A story grit and unwavering resilience emerged at Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) 25th convocation, where 42-year-old Nurul Zakiah Zamri Tan was officially conferred a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Engineering Technology after years of sacrifice and financial hardship.
Image credit: Courtesy of UTHM
Throughout her studies, Nurul Zakiah balanced academic demands with the responsibilities of raising six children. To reduce travel expenses between her home and the Pagoh campus in Johor, she often slept in her car and used facilities at highway Rest and Service (R&R) areas.
“I still remember sleeping in my car and showering at the Pagoh R&R just to save time and money,” she said.
Her children were cared for by her mother-in-law during this period, and she prepared frozen meals in advance to ensure their daily needs were met.
Image credit: Bernama
Balancing motherhood, work and education
To sustain herself, Nurul Zakiah took on various jobs, which are from mowing lawns on plots nearly two hectares and doing graphic design work. She said she was never ashamed of taking on such tasks, as her priority was to earn enough to continue her studies.
The journey, which she began in 2019, came with emotional and financial pressure, compounded by the responsibility of raising six children without a helper while supporting family commitments in Perlis. Despite the challenges, she remained steadfast.
“Taking a break does not mean giving up. Keep moving forward, even if slowly,” she shared, reflecting on her years of perseverance.
Her journey marked by personal sacrifice, determination and endurance, which serve as powerful reminders that academic success often grows from persistence in the face of difficulty.
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