SERDANG: Teary-eyed K. Umaa Saraswathy, 27, wished that her mother could have witnessed her receiving her Masters scroll during the Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) 45th convocation ceremony here today.
She had lost her father just two months back, and her mother is ill and unable to attend the ceremony.
"But I know my parents will be proud of my achievement today.
"I finally reached my childhood goals after years of struggle. This is all worth it," she told newsmen when met after the convocation ceremony.
She graduated with a Masters in Corporate Communication.
Her path to complete her masters was nothing less than difficult as she had to manage her family and at the same time work and complete her studies.
After completing her degree, she secured a job as a corporate communications practitioner and soon after, she took the opportunity to further her studies.
The first semester, she had to commute by four different forms of public transportation to get from her workplace in Bukit Bintang to the UPM campus here.
The remaining three semesters were done online, but she also had to juggle her work and family commitments.
"At one point, my aunt passed away and I had to manage her funeral. At the same time, I also had to fulfil my assignment submissions.
"For work, since lesser people were working due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the workload had increased.
"That was my most challenging period as I have to juggle all these.
"But these challenges have made me stronger," she said.
She hopes that she can pursue her doctorate and take care of her mother to alleviate their family's burden.
A total of 6,142 graduates will receive their degrees at UPM's 45th convocation ceremony this year.
The convocation, was the second event held physically since the Covid-19 pandemic, with the first held just two months ago.
The convocation will be held until March 24 at the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Cultural and Arts Centre (PKKSSAAS) here.