By Asmahanim Amir
Pictures by Centre for Corporate Communications
BANGI, 2 November 2019 – Who would of thought the grief of having to let go a spot in a Sarawakian university eight years ago would turn into an unexpected joy for one student.
Farahana Mohamed, a Biomedical Science graduate from the Faculty of Health Science (FSK), who hails from Kubang Kerian, never regretted her decision to decline the offer as she believed the sacrifice she has made for her family would be rewarded with happiness.
"After completing Science Foundation Program, I was offered to enrol in UNIMAS (Universiti Malaysia Sarawak), but I had to decline the offer as my father had just suffered a stroke. He couldn't continue his work as a labourer. I couldn't bear to leave my family, with the ill condition that my father was in."
"So, I decided to continue my studies by taking a diploma course. Of course it felt like a waste of time, but it was the best path for me at that time," she said, and she pursued a Diploma in Microbiology at Universiti Teknologi MARA, Kuala Pilah.
She said that every semester break, she would work part time jobs to support herself and her studies.
After completing her diploma course, Farahana went to work immediately on a contract basis for a company in Kelantan to help support her family, while also planned her next move.
"On top of my father's illness, my mother fell ill. The family's responsibility felt onto my two older sisters' shoulders; one works as a teacher and the other, a nurse. They were the once the family rely on, on top of my older brothers," said Farahana, who also has a younger sibling with a learning disability.
Farahana was grateful to be accepted to study at UKM (Univesiti Kebangsaan Malaysia) after almost a year upon completing her diploma course.
"It's true, provision that Allah provides always comes at the moment it is meant to be," she said.
Throughout her four year degree program at UKM, she was very active in associations. She was the Vice President of UKM Students' Representative Council, 2017/2018 session.
The sixth child out of eleven siblings, she has always shown potential to succeed. She also competed and attended conferences on an international level.
"I owe my gratitude to all of the FSK members, especially to the Dean and former Dean, to all of my biomedical science lecturers, my final year project supervisor (Dr. Yap Wei Boon), and my mentor (Prof. Madya. Dr. Jacinta) who have always guided me in balancing my studies and my extra-curricular activities."
"To all of my family members, especially to my mother and father, Zaharah Husin and Mohamed Awang, to my older sisters Zubariah and Zalina, and to my young siblings Faizah and Syuhada, and also my brothers, I am so thankful for everything. They are my source of strength," said Farahana, while holding back tears.
She admitted all of her success to date come from prayers, support, guidance and hope from all the people around her.
Her excellent achievement in her studies, coupled with her committed involvement in associations in the university level has qualified Farahana Mohamed to receive Anugerah Pelajaran Diraja for the 47th UKM Convocation.