UNAIR NEWS – UNAIR Graduation is always filled with heartening stories from the graduates. Presided by Rector Prof. Dr. Mohammad Nasih SE MT Ak, some graduates were given chances to share their stories during the uni days, including Ahmed Eliaan Shaker Abuajwa.

He had wanted to be a doctor since he was a child. Over time, he got more motivated to achieve his dream against all odds. Moreover, he got his mother’s full support.

“When I was about ten, my mother called me ‘Doctor Ahmed’. I know that I had to fight and study more because getting into med school requires enormous effort,” he said during the Graduation 231 on Saturday, March 4, 2023, at the Airlangga Convention Center, MERR (C) Campus.

Going through ups and downs

The Palestinian student recalled the bitter moment he faced during high school. His school building in Gaza was destroyed three times.

“Alhamdulillah, as Gaza students, we are still motivated to learn,” Ahmed said.

Post-high school, he got a scholarship to a university in Sudan. Unfortunately, the opportunity was missed due to the difficult access of leaving Palestine.

A year passed and the access problem has solved. Ahmed got the chance to pursue a short course in Sudan for six months before the institution was permanently closed.

“I’ve spent a semester in the medical school in Sudan. However, another problem led to the university shutdown,” he said.

Learning at UNAIR

Instead of giving up due to the hardships, Ahmed was even more driven and motivated to pursue his dream. He tried to find other medical school scholarships. Finally, he applied to Universitas Airlangga.

“I applied to UNAIR, alhamdulillah, I got accepted as UNAIR’s medical student,” he said.

Being a student in a country with a completely different culture from where he comes from has never occurred to Ahmed.

Ultimately, he expressed his gratitude for the learning opportunity and assistance he had gained. Ahmad believed that the university, lecturers, and colleagues had greatly contributed to his studies.

“During my student days, I have experienced and felt a lot, which I can’t possibly describe. I believe it is Allah’s destiny. I’d like to thank you for the opportunity. Thank you Airlangga. Thank you, my lecturers and fellow colleagues,” Ahmed ended.

Author: Yulia Rohmawati

Editor: Binti Q. Masruroh