DIARY FIVE: MY DAY IN IIUM (5)

MOHAMED THIERNO MAGASSOUB (G1315849)

Introduction
Once one step into IIUM Campus, one will be impressed and amazed with the beauty
and uniqueness of the building connecting to each other, such as a huge library,
conducive Mahallah complexes, and a comfortable Mosque situated in the center of
University.
My first day in IIUM

Arriving from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on 7th January 2010, with the purpose in mind to
study a Master Degree in Comparative Law at Ahamd Ibrahim Kulliayah of Laws
where by I have been offered admission and it gave me great joy. I boarded Saudi
Arabian Airline and landed in Kuala Lumpur international Airport about 12: 35 Pm
local time. I headed directly to the immigration unit, after immigration clearance I
collected my bags and I headed toward the International Islamic University by taxi. I
reached UIA on Sunday around 4 Pm. I was even confused by the name of the
University. Before getting into the Taxi, Taxi driver keep tell me the name of
University in Malay language University Islam Antarabangsa (UIA) I told him that
Im not going to University which he is saying so I keep repeating the name of the
university in English and he keep repeating the Name in Malay which created miss
understanding between me and Taxi driver. As from the airport I