Many would assume that once one’s goes to prison, that marks the end of their life and whatever dreams that came along with it.
But for Mohd Khairul Ab Aziz, he refused to go down the same path and focused his energy on completing his studies, which was eventually rewarded with him graduating with a Master’s degree.
Jailed for drug offenses
Speaking to Harian Metro, Mohd Khairul said he was arrested in 2016 for a drug-related offence. His life was then dealt another blow when his wife filed for fasakh (annulment), which added to his mental anguish.
He added he decided to resume his studies after attending a Persatuan Pengasih Malaysia (Pengasih) rehabilitation programme five months before he was scheduled to be set free.
I heard stories of some people going in and out of prison more than 34 times, and that kept replaying in my mind.
“I didn’t want to end up like that so I enrolled to further my studies in 2020 at Seberang Perai Prison,” he said.
Challenges faced
According to Mohd Khairul, he was only allowed only 30 minutes of internet access per session and often relied on dim corridor lighting to revise.
“Almost every night I sat by the cell bars, where I had only the corridor light to review my reference materials.
“As for my study fees, it was fully paid for by my younger sibling and I’m deeply grateful for it,” he said.
‘Not just an achievement, but a way to restore dignity’
Upon being released from prison, Mohd Khairul completed the rest of his studies and graduated from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) yesterday (Nov 26) with a Master of Social Science.
Aside from his family, USM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Seri Dr Abdul Rahman Mohamed and Seberang Perai Prison deputy director Rozita Muhamad Sharif were also present at the convocation ceremony.
To further add a feather to his cap, Mohd Khairul is also the first Malaysian to conduct academic research on cocaine use, where it was featured in the Global Cocaine Report published by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Vienna in 2023.
He said his graduation was more than just a ceremony, but was also a way for him to make amends.
This success is not just a personal achievement, but a way to restore my dignity as a former prisoner.
“As a father of two children, now aged 14 and 19, I hope this degree can make up for my past mistakes to them.”
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