IIUM bestows Bachelor of Sciences (Applied Plant Sciences) upon only two male graduands

By, Afifah Syahmina

GOMBAK, 11 December 2025: During the eighth session, IIUM witnessed its only two male graduates receiving their scrolls at the IIUM Cultural Centre (ICC) on 10 December 2025. This marked a unique journey of navigating a female-majority cohort.

Ahmad Mikhail Ariff bin A. Muzammil@Ali Muzamil and Mohamad Hafizan bin Wet expressed their joy on graduating together during an interview with IIUMToday.

Ahmad Mikhail Ariff disclosed that it was not his intention to pursue study in Applied Plant Sciences but he shifted into Applied Plant Sciences after struggling in his previous programme. While Mohamad Hafizan grew up surrounded by nature from Kuching, Sarawak explained that he wanted to take this bachelor’s degree driven by desire to contribute back to his state.

Both of them admitted that their early days were challenging as the only two male in their cohort.

“At first, it was hard to understand the female students. But luckily it didn’t take too long for us to adjust,” said Mohamad Hafizan. “Since we are the minority in the Kulliyyah of Sciences, we have a strong relationship with one another.” added Ahmad Mikhail Ariff.

When asked about their most memorable moment together, both recalled long nights working together on their Final Year Project (FYP).

“We always have Ayam Gepuk Pak Gembus together to have our weekly stress reliever,” Mohammad Hafizan shared with a smile.

Lastly, both of them expressed their heartfelt gratitude to their parents, lecturers, classmates and close friends for supporting them along the way. ***