JOHOR BAHRU, Nov 16 – For husband and wife duo, Nur Syazana Jamal, 33, and Mohammad Azrul Sahbudin, 35, this year’s Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) 69th Convocation is more than just a celebration of academic success – it is a beautiful culmination of shared dreams, perseverance, and unwavering partnership. Both are marking a double milestone as they graduate in the same convocation week, with Syazana earning her Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the Azman Hashim International Business School (AHIBS), and Azrul completing his Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering (FKM).
Hailing from Sabah, Syazana currently serves with Sabah Electricity Sdn. Bhd., the sole electrical utility provider in Sabah and Labuan, where she has worked for a decade, focusing on medium-voltage grid planning. Her husband, Azrul, has been with PETRONAS Carigali Sabah for 12 years, specialising in maintenance operations across offshore and onshore oil and gas platforms. Both are registered under the Malaysia Board of Technologists (MBOT), reflecting their shared commitment to professional excellence.
“It’s wonderful that we can both celebrate this moment together. It all comes down to proper planning for our future,” said Syazana. “This year feels incredibly fruitful for both of us.”
Their academic journeys began at different times – Azrul first pursued his studies through the UTM SPACE part-time programme based in Sabah, while Syazana later followed suit. What started as an impromptu decision for her turned into a shared pursuit of growth and self-improvement. “My husband started first, and I joined later after several discussions. We wanted to continue evolving together,” she shared.
Balancing full-time careers in demanding industries while pursuing higher education was far from easy. Syazana credits strong family support and disciplined time management as the key to success. “At that time, my department’s schedule was manageable, and I made sure to organise my time wisely. Family support was vital,” she explained.
Her academic journey, however, was not without challenges. Syazana faced a slipped disc diagnosis that required surgery, and she even experienced pregnancy during her course. “It wasn’t easy, but I managed. I gave birth on a day when there were no classes and attended the next class virtually. My husband was my biggest supporter throughout,” she said with a smile.
Throughout her MBA journey, Syazana found herself inspired by the diverse perspectives and professional experiences of her peers and lecturers. “UTM opened my eyes to how people from different industries carry themselves professionally. It changed how I approach my career and personal growth,” she reflected.
Looking ahead, Syazana has set ambitious goals. “Within three years, I plan to pursue my Professional Engineer (Ir.) qualification and hopefully advance to a higher position within my company,” she shared. The couple’s shared spirit of lifelong learning embodies the resilience and determination that UTM aims to instil in all its graduates.
“My younger self wouldn’t have believed that I’d be pursuing higher studies, especially in a field different from my engineering background. But here I am, exploring new opportunities. There’s no harm in learning something new,” she said proudly. “After 10 years, I’m wearing the UTM robe again – and who knows, maybe I’ll wear it once more in the future.”
The story of Nur Syazana and Mohammad Azrul serves as a reminder that with shared vision, perseverance, and love, couples can indeed power their dreams together — proving that success, like happiness, is even more meaningful when achieved side by side.
