| Universiti Putra Malaysia

Failed SPM yet attained Masters

By Nurul Amiraa Mohamed Rasic

 

 SERDANG, 29 Oct – “In order to prove that I can be as successful as my other siblings in academics, I braved myself to retake the Malaysian Education Certificate (SPM) in 1997 after failing it in 1996,” said Zulkifly Rizal Isfahani, a graduate from Cheras.

 

As a result of his efforts and persistence, Zulkifly, 39, received Master of Remote Sensing and Geographical Information Systems, Faculty of Engineering at the 42nd Convocation Ceremony of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) here.

 

“Although older, especially the big age gap between me and other classmates, I was determined to study properly and further my studies to a higher level,” he said.

 

The youngest of three siblings said, after successfully passing his SPM retest, he was able to continue his pre-university science education at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) and subsequently continued Diploma in Quantity Surveying at UiTM Perlis.

 

“I had to face challenges in the course of my studies especially with regard to people’s perception, for studying at an old age,” he said.

 

During the course of his masters at UPM, he had to look after his pregnant wife while working full time at the Kuala Lumpur City Council (DBKL) and at the same time complete his thesis to graduate.

 

“These are some sacrifices that had to be made. However, the fruit yielded is my graduation today witnessed by my family, wife and kids,” he said. He hopes to continue his doctoral degree in the same field next year.  

 

He said that he is grateful and happy to have completed his masters on time while receiving the Best Student Award for the program at diploma level. He was also in the Dean’s List thrice at the undergraduate level. - UPM

SXDdUAZ~