By Rafiqi Yusoff
GOMBAK, 18 August 2022: Muhammad Aqil Bin Mustaffa Kamal expressed his joy and relief for receiving his scroll on Tuesday (16 August) in the seventh session of the 37th IIUM Convocation Ceremony even though his graduation was put on hold for a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Being the only male student listed in the Rectors List Award in the Department of Biochemical-Biotechnology, Kulliyyah of Engineering, Muhammad Aqil credited his parents and siblings as part of his journey towards success.
œMy sister had the opportunity to study abroad, so I consider her the epitome of success to achieve academic success so as to make my family proud, Muhammad Aqil said.
Despite his achievement in being the only male student who bagged the Rector’s List award, Muhammad Aqil admitted the challenges that went his way was online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.
œI was doing my final year project during my third and final years when all physical classes had to shift to unplanned online learning. And it was difficult for me to communicate with my supervisor and lecturers, he said.
Sharing his own experience, Aqil acknowledged that studying in a group with friends is more effective for him rather than doing self-study. Apart from that, he would stay up late at night to study when the examinations were around the corner.
He also remarked that it is important to œreach out to lecturers and friends regarding the concerns that we might have and most importantly, have trust in Allahs plans (Tawakkal).
Apart from being successful in academics, Aqil has his own future plans after graduation.***