Deputy Works Minister Ahmad Maslan receives his PhD after four years of study, while a former SOSMA detainee also graduates with a master’s degree.
SINTOK: Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Maslan received his Doctor of Philosophy in Communication at Universiti Utara Malaysia’s 38th convocation ceremony.
The 59-year-old was among 879 graduates honoured during the second session, which was conferred by the Raja Muda of Kedah, Tengku Sarafudin Badlishah Sultan Sallehuddin.
Ahmad expressed gratitude for completing his PhD after four challenging years, thanking his family, lecturers, supervisors and friends.
“Today’s convocation is truly historic for me and my family,” he told reporters after the ceremony.
He described the COVID-19 pandemic as his main challenge, requiring him to attend online classes while fulfilling his responsibilities as an elected representative.
“My challenge during COVID-19 was having to attend online classes,” he explained.
“When travelling to my constituency, sometimes I had to stop at R&R areas just to join lectures.”
Ahmad revealed he scored A+ in both Research Methodology and Academic Writing subjects during his studies.
His PhD research focused on government communication in relation to the Goods and Services Tax.
Meanwhile, former Security Offences detainee Mohd Razin Razali also received his Master of Science in Management during the same session.
The 35-year-old, who was detained under SOSMA in 2022 and freed last April after being found not guilty, expressed gratitude for completing his studies.
“I am grateful to UUM for helping me achieve my dreams and to the Prisons Department for allowing me to continue my studies,” Mohd Razin said.
He acknowledged facing challenges including limited access to academic references while detained.
“I studied outside the campus and did not have access to the library, but I received help from my supervisor,” he added.
Mohd Razin said his determination to prove that inmates could still have aspirations motivated him to complete his studies successfully.
He plans to pursue a PhD in the same field.
A total of 6,832 graduates will receive their degrees across nine sessions of the convocation ceremony running until November 13. – Bernama
