A 24-year-old graduate who no longer has functioning salivary glands due to cancer received a standing ovation at Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) during its 38th convocation ceremony.
Fatini Alya Baharudin, affectionately known as Tini, was celebrated during the event for her resilience in battling salivary gland cancer while completing her studies.
Diagnosed during lockdown
Tini was diagnosed in 2021 during the Movement Control Order (MCO).
While the nation was fighting the spread of COVID-19, she was quietly fighting for her life.
According to UUM, Tini is the youngest of three siblings.
She underwent six rounds of chemotherapy and 30 radiotherapy sessions at Penang General Hospital.
Her family rented a house near the hospital during treatment.
Every day was a cycle of pain and fatigue, but she never stopped studying, often bringing her books to the hospital,” UUM wrote in a statement.
No more saliva, but still smiling
Due to the cancer, her salivary glands were removed, leaving her unable to produce saliva.
This made eating, speaking, and even swallowing a painful task.
Despite this, Tini completed her degree with a CGPA of 3.59, a proud achievement for both herself and her family.
‘She fought for her future’
Her father, a barber, and her mother, a homemaker, were emotional as they watched her receive her scroll.
I’m just a regular barber, but today I feel like the luckiest dad in the world,” her father said.
Her mother added, “When she came back from treatment, she still studied. We often cried watching her determination.”
Message of hope for others
Tini encouraged others facing illness or hardship not to give up.
Pain is not a reason to stop. Believe in prayer, in your family, and in yourself,” she said.
Although she has lost a part of her physical comfort, Tini’s courage continues to inspire many.
Her story reminds everyone that success isn’t just measured by grades, but by the battles won behind the scenes.
