Cheerful chatter, camera clicks, and warm hugs filled the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur from 3 to 7 May. It was our 29th Convocation!
Among our amazing graduates was drama actor Mohamad Azhan bin Mohamad Ramlan, who both produced and acted in the drama Hassan Limau. He graduated with a Bachelor of Marketing with Honours.
Azhan shared, “This convocation means a lot to me. After more than 3 years as a student, I finally have the degree I’ve always dreamed of. Who would have thought? I once told my wife that getting an A grade in school was like a miracle. But with OUM’s flexible learning system, I earned many A’s. Anyone can do it with discipline and determination.”
He also thanked the Shah Alam Learning Centre for their support. “I’ll never forget the kindness of the Director, Mr Ramash Ananth, and his team. Their encouragement helped me reach this stage.”
Also joining the celebration were a former prison inmate who made history as Malaysia’s first ex-prisoner to complete a PhD behind bars, two senior citizens who earned a Lifelong Learning Award, and three current prison inmates who studied behind bars.
M.Y., 38, who had spent 23 years in prison, graduated with a PhD (Business Administration). His journey from being illiterate in prison to completing SPM, STPM, and then his Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD is truly inspiring.
Now, he runs a small farm in Batang Kali and dreams of helping other ex-inmates. “I want to empower them to be better. Even if I can only help a few, it’s enough. My goal is to create entrepreneurs, not just workers.”
Of the two senior citizens, one is Yusof Haron, 73, a grandfather of 25 from Manjung, who couldn’t study when he was young due to family finances. “But Alhamdulillah, I was able to send all my children to university. Once they succeeded, I thought it was my turn. So, I started studying in 2010,” he said.
Despite vision problems, Yusof earned a Master of Islamic Studies and received the award, which goes to high achievers over 65.
The other awardee, Tang Tung Khing, 79, from Sibu, graduated with a Bachelor of Communication with Honours. He shared, “My three children’s success inspired me. Older people should keep learning. OUM gives everyone a chance, no matter their age or background. That made all the difference for me.”
Three Kajang Prison inmates also graduated. One earned a Bachelor of Business Administration with Honours, while the other two received a Diploma in Management. Said the bachelor’s degree graduate, “I didn’t want to waste my time in prison. My whole family is educated. I started a diploma before jail but didn’t finish. When I found out I could study here, I took the chance.”
A total of 7,915 students graduated at the convocation, which included eight OUM staff:
- Dr Azlina Abdul Aziz & Dr Bibi Nabi Ahmad Khan
Faculty of Business and Management – PhD in Business Administration - Normala Umar
Group Legal & Secretarial – Master of Management - Siti Zuria Awang
Group Marketing – Master of Management - Suziati Kamarudin
Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities – Master of Counselling - Dr Md Rosli Ismail
Faculty of Education – Postgraduate Diploma in Islamic Studies - Muhaijah Maskor
Batu Pahat Learning Centre – Bachelor of Business Administration with Honours - Mohamad Mundzir Mohamad Saodi
Centre for Learner Affairs – Bachelor of Psychology with Honours
The 29th Convocation was more than just about giving out scrolls – it was about breaking barriers and proving it’s never too late to learn, grow, and change your life.
