MUKAH : Which mother can hold back happy tears when she sees her child successfully going up on stage to receive his diploma and being presented with a Special Inspirational Award in the 14th Mukah Polytechnic Convocation Ceremony.
52-year-old Mia Hari from Tawau, Sabah could not hold back her tears and managed to give her 25-year-old son Mohd Azikin Basri a motherly peck during the event on Saturday (Sept 17).
Mia thanked everyone who helped Azikin, who moves around with the aid of a wheelchair, during his time at Mukah Polytechnic, Sarawak.
“Of course I am happy to see his success today, my advice to Azikin is to always study, you are away from home and mix well with people in search of knowledge.
“Alhamdulillah he has achieved what he dreamed of, and if he has the opportunity, he will continue his studies to the next level.
“On his first day in Sarawak, he really didn’t want to be sent here, he came here by himself, for that I thank all his friends, lecturers who took care of him, encouraged him throughout his studies here, everyone is no exception, thank you very much for everything,” she told Suara Sarawak/New Sarawak Tribune.
Mia also hopes that Azikin continues to be successful in his studies and life and can continue to be the pride of his parents, siblings and all his family.
members proud.
As for Mohd Azikin, he explained that he is one of the holders of the Physically Handicapped (OKU) card, and shared that he could walk from childhood until the fifth grade, but had balance problems on his legs.
“It wasn’t until I was in Form Five that I fell in the toilet because I couldn’t walk and finally the doctor recommended that I use a cane or a wheelchair to this day.
“I feel very happy today because it is not easy for me to get from Tawau to Sarawak, I have to go through various means of transport such as having to take a plane from Tawau to Kota Kinabalu to Miri, from Miri take a bus to Mukah.
“I also did not expect to receive this award and feel grateful.
“In terms of constraints throughout my studying here, it is difficult to go to class and dormitory, I am thankful that I have friends who help me push the wheelchair to the department to attend class.
“In terms of communication, because I am a Sabahan, my language and my friends in Sarawak are also different but after a few days we were able to get along, we were able to adapt to the language and communicate well,” he added.
THANK YOU FRIENDS FOR PUSHING MY WHEELCHAIR
Azikin also appreciates all the help given by the people of Mukah Polytechnic during his studies there directly or indirectly, especially to all the lecturers and the two directors of Mukah Polytechnic who have been and are currently serving there.
In the meantime, Azikin also has words of encouragement and motivation for those out there who may be in the same situation or going through a difficult time in life.
“For me personally, I will not be discouraged as long as there is effort, we just do it and if we think it is difficult, we think that there are people who are in more difficult situation than us.
“In conjunction with Malaysia Day this week, Happy Malaysia Day to all friends and family, and for Sarawakians, thank you very much because Sarawakians are good people,” he explained.
In the meantime, Azikin also plans to find a permanent job or continue his studies to the next level if given the opportunity.
SOURCE OF INSPIRATION AND STRENGTH
For the head of Department of Information and Communication Technology Department (JTMK) PMU Aisyah Suhailla Jili, the 14th PMU Convocation Council Special Award which is the Inspiration Award was given to Mohd Azikin because he is an example and inspiration to other students.
“Besides having good academic achievements, he is also actively involved in programmes implemented at the departmental and polytechnic levels. The tenacity and high spirit he showed succeeded in proving that his physical condition is not an obstacle to achieving success.
“The highest appreciation is also given to Mohd Azikin’s friends for helping and facilitating his affairs throughout his studies at PMU.
“They have shown a very high spirit of friendship and I hope their bond of friendship continues to last. I pray that Mohd Azikin and the JTMK graduates who graduated today will continue to excel in whatever field they venture into and hopefully they will be able to utilise the knowledge, skills and experience they have gained throughout PMU for the community and the country,” he explained.
While for Azikin’s academic advisor, Jessie Selahat hopes that Azikin will be an inspiration to other similar students in overcoming obstacles to achieving success.
“Congratulations and well done to Mohd Azikin who received the 14th PMU Convocation Ceremony Special Award, the Inspiration Award. May all graduates continue to be successful in the job market and always progress in life,” she said.
