By Mahadhir bin Monihuldin
Best student Nuramira Shahira binti Norman, who graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Human Sciences (Communication), had mixed feelings of happiness and sadness as she recalled her days of studying in IIUM.
Speaking to IIUMToday, she recapped her real struggle to achieve success. Nevertheless, she emphasised, she never gave up when faced with several failures and challenges along the journey. She shared, “In times of our greatest struggle, we are bound to succeed if we find inspiration to pursue our wildest dream.”
Nuramira Shahira was awarded the “Hamka Award” for being the best student for Communication programme at the 34th Convocation ceremony recently. Her story of success was filled with several ups and downs in her life.
At a young age of 12, Nuramira lost both of her parents in a devastating turn of events.
One night in March 2005, Nuramira’s mother experienced chest pains, and moments after being admitted to the hospital, she passed away without anyone seeing it coming. Doctors couldn’t detect the primary cause of her passing.
In the same year in 2005, a month after the passing of her mother, Nuramira’s father suffered a terrible fall to the ground and went into a deep coma. Nuramira’s father fought for three days to regain consciousness, but at last, God had bigger plan. Nuramira’s father passed away on the third day.
This tragic experience was forever etched into the life story of Nuramira Shahira. Her uncle and aunty took her into their family household. They cared for her as best they can.
“My uncle and aunty took the role of parents when I needed them most. They raised me up like I was their own daughter, and I am forever grateful for their sacrifices,” Nuramira shared.
Nuramira grew up from that tragic time. After completing her primary and secondary school life, she was ready to enter the world of higher education as a university student in IIUM. But of course, God gave Nuramira another test she needed to overcome.
Nuramira failed in the mandatory English Proficiency Test (EPT) to enrol into IIUM’s Communication programme. Yet, after taking up an entire semester to learn English, Nuramira re-sat the EPT and was again unsuccessful in achieving the minimum 6.0 band score to pass the test.
While the rest of her friends went right past her to begin their studies as undergrad students, Nuramira was still stuck learning English for an entire year.
“I was so frustrated with myself. I thought my English had improved. I thought I was already good enough. But I had to repeat the subject again and my motivation was at bottom low.”
But one person who never gave up on Nuramira throughout this period was her English teacher. Nuramira said that her teacher had given her the will to carry on no matter the odds.
“I had a strong relationship with my English lecturer. She helped me improve my English, but more than that, she also helped me to grow up as a human being.”
“Over time, I started feeling better, and at last, I passed the test, Alhamdullilah.”
After finally being able to enrol into IIUM’s Communication programme, Nuramira was blazing with the fire to achieve her very best. She shared that she was motivated to strive for the sake of her late parents.
“When I got in, I already felt motivated to aim for the best. I wanted to do it for my late parents, so I competed with the most hardworking and bright students around.”
Four years of hard work had passed from that time, and Nuramira has completed her Communication course with the same fire that she held the first time she entered.
One day, Nuramira received an e-mail on her Yahoo account.
“I had just finished work, I opened my Yahoo account, and I received an e-mail informing that I was awarded best student in Communication programme.”
“To be honest, I felt a mixture of feelings at that moment. I felt so proud that I have achieved my very best, but at the same, I was reminded that I won’t have my parents celebrating the award with me.”
On the day of the ceremony, Nuramira walked up to the stage and collected her award.
“I hope my parents are smiling from above. They are not here with me, but it all started from them.
To all the students of IIUM who are currently struggling to get through, Nuramira has some words of advice.
“Don’t waste your time anymore doing things that are unnecessary! Sit down and start thinking of ways to get out from the despair. Voice out your curiosity and seek for the truth in everything that you do!” ***
