Lecturer overcomes adversity to earn PhD

SERDANG: It was sheer grit and determination that enabled Dr Marzani Mohammad Yusop to complete his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) course.

First, tragedy struck when his eldest brother died of heart complications on Oct 1, 2019. Then Marzani, 45, himself was diagnosed with a heart ailment in December 2019.

The Taiping-born lecturer said after doctors inserted a stent to treat his heart problem, he had to go for regular check-ups at the National Heart Institute (IJN) in Kuala Lumpur.

“The death of my brother left a deep impact on me and my family. I lost the motivation to continue with my PhD studies in Public Health.

“My late brother wanted so much to see all his younger siblings complete their studies at the highest level possible and wanted one of us to get a PhD. Unfortunately, my brother did not get to see me graduate today,” he told Bernama after receiving his scroll at the 46th convocation of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) here yesterday.

He finally overcame his grief and used his late brother’s wish for him to get a PhD as his motivation to continue studying.

He said family support and guidance from his supervisor also helped him get through his PhD course.

“My advice to all youngsters who are still studying is not to give up no matter what the challenges. If you fall, pick yourself up and continue. God willing, there will be light at the end of the tunnel,” he said.

Marzani, who has four children, is now teaching at Institut Latihan Kementerian Kesihatan Sultan Azlan Shah in Ipoh, Perak.

Meanwhile, agronomy PhD holder Lee Kwee Tiong, 63, said he decided to further his studies to the highest level because he felt bored at home after retirement.

Lee, who was Felcra Berhad agriculture deputy director in the 90s, said it would have been a waste if he had just stayed idly at home after his retirement.

His last position was head of sourcing at Khazanah Nasional Berhad.

“I started my PhD journey in 2015. It is my passion to complete my studies from degree to PhD. I’m just thinking about travelling abroad after this,” said Lee, who has three children and two grandchildren.

The convocation ceremony will see a total of 5,688 people receiving their degrees and diplomas between last Saturday and Dec 2.