USM Con-vacation 2025

My journey as an aerospace engineering undergraduate at Universiti Sains Malaysia was one of the most meaningful chapters of my life. For four years, I lived every day being blessed to think, learn, discuss, listen, design, build, and fly aircraft. Every day itself felt like a victory, which was why convocation wasn't my priority. But I attended it for my parents, who supported me throughout the journey. A senior, Hossam said "Every day you get to be with aircraft, you thank God and ask him for another day," and I did that, so I had a beautiful 4 years. 

Most of my university life was spent inside the Flight Mechanics Lab, a place that slowly became my second home, or honestly, just home. I rarely went back during semester breaks or festives breaks because I wanted to continue working on the projects I had. The Flight Mechanics Lab and the USM Hangar was more than just a workspace. It's a place now filled with good memories for me.

I was fortunate to spend my undergraduate years with the people behind the doors of the lab such as Encik Zihad, Encik Amir, Dr. Faizul, Encik Azrul, and Dr. Norizham. Alongside them were good friends and batchmates like Immanuel, Fauzan, Afif, Kathiyanie, Aisyah, Syafiq, Sophia, Seaan, Nadirah, and Aliyah, together with juniors like Srithar, Salsa, Sofea, Milia, Ain, Dharr, Nelda, Koshanthini, Akmal, Nik, Imran, Aqram, Nuel, Wawa, Putri, Nadhirah, and many more who made the environment unforgettable.

The only thing missing in the lab was a bed. If there had been one, I probably would not have gone back to my room to sleep.

Flight Mechanics Lab , where the magic behind this door must also be studied. 

So, on 27 November 2025, I brought my parents, my second brother, and my aunt to visit the place that shaped a huge part of my university life. Unfortunately, Encik Amir was not around that day, so we headed to the USM Hangar, also known as the Aerospace Discovery Center now, which is also home to the fortress I played a role with others in building, the USM RC Plane Club.

There, I met Encik Zihad and introduced him to my family. Encik Zihad was more than just a mentor to me throughout my years at USM. He was someone who guided, supported, and inspired me beyond academics. He opened many doors for me. That visit was not just about showing my family a university facility, but showing them the environment that became my second home. 

My parents and Encik Zihad

That's Encik Zihad "Maverick", pointing at the official Airbus patch, which I gifted him. 

Visit this link too : Encik Zihad's Facebook Post and Encik Zihad's Facebook Post

I also brought my family to the USM UAV Runway 09, another place filled with memories for me. RC FEST 2024 happened there, and it was where I flew my RC planes.

The paint on the runway which Encik Zihad, Encik Azrul, Aisyah, Syafiq, Afif, and I painted back in 2024 was already fading, but not the memories the place holds. Standing there, I could almost hear the RC planes again, the people, the laughter, and the moments we shared. The camaraderie, the squadronhood, and the friendship.

At the USM UAV Runway 09. I loved how from the many flying videos I sent Daddy, and that day he said "So this is where you fly your airplanes?"

Daddy, me, Amma, Big Amma, and Jho
I love this picture!

Assoc Prof Dr Norizham Abdul Razak, my Final Year Project supervisor, who I was also fortunate enough to fly RC Planes too.  

Dr Hanif, my Academic Advisor. Many say I look like him. And I love to believe that!

The ululus. Good friends. Seaan, Nadirah, Aliyah, Sophia, and me. One hell of a journey with them. If I need people to build aircraft with, or suddenly go karaoke, I know exactly who to call because with them, we can do both. “Nanti main werewolf or imposter roger roger tau.”

From left: Nik “Groot”, the RC Plane pilot who shocked me with his inverted flight before casually asking, “Aruth, nak set expo berape eh?” during RC FEST’24. Milia “Kim Possible”, the RC Plane pilot who made things possible despite all the struggles. The one moment I will always remember was getting a call from the lab because her aircraft crashed and was stuck in a tall tree at the runway. Sofea, the Vice President of the USM RC Plane Club, and Dan. Nice people.

Just like them, I was fortunate enough to make good friends with other juniors mentioned because of the USM RC Plane Club and the Flight Mechanics Lab.

Some of the best lecturers in the Aerospace Engineering School. I was fortunate to have good non-syllabus conversations during my undergrad days. 

Had some good bouquets and gifts from my juniors, Nirmatha, Wawa and Vrajanat and senior, Immanuel . Thank you guys!

No awards, just 10 fixed wing projects (which include 2 gliders) and three RC planes that I brought back home, and honestly, I will always be proud of them. Because behind those RC planes were knowledge and friendships that I will always treasure.

Apart from all that, there was also food hunting with my parents around Penang, and ending the con-vacation by listening to a live band playing Sweet Child O' Mine. A simple ending, but a perfect one.