Gala Dinner

each department was required to present a performance during the gala dinner, which began at 6:00 pm, and our faculty chose a Squid Game-themed performance... we held a rehearsal at 4:00 pm to walk through the performance flow and ensure everything went smoothly on stage... the Chinese‑style set dinner was well suited for a gala night, as it allowed ample time for multiple performances and formal segments, including the Long Service Awards... I was especially grateful to UNITAR for taking into account my suggestion on recognizing staff who have served the university with long‑term dedication...

after completed our performance, we returned to the table reserved for us... I managed to have only 2 courses before suddenly feeling unwell... I began to feel extremely uncomfortable, as if there was excessive wind in my body, creating pressure rising from my stomach to my chest... I excused myself to the restroom, where I started sweating heavily, to the point that I had to remove my shirt despite being in an air‑conditioned area... I massaged my chest and rested for a while, feeling very drowsy but forcing myself to stay awake... this was the first time I had experienced such a sensation, and I remained in the restroom for about 20 minutes until my condition gradually stabilized, though the bloated and windy feeling persisted...

I returned briefly to the dining table but had completely lost my appetite, so I headed to the coffee house and asked the staff to prepare plain ginger tea... after drinking it, I felt some relief and decided to return to my room to rest... later, I was informed that FOB achieved a Top 3 performances of the night... unfortunately, I was unable to join my colleagues on stage to receive the award together... I then went to 7‑Eleven to purchase Alucid to ease the gastric discomfort, and eventually, I was able to sleep soundly, bringing the long and eventful evening to a close...

 

Team Building

the UNITAR team‑building programme at Putrajaya Marriott Hotel was organized as a strategic initiative to strengthen collaboration and unity among staff, especially following the recent merger of UNITAR with KLMUC (known as UUCKL) and Cosmopoints College (known as UC)... the event brought together employees from various faculties, departments, and branch campuses, creating an inclusive platform for staff to connect beyond their usual work environments... I travelled to the venue by car and appreciated the convenience of free parking, which made the arrival smooth and stress‑free...

I was placed in Group 28, a diverse and well‑balanced team comprising colleagues from multiple units and locations: Shahareh and Zainora from the FOB, Sharliana from FEH, Kah Phooi Seng from SIT, Nurfatin and Noor Harisah from Sales, Firdaus from Marketing, Nik Izzati from ELITE, Rahimah and Norhidayah from Procurement, Teh Yi Siew from Finance, Taqrish and Yustini from Bursary, Ashvini from UC Kuantan, Cassandra from UC Kuching, Nadzirah from UUCKL, and Aziz from UC Sabah... despite coming from different professional backgrounds and campuses, the group quickly developed a sense of ease and camaraderie...

rather than focusing on competition or winning, our group agreed to prioritize enjoyment, participation, and positive interaction... this approach allowed everyone to contribute comfortably, communicate openly, and support one another without pressure... the activities became a means of laughter, mutual understanding, and genuine teamwork, reinforcing the true purpose of team building - connection, trust, and shared experience... overall, the programme successfully fostered stronger inter‑departmental relationships and left participants with a renewed sense of belonging within the expanding UNITAR community...

Final Examination Preparation Ceremony

the UNITAR Muslim Society for the 2025/2026 session successfully organized a Final Examination Preparation Programme aimed at providing spiritual strength and emotional calm for students ahead of their end‑of‑semester assessments... the ceremony was conducted in a meaningful and reflective atmosphere, beginning with the recitation of Surah Yasin, which served to remind students of the importance of reliance on Allah SWT while striving through personal effort... a special supplication was led by me in my role as an Advisor of the society, praying that Allah SWT grants the students tranquility of the heart, clarity of mind, and ease in understanding and answering examination questions... the programme emphasized the balance between spiritual preparation and academic effort, encouraging students to approach their examinations with confidence, patience, and discipline... overall, the ceremony provided a comforting and motivating send‑off, fostering hope that the students would face their examinations calmly and ultimately achieve successful and pleasing results...

 

PhD

a PhD can be an act of love - for knowledge, curiosity, discovery, and personal growth - but having the wrong supervisor can turn that love into a daily struggle... much like COVID‑19, the problems do not arrive all at once; instead, there are new cases every day - miscommunication, shifting expectations, delayed feedback, unexplained criticism, lack of support, or unclear direction... what should be an intellectually nourishing journey slowly becomes emotionally draining and mentally exhausting... a misaligned supervisor can undermine confidence, stall progress, and create chronic stress, not because the student lacks ability, but because the academic environment becomes unsafe or unsupportive... in contrast, the right supervisor acts as a stabilizing force - guiding, mentoring, challenging constructively, and protecting the student’s well‑being while pushing scholarly excellence... in the end, a PhD thrives not only on passion and discipline, but on healthy supervision, where trust, clarity, and mutual respect prevent daily new cases and allow love for research to survive and grow...

17th Anniversary

congratulations on 17 beautiful years together as husband and wife... may our days ahead continue to be filled with abiding love, shared laughter, and heartfelt joy... may our bond grow deeper with every passing year, strengthened by understanding, patience, and affection... wishing many more moments of happiness, warmth, and beautiful memories together, always walking side by side in love and contentment... may we be blessed with lasting good health, inner peace, and true happiness in every season of life... may each day bring renewed strength, a grateful heart, and moments of joy shared with loved ones... wishing a life filled with wellness, serenity, and smiles that come from genuine contentment...

