The Early Years

A family portrait

THE EARLY YEARS

Born on 29 September 1952, Imran received his primary schooling in Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Batu Pekaka, Kuala Ketil, Kedah. The English medium school was without basic amenities at that time but it had a multiracial composition which gave Imran a wider perspective on life.

It was there that he learned independence and tolerance. He recounted that students in those days did things by themselves and worked together. He felt fortunate to have Kirkby and Brinsford-trained teachers taught him during his formative years. He felt indebted to his teachers and appreciated that they were willing to serve far away from their hometowns. Imran attributed his wide worldview to his teachers who were mainly Chinese and Indians. “I can see a lot of people working together, tolerance was practised in those days and this is something I came to cherish very much in later years,” he said.

As a young boy growing up in a small town in the sixties, Imran faced challenging times and soon learned that things do not come easy. His parents taught him that one has to work hard for what one wants. “My parents had formal schooling although they didn’t have the opportunity for secondary education. They were concerned about studies but they didn’t pressure me,” he said. His parents’ economic circumstances motivated him to do something for himself so that they could benefit from his success.

Imran felt a sense of pride when he was selected to enter the prestigious Malay College Kuala Kangsar as it was the only English medium boarding school for Malay students at that time. Imran quickly learned to be independent when submerged in a school culture of freedom and independence where ‘the students virtually ran the school’. He felt he did not stand out as all the students were smart and intelligent since they were specially selected for admission to the college.

SK Batu Pekaka

Malay College Kuala Kangsar (MCKK) is a premier and first fully residential school in Malaysia. Established on 2nd January 1905, it was originally known as the Malay Residential School of Kuala Kangsar. Initially founded to educate the Malay elites, it changed dramatically as a result of rising Malay nationalism since 1947.

MCKK has been the school for many prominent Malaysians such as kings, sultans, prime ministers, ministers as well as senior officials in the Government and leading figures in the private sector.

ARetirement Tribute to

Dato’ Haji

Imran bin Idris 6

Prep School 1965

malay college kuala kangsar

When he was in Form 4 and Form 5, he was fascinated by engineering projects and that fueled his interest in engineering. Incidentally, engineering was a popular choice among top scholars at that time. Imran was inspired by the old boys who came back during the weekends and held forums. “I wanted to be among the top students and felt that engineering would give me more satisfaction,” said Imran.

Imran won a scholarship from the Ministry of Education and went on to pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Liverpool in UK after passing his Higher School Certificate (HSC). Two things struck him while he was there – British courtesy and university education was easier than studying for HSC!

Feeding pigeons in Trafalgar Square

Founded in 1881, the University of Liverpool has an impressive history of pioneering education and research, with a particular emphasis on ‘education for the professions’.