Academia: By choice or by chance.

Baseline Competencies for Differentiated Career Pathway

I was thankful to Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and UTM Lead for providing us with a very informative course. Obviously, this was possible because UTM Lead provide a powerful line up for the new academia in UTM. Not only that, the session actually trigger and allow us to go back to our memory land and reflect the reason why we choose to be here. Why we have #dnautm #UTMdna

In this particular post, i would like to highlight the utmost overwhelm question for me to reflect during the Soul of Academia in Higher Education workshop. This question was given by Prof Rose, a very warm professor who always grace us with her sweet and loving gestures. Academia, by choice or by chance?. I have to pause for a moment. Stammered by the questions. Obviously, in my heart i would screaming that i am an academia by choice, however, it is impossible to deny the existence of ‘by chance’. Hence, i would like to bring us all in my journey to become who i am today.

About me

I am now a senior lecturer in Physics Education, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. I was brought up in depot police. My father was policeman and my mom is a nurse. My family background was an ordinary people, we neither have extravagant education background nor lavish lifestyle. I am lucky to have an awesome parents who did their best to provide me with education. Initially, when i was kid, my parents live in Endau Mersing, but because my father want to provide a better education, he applied for a transfer to Johor Bahru. So, i went to SK Taman Pelangi, SMK Taman Pelangi, SA Polis Depoh, SA Taman Pelangi, Sek. Tun Fatimah. I furthered my study in Johor Matriculation, then pursuing my bachelor and doctorate in Physics, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.

Sekolah Agama Polis Depoh

I remembered vividly when i was in Sekolah Agama Polis Depoh, 1998. My Ustazah (a teacher) was telling a story, its simply a story to emphasize the importance of respecting the teacher. This one man, A who was late for a meeting. He have to walk in a very narrow road that can only fit one person. As he rushed to walk, he met an old man in front of him. If i am A, i would simply say sorry to the old man and pass by him. However, A choose to walks patiently behind an old man. A was saying that, this particular old man was his teacher. Can u guess what kind of teacher this old man was? Actually, this old man only taught him (let say) the alphabet of M, only the alphabet of M. Regardless of the size of ilm or knowledge A had learned from the old man, A successfully demonstrated his massive respect for his teacher.

That strikes me and amazed me in so many ways. Since that, i want to be the one whom appreciate and value my teachers, even if he/she simply taught me how to use the photocopy machine. We never knew, whatever we learn from that someone will benefit us in this world or hereafter.

Dr. Nina in Majalah Kawan

I do not know whether it is related, but perhaps, as a kid, we love to read this comic. Whenever i had a chance to go to Kedai Apek (a Chinese uncle), i will definitely look forward to this KAWAN comic ( i do not really have money to buy the comic, so i merely read it in the store). Initially, i read the comics, just because it have Dr. Nina section and we share the same name. However i started to fall in love with the character. Dr Nina section actually promoted the positive value and the passion of Dr. Nina to serve her people. Since that, i make dua that i could be that kind of Dr. Nina.

I hate Physics

When I was a form 4 student, I really hate physics. I don’t understand why I should learn physics. It was only five physics topics at that time, but it caused me my life. Encik Jamal, my teacher at that time tried his very best to teach us on the beauty of physics but I am in denial to understand the whole concepts of physics. I remember vividly that I wish to not see physics anymore. However, a year later, when I was transferred to the first class of the form 5, it gives me total different perspectives. I would never forget the advice Encik Jamal had given to me, ‘You need to love the teacher first, then the knowledge will come after you’. Amazingly, in this class, student appreciate the teacher and put a high value to the teacher. I wonder why? with the same physics teacher I can learn better when I was form 5 compared to form 4. I strongly believe i was influenced by the class environment. Most of my classmates love to critics and comment on the teacher, hence- the environment is neither encouraging nor positive. Whilst in my form 5, my classmate never says anything bad about the teacher and they appreciate the teacher. I witness and experience myself on the effects of environment towards the learning process. I just wished that i am someone who can create a positive environment for the learning.

Rebellious Student

When I was in my second year of my bachelor of Physics. We had to combine the two section for the whole semester. The class was so packed with students and I couldn’t focus. The other reason because the lecturer was too busy reading and explaining the theoretical part. Basically, the teaching was more onto teacher centered learning. He just read and taught whatever he wanted to without really seeing the students. I became rebellious and I started to sit at the very end of my class- watching Korean drama using my laptop. Rude. Yes, I am. I totally forgot about the concept of valuing the teacher and respect them. My attitudes showed that i did not appreciate my teacher. At that time, what going into my mind was, the teacher should do something to make the learning meaningful. When it is not happen the way i wish, i distract myself with things that capture my interest. Anyway, I used to get a good results for my exam, so i think, it wont affect much on the result. Unfortunately, not this time around. Once, I have gotten my final results, I realize that I got D. Honestly, getting D is like an eye opener for me. I realize something, to be a good learner you need the teacher blessing. Its not merely about myself. I shouldn’t be such a rude student. I should be more proactive and inform the teacher about my opinions on the class. So, at least all of us can have win win situation.

