JOHOR BAHRU, Nov 16 – In an inspiring display of determination, resilience, and academic excellence, Dr. Yang Shuang, a 34-year-old doctoral student from Guizhou Province, China, has successfully completed her PhD in Teaching English as a Second Language under the Faculty of Educational Sciences and Technology (FEST) in just five semesters, earning the distinction of Graduate Before Time. Her outstanding achievements have been further recognised with three major honours: the Best Postgraduate Student Award from the School of Graduate Studies (SPS), the Best Thesis Award from FEST, and an exceptional Grade A for her viva voce, a testament to the quality, depth, and originality of her research.

For Dr. Yang, whose academic journey spans multiple countries and two master’s degrees, one from China and another from the United Kingdom, this milestone represents far more than academic success. It reflects a deeply personal commitment to growth, courage, and purposeful learning. “My family has always valued education,” she shared, “and that belief has shaped my long-term interest in pursuing further studies.”

Dr. Yang Shuang began her PhD in March 2023, a point in her life when many around her believed it might be too late to embark on such a rigorous path. Yet, she saw it differently. With a mature sense of clarity and a renewed passion for language education, she decided it was the right moment to pursue a long-held goal. “This stage of my life gave me greater clarity about what I truly want. Continuing my studies allowed me to fulfil an aspiration I carried for many years,” she said.

Her journey, however, was not without challenges. While her supervisor, Dr. Wan Nur Asyura Wan Adnan from the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (FSSH), Kuala Lumpur, strongly encouraged her to pursue her dreams and use education as a platform for personal transformation, her parents and friends were initially concerned. “They worried because the path I chose is one that not many would have the courage to take,” Dr. Yang recalled. “But their concern eventually became a source of strength for me.”

Despite these uncertainties, Dr. Yang flourished in UTM’s intellectually stimulating environment. She recalls with fondness the countless evenings spent in deep discussions with her peers, conversations that continually broadened her worldview and refined her academic thinking. One moment stands out vividly: a midnight research discussion with her colleague, Dr. Zhang, that helped her overcome a major conceptual obstacle. “That night, the Twin Towers were shining so bright, yet the sky felt so quiet as I walked back from the KL student lounge. It was in those moments of solitude and breakthroughs that I felt everything was truly worthwhile.”

Balancing academic expectations with personal responsibilities proved to be her greatest challenge. Yet Yang overcame this through disciplined planning, self-reflection, and the willingness to reach out for help whenever necessary. “I realised that progress matters more than perfection,” she said, a lesson that shaped her journey and ultimately contributed to her stellar performance during the viva voce.

Her academic development was also significantly enhanced by technology. From linguistic corpora to AI-assisted research platforms, these tools supported her analysis of language data and allowed her to approach her research with greater independence and precision. Her indexed publication during her candidature became one of her proudest milestones, giving her the confidence that she could contribute meaningfully to the academic community.

Now, standing at the peak of her accomplishments, Yang hopes her journey will inspire younger learners and future scholars. “Do not be afraid to choose a path that others may not fully understand,” she shared. “When you follow something that truly matters to you, every effort becomes meaningful. Be patient with yourself and keep learning with an open mind.”

Looking ahead, she aspires to continue contributing to language education through teaching, research, and the development of practical materials for learners with lower proficiency levels.

She concludes with heartfelt gratitude: “I am deeply grateful to my supervisor for her guidance, and to my family for supporting me unconditionally despite their worries. My friends and peers also walked with me through many difficult moments, and their support has meant so much.”

Dr. Yang Shuang’s journey stands as a powerful reminder that academic success knows no age limit, only passion, perseverance, and the courage to begin again.