Emotional Moment As Wife Receives Husband’s Posthumous Degree At USM, Convocation

GEORGE TOWN, Nov 23 (Bernama) -- A woman’s dream of sharing the stage with her husband to receive their degree scrolls after completing their studies was left unfulfilled when he passed away last month.

Ezuria Edora Dzafrul Akhtar, 30, said she and her late husband, Isma Farid Idris, 30, a Social Security Organisation (Socso) employee, had eagerly anticipated receiving their Bachelor of Management (Organisational Management) degrees at the convocation, but fate took a different turn.

“My husband died on Oct 13 while playing futsal at a tournament in Setapak, Kuala Lumpur, due to a heart attack. He collapsed during the game, and the autopsy revealed blockages in his heart.

“He was a very active person, always playing football and participating in sports. He had no history of health issues, so his sudden passing came as a huge shock,” she said after receiving her degree at the 62nd Convocation Ceremony of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) at Dewan Tuanku Syed Putra here today.

The Selangor Immigration Officer shared that her husband’s death hit her hard, especially since they had known each other since primary school.

Ezuria Edora said she and her late husband, both hailing from the same village in Pahang, were classmates from primary school to Form Three before going their separate ways in Form Four when she took accountancy and he pursued art.

Recalling their journey to earning their degrees, she said they spent five years studying through the Distance Learning Programme (RPJJ), travelling frequently between Shah Alam in Selangor and Penang to attend intensive courses.

Married in 2016, Ezuria Edora said she and her husband were blessed with two children, Ezriq Aisy Faiqal, 7, and Elise Arish Elliya, 5, who now serve as her source of strength to navigate life without him.

Although challenging, the woman said she had to remain strong, taking on the roles of both mother and father to support her children.

Ezuria Edora added that she and her late husband had dreamed of pursuing their master’s degrees together. However, she has chosen to put those plans on hold to focus on raising their children.

Earlier, she received her late husband’s posthumous degree from USM Pro Chancellor Tan Sri Dr Ahmad Tajuddin Ali. Also present were Isma Farid’s parents, Nor Hayati Abdul Wahab, 61, and Idris Ahmad, 64.

Meanwhile, Nor Hayati said she felt both emotional and proud that her late son had earned his degree, even though he couldn’t be there to celebrate his achievement.

“He was the third of four siblings and the only son. I last saw him two weeks before his passing, when our family had a meal together in Shah Alam.

“My late son asked me to wear white to the convocation, but he didn’t tell his wife. He also gave me perfume and asked me to use it today. We honoured his wish today, with all family members attending the convocation in white,” she said, holding back tears.

--BERNAMA