It was a moment of deep sadness and extreme pride for 56-year-old Yatim Ahmad when he accepted a diploma on behalf of his son, Yusra, at Universiti Teknologi Mara’s (UiTM) 74th convocation.
Yatim said his son, 25, had battled with health problems while pursuing his dream of obtaining a diploma in Sports Science, but managed to complete the course before he died at their home in the Kedah Regional Development Authority (KEDA) housing area, Langkawi, on March 8.
The Langkawi Health Centre staff who attended the convocation ceremony with his wife Kalsum Daud, 52, and youngest son, Rasul, 19, said Yusra suffered from lymphoma cancer since he enrolled in UiTM Arau over two years ago.
“My son had been in love with sports since his schooldays and he was also a rugby player for Kedah when he studied at Sultan Abdul Hamid College in Alor Setar,” he said today.
He said Yusra’s profound interest in sports led to the third child of four children to take up diploma studies in Sports Science at UiTM Arau, where he represented the campus in various sports including rugby and handball.
Yatim said Yusra, who was diagnosed with the cancer in 2009, received treatment at Tuanku Fauziah Hospital (HTF), for three months before being transferred to Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital (HSB) in Alor Setar for a month and then referred to Langkawi Hospital.
A total of 834 UiTM Perlis graduands received their degrees and diplomas at the convocation held at the Perlis campus today.
The scrolls were presented by UiTM pro-chancellor Dr Abdul Rahman Arshad.
– Bernama
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