JOHOR BAHRU, 16 November – Among the many achievements celebrated at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia’s (UTM) 69th Convocation, the accomplishments of Dr. Monis Abid stand out as a remarkable example of perseverance, dedication, and unwavering faith. His journey is one marked not only by intellectual rigour but also by resilience in the face of personal and professional challenges.
While pursuing his PhD in Chemistry at UTM, Monis simultaneously held a full-time lecturing position at the University of Prince Mugrin in Madinah, Saudi Arabia. His weekends were dedicated to research at the King Abdulaziz University Desalination Centre in Jeddah, a commute of hundreds of kilometres that he undertook without hesitation. Many nights, he found himself sleeping on the floor of a small mosque or in his car, determined to make every moment count.
“I only had weekends for experiments; the other five days, I was teaching”, Monis shares. “Travelling every weekend from Madinah to Jeddah was not easy, so I forced myself to achieve something in every single visit so I could feel that I was moving forward”.
Early in his PhD, Monis faced an unexpected and devastating challenge, the loss of his co-supervisor, which forced him to change his research focus entirely. Shortly after, he endured another personal tragedy: the passing of his father. Despite his grief, he remained committed to his academic pursuits, unable to visit Pakistan as every vacation was spent advancing his research in Saudi Arabia and Malaysia.
“I kept my promise to my father: no matter what happens, I will make him proud, and I will not stop”, Monis shares.
Drawing inspiration from his late co-supervisor’s guidance, Monis adopted a philosophy that became his guiding principle: “Be like flowing water, not stagnant water. Stagnant water gives a bad smell, but flowing water brings freshness.” This mindset empowered him to embrace change, adapt to challenges, and move forward with renewed energy and focus.
Even in moments of exhaustion and doubt, Monis demonstrated remarkable mental fortitude. “Yes, there were times I was very close to giving up. But Imran Khan’s words echoed in my mind: ‘The real war is in the brain; we only lose when we give up’” he shares.
“Patience means accepting delays and failures; science does not follow our emotions but processes”, he explains. “Hard work meant sacrificing comfort, spending long nights in the lab, travelling every weekend between Madinah and Jeddah, and repeating experiments until I found answers. Dedication meant staying loyal to the dream even when I had to restart my research after losing my co-supervisor, and even when I lost my father. Dedication is when your purpose becomes stronger than your pain.”
Monis’s relentless efforts bore remarkable achievements. He completed his PhD with multiple publications in reputable journals, receiving recognition that affirmed the value of his sacrifices. His innovative contributions earned him a place among the Top 30 Innovators in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by Jameel Deep Tech. He was awarded the Best Research Award at the University of Prince Mugrin, presented by His Highness, the Prince of Madinah. These recognitions underscored the profound impact of his perseverance on his achievements, inspiring us all to dream bigger and strive for excellence.
“Those recognitions reminded me that every sacrifice, every sleepless night, and every setback had meaning,” Monis shares. “They motivated me to dream even bigger to turn my research into real industrial solutions that can serve society.”
His accomplishments were further acknowledged when he was granted Saudi PR. This milestone marked both his professional and personal dedication. Reflecting on the most challenging moments of his journey, Monis offers guidance to students facing adversity:
“When you hit your lowest point, that’s where the real version of you is born. Allah has given us a brain of unlimited potential. Take a deep breath, calm yourself, and move step by step toward the solution. Giving up should never be an option,” he shares.
For Dr. Monis Abid, a PhD represents far more than an academic degree. It is a journey of resilience, faith, and unwavering dedication, serving as an inspiring example to the UTM community and demonstrating that even in the face of immense challenges, perseverance and belief can lead to extraordinary success.
