A Muslim Palaweña is making waves by graduating Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Biology degree from Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology in Iligan City.
She is Fatnahada Sha who was born on June 10, 2000 in Puerto Princesa City to parents Said-Alih Kalun Sha, originally from Tawi-Tawi, and Hadja Fatma Mohamadsa, who hails from Bancalaan, Balabac, Palawan.
Aside from graduating Magna Cum Laude, the 23-year old was also conferred with Gawad Chancellor for Academic Excellence Award, Academic Excellence in Science and Technology and Scholastic Competition in Science and Technology.
Fatnahada finished her elementary school in Puerto Princesa Pilot Elementary School. During her secondary education in Palawan National School-Main Campus, she graduated with high honors and an immersion awardee. In 2018, she took an entrance examination for MSU which she successfully hurdled.
“Nang lumabas ang resulta. Alhamdulilah nakapasa ako. Dahil doon nabuhayan ako at nabigyan ng pag-asa na makapag-aral ng libre sa prestihiyosong paaralan at maipagpatuloy ang pangarap na maging isang ganap na doctor,” Fatnahada said.
In pursuit to achieve her dreams, she travelled to faraway land, away from her family, but with strong determination to succeed.
She chose Mindanao State University (MSU) because it offered free education through scholarship. This enables MSU students to receive monthly allowances to pursue higher learning. This is a prestigious higher education institution where she passed the MSU System Admission and Scholastic Examination (SASE).
During her college days in MSU, she was able to maintain her standing in the Chancellor’s List through all semesters and this enabled her to receive monthly allowances.
“Napanatili ko ang pagiging Chancellor’s List bawat semester na syang nagbibigay sa akin ng monthly allowance. Taong 2021 ako naman ay nag-apply ng scholarship sa DOST at natanggap. May monthly allowance, book at travel allowance. Dagdag mo pa ang thesis at graduation allowance na syang naging motibasyon ko na lalo pang pag-igihan,” she said.
Fatnahada said that she wanted to become a doctor. She is passionate to serve in the town where she grew up, in her beloved Balabac where medical workers are limited and many among its residents are in need of medical services, especially the indigenous people of Molbog.
“Sa ngayon, nais kong makatulong muna sa aking mga magulang lalong higit sa aking mga kapatid. Pangarap ko ang maging isang mabuting doctor at hindi ako titigil hangga’t makamit ko ito. Doktor ng bayan, para sa bayan. Handa akong manilbihan sa mga probinsyang salat sa medical workers gaya ng aking mahal na Balabac. Saan man ako makapagtrabaho, ako ay magiging doktor na maasahan ng nangangailangan gaya ng ating mga katutubong Molbog. I shall continue to pursue my dreams. Hindi mahalaga kung mauna sila at mahuli ako. Ang importante ay makarating ako sa finish line. We all have different ways of achieving our goals. I trust Allah on guiding me to a path that is good for me. Sabr and tawakkul, I will be a doctor someday. Graduate na ako, ummy at abby! Alhamdulillah. Qur’an 94:5, ‘Surely, with hardships comes ease’,”Fatnahada said.