Mother’s Day Award Recipient Who Addressed Children As ‘Professor’, ‘Engineer’  Wins At Life

MELAKA, May 27 (Bernama) -- A mother's unusual way of parenting, addressing them with respectful titles such as 'professor' and 'engineer' since they were young, has proven effective as all children thrive in life.

Zulhijah Abu Zarin, 67, this year's recipient of the Ibu Inspirasi (Inspirational Mother) award, said it is a form of positive affirmations and a mother's prayers.

According to Zulhijah, she and her husband Ridzuan Hamad, 74, worked hard to raise their three sons and one daughter, aged between 38 and 45, ensuring they received a good education.

She said that three of her children are now lecturers holding the title of 'Professor Dr' at local and private universities, while the fourth is an engineer at a Japanese-owned factory in Melaka.

"I only studied until Form Three…because my family was poor. I was determined to ensure my children receive a proper education and secure good jobs because that is the only way to improve a family's life," said Zulhijah, a school bus driver and conductor for 16 years. 

She said her husband, who worked his way up from being a clerk until he retired as the Melaka Employees Provident Fund (EPF) director, also played a vital role in supporting their children to fulfill their potential.

On the award, Zulhijah said she never expected such recognition, as raising and educating her children are part of parental obligations that must be fulfilled, never to seek any reward.

However, she expressed gratitude and hoped the recognition would inspire other parents to educate their children better, allowing them to transform their lives. 

Zulhijah received the award from the wife of the Melaka Governor, Toh Puan Asmah Abdul Rahman, during yesterday's 2025 state-level Mother's Day celebration.

Other recipients were Amnah Ibrahim (Anugerah Ibu Cekal), Faridah Musa (Anugerah Ibu Usahawan), and Fairuz Aziha Shamsudin (Anugerah Ibu Waja).

-- BERNAMA