My daughter Ina, who is in her fourth semester of Interior Design diploma in UITM Sri Iskandar Perak, was offered the fast track to degree course in UITM Shah Alam. She is in dilemma whether to accept or not. She's hesitating as she is aiming for the President's Award being in the Dean's list for all her past three semesters. Neither is she keen to be in the Degree course as she will be in the same class with Diploma graduates and Post-Diploma graduates with years of experience. That scenario fears and distresses her.
She sought advice from her friends and lecturers. Her colleagues who were also offered are all in a dilemma along with her. Each waiting for others to decide. Ina turned to her circle of closed ones for advice - which confused her more!!! Her father was ecstatic and encourage her to go for it. Big brother, Along said "Nooooo - no need for any fast track. Why want fast track - enjoy student life". Her second brother, Angah, who just came back from Sydney after a month of training said "Hold on - will she be graduating same year as me? No? then go lah!!!". Her cousin who has been working after graduating the ID diploma course in UITM several years ago said "Go for it - Ina's design is good.". Amer, her cousin said if it was him he would not but Ina should as "Ina boleh". Her other two cousins had gone for the fast track degree as "they just want to get it over with". Ina asked me about sembahyang Istikharah.
To me its a no brainer - its a simple YES. She will be in Shah Alam not 350km away. The President's award which she so desires requires another 3 semesters of Deans list - which is still not a sure thing. She definitely has to work hard in the fast track but she still has to work hard for her diploma if she's aiming for the Deans list for the next 3 semesters. Just add another one more semester and she will be going home with a degree instead of diploma. Furthermore its not that she is ecstatically happy there as she is just tolerating the strict environment so she will not miss the place. But I know I'm no more in the position to decide and tell her what to do. We can only advise and steer her towards making what we felt is best for her. She has to judge herself and make the decision not due to fear but what is good for her.
Then she decides - she's not going to accept the offer. She wants a full proper education and training at her own pace - and a diploma. Degree can come later. Although disappointed we accept her decision - maybe she has made the right decision for her.
I received several comments from friends:
ReplyDeleteFrom Dato' NFK - “I tend to agree with Ina. There is no need to rush through the course and its not a waste of time. She will be a better Int. Designer by the time she gets a degree. Best wishes to Ina.” Ina was beaming from ear to ear and said "I want to met Uncle Dato' to tell him that great mind thinks alike"
From Azhar - "ina's decision is a reflection of the wholesome upbringing that u have brought her up with. her decision is a calculative one having borne in mind the values, attitude and smart thinking of her parents. In the same breath she has produced a decision that is also a product of her own set of values and opinions that has been honed to blend with and defend her against the new environment and expectations of her generation. u have been blessed with such wonderful children. go ina.” Ina's response - auw he is praising you not me Nooooooo!!!!
Hahahaha - thank you guys.