This piece of news sounds, ah-mazing!

At 81 years old, age proved no barrier for Christine Longuet, also known as Rohani Abdullah, who has achieved her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in human ecology and ethnobotany. After a decade of journey, she completed her thesis titled Tempat, Tumbuhan dan Masyarakat di Terengganu; Penilaian Berdasarkan Dua Era, making her the proud recipient of a PhD from Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT).

Born in Paris, Rohani's journey toward this accomplishment began in 2013, supported by her late husband, Wan Othman Wan Abdullah, and their eight children. Despite facing health challenges, family difficulties, and the global Covid-19 pandemic, she persevered in her research, which required a thorough, systematic comparison across two different eras.

"There were moments when I almost gave up," she admitted during the 22nd UMT Convocation Ceremony. "But I am grateful for the unwavering support from my family, the guidance of my young supervisors, and the assistance from UMT’s management."

Rohani holds a Bachelor’s degree in History from Sorbonne University in France and a Master’s degree in Architecture from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), earned in 2006. She now intends to pen her autobiography, which will serve as a legacy for her family. This memoir will be published in three languages, English, French, and Bahasa Malaysia, reflecting the multilingual skills she has developed over the years.

Having written several books, including Amabah: An Architect’s Journey (2013) and The Visible Trail of Chang Fee Ming (2000), Rohani is no stranger to the literary world. Her love for Terengganu’s rich culture, which began in 1971 when she came to order a yacht, led her to settle permanently in the region by 1975. Enamored by the local sailing industry, Malay culture, and traditional architecture, she has made significant contributions to the understanding of Terengganu’s heritage through her research.

Among her works are influential studies such as Kulit Manis: A Taste of Terengganu's Heritage and Menelusuri Jati Diri; Chapter Perahu Pinis: The Role of Craftsmen in the Creation of Sailing Ships in Terengganu, along with articles for French firms on traditional Terengganu medicine.

With 27 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, she is proof that love knows no bounds and family is everything. But what's truly incredible about her is her insatiable thirst for knowledge and passion for learning.

Source : Bernama