By Fasihah Zulkifli
GOMBAK, 21 December 2022: “Never look back, focus on the future and always remember your big why,” said Maizan binti Nordin, who successfully graduated despite having spina bifida, leading to paralysis in her legs, making her a wheelchair user.
Maizan who graduated from AbdulHamid AbuSulayman Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences (AHAS KIRKHS), received her degree in Political Science in the fifth session of the 38th IIUM Convocation Ceremony (5 December).
In an interview with IIUMToday, Maizan said that it took 11 years for her to complete her bachelor’s degree; she started studying at the Centre for Foundation Studies in Gambang as a Law student and proceeded to take the course in the IIUM before changing it to Human Sciences, majoring in Political Science later.
“My biggest challenge was to balance between (ill) health and studies,” said Maizan.
Maizan said that she had to undergo six procedures that required full body induction of anaesthesia and recover from the side effects where she was warded frequently and needed to deal with her ill health and her studies simultaneously.
However, when asked about what motivated her, she said that her future is her motivation as she believed that whatever she does will eventually impact the future, so she needed to do her best for her dream to come true.
“With every hardship, there is ease,” she mentioned.
According to her, every problem has its own solution, do your very best and it is okay to seek help or to take a break.
She also advised other students who were struggling in their studies to enjoy the process and embrace the moment as it comes.
Currently sponsored by Yayasan Peneraju, Maizan has finished her short Data Analytics course from Air Asia Academy. She voiced her big goals in the future that she is striving to meet.***