Interview for IIUM Academic Position

Alhamdulillah, Praise to Allah, Who gives me strength to pass an interview by IIUM Rector today. Now, I want to share this memorable interview to my friends and visitors.

It was a cold morning with raining was pouring down in evey nook and cranny of Kuala Lumpur. After I entered IIUM Main Gate, I went to Rectory at 4th Floor of Administration Block.

About 1015am, I was called to enter the meeting room. After I knocked and entered the room, I know that this is the beginning of my new life. In this room, there were IIUM Rector (Prof. Dato' Sri Dr. Syed Arabi Idid), Deputy Rector of Academic, and 3 other people-I don't recognized them.

Then, the session started.

Rector(R): So, Salahuddin. What is the qualification that you have?

Salahuddin (S): I have the degree in Pharmacy from IIUM.

(R): So you are keen to continue with us despite of what they did to you.

(S): They are friendly. (Smile)

(R): Can you tell me what are the differences between graduates from IIUM and other universities such as USM or UKM.

(S): The graduates from IIUM have both strength, not only in knowledge but also in virtue. They do different things from others. And, this attract people to ask, why are you doing this, and why are you doing that? Our differences attract non-Muslim to know more about Islam.

(R): Can you explain it further?

(S): I see graduates from IIUM are Muslim professionals where they have akhlaq as additional value. They observe punctuality, have passion to work and thirst for knowledge. They are also obedient to their superior.

(R): So, you can work without salary.

(S): I am now pharmacist in University Malaya Medical Centre in Kuala Lumpur. Because of hectic environment, I can only claim half day for 2-days work.

(R): Do you want to study abroad or local?

(S): I have contacted 4 universities. One of them offers me to do PhD directly.

(R): Which university is that?

(S): Nottingham University,Semenyih. The other universities are from Denmark,Switzerland and UK.

(R): Ok, Salahuddin. I will take you in. Thank you (He gave me sign to end the conversation)

(S): Thank you. Assalamualaikum.

That was the end of the interview. It was a very short interview which was around 3 minutes. Really a short one!

Alhamdulillah, now is the next step. I know, that life is making choice. And life is not silent from challenges. At present, I am still choosing the best path.

Thank you to Allah, mother, family, dean, lecturers and my friends. A bountiful of thanks to all.