School of Education and Humanities

Dayang Nur Asimah Aqidah binti Darikah’s journey at UNIRAZAK is one shaped by creativity, faith, and a deep love for learning. Beginning with the Foundation in Arts and Social Sciences and continuing through the Bachelor of Education (Honours) in Malay Language, UNIRAZAK became more than a place of study — it became a second home.

From composing songs as teaching tools to creatively weaving anime into lesson plans, Dayang embraced education as something meaningful, joyful, and alive. Her recognition as the Best Regional Centre Student Award (Sabah) recipient celebrates not only academic excellence, but a journey of growth, belief, and courage nurtured within UNIRAZAK’s Sabah community.

Receiving this award was an emotional and overwhelming moment for me — it felt like a dream finally finding its voice. Holding this recognition brought back memories of late nights, moments of doubt, and small victories that shaped my journey. It reminded me that even the smallest steps, when taken with sincerity and hope, can lead to something truly beautiful.

What kept me going was my belief in the transformative power of education. Each day, I reminded myself of the promise I made as a child — to become the teacher I once dreamed of. I was also deeply inspired by my lecturers, my family, and even the younger version of myself who once questioned whether she was good enough. This award is not just recognition — it is a promise to keep teaching, creating, and giving with all my heart.

The greatest challenge I faced was overcoming my own self-doubt. There were moments when I questioned my abilities and felt overwhelmed, and those thoughts held me back more than anything else.

What helped me break through was allowing myself to pause — to rest, breathe, and return to Allah. In those moments, I learned that “Saat bahumu terasa berat, sujudlah lebih lama” carries deep truth. Faith gave me strength I couldn’t find elsewhere, reminding me that growth sometimes begins with surrender and trust. Through that process, I learned to move forward with greater clarity, confidence, and peace.

What I will always cherish about UNIRAZAK is the sense of belonging and support that surrounded me from my very first day. Friends, lecturers, and staff at the UNIRAZAK Kota Kinabalu branch constantly encouraged me, even when I doubted myself. They taught me that self-doubt can be one of the biggest obstacles — but with perseverance, guidance, and community, it can be overcome.

I am especially grateful to my lecturers, my friends, and my family — my personal hype squad — whose belief in me gave me the courage to keep going. To future Razakians, remember this: you don’t have to walk this journey alone. Believe in yourself, lean on your support system, celebrate small wins, and never stop being curious. With faith, effort, and patience, your breakthrough will come — one step at a time.