Malaysia - Persistence pays off

MOST parents might wish their child was not so stubborn, but for Azlah Ariffin, it is precisely her son’s hard-headed nature that she is most thankful for.

After all, stubborn diligence has seen Amir Hamidi Abdul Manan, who was born deaf, through the different phases of his education.

And Azlah was a picture of pride and joy at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s (UKM) convocation ceremony recently where Amir Hamidi, 34, received his Master’s degree in Computer Science.

Azlah said her son had always been single-minded in his studies, and he was so stubborn that he threw tantrums when he was younger, especially when he did not get his way in terms of his education.

“He was so angry that the Perak Education Department Director did not allow him to enter SMK Raja Permaisuri Bainun, Ipoh, even though he got good grades for his PMR,” she said.

Amir Hamidi, who was born deaf, says he hopes to inspire people with disabilities to never give up.

She added that the reason given was that the state education department was afraid his disability might cause him to lag behind in studies.

But he proved them wrong by completing his SPM examination with flying colours in a normal government school, said Azlah.

Unable to hear or speak, Amir Hamidi scribbled answers to questions posed in written form.

He wrote that some of the biggest challenge throughout his time in university were the lack of faculty staff who were proficient in sign language and the lack of notetaking means for the deaf.

“I had to learn from the Internet, reference books and other sources in order to grasp the subjects I was studying,” wrote Amir Hamidi.

He said his express desire was to inspire fellow people with disabilities (OKU), especially the deaf. He wants them to be diligent and never give up.

“The deaf should not view their inability to speak as a stumbling block to their success. They should look at it as a challenge instead.

“Gone are the days when OKUs would be held back academically by their disability.

“Today, they can reach for the stars,” he wrote.

He added that there are also very few role models that the deaf community can look up to and emulate, but is happy that he can be a role model.

Amir Hamidi currently works at the Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Ministry as an information technology (IT) officer.

“With the knowldege I have gained, I hope to give back to society and contribute through IT,” he writes.

He added that he also wanted to complete his PhD in computer science if the opportunity arose.

Amir Hamidi joined 134 other UKM students who graduated with a master’s degree in Computer Science.

This year, two of UKM’s faculty members were awarded with the Professor Emeritus title.

Renowned endocrine surgeon Prof Freda Andrea Meah, who has produced 124 local and international research papers, received the award for her dedication to the field.

Meanwhile, the late historian Prof Nik Anuar Nik Mahmud, who researched extensively into border conflicts involving Malaysia, received the title posthumously.

A total of 8,423 UKM students graduated this year, of which 5,688 students graduated with a bachelor’s degree, 2,034 with a master’s degree, 286 with doctorates, 184 with specialist degrees and 231 with advanced diploma and diploma.

UKM also awarded five honorary doctorates to prominent Malaysians and among them was the former Johor Corporation (JCorp) president and chief executive officer Tan Sri Muhammad Ali Hashim, who received an honorary PhD in Entrepreneurship.

The other recipients were Tan Sri Dr Wan Mohd Zahid Mohd Noordin, Prof Masbah Rotuanta Tagore Siregar, Datuk Zakiah Hanum Abdul Hamid, and Te Ripowai Higgins.

By AMINUDDIN MOHSIN

educate@thestar.com.my

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