“Do what you love”

In a world where career paths often twist and professional constancy shifts, the story of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tuan Salwani Awang@Salleh’s enduring commitment to Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) is one that inspires.

Recognised as one of the recipients of UniKL’s Loyal Service Award, her 25 years of service stand as a testament to her unwavering dedication.

“Do what you love,” Dr. Tuan Salwani emphasised. For her, this simple yet profound advice has been the guiding force behind her tireless commitment to UniKL.

When she first embarked on her teaching career, she was faced with an abundance of choices, with public universities nearby promising familiarity and convenience.

However, Dr. Tuan Salwani listened to the call of her heart and chose UniKL, recognising the unique opportunity it presented to uplift its students’ lives through education and make a meaningful impact.

Her deep sense of purpose was rooted in the knowledge that most UniKL students hailed from rural areas and underprivileged backgrounds.

“If we, as lecturers, do not put forth our utmost efforts for these students, who else will?” she pondered.

Throughout her 25-year tenure, Dr. Tuan Salwani’s love for teaching served as a constant source of inspiration and motivation.

When she joined UniKL Malaysia France Institute (UniKL MFI) in 1997, she was faced with an underdeveloped curriculum. Undeterred, Dr. Tuan Salwani took it upon herself to join the pioneer group and finalise a few early programmes, including a Bachelor’s programme in Robotics.

“I still remember joining UniKL MFI on May 15, 1997, when the syllabus was far from well-developed,” she reminisced.

“I vividly recall translating French documents into English for the Mathematics subject,” she said.

As the years unfolded, Dr. Tuan Salwani’s devotion to her profession led to various leadership roles at UniKL.

From heading the Innovation Unit to spearheading the Section for Graduates and assuming the position of Deputy Dean for Student Development, her love for teaching remained at the forefront. 

Most recently, she also served as the Director of the Center for Student Development, where her journey has shaped her into an exceptional educator.

For the record, Dr. Tuan Salwani was among the 308 employees of UniKL who received the Long Service Award for their years of service to UniKL.

A ceremony was held on May 30, 2023 to honour the recipients who had dedicated 10, 15, 20, and 25 years of service. 

During the ceremony, the recipients were presented with an appreciation certificate and a monetary token, which had been credited to their accounts prior.