Universiti Malaya in the 60s

As a first year student at University Malaya in 1965. Photo taken at Third Residential College.











Convocation Day with my father and mother on 29 June 1968.











With some friends in Third Residential College, UM. I am sitting on the grass, right (1966)






My parents and siblings were proud that I was going to be a university undergraduate, the second member of the family who was able to do that. It was quite a big event then. Very few Malay girls from Malacca were able to go to university at that time. Many joined the Malay Women's Teachers Training College in Durian Daun, Melaka or joined the Language Institute in Kuala Lumpur. Being quite well-known in Malacca, some of the Malacca boys whom I have not met were curious to see how I looked like. Sorry to disappoint them that I was not a Miss Malaysia - not even a Miss Malacca or a Miss Tg. Kling! But I had a good time knowing them and one or two tried to pursue me but they had no luck.






Ground floor residents of Third Residential College in UM. I am sitting 3rd on right, 25 Sept 1967.











I lived in the Third Residential College in the dorm during my first term at UM.It was quite bewildering to meet so many girls from all over the country and some were really beautiful. Khalipah Mastura was one of them who became a Freshie Queen that year (1965) and became a cover girl. The last time I met her, she was teaching in Politechnic Ipoh - years ago. Now like me, I am sure she has retired too, having grandchildren around her.






Tea time at Third Residential College, UM. Khalipah Mastura (left) , me (centre) and Harison (Allahyarhamah, right), 1967.
















My favourite past time at Third College - playing carrum. I am second on the right.














University life at UM at that time was more free. The social life was unbelievable. Every week there would be a ball or dance somewhere in the campus. Those with steady boy-friends or girl-friends had no problem going to these dances. Unattached girls had to wait to be asked. That was quite stressful as life could be lonely when you were left in the hostel with a bunch of unattached girls without dates. In my mind, life at UM at that time was about finding a mate, not so much about academic excellence. I love the life but at the same time hated the pressure. I had no desire to be tied down to one person as I enjoyed the attention given to me. In fact, I was basking in the glory of having different dates at different events but they were just dates. Of course some did try to be funny but I was equipped with a leathal weapon - my tears!!

As in Human Development Theory, the twenties are time to find life partners and gratification of sexual needs. Some of the girls were married when they joined university. It was quite rare for girls to be married while studying. I wasn't aware of this and found the married girls were more knowledgable about relationship and sex. Many of us, unattached girls, were so ignorant about sex. Sex was taboo. The Medical students made fun of us and indicated our ignorance through human figure that babies came from the navels. Girls were scared to hold hands for fear of getting pregnant. Ignorance was bliss then. There was hardly any news or rumours of Malay girls getting pregnant out of wedlock at that time. It was just not acceptable. The culture, the religious practices and the values in self-respect were too strong to make girls succumbed to illicit sexual relationship though it did happen but it wasn't common. Girls and boys mixed freely with no sanction from religious authority but we knew our limits. Thank God!

Every year, during Orientation Weeks, the female freshies recieved a lot of attention. The boys feasted their eyes and attention on the girls and made a beeline on the girls of their choice by asking them out for dates. Some were lucky but some failed. There was an analogy among the boys that the first year girls were like Red Spot Books in the Library. You have to book and Q to get it. By the second year, the girls became Open Shelves Books, anyone can pick up and borrow and, by the final year, the girls were said to be forgotten Old Books on the shelves, not even given a passing look. When girls graduated without having a life partner, they were destined to be old maids. So the boys 'advised' the girls to get attached as soon as possible especially in the first year. I was furious and felt insulted at this analogy. To me, I didn't go to university to find a husband but I wanted to study and graduate. I didn't care whether I got married or not, I would do it on my own term. In my mind, there was nothing wrong being single. Who cares about what people say.





At Fraser's Hill with Zalilah (left) and Zubaidah (right)








In my 3 years studying in UM, I had dates but was never keen on anybody until I graduated and did my Diploma in Education, then I decided to go steady and later got married. I am sorry that I've hurt one or two guys but I never promised anything. Unfortunately, at university I didn't shine nor joined any activities. I was buried in studying and in social culture and too wrapped up with myself. This was a period in my life where I could learn a lot more about becoming a leader and a social activist in my working life but I failed to do this. It is my regret now as I would never be able to go back to that period of my life again. That's why I encouraged my students to get involved in university activities as this is the time to learn and to experience real adult life.





At Christmas party at Third College on 22 Dec 1967. I am on 3rd, right. Zubaidah Abdul Rahman is 4th, right.









Zubaidah (right) and Rosenah (left) as my bridesmaids on my bersanding ceremony in Tg. Kling, Malacca on 2nd July 1969.
























With my closest friend, Sofiah Hamid at a PRS exhibition on 19 Nov 1991.


























I had very close friends at university but I was not the type who hang on to close friends for anything. I wanted space for myself and I was fortunate enough to find friends who felt the same. So, Sofiah Hamid, Zubaidah Abdul Rahman and Rosnah Ahmad from Kuching became my close friends. Our friendship was different. We were there when anyone of us were in need. We didn't stick together like glue. We did our own things as we had different likes and dislikes and had different set of friends too. That suited me. I couldn't tolerate friends who expected me to be with them all the time - to lectures, outings etc. I felt suffocated. I was more of a loner who was happy with myself. Of course, there were girls who liked me and some detested me. I remember one particular girl badmouthed me for not sticking to one boy. I purposely talked about going out with different boys within her hearing. I didn't care, it was her problem. We were never close though we came from the same state.


I was an average student at university, scoring one or two As but mostly B+ and B and managed to get Honours in my degree in 1967. I just achieved a Pass in my Diploma in Education course in 1968. That was no good. Married life made me feel so complacent. Thank God I graduated first before I got hitched or I might get just a General Degree.




The Convocation Day on 29 June 1968 at the Great Hall, University Malaya. I am 4th on right, second row.














I have plenty of fond memories of my university life - so many stories to tell!!