DETERMINATION, FAMILY SUPPORT HELP BLIND UM LECTURER COMPLETE PHD

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 30 (Bernama) -- Determination and family support helped a blind Universiti Malaya (UM) senior lecturer finish his doctorate on time in the face of various challenges.

Dr Noorilham Ismail, 35, who is currently assigned to the university’s History, Literature and Social Science Faculty, said the process of completing his thesis entitled “The United States’ involvement in the Falklands War 1982-1983”, which studied the US foreign policy under the Reagan administration, in a period of three years was not an easy task.

“To write, I can use Microsoft and software but the technical parts like footnotes and bibliography requires attention. That’s where my wife helped a lot,” he told reporters after receiving his doctorate at UM’s 66th convocation ceremony yesterday.

He shared that his wife, Zarifah Arsani, 31, a housewife with an academic background in history, also accompanied him throughout his month-long research visits to the archives in Washington DC, Maryland, London and Cambridge.

Noorilham, the second of three siblings from Felda Lok Heng Selatan in Kota Tinggi, Johor, also said that financial constraints were an initial challenge to his doctorate studies.

“I started with my own savings. Then I got the Sasakawa Fellowship from Tokyo Foundation,  and Human Resources Minister Steven Sim covered my expenses, accommodation and several other needs while I was in the US,” he said.

Noorilham also thanked his mother, Salimah Kasim, who always supported him ever since he lost his sight due to a fever when he was eight years old, adding that he was inspired by former UM lecturers who were also visually impaired.

Meanwhile, Sim shared that the assistance he rendered was part of the effort to ensure equal access to higher education was given to all, especially those facing specific challenges.

He covered Nooriham’s research costs in the US of RM15,000, and also provided aid of RM1,000 a month till the doctorate was completed.

“This Felda settler’s son (Nooriham) had his Master’s application rejected due to his blindness, but today he can stand proud after receiving his doctorate from the UM chancellor, Sultan Nazrin Shah. 

“Ilham and his wife had a hard life, there wasn’t enough to eat, they had to make do every day, but today he’s a lecturer at UM.

“Not only his salary is good but he has promised to be a great teacher and educate our next generation, regardless of race and religion. I’m really very proud,” Sim said, adding that Nooriham’s success proved that talent and capabilities should not be stopped by constraints.

At yesterday’s convocation, Noorilham also received gifts of appreciation, including a branded headphones set, a Manchester United football jersey and a bouquet of flowers.

-- BERNAMA