum jump from being an engineer to swearing in as a Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) cadet officer.

Despite the unexpected decision, he resolutely finished the RMAF’s 9-month training until he marched on as the Best Air Force Academy Graduate Cadet Officer.

He was conferred with the honour during the Royal Commissioning Parade and the Presentation of Certificates of Appointment of the 2022 Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) cadet officers at the Dataran Panglima Tentera Darat, Kem Perdana Sungai Besi, Kuala Lumpur, on October 8.

“High passion for a uniformed career among strands of encouragement that drove me to apply and serve for RMAF. The time is right for me to break with my family tradition and carry on my father’s desire to be a military officer,” shared him.

Mohammad Khairil Ikhwan spent most of his higher-learning years at UniKL MSI, starting with a Diploma of Engineering Technology in Electromechanical Installation and Maintenance from 2013 to 2016 and completing his bachelor’s degree in 2020.

Throughout the years spent, numerous experiences in leadership, managerial roles and teamwork have prepared him well for his RMAF training.

He became the driving force for a special branch of Gabungan Pelajar Melayu Semenanjung (GPMS) at UniKL MSI as the President, among the critical positions that he held. He also served as the Committee Member for the Global Community Service Breakthrough to Medan, Indonesia, and as Assistant Programme Director of Global Community Service to Satun, Thailand.

Talking about his next plans, Mohammad Khairil Ikhwan told that he will be commissioned to RMAF Engineering Branch, and will enrol on Aircraft Mechanical and Electronics Engineering Officer Course at the Institute of Aerospace Technology (ITAS) in Alor Setar Kedah for 6 months.

“From here, I hope to develop my career in RMAF to the highest level by participating in courses and missions on a global scale and giving my best to the service,” he remarked.