Awesome Teachers throughout My Journey

Being a rebellious student , i have now understand the consequences. I am now appreciate my teachers more than before. Not only that, i hope I could be more proactive in the learning session, so that everyone can benefit from the learning process. Academia is the most awesome way and i really wish i could be an academician whom inspire my student to be the best version of themselves. I would list among the awesome person that I belief have become the reason academia is my choice

1. Faridah Binti Abdullah– My mother, she is the one who is always grateful for everything, she will appreciate all my teacher better than i do the appreciation. Hence, she is the reason why i believe on the concept of giving. She give all her heart, for me to receive ajr. Hence, i want to be giving more and more.
2. Nawi bin Tahir-He will do whatever it takes to give proper education for me, he will help me to go to the bookstore just because he wants to ensure that i can have my exercise book for me to excel in my SPM. Hence, he shows how he value the education and wants me to do my best in my education.
3. Ustazah Zaleha-She shows that learning can be so interesting. Despite her physical limitation, hence she use to sit during our Agama lessons, but she ensure that we learn effectively throughout the session, where she provide wonderful storytelling and analogy on the subject, in which we could use our imagination to understand the topics.
4. Cikgu Koh Mui Ing– I remember, my math was insanely bad. I was in SK Taman Pelangi. We are among the under performance school in Johor. However, the way she treated us was amazing, she ain’t the typical teacher, she kinda hilarious. She will use all her body to show what will happen to us if we are not doing good in our study. Balik kampung, tanam jagung, Malu sajaaaa! and so many words. I really enjoyed the session, and because of that i simply excel in my Math. She show me what a dedicated and passionate teacher should be.
5. Cikgu Hamidah– She is so motherly and always provides a lot of advises. She show that every student need to build a good relationship with the teacher. The student will make dua for the teacher and vice verse.
6. Cikgu Jamilah– She show that every teacher should do something. She help me to see the different perspective in life. There’s a time, we complained to her about teacher F who did not have empathy in class and how frustrated we are. Cikgu Jamilah answer was very simple, get to know your teacher background, understand your teacher and perceive her. She said that teacher F did not have kids, so she may having a hard time to deliver in the way we wish for. Definitely a different perspective for me.
7. Cikgu Shalini– her dedication to help me improving my English was mind blowing. I am not good in English, i was bad. Cikgu Shalini never taught me English, she is never my official english teacher but she willing to read my essay and help me to correct all the grammatical error that i have. Read all the bad essay and still motivated me to do a better essay. She shows me the real definition of a teacher.
8. Cikgu Nora Awang– Remember that i say about my English. it was terribly bad, but probably because i love to put quotes, proverbs in my essay ( we are below average schools in Johor) i manage to get A for my English subject (PMR). I am then offered to enter STF. However, how i am gonna perform in my SPM. Cikgu Nora was my English for Science and Technology Teacher. She kinda like my Great Teacher Nora (GTN). She will stay every Tuesday evening to help me with plural, singular, past tense, and so many more. It is not easy for her to help me. Most of my sentences was marked red. Nevertheless, she dedicated and committed to help me improve my English. I manage to secure A1 for my English, but i can only gave her B4 for EST. Still she is beyond happy with my achievement. She inspire me to keep writing in English despite the struggle to write in a right way.
9. Prof Jalil Ali– In university, I have a brief time with lecturer, most of the time i will busy with palapes and programmes. However, Prof Jalil is the lecturer who always take a good care of his students. He make sure we understand about the subject he taugh us. He provide feedback for us to improve. He provide a platform for us to try something new. I believe Prof Jalil is a figura whom open the door for me to explore myself.
10. En. Rahim Omar– This man surely know how to teach physics in amazing way. En Rahim way of teaching is not typical. He will explain physics using movie. Spiderman, God must be crazy. Not only that, he described us the physics in sports, rugby, golf and etc. He shows us, to make people love physics, he has to love it first. Valla! i love physics because of him. Physics is no longer an abstract!
11. ~I wish to wrote many more abut the people i met in UTM, whether academic staff, administrator staff and my fellow friends from Palapes Bach 19, UTM Toastmasters Club, SSZians, Akhawat Postgraduate and so many more! lets do it for another post ya!

