| Universiti Putra Malaysia

Past failures as driving force to complete studies in Mathematics field

By: Nurul Qamarina Azli

SERDANG, Jan 11— Having failed multiple times before did not deter Siti Nur Shafila Che Kamaruzaman, 26, to finally complete her studies in Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Mathematics at the 44th Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) convocation ceremony here.

Despite her interest in Mathematics, Siti Nur Shafila was surrounded by challenges, in addition to the fact that she had failed the course twice. She had doubted herself if she should continue her studies in this field.

According to her, it was the advice from her family and the trust she had in her own ability that had made her decide to continue her studies despite having to extend the period of study for another year.

"I spent a lot of time with my lecturers and academic assistants not only because I wanted to improve my ability but also because they were my friends at UPM," she said.

Among the challenges she had to face were being hospitalised for a month while she was completing her final year project and the fact that her family had to come from Kelantan and stay at a relative's house to just help her travel from the hospital to the faculty.

The bitterness in overcoming all the hurdles ended with a sweet success when her final year project was published with the help of a lecturer. Now she is waiting for a call to become a teaching staff at a matriculation centre.

She advised students to have a good relationship with God and family and to believe in their own ability and destiny because there is always a rainbow waiting. – UPM

SXEURAn~