Raised By Buddhist Grandmother, Nur Hazizah Chases Her UUM Dream

SINTOK, Sept 15 (Bernama) --Raised by her Buddhist grandmother after her parents separated, Nur Hazizah Indrasafri refused to let her circumstances stand in the way of her dreams and eventually earned a place at Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM).

For the 24-year-old student, her 72-year-old grandmother, Ng King Fong, has been a pillar of strength, and her love and sacrifices have inspired her to persevere despite a more difficult journey than that of her peers.

Nur Hazizah said her father died last year, while her mother lived separately due to the demands of her job, which often required her to relocate, leaving her largely reliant on her grandmother.

“My grandmother raised me from a young age. Although my mother could not always be with me, she continued to do her best to support our family, including me, my two younger siblings and my grandmother,” she said when met during the registration of new UUM students for the 2026/2027 session today.

Today, those sacrifices and efforts have fuelled Nur Hazizah’s determination as she embarks on a bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management.

Nur Hazizah said their different faiths had never stood between them, with her relationship with her grandmother teaching her to respect and embrace other people’s beliefs and ways of life.

“I have no problem with my grandmother practising her faith, just as she has no problem when she sees me praying at home. As for food, she makes sure that everything we have at home is halal,” she said.

Although her mother and grandmother could not accompany her on registration day, Nur Hazizah said she was grateful that a friend’s family was there to support her.

Meanwhile, new UUM student G. Dhanesh, 22, from Johor Bahru, who lost sight in his left eye after falling off a bicycle when he was nine, will pursue his dream of earning a Bachelor of Business Administration.

“I never expected to be offered a place at UUM, so I am grateful that I have been allowed to pursue a degree and fulfil my dream,” he said.

Meanwhile, UUM vice-chancellor Prof Dr Ahmad Martadha Mohamed said the university welcomes 4,982 new students, comprising 4,661 local students and 321 international students, for the 2026/2027 academic session, who will enrol in 47 bachelor’s degree programmes.

-- BERNAMA