2011/09/12
By Rahmah Ghazali
rahmah@nst.com.my
KUALA LUMPUR: Our lawmakers are proving that age and work commitment are no barriers to pursuing their education at a higher level.
It is learnt that 25 of them, including six deputy ministers, are pursuing studies in various postgraduate programmes conducted by Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM).
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Rosnah Shirlin Abdul Rashid said she decided to pursue a doctorate in political science after giving it "a long thought".
"I spoke to my family and staff about this and, fortunately, they gave me their full support. I have always been interested in continuing my studies," she told the New Straits Times.
Asked how she would divide her time between her family, her ministerial work and her constituents in Papar, Sabah, she said she had to thank UUM for its flexible hour s.
"Even though I am doing this on a full-time basis, it is off-campus. I only attend classes when it's convenient," she said.
Considering a large number of lawmakers pursuing their post-graduate studies in UUM, the university had set up classes in Parliament building where its lecturers would come and teach.
Rosnah is working on her thesis and she expects to complete her studies by next year.
Sabak Bernam member of parliament Datuk Abdul Rahman Bakri, who was pursuing a Master's in Political Administration, said the first few months of his studies "were the hardest".
"But it is better now, especially with the support of my family and friends," said the 46-year-old.
However, he admitted that he felt "awkward " when attending classes with students half his age.
"I have to tellmy classmates to call me by my name and not 'Datuk'," said Rahman, who expected to gradu at e in February.
For Hulu Selangor MP P. Kamalanathan, pursuing his postgraduate studies had made him realise the importance of life-long learning.
"However, time management is crucial as I also need to meet the people in my constituency.
"Luckily, my studies have not stopped me from doing that yet," said Kamalanathan, who is doing his Master's in Public Administration.
"But I still give priority to my constituency.
If I don't get to attend classes because of this, I will just replace the credit hours later." Kamalanathan said he was waiting for the university to approve the draft of his thesis so that he could continue his research, a process that could take up to 1½ years.
Others pursuing their postgraduate studies include deputy ministers Datuk Noriah Kasnon (Energy, Green Technology and Water), Datuk S.K.
Devamany (Prime Minister's Department), Datuk Fadhillah Yusof (Science, Technology and Innovation), Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri (Transport) and Datuk Rohani Abdul Karim (Domestic Trade, Consumerism and Cooperatives) .
The others are Datuk Halimah Siddique (Tenggara MP), Datuk Nasir Ibrahim Fikri (Kuala Nerus), Datuk Mohd Jiddin Shafee (Setiu), Datuk Raime Unggi (Tenom), Datuk Sapawi (Sipitang), Datuk Shamsul Anuar (Lenggong), Datuk Ismail Mohd Said (Kuala Krau), Datuk Ismail Abdul Mutalib (Maran), Nizar Zakaria (Parit), Datuk Idris Harun (Tangga Batu), Datuk Md Sirat (Bukit Katil), Datuk Lilah Yassin (Jempol), Datuk Noraini Ahmad (Parit Sulong), Hamim Samuri (Ledang) and Datuk Baharum Mohamad (Sekijang).
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