Noor Haziah celebrates success without her father by her side

GAMBANG, 27 October 2024 – Convocation day is a historic moment for graduates and their families to celebrate the harvest of their diligence after years of studying, finally rewarded with success.

However, the journey to reaching this pinnacle is not easy and is often fraught with challenges, especially for those who began their studies in 2020 during the global COVID-19 pandemic.

For Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) graduate, Noor Haziah Azali, 26, who is now working at an animal clinic, there was a bittersweet feeling in her heart amid the joy of celebrating this meaningful day.

“The success I’ve been waiting for cannot be celebrated with the loved one who was my source of inspiration and who drove my achievements all this while.

“In the first semester of my third year, I returned to campus earlier than other students because I was chosen to be a facilitator.

“Sadly, just a week into physical learning and three weeks after my family dropped me off at campus, I received news that my father had fallen ill and needed to be put on life support.

“Finally, he passed away.

“The day my late father dropped me off at campus was the last time I saw him,” said the youngest of four siblings.
Noor Haziah, a graduate of the Bachelor of Industrial Technology Management programme, received her degree at the 19th UMPSA Convocation Ceremony.

For her, everyone will face tests and experience the loss of loved ones when the time comes.

“However, memories with the ones we love the most can actually become our strength to continue living.

“Moreover, lecturers, colleagues, and family have always provided support and a source of strength in achieving today’s success.

“The four years of hard work dividing time between career, academics, and family have come to fruition,” she said.

By: Noraini Yusoff, Centre for Corporate Communications
Translation by: Dr.  Rozaimi  Abu  Samah, Faculty   of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology