Palestinian Student Perseveres Through Conflict To Complete USM PhD 

GEORGE TOWN, Nov 21 (Bernama) -- The ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine has not deterred Palestinian student Majed F.S. Habib from pursuing a doctorate at the School of Communication, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), here.

With remarkable patience, resilience and determination, Majed, 46, completed his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) viva voce last Wednesday, marking another milestone in his academic journey in Malaysia.

USM, in a statement, said Majed’s PhD research analysed the content of online news coverage of the 2023 Gaza war and audience perceptions of how the conflict was portrayed on various news portals. 

It said the research contributes to the advancement of knowledge in journalism, especially in war and conflict reporting, an area rarely explored except by researchers with direct experience of the issues involved.

Majed said one of the most devastating moments during his studies was when his father was killed in one of the bombings by Israeli forces. At that point, he almost gave up and was determined to return home.

However, Majed said with the support of his family in Gaza and the School of Communication community, he decided to stay and continue his studies.

He also expressed deep gratitude to his supervisor, Dr Rani Ann Balaraman, for her constant encouragement and guidance.

“The emotional strain was overwhelming, especially whenever I heard news of my country being bombarded by Israeli forces. My thoughts would drift to the safety and fate of my family back home.

“In those moments, Dr Rani would invite me to share my thoughts and feelings. Her support helped me regain my footing and continue with my PhD,” he was quoted as saying in the statement.

Meanwhile, the Dean of the School of Communication, Assoc Prof Dr Bahiyah Omar, commended Majed’s perseverance, saying that his commitment should inspire other students, as doctoral studies demand not only physical endurance but also mental and emotional strength.

“The USM School of Communication always adopts a proactive approach in supporting students like Majed so they can complete their studies and contribute to the development of their home countries and communities,” she said.

-- BERNAMA