IIUM confers Professor Emerita title upon Prof. Dr. Maliah Sulaiman

By Daniya Afroz

GOMBAK, 17th November 2024: Prof. Dr. Maliah Sulaiman, a distinguished academic and adjunct professor at the Kulliyyah of Economics, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), was conferred the esteemed title of Professor Emerita in the Ist session of 40th IIUM Convocation Ceremony at the IIUM Cultural Centre, IIUM Gombak. The event celebrated her many years of dedication to academia, research studies, and the nurturing of future leaders.

Prof. Dr. Maliah’s acceptance speech resonated deeply with the audience, as she spoke with humility and gratitude. She recalled her journey when she began working as a lecturer at UiTM in 1980.

“I stand in front of you with much gratitude and humility as I receive the title Professor Emerita from this esteemed institution,” she began. “This honour reflects a journey shared with my students, colleagues, and family, all of whom have been integral to my academic life,” she added.

She reflected on poignant events in her speech, such as her admission to the IIUM in 1991 and her pursuit of a Ph.D encouraged by the late second IIUM Rector, Prof. Emeritus Dato’ Abdul Hamid A. Abu Sulayman. She also paid a heartfelt homage to Profesor Emeritus Tan Sri Dr. Mohd. Kamal Hassan, recognizing his significant influence on her academic and professional life.

Prof. Dr. Maliah’s speech emphasized her enduring dedication to her students, whom she called her ‘greatest inspiration.’ She described her simple philosophy as an educator, “I have failed if my students do not surpass me.” She expressed pride in her students’ achievements and wishes to form deeper, enduring connections with them.

She also emphasized the collaborative nature of academia to her colleagues, thanking them for their support during her journey and expressing enthusiasm for continued collaboration in fostering thriving academic communities.

She reserved a special acknowledgment for her family, particularly her twin children and her husband, Zainal, for their unwavering support throughout her career. “No one will ever truly understand academic life until they live with an academic,” she remarked with warmth and humour.

Delving ahead, Prof. Dr. Maliah reaffirmed her dedication to actively contribute to the IIUM’s mission of fusing academic excellence with faith. She described her goals to help build curriculum development, collaborate on impactful research, and mentor emerging faculty members. 

She concluded by sharing a heartwarming story of Muntaqa, a former student, who named his daughter Maliah after her. “As a teacher, there is no greater honour than knowing the impact one leaves in such a meaningful way,” she said with pride and gratitude.

The conferment of the Professorship Emerita title marks a significant milestone in Prof. Dr. Maliah Sulaiman’s career, serving as both a recognition of her past achievements and a continuation of her dedication to academia and service to humanity.***