“Pressure Makes Diamonds”: Dr. Alaa Nassereldeen’s Journey of Resilience

By, Insyirah Ikram

GOMBAK, 9 December 2025: Some were told they could never become doctors, but a graduate from Kulliyyah of Medicine (KOM), Alaa Nassereldeen became one anyway. A Sudanese born and raised in Malaysia, she arrived at IIUM Kuantan determined to succeed despite language barriers from her international school background.

Alaa Nassereldeen was conferred her degree in Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery during the seventh session in the 41st IIUM Convocation Ceremony at the Main Hall of IIUM Cultural Centre (ICC), IIUM Gombak campus.

Starting out was far from easy, especially when communication became a daily challenge as she worked to adapt to local slang and patient interactions.

At home, pressure followed her too, as her father, Professor Naseereldeen Ahmed Kabbashi of IIUM’s Kulliyyah of Engineering, and her mother, Dr. Fatima of UiTM, both held high academic expectations.

With all her older siblings already doctors and memories of people telling her, “Alaa, you couldn’t be a doctor,” she felt deeply driven to prove herself.

Instead of retreating, she stepped out of her comfort zone by joining student organizations such as the Student Union (Officer of International Affairs), the Asian Medical Students’ Association (AMSA), and IIUM Mustangs.

The support of friends and roommates kept her moving forward through fatigue and self-doubt.

In her final year, her perspective shifted as she learned the importance of humility and self-belief. Inspired by lecturers who balanced clinical excellence with Islamic values, she embraced medicine as both a calling and an act of service.

Reflecting on the struggles she once faced, Alaa now encouraged students to keep pushing forward despite discomfort.

“Pressure makes diamonds,” she reminded them, when paired with resilience and self-belief.

Her perseverance led to a defining achievement when she graduated with honors and earned a place on the Rector’s List. 

From a student who once doubted to becoming Dr. Alaa Nassereldeen, her journey proves that hard work and self-belief can turn obstacles into success.***