Double joy for family as siblings graduate together
JOHOR BARU: It was a double joy for Norhafizah Mohd Hanapiah when she and her brother Mohamed Taufek graduated together after completing their studies for master’s degrees at University Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) here.
Mother of three Norhafizah, 34, said that she initially hesitated to do the programme as she was busy taking care of her children aged four to eight.
“I never thought of continuing my studies as I was already busy dealing with work and my family but seeing my brother so keen on getting his Master of Science (Urban and Regional Planning) motivated me to do the same,” she said.
She said her husband and parents gave their full support for her to pursue her Master in Educational Technology in 2014.
“It was never easy to study while being a mother and a wife at the same time, but thankfully my parents, who are both retirees, had offered to take care of my children while I completed the course,” said the administrative officer, adding that she also took two years leave from work when she registered as a full-time student.
Mohamed Taufek, the youngest in the family, said that he has always wanted to inspire his siblings to pursue their studies regardless of their family status or age.
“Seeing my sister who is married with three children completing her master’s with me is something I am very proud of,” he said, adding that he has already started on his PhD in the same course.
They were among the 5,467 graduates who attended the three-day convocation ceremony held at Dewan Sultan Iskandar beginning Saturday.
Seeing my sister who is married with children completing her master’s with me is something I am very proud of. Mohamed Taufek Mohd Hanapiah