by ZENG HONGBO 1002579532, LIU GAOFEI 1002580130

ZHOU ZIXU 1002474272, YANG JIA LU 1002580858, SEOW CHONG KEAT

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“If I could go back to the younger me, I will tell him: Be brave, because you have to be ready for your future.”

Before Dr. Khairulwafi bin Mamat @ Abdul Majid became a lecturer who inspires young people. He was a little boy from Marang, Terengganu, whose life found purpose in life’s most simple experiences. Growing up in an average house without a television, thanks to his grandfather’s strict guidance, he learned how to observe, admire, and make stories out of what is happening around him.

Dr. Khairulwafi bin Mamat @ Abdul Majid sits in his graduation
gown during a convocation ceremony at Universiti Teknologi
Malaysia (UTM).

His grandfather wasn’t only a family member to him, he was the one who guided him in life. The passing away of his grandfather left him lost. Until this day, he remembers how he came back home and saw the younger me looking for comfort at a corner. But from that then comes a new discovery. After struggling through technical school, studying electrical engineering though he had no interest in the field. But he discovered his calling thanks to the gift of an SLR camera from his cousin.

Dr. Khairulwafi bin Mamat @ Abdul Majid (center) gathers with his family for a group photograph

The camera opened new doors for him. Everyday events started turning into valuable memories, his mother preparing food, his sisters fighting over TV shows, and his brother whining about his burst football. Where others saw regular life, he saw stories.“The camera is my source of joy.”, he said.

Dr. Khairulwafi bin Mamat @ Abdul Majid holds a copy of the book Permata Alumni PIS – Satu Legasi Seribu Inspirasi. He was featured in the publication as an exemplary alumnus whose career path inspires current design students.

Having no Internet access and tutorials available online at the time, he mastered the art of photography and design through sheer patience and curiosity. Then, he went on to try out several professions throughout his life, from hospitality and banking to advertising and education.

Figure 6 Dr. Khairulwafi bin Mamat @ Abdul Majid (center), stands proudly with his father and brother at the UTM convocation grounds.

In the end, his heart set on being a lecturer. Dr. Khairulwafi’s first day as an
educator was on 3 February 2013. After twenty days, his mother passed away. “She left the world knowing that I became an educator,” he shared with his
voice trembling.

For him, teaching wasn’t just a job but rather a commitment to fulfill his mother’s last wish for him and also pass down the knowledge he mastered to the next generation. His grandfather, who shaped his values in life. His camera,
which allows him to discover himself. His mother, whose last wish gave him a purpose in life.

Dr. Khairulwafi bin Mamat @ Abdul Majid speaks during an interview with our reporting team.