How Siti Hawa achieved a PhD with her mother at her side

Siti Hawa Apandi, a woman living with spinal muscular atrophy, has achieved a remarkable feat by earning her PhD while her mother, Zaidah Tamjis, provided constant support. Born in Batu Pahat, Johor, and raised in Kuantan, Siti Hawa faced mobility issues from a young age, requiring a wheelchair by secondary school. Her father and brother both suffered from the same condition, with her brother succumbing to complications at the age of 17.

Determined to secure the best education for Siti Hawa, her parents ensured she never missed a day of school. Her father would take her to classes, returning to the office afterward, while her mother, Zaidah, would help with her homework and study materials. Siti Hawa excelled in her SPM examinations and chose a diploma in computer science at UMPSA in 2007, where she faced challenges accessing certain facilities.

However, her classmates and friends often assisted her, and she completed her degree with first-class honors in 2010.

Following her diploma, Siti Hawa pursued bachelor's and master's degrees in software engineering and artificial intelligence, earning her PhD in 2021. Throughout her academic journey, Zaidah remained by her side, helping with daily needs, attending lectures, and taking notes. Despite the development of complications affecting her vocal cords, Siti Hawa defended her thesis successfully.

However, she was unable to attend the university convocation due to serious respiratory complications and was fully dependent on a ventilator.

Her story highlights the importance of individual support, especially when accessibility on campus was limited. Despite her current bedridden condition, Siti Hawa remains focused on developing projects that benefit society, particularly in making technology more accessible for people with disabilities like herself.