BALING: A married couple, who graduated from Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah International Islamic University (UniSHAMS), were overjoyed when they were given the opportunity to bring their 15-month-old son to their convocation after a two-year delay.

Bachelor of Arabic Language graduate Ilham Md Nazan, 26, said she and her husband Abdul Aziz Ahmad, 27, who started studying there in 2015 and graduated in 2019, should have attended the 2020 convocation but it was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

"In 2020, I married my husband, and this year we received the good news that a special convocation ceremony would be held. I am very grateful... even though our parents can't attend, we are excited to be able to bring our son Ahmad along to the ceremony," she told Bernama after the UniSHAMS Special Convocation at the Kuala Ketil main campus near here on Monday (May 30).

UniSHAMS Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Asmadi Mohamed Naim presided over the convocation.

Ilham said she and her husband, who is also a Bachelor of Arabic Language graduate, met at UniSHAMS when they both joined the Arabic language association with each holding positions as Deputy Chairman 2 and Deputy Chairman 1.

"Now, we both teach at the same school, Maahad Al-Iman Pantai Cicar near here, the difference is that I teach primary school pupils and my husband teaches secondary school students," she said.

According to her, they intend to pursue their Master's degrees in the same field while working.

"There may be challenges later but with patience and determination, we will definitely overcome them... and I hope my son will also follow in our footsteps. I want to see him stand on the same stage to receive his degree later in life," she added. - Bernama