Kota Kinabalu: At 76, Saidatul Badru Mohd Said proved that age is no obstacle to learning as she received her Doctor of Philosophy by research during Universiti Malaysia Sabah’s (UMS) 26th Convocation Ceremony. A former Syariah lawyer from Kota Belud, Saidatul emphasised that her journey was driven by a passion for knowledge rather than recognition.
Saidatul, who is the elder sister of former Chief Minister Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak, expressed hope that her achievement would inspire others to pursue their educational dreams.
She underscored the importance of determination and prayer in achieving success. Although I am a grandmother, I never saw myself as old, even though I am,” she said. Age doesn’t matter when it comes to education, as long as you have the drive and willingness. Let’s keep working hard and focus on our studies without worrying about other distractions.”
With three children and three grandchildren, Saidatul chose to pursue a doctorate in history, inspired by her experiences in the Syariah Courts.
She had initially received an offer for a similar programme at the International Islamic University Malaysia (UIA) but opted for UMS to remain closer to her hometown.
When asked about her plans after completing her PhD, she intends to continue her work, albeit on a smaller scale.
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“Perhaps I’ll write a few books. My studies focused on history and politics, and I’d love to share my knowledge with others,” she said.
Meanwhile, a proud moment for sisters Siti Nasyitah Jaman, 27, and Siti Nafiah Jaman, 23, as they both graduated at the same time.
Siti Nasyitah earned her Master’s Degree in Science (Mathematics with Computer Graphics), while her younger sister, Siti Nafiah, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Science with Honours (Food Technology and Bioprocess).
The sisters expressed their joy and surprise at graduating simultaneously, as both faced unique challenges throughout their academic journeys.
For Siti Nasyitah, balancing full-time studies while working part-time was no easy feat.
“I had to carefully manage my time and energy to ensure I could fulfil both commitments. It was tough, but I’m thankful to have made it through,” she said.
Meanwhile, Siti Nafiah admitted that finding reliable partners for group assignments during her studies proved challenging. It was a struggle, but I learned to adapt and manage my work independently when needed,” she said.
Looking ahead, Siti Nasyitah is undecided about her next step.
“Continuing my studies requires financial stability. For now, I’m focusing on working first. However, I plan to consult my supervisor soon to explore options for pursuing a PhD,” she said.
As for Siti Nafiah, she is more inclined toward gaining professional certifications.
“I’m not planning to pursue a Master’s degree yet. Instead, I’m interested in technology-related courses, such as obtaining halal certification, which aligns with my interests and career goals,” she said.
The sisters, originally from Kota Belud and the fifth and seventh of nine siblings, credited their lecturers and supervisors for their success.
Siti Nasyitah extended her gratitude, saying, “I want to thank my lecturers and supervisor for their guidance, which helped me complete my Master’s degree.”
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