Every morning when I wake up, I feel an overwhelming sense of enthusiasm for my work. I once came across a saying—perhaps I read it somewhere or heard it from someone—that goes: “Love whatever you do, as long as it does not break any rules or boundaries.” Indeed, I truly love my career as an academician. Back in my school days, I believed the main role of a lecturer was simply to deliver lectures to university students. While that might have been true many years ago, times have changed, and so have the roles and responsibilities of academics. Looking back now, I realize why I love my work so much: it is the culture of knowledge and vibrant atmosphere on campus that makes me passionate about working at the university.
Where else can you find such a dynamic environment? The campus feels like a city where everyone is engaged in discussions about knowledge. Students learn across different faculties and disciplines, researchers conduct experiments in laboratories, and academics participate in countless intellectual activities.
Each morning, I stop by a campus café to get my coffee. As soon as the café opens, you can already feel the energy: students working on assignments, supervisors guiding their students, and groups discussing projects while enjoying their drinks. It is the perfect blend of caffeine and curiosity. When I deliver lectures, I ensure that I am not the only one speaking. I walk around the classroom, spark discussions, pose questions, and encourage students to share their insights. This two-way communication fosters a richer learning experience, and I truly appreciate every single response from my students. At the same time, I remind them about the importance of balance, as knowledge, skills, and attitudes must grow together. Sometimes I make mistakes, and my students correct me, enriching the entire experience through mutual learning.
During my free time, I visit the library to keep myself updated with the latest knowledge, ensuring that what I share with students remains relevant. Back in my university days, the library was always crowded, especially during exam weeks. Today, the digital generation often prefers online platforms, e-books, and other digital resources. Yet, I still see some students studying in the library, which reminds me of my own student years. Schools and parents should bring children to explore the university library, where librarians are always happy to explain the facilities. Many universities even offer library memberships to outsiders, especially school students.
Sometimes, my postgraduate students and I meet at campus cafés for discussions. Many members of the university community can be seen enjoying meals or coffee while exchanging ideas. Beyond that, knowledge-sharing sessions such as webinars, seminars, and colloquia take place almost daily, both online and in person. Everyone discusses knowledge in various fields, and I deeply cherish those vibes.
Each faculty, with its unique discipline, not only imparts knowledge but also equips students with essential skills and professional ethics. The university ecosystem emphasizes academics, research, and holistic development. Students conduct research with real-world impact, supported by research institutes and laboratories.
The campus mosque also plays a vital role. Beyond being a place of worship, it organizes tazkirah, religious classes, leadership programs, and spiritual activities for staff and students. Writing and publishing are integral aspects of university life as well. Academics and students produce books and journals, and the university bookstore proudly sells scholarly works by its own community. In the evenings, students and staff gather around the campus lake or stadium to relax, jog, or exercise, maintaining both their mental and physical well-being.
I write this as motivation for all school students: education should always come first. It is a lifelong process. The former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon that can change the world.” You can be an influencer, but there is a difference between a knowledgeable influencer and one who is not. As the Qur’an reminds us, “Are those who know equal to those who do not know? Indeed, it is the people of understanding who receive a lesson.” (Az-Zumar: 9). These words are engraved on the iconic main gate of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM).
All these activities create the atmosphere of a “city of knowledge,” an ecosystem where learning, research, spirituality, and well-being coexist. Day or night, the pursuit of knowledge never stops at the university.
Associate Professor Dr. Abdul Halim Abdullah
Faculty of Educational Sciences and Technology
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia