Former COSA president wins Best Student Hamka Award and Rector’s List Award at 40th IIUM Convocation

By, Sarah Jamil

GOMBAK, 21 November 2024: President of the Communication Students’ Association (COSA), 2023/2024 received two awards – the prestigious Best Student Hamka Award and Rector’s List Award at the 40th IIUM Convocation, on 18 November, at IIUM Gombak.

Sarah Kamilia Binti Mohd Razif graduated from the Department of Communication, AHAS KIRKHS, IIUM. Winning the awards felt surreal for Sarah, who initially did not choose communication as her first option after finishing her studies at IIUM’s Centre for Foundation Studies (CFS). 

“Looking back, I realized that Allah’s plans placed me where I was meant to be. Communication turned out to be my passion,” she said, reflecting upon her journey from uncertainty to excellence.

She shared her insights into how she balanced her academic responsibilities with her role as the president of Communication Students’ Association (COSA).

By adhering to the slogan, “Work hard, empty heart.” This principle helped her stay focused and motivated even during challenging times. “Whenever I struggled, I always looked at the brighter side and managed my time well. Being a leader means juggling back-to-back meetings and having multiple responsibilities, so time management became my top priority,” she explained.

However, as President of COSA she faced challenges when she led and struggled with her study, as she started her journey at the IIUM when the COVID-19 pandemic struck. This situated was badly affected as she was also the first COSA President to organise physical events after the pandemic that saw all events online.

The lack of direct guidance from past leaders made the experience even more challenging. Thus, with the unwavering support of her team, she managed to overcome obstacles and successfully carried out big events. “My team was hardworking and resilient. Their encouragement played a significant role in helping me navigate the challenges,” she added.

During her four year study at the IIUM she learned that she needed to get out of her comfort zone to improve herself.“If you want to do it, don’t be scared. Whether the outcome is good or bad, it’s an opportunity to learn and apply the lessons to your life goals,” she shared.

As her final words – she encouraged students to cherish their university years by saying “ Work hard, but don’t forget to have fun.” This leaves an inspiration to future communication students to strive with dedication and good leadership.***