Few months ago, my former student who works at Kolej Matrikulasi Pontian messaged me asking for my assistance to prepare an interview for HLP. It has been a while since he went for the interview. No news. So, I messaged him asking if he heard any news about it. He said that he did not get the scholarship. He sounded sad.
I remind him that Allah has the best plan for him. Perhaps now is not the best time for him to further his study abroad, far away from his mom. She suffered a minor stroke last year and is still on medication and has to undergo physiotherapy on regular basis. To leave an ailing mom in Malaysia while you are far away in a foreign country is not easy. I had been there. I had decided to quit my PhD after my dad passed away in 2009. I felt hopeless.
But, Alhamdulillah, at that time I had my late mom, family and friends who gave me strong supports when I needed it most. So, I persevered until I finished my PhD in 2012. I never told this story to any of my students. But he is the first one to know. Well, of course I simplify the story because I don’t want him to think too much about the possibility of such thing to happen to him.
To Z, the best timing will come sooner or later. I always pray for you to be one of young academicians who will make difference in our future generations lives in Malaysia. You are one of the gems.