11 years of struggling for degree, Juliza now a graduate

KUANTAN, 18 March 2022 - The 11-year struggle to obtain a degree is arduous and coping with various health problems is not a hindrance to success.

That is evidenced by the graduand of Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP), Juliza Ameruddin, 36 who attended the 15th UMP Convocation Ceremony relying on a gas tank for breathing.

According to Juliza, her asthma has become more chronic, causing her to rely on an oxygen gas tank for breathing.

She has been suffering from brittle asthma since 2007, but in 2010 her illness became more chronic, resulting in her being intubated 115 times in the hospital.

According to the graduand of the Bachelor of Computer Science (Graphic and Multimedia Technology), she enrolled in UMP in 2009, initially healthy, but in her third year, her condition became more chronic which resulted in her being paralysed and receiving a Persons with Disabilities (OKU) card.

“Since the incident, I had regularly deferred my study. The learning spirit is always there and I am deeply moved that UMP has allowed me to continue my study after deferring for six years due to health problems,” she said.

According to Juliza, the eldest of five siblings, today’s success came from the support and encouragement from the people around her who have helped, especially UMP, family and friends.

“Throughout the study, UMP helped a lot in terms of finance, logistics for classes, providing business opportunities within the campus and many others.

“In addition, the faculty helped a lot throughout my study by providing online classes.

“After finishing my study in January 2021, I was offered a job at UMP Holdings as a Corporate Strategic Assistant, but after a year, I decided to resign over health problems and focus on the food business,” she said.

She would like to thank all those who have always helped her succeed.

This Kuala Lumpur native also recalled her memories of being in the hospital.

She said she had been in the hospital, her condition was critical, there was no hope of recovery, and the doctors said the condition was getting worse.

“However, thanks to the patience and prayers of all, Alhamdulillah I am still given the opportunity to breathe until now.

“My source of inspiration and strength is of course my parents, Ameruddin Zakaria and Nuraini Mat Piah who have sacrificed so much in raising me until now,” she said.

She hoped that her struggle would inspire the youngsters that pain is not an obstacle to success.
 
According to her mother Nuraini, she was grateful and happy for her daughter’s success today.

“As a mother, I have always supported her interests and often advised that health should always be cared for,” she said.

Juliza received a degree presented by UMP Pro-Chancellor, Tan Sri Dato’ Sri (Dr.) Abi Musa Asa’ari Mohamed Nor at the 15th UMP Convocation Ceremony in the third session today.

By: Nor Salwana Mohammad Idris, Public Relations Unit, The Office of The Vice-Chancellor

Translation by: Dr. Rozaimi Abu Samah, Engineering College/Faculty of  Chemical and Process Engineering Technology