KUANTAN: Six years ago, he was a poor student living in public housing, uncertain whether he could pursue his dream of becoming a doctor.
Today, Dr Abdul Manaf Abdul Aziz, 24, stands proudly among 131 graduates of the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) Kuantan campus, having fulfilled a promise he made to his father in 2019.
"For almost every day over the past six years, I held on to the dream of becoming a medical doctor. Today, that dream has finally come true," he said, reflecting on his journey.
Overcome with emotion, he said he was grateful to have fulfilled a promise he made to his father, Abdul Aziz Osman, back in 2019, without burdening his family financially, thanks to the support of many caring individuals and organisations.
The third of five siblings, Abdul Manaf expressed deep appreciation to all who helped him pursue a medical degree, especially given the added challenges of growing up without a mother.
"I'm truly thankful to Allah SWT for answering my prayers to become a doctor and help care for the sick. The hardships and challenges I faced during my six years at IIUM were tough, but I persevered.
"Next, I will undergo two years of housemanship training at a government hospital before officially becoming a certified medical officer," he told reporters.
He was speaking at the IIUM Kuantan Medical Oath-Taking Ceremony, which was held recently to celebrate 131 new graduates from the university's Kulliyyah of Medicine.
In 2019, Abdul Manaf's story made headlines after he scored 10As in the SPM while living with his family at the Projek Perumahan Rakyat (PPR) in Kampung Temai, Pekan.
At the time, his dreams of furthering his studies seemed out of reach due to financial hardship.
However, with support from the Education Ministry, the Pahang state government, Yayasan Bank Rakyat, and IIUM's Tabung Penyayang, he was able to continue his education and has now completed his medical studies.
Adding to his list of accomplishments, he also graduated as valedictorian, receiving the Best Student Award for his outstanding academic performance at the Kulliyyah of Medicine.
"I'm grateful to share this special moment with my father and my sister Ramlah. They've been my biggest motivators in this journey toward becoming a doctor.
Meanwhile, his close friend and fellow graduate, Dr Nur Affisa Emalin Mohd Roshanaffi, 23, who received the Tahir Azhar Award, said she and Dr Abdul Manaf had been friends since their first year at the Kulliyyah.
"We often discussed and shared our thoughts on our studies. I hope to become an obstetrician and gynaecologist one day," said the Penang native.