Friday Sermon

the sermon emphasized the importance of strengthening faith and God‑consciousness amid the challenges of modern life... it reminded worshippers that material success, busyness, and constant distractions can lead to spiritual emptiness if not balanced with remembrance of Allah SWT... it called on Muslims to reflect on their purpose in life, to reconnect with the Al-Quran, maintain consistency in prayer, and practice sincere repentance... it also highlighted personal responsibility, urging believers to improve their character, avoid negligence in religious duties, and contribute positively to family and society... overall, the sermon served as a reminder that a healthy soul requires continuous spiritual nourishment, and true peace comes from a strong relationship with Allah SWT rather than worldly pursuits alone...

X50 Service 80K

the 80,000‑kilometre service at Lon G Puncak Alam was carried out as a major scheduled maintenance to ensure the vehicle continues to operate efficiently, safely, and reliably... several key components were replaced, starting with 5 litres of Proton Genuine Engine Oil 5W‑30 SP (RM189.00), which lubricates engine components, reduces friction, controls temperature, and protects the engine from wear... the oil filter (RM64.00) was changed to remove contaminants from the engine oil, while the drain plug gasket (RM5.25) was replaced to prevent oil leakage... the fuel filter assembly (RM83.80) ensures clean fuel delivery to the engine, improving combustion efficiency and engine performance... 3 spark plugs (RM117.45) were replaced to maintain proper ignition, smooth engine operation, and optimal fuel economy...

the air conditioner filter (RM69.00) was changed to improve cabin air quality by trapping dust, pollen, and pollutants, while the windshield cleaner (RM2.00) helps maintain clear visibility... brake fluid DOT 4 (RM24.10) was replaced to ensure effective braking performance, as fresh brake fluid maintains proper hydraulic pressure and prevents moisture‑related braking issues... the standard 80,000‑kilometre service labour included a comprehensive inspection and general servicing, charged at RM174.95 including RM12.96 service tax... In addition, the Airpure Ozone Premium service (RM89.65 including RM6.64) was performed to deodorize the cabin, eliminate bacteria and unpleasant odours, and improve overall air freshness inside the vehicle... The brake service (RM64.80 including RM4.80) further ensured braking components were checked and functioning safely...

for this service visit, the left rear Door Glass Lifter Bracket Assembly (RM124.24) was replaced to restore smooth window operation, and the right rear Door Electric Glass Lifter Assembly (RM60.00) was serviced and replaced under warranty, requiring no additional payment... overall, the service focused on engine health, braking safety, cabin comfort, and electrical reliability, with a total cost of RM884.00, inclusive of RM24.40 service tax, making it a comprehensive and necessary maintenance milestone for long‑term vehicle performance and safety...

UNITAR 25th Convocation

this year’s convocation followed a similar arrangement to last year, with Amri and me once again assigned to the Food and Beverage Committee, continuing our shared responsibility in ensuring smooth hospitality arrangements for the event... we stayed at the same hotel and shared a room, which made coordination and preparation more convenient throughout the programme... the first day of the convocation was particularly significant as it focused on UNITAR graduates, celebrating their academic achievements and marking an important milestone in their educational journey... the second day was dedicated to graduates from KLMUC and Cosmopoint College, reflecting the expanded academic community following the recent merger... overall, the convocation was well organized and meaningful, reinforcing teamwork among staff while honouring graduates from all institutions involved...

Naja 43th

at 43 years old, Naja embodies a stage of life marked by maturity, confidence, and clarity of purpose... at this age often carry a strong sense of self, shaped by years of experience, resilience, and balanced judgment... there is usually greater emotional intelligence, the ability to prioritize what truly matters, and a deeper appreciation for health, family, and personal wellbeing... looking ahead, the future at 43 is not about slowing down, but about refinement and intention - continuing to grow, staying active mentally and physically, and pursuing goals with wisdom rather than haste... with accumulated life lessons and inner strength, the years ahead hold opportunities for renewed focus, meaningful contributions, personal fulfilment, and becoming an even stronger source of guidance and inspiration to those around her...

Guide for PhDs

for PhD research, the difference between a conceptual framework and a research framework lies mainly in their purpose, timing, and level of specificity... a conceptual framework is developed early in the study and is largely theoretical; it explains how key concepts or variables are believed to be related, drawing from existing theories, models, and literature... it reflects the researcher’s intellectual understanding of the problem and answers the question how do I think this phenomenon works? in contrast, a research framework is more operational and methodological, translating the conceptual framework into a workable structure for data collection and analysis... it specifies variables, relationships to be tested, research design, and often hypotheses or propositions, answering how will I study and test these relationships? simply put, the conceptual framework guides thinking, while the research framework guides execution... in many PhD theses, the conceptual framework provides the foundation, and the research framework shows how that foundation is applied in the actual study...

SPM 2025 Exam Invigilation Volunteer

I had submitted an application to serve as a volunteer examination invigilator for this year’s SPM, using the link provided and ensuring it was completed before the closing date... subsequently, I received confirmation that I was eligible to be assigned to a secondary school in Puncak Alam, with the requirement to be present every examination day from 20 November to 23 December... while I appreciated the trust and opportunity given, I ultimately had to decline the offer due to my existing work commitments at UNITAR, which would have made it difficult to fulfil the full duration and responsibilities of the assignment...