Page 21 - 022021 PULSE@FASS e-Bulletin

Issue no. 2 | 2021

BELIEVING IN A CLEAR PATHWAY TO SUCCESS

BY MUHAMAD AZUAN BIN ABDUL RASIAD sections particularly the department of simulation,
4TH YEAR B.A. ANTHROPOLOGY AND SOCIOLOGY
respiratory and multimedia. One of the reasons I wanted to
have my training here was to show that someone from the
My name is Muhamad Azuan bin Abdul Rasiad from the
disabled community could also compete with and perform
Department of Anthropology and Sociology and I am going
against other able-bodied graduates. This is important
to graduate this year after my Industrial Training ends. I am a
because many disabled graduates struggle to get employed
partially blind student by birth and this recessive gene has
after graduation. I hope through this training, I would be
also affected my older brother, where the impairment of our
able to convince employers to believe in and rely more on
retina makes focusing on any object much harder. However,
the disabled community for work-related situations.
being partially blind is no obstacle for anyone to be
successful as I am currently also a national athlete for the
blind-football squad since 2016.

Academically, I am interested in the study of anthropology
and sociology due to two factors; it is where I could learn
about human society and observe their reactions in solving
issues and conflicts in daily life. As a partially blind person, I
am interested in focusing on other disabled persons and
how they overcome obstacles to engage fully in community
engagements. Throughout my studies, I was drawn to
minority issues such as the study of the Orang Asli
(aboriginal people) which were discussed in many class
Right: Azuan during the 29th SEA Games and Para-Asean in 2017
discussions. The fights for rights for the Orang Asli have
Left: Azuan won top scorer in the national level competition for
inspired me to apply it to the current realities of the disabled
blindfootball
community as well.
Throughout my study at the Faculty of Arts and Social
Studying the anthropological and sociological aspects of the
Science, I have gained many experiences and much
issue has opened my eyes towards the cooperation between
knowledge. The university has always tried to provide great
the abled and disabled communities which must continue to
facilities and services for disabled students like myself. The
be strengthened and to flourish. In the past, I have always
continuous effort made by the faculty and UM to be one of
blamed society for not being aware of the needs of the
the most inclusive public universities for disabled students,
disabled community, but after learning the history of
means that there is a management unit led by responsible
societies, I now understand that the hurdles in establishing
officers that has helped in the tackling of everyday issues for
better understanding and cooperation are complex and
someone like me.
require a long time to be resolved.
Tactile paving (a system of textured ground surface found on
Outside of academia, I have represented Malaysia
footpaths, stairs, and station platforms to warn pedestrians
internationally since 2016 in football for the blind. Some of
who are visually impaired), wheelchair accessible walkways
the countries I have visited for training and competition are
and special rooms for the disabled are some of the facilities
China, India and Thailand. It is an especially long process if
and services that have made UM become a benchmark for
the games are held internationally and I must admit that it is a
other universities to refer to. Having an organization that is
challenge to divide time between my studies and sports, but
managed by the disabled community themselves also helps
since I am passionate about both, I continue to work hard
strengthen this. It gives an opportunity for us to manage
and excel. The most important thing is to have a strong
events and create awareness within the university about the
amount of determination in achieving and getting things
disabled community.
done.
In conclusion, there are many challenges faced by a disabled
Currently, I am completing my industrial training in the health
student in their daily lives. They are always exposed to
community department at the Universiti Kebangsaan
danger both directly and indirectly, however, with every
Malaysia (UKM) Medical Centre, now known as Hospital
hardship, there is always a solution. The community at large
Canselor Tuanku Muhriz UKM. The department is
needs to believe and trust the disabled community so we
responsible for creating greater awareness in society on the
could in time prove to others our true capabilities and give
importance of health. I have also been exposed to the other
back to society.
21 | Pulse @ FASS