UMP graduand ‘Budin’ moved by a surprise from noble-hearted lecturer

PAYA BESAR, 8 November 2022 – A Facebook post went viral and captured the attention and heart of many netizens when a lecturer shared his excitement in surprising his student Muhamad Syihabuddin Abdul Wahab, fondly known as ‘Budin’, to celebrate the Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) 17th Convocation Ceremony recently.

Ts. Dr. Mohamad Zairi Baharom, a lecturer at the Faculty of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering Technology, said his post on Facebook was originally just to share his joy with the student.

“However, I didn’t expect it to garner the sympathy of others to also help and give words of encouragement to Budin.

“I was first acquainted with Budin when he was doing his diploma and I was the supervisor for his final project.

“After that, Budin underwent industrial training with UMP Technology which also happened to be under my supervision,” he said.
 
He said that he learned a lot about Budin’s tragic life story after Budin’s father passed away and the family lost their livelihood.
 
“Since his mother is not working and he still has a younger sibling who is still in school, Budin is very frugal in managing his finances,” he said.

“Budin will be graduating at this convocation ceremony; hence, I asked him if he would be attending and Budin stated that he would not as he had financial problems regarding the registration fee payment.

“I was very surprised by his answer because at that time the registration deadline for the convocation ceremony had already passed,” he said.

Then, Ts. Dr. Mohamad Zairi directly contacted the Secretariat for the Convocation Ceremony to register Budin’s name so he could attend the ceremony.

He added that after making the payment, the committee continued to help to ensure all attendance registration arrangements were successful.

Hence, when the convocation ceremony took place, Ts. Dr. Mohamad Zairi brought Budin’s friends to celebrate him in place of his mother and younger sibling, who could not attend the ceremony.

Ts. Dr. Mohamad Zairi hoped that Budin would experience the sense of accomplishment like the other graduands after their efforts and hopefully it would fuel him to continue to succeed.

When Budin was contacted, this Diploma of Mechanical Engineering graduand said he was surprised and moved when he was informed that he could attend the convocation ceremony.

He would like to thank his lecturer, Ts. Dr. Mohamad Zairi who sacrificed a lot during his studies and was willing to pay his registration fee for this convocation ceremony.

“I am determined to study hard and repay all these people who have helped me a lot all this while.

“Even though my mother and younger sibling could not attend this ceremony, the presence of Ts. Dr. Mohamad Zairi and my friends filled me with excitement and happiness.

“Everyone wants to celebrate with their loved ones after many years of hard work.

“However, after contemplating my financial situation, I chose not to attend,” he said.

Now Budin is continuing his study for a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering (Design and Analysis) and surely these memories will always be etched in his heart, especially when recalling the noble deeds of his lecturer and other people who have always helped him.

“May Allah reward them for their kindness,” he said.

By: Nor Salwana Mohammad Idris, Corporate Communications Division, Chancellery Department

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