39th IIUM Convocation: Nur Asshiddiqah, a testament to resilience as an expectant working student

By Nurasyikin Bakhtiar Kamal

GOMBAK, 27 November 2023: As a testament to resilience and determination, Nur Asshiddiqah Binti Abd Rauf, a remarkable individual, has defied expectations as she embarked on the challenging journey of pursuing a Master’s degree while expecting a new addition to her family while working.

Navigating the demands of academia and pregnancy simultaneously is not an easy task. For her, the struggles were varied. This started when the COVID-19 pandemic brought about unprecedented changes and the sudden shift to online learning as a result of the Movement Control Order (MCO).

In addition to this, embarking on the journey towards a Masters degree is a formidable task in itself as she is not only a student but also a teacher in a government secondary school at Kepong. Hence, juggling a full-time job as a teacher with rigorous academic pursuits and the complexities of personal life at the same time, was no small feat.

Yet, amidst the chaos, she found the art of prioritisation. The struggle to balance work, study, and life had sculpted her into a resilient, multifaceted individual capable of conquering diverse challenges. At the end of the day, she realised that her research study was aligned to her real life pursuit as a teacher too, that made it meaningful.

In addition to this, pregnancy can present physical and emotional challenges to expectant mothers, and she was no stranger to them. From attending classes with a growing bump to adapting to changing energy levels, there were indeed hurdles she had faced and the resilience that had carried her through her study. Nevertheless, she prayed to Allah continuously, asking Him to make her journey easier as each day went by.

Finally, after two and half years, she successfully received her Master of Education (Teaching English as a Secondary Language) scroll at the 39th IIUM Convocation Ceremony yesterday (26 November 2023), proving that all of her blood, sweat, and tears had been worthwhile.

At the heart of Nur Asshiddiqah’s support system were her family members, who had been there for her ever since the very beginning along with her supportive husband, who collectively were pillars of strength during challenging times. Their understanding, encouragement, and willingness to share responsibilities provided her with the emotional foundation necessary to weather the storms of a demanding academic and professional pursuit.

She further emphasised on her friends who made her postgraduate journey less lonely and bearable to her. She said, œPostgraduate study is the most lonely journey, but if you manage to find yourself the right people to walk with you together, it will be smooth. Insha’Allah.

At the end of the interview, she urged others to start somewhere. As she said to herself, œYou have started this, so you must finish it! She advised that if you do not start something, you will not reach the end and never ever do things halfway. When you have the goals or intentions to begin something, just do it. It is only once we start the journey, then we will know the process which comes with it that makes life more interesting and fun.

Last but not least, in the kaleidoscope of challenges and triumphs, she mentioned that she owed a profound debt of gratitude to her supervisor Prof. Dr. Faizah Idrus who had illuminated her path with guidance, wisdom, and unwavering support throughout her Masters degree journey.***