I have been planning to write my first post here for almost a year but only now I finally have the opportunity to do it. My name is Noor Khairin Nawwarah binti Khalid but you can just call me Nawwar.
I was raised in Terengganu and before coming to Johor Bahru I spent more than ten years living in Melaka. I rarely came here and I had no family members or close friends in Johor Bahru. When fate destined me to be here, it was not easy in the beginning. I felt out of place and a little lonely. However, with the support of my husband, my family and most importantly the new friends I met at work, things became better. Their encouragement and kindness helped me adjust, and over time Johor Bahru began to feel less like a strange city and more like a place where I could truly belong.
My academic journey has been meaningful and fulfilling. I earned my PhD in Communication from Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia in 2023, supported by a scholarship from Yayasan Terengganu. Before that I completed my Master of Human Science in Communication in 2017 and my Bachelor of Human Science in English Language and Literature with a minor in Communication (Honours) in 2013, both at IIUM. Each stage shaped me not just as a student but as a person who learned to value persistence, patience and passion for knowledge.
I have been teaching for almost seven years now and UTM is my fourth IPT. Here I serve as a Communication and Language lecturer, particularly for the Master of Language in Communication and Digital Culture programme, and I also teach Professional Communication Skills courses for undergraduate students. My career path before UTM brought me to UiTM Alor Gajah Melaka, Kolej Antarabangsa Yayasan Melaka and MSU College Kuala Terengganu. Along the way, I have guided many postgraduate students in their theses, research and articles because I believe that the more knowledge I share, the more I grow as an educator.
I have also always enjoyed building connections with professionals across universities and industries. At present, I collaborate with people from entertainment, health, agriculture, manufacturing, corporate communication and several other industries. These interactions keep me grounded, reminding me that the skills and knowledge we nurture in classrooms must always remain relevant and practical.
Outside of work, I find joy in my passions. I collect unique collectibles, shop for handbags and shoes, explore good food with my loved ones and my biggest love is travelling. So far, I have been blessed to visit 23 countries and I hope to add more to the list. For me, these experiences are not just leisure, they keep me inspired and happy. And when I am happy, I am more productive and more present with my students.
This belief ties back to the UTM logo, “Kerana Tuhan Untuk Manusia.” To serve others sincerely, we must first nurture ourselves. Happiness, balance and gratitude allow me to give the best of myself to my students, colleagues and the wider community. When I step into the classroom, I want my students to feel that they are not only receiving knowledge but also energy, motivation and care from a lecturer who is grounded and joyful.
As I begin this new chapter with UTM, I hope to grow alongside my students and colleagues and to contribute meaningfully to this community. I believe every step in my journey has led me here and I look forward to seeing how my story continues to unfold at UTM.
With Love,
NKN