Academia by Choice

So many more people that i consider ‘teacher’ throughout my journey and most of my teacher did not carry the title of teacher, but they certainly give huge impact in my decision to join academia. Because of all the amazing persona i have met in this life, i choose to continue my study and opt to be an academician. I believe, academia allow me to contribute and giving back, these inspiring ‘teacher’ in my life help me to pursue my career in UTM.

In BC4DCP, our group was given a task to list the reason why academia is our choice. Hence, we come up with meter to show why we opt to be an academia. I remember, when i was looking for a job, i voice out my plan to be a cashier in a mall, while waiting for job. My mentor responses strikes me, she said- please do something for me to contribute in my field, the responsibilities that i should carry over the scholarship i have received. Since then, i always think about it and i hope i will carry the responsibilities that Malaysia and UTM have given me.

My Mentor in Life

There numbers of mentors that i really appreciate as it gives me a lot of advice along my journey. But for now, i listed only three. There are not my subject lecturer, they are not in my field of study- but by chance, Allah allow me to meet these amazing mentor and i choose to learn from them. Why? because these amazing people go beyond ordinary life to dedicate their time, energy and money. They never separate the academia, family and their life. The integrate everything and bring the best of it. They inspire and guide me to work smart and efficient.

Assoc Prof Dr Fatin Aliah Phang and Dr. Jaysuman

They are the real definition of an influencer. They influence so many people throughout their live whether for this life or hereafter. They help us to brush up our potential. I am never good on stage, So, Dr Jay or i frequently called him as Bro Jay help me to improve my skills in making poster and run on the ground program. He give me freedom and allow me to create poster. (despite my limitation- computer, software, idea, creativity) He trust me to run an event and to do so many more. Trust, that is what an academia should do to their future generation.

Dr Fatin, this amazing lady. What more i can tell about her. She is the amazing person i have ever met. I always seek for her advice. Before she give any advice, she will listen attentively about our issues and give her wise feedback. She knows the best way to deliver task according to the ability of her staff. I use to be her researcher and she always and always allow me to make my own decision. She give me opportunities to challenge myself in doing so many things. She is the reason i can explore the academia world.

Both of them devoted their life to the deen. At the same time, they bring us to be with them in their journey. They never left us behind. Dr Fatin used her valuable time to taught us about research methodology. She is not my official lecturer subject, but her passion to serve and give back to the people. What amazing things is, she knows what we need the most, hence she help us with our academics as postgraduate students and provide wisdom advice that suit our condition.

Prof. Dr. Nor Haniza Sarmin

She is doing outstanding job as an advisor of UTM Toastmasters Club, i have to say. She always thinks ahead, she is meticulous, she reads thoroughly, always provides fruitful feedback and still being critical for our club or individual improvement. Despite her hectic schedule, she always be responsible in her duty,not to forget, she is very fast to respond to any query. Busy and overlook will never be ‘her response’.

I remember i ask her, how she do everything effectively. Her answer is, she have kinda 40 hours a day. kidding! ahha, She told me to make sure i have a good sleep. At least 5 hours a day. These are among her valuable wisdom;

1. If we make time for others insyaAllah Allah will make time for us.
2. If we make it easy for others insyaAllah Allah will make it easy for us
3. And if not for us may be for our family
4. And always remember that we are not alone in this world 
5. When there is a will there is a way

What now!

As an academician in UTM, i am overwhelmed with numbers of KPI to be achieved. Not only that, we have to excel in every field. I am struggling, but because UTM continuously organized very amazing workshops, courses and programmes to help the young academics, i am in awe. I am forever grateful for the opportunities to learn and improve myself throughout the year in UTM. I am also grateful for the help and advice from everyone in UTM, be it academic staff and administrative staffs. Anything in UTM is a team effort. We have to work hand in hand.

Hence my plan are as follows;

1. Say Yes to every opportunities -Just take it and make the best of it
2. Build network- widening access
3. Be sincere
4. Be smart ( work smart and not hard)
5. Enjoy my journey to the fullest- make it fun
6. Academician& Researcher- Enjoy and chill up – make it worthwhile
7. Think beyond my own perspective, be curious and passionate to produce knowledge based on intellectual.
8. Strategic planning in everything (work- team member- executing work)
9. Learn-Learn and Learn. Do research-its the principles of academician
10. Never give up
11. Stay focus and work in a team.
12. Synergy and not silo.
13. Do not be rigid and saturated
14. Be resourceful- Find the right source
15. Be humble

I guess, these are the plan that i will execute in my journey as an academician. All these input will help me to soar high and yet, allow me to firmly anchors my soul as academicians. Ameen.

Thank you Prof Rose for your insightful workshop and for giving this assignment. It tremendously help me to look back and reflect what can i improve to make sure that i have the soul of academia. Hopefully, i become one of the UTMians whom able to build the future generations that have marvelous achievement in academics, sahsiah and the deen. #utmdna