(Kuala Lumpur, 1st) The University of Malaya (UM) graduation ceremony welcomed a very special graduate—visually impaired scholar Dr. Noorilham bin Ismail.
In the presence of Human Resources Minister Steven Sim, he received his Doctorate in History from the hands of Sultan Nazrin of Perak, completing his journey from the financially struggling son of a settler to a senior lecturer at UM.
Due to his visual impairment, Noorilham encountered repeated setbacks in his job search, but he never abandoned his pursuit of academia. Two years ago, he and his wife Ifa relied solely on a monthly government welfare assistance of RM300. His wife worked full-time as his “assistant,” helping him with transportation, reading, and research. After learning of his plight, Steven Sim took the initiative to sponsor Noorilham's final phase of doctoral studies in the United States, providing him with a living allowance of RM1000 a month for nearly a year.
Today, Noorilham has not only successfully obtained a PhD specializing in modern American history but has also been appointed as a senior lecturer at UM. At the graduation ceremony, he promised Steven Sim that he would dedicate himself to educating the next generation of Malaysians, regardless of race or religion. Steven Sim (Ah Sim) shared this moment on social media with emotion: “He was once barred from jobs because of his visual impairment, but now stands proud in academia.”
Sim also revealed that Noorilham is a die-hard fan of Premier League club Manchester United, with his social media posts always ending in “Glory glory.” Sim humorously remarked, “Perhaps it's because he supports a team that doesn't win often, his heart has long since learned to endure ups and downs.”
Noorilham's story is a testament to his resolve to neither shy away nor give up, just like his beloved football team—moving forward through every rise and fall!