Blinded By A Ball Now One Step Away From Phd

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National sepak takraw athlete, Muhammad Kamal Ishak (right) and Khairullah Affarouk Paiman after receiving their scrolls at Universiti Putra Malaysia’s 44th convocation ceremony today. (Bernama pic)SERDANG: Visual impairment has not hindered Khairullah Affarouk Paiman, 37, from achieving his ambition of becoming a lecturer.
Born in Felda Pemanis, Segamat in Johor, he now holds a Master’s degree in Bahasa Melayu from Universiti Putra Malaysia and is currently pursuing his doctorate.
He was among 945 UPM graduates who received their scrolls at the first session of the 44th convocation ceremony held at the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Culture and Arts Centre here today.
Khairullah said the impairment he suffered since he was 13 motivated him to pursue his studies to the highest level.
“My optical nerves were damaged after I was hit by a ball, and the doctor told me it could not be repaired. From then on, I joined a special school to learn Braille.
“Indeed, it was quite a challenge, and I took six months to learn Braille and now I am one step away to getting a PhD,” he said.
According to him, state-of-the-art technology such as the Braille embosser printer at UPM made it easier for him to obtain information.
“Materials can be sourced from the internet. I spend a lot of time in the library, because the facilities there are disabled friendly,” he said.
Former athlete rises above paralysis
Sharing his spirit is former national sepak takraw athlete, Muhammad Kamal Ishak, 29, who was partially paralysed following a road accident in 2019, who graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from UPM.
He said the main motivators for him to continue his education were his wife, Nik Nurzilawatie Nik Wil, 29, and two-year-old daughter Nur Assyifa.
“After the accident, I was bed-ridden and could not move. My family members helped and took care of me for almost four months. Alhamdulillah, after undergoing physiotherapy, I could move my hands and sit in a wheelchair and study, and now, I am a UPM graduate,” he exclaimed.
Kamal said the online lessons during the movement control order was a blessing in disguise, as he did not have to go to the university for classes.
“All the classes were held online, including the state sports school industrial training. We had to go to the school maybe once a week when required,” he said.
The native of Bukit Mertajam in Penang intends to contribute to the sport of sepak takraw in terms of coaching or providing analysis of the sport.
“I miss sepak takraw and I’d love to continue contributing. Sepak takraw is very much my passion, because it’s been my favourite sport since I was a child,” said Kamal, who has represented the country in various tournaments.
He helped Malaysia win a silver medal in the team event at the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games. - FMT

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