Kin of deceased graduates receive scrolls on their behalf at UniSZA convocation
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 2 — It was a bittersweet convocation recently at the Sultan Zainal Abidin University (UniSZA) in Kuala Terengganu, following the loss of two students earlier this year. And just hours before the graduation ceremony, a student's father passed away.
This resulted in representatives from each family filling in the shoes of their loved ones, going on stage to receive the scrolls which served as a remembrance for the families at the Sunday (Oct 30) ceremony.
Graduate Muhammad Hafiz Mokhtar, 27, shared with Kosmo that his father, Mokhtar Mat Isa died due to a heart attack at 1am on Sunday morning.
"My dad collapsed while we were staying at a homestay in Teluk Ketapang," Hafiz said.
"We immediately took him to a hospital; however, he passed away on the way there,” he added.
Although he was in grief, Hafiz gathered his strength to go on stage to receive his bachelor’s degree in social science.
According to Hafiz, his parents came all the way from Kampung Selayang Baru, Selangor just to attend his convocation.
"My late father was excited to attend as I am the first son in the family who managed to continue my studies in higher education," said Hafiz, who has five other siblings.
"He was so happy to visit some of the attraction spots in Terengganu. Little did we know that it was going to be our last memory together,” he added.
UniSZA also took to its official Facebook page to pay respects to two graduates who passed away in June and September.
Ahmad Zaidi Yusop, 53, had to fill in for his late son, Ahmad Danial Aiman who was to receive his diploma in industrial design.
According to Zaidi, Danial was helping him with his job as a lorry driver while waiting for the convocation.
However, Danial got into an accident in Selangor in September.
"My late son's wishes couldn’t be met after he passed away in that accident. He suffered multiple injuries after getting into a collision with a lorry,” Zaidi said.
He added that their whole family is saddened by the death of Danial as he was a role model to his siblings.
"We will keep this diploma in his memory. I imagine he would be happy if he was the one on stage picking up the scroll,” Zaidi said.
Md Isa Yaakob, 56, and wife Roslina Wahab also attended the convocation in memory of their daughter Nur Fadzielah, who died in June. They were joined by their other two daughters.
According to Md Isa, Nur Fadzielah passed away on June 19 after being admitted to the ICU on June 13.
"During her semester break, my daughter suffered a fall in the bathroom. She had a stroke and had to undergo continuous physiotherapy treatments.
"She had to postpone her studies last semester. Before being admitted to the ICU, she blacked out,” said Md Isa, a factory worker.
According to Md Isa, he and his family decided to attend the ceremony to receive his daughter’s diploma in nursing to show their appreciation and to pay their last respect to Nur Fadzielah.
"It’s kind of sad to see other families celebrating their children who graduated as we couldn’t. Our daughter’s passing is still felt by everyone in the family.
"However, I’m still proud of her achievements in nursing. She previously told me and my wife that she wanted us to attend her convocation,” Md Isa said.
Nur Fadzielah has five other siblings and has a twin sister who couldn’t attend the convocation due to work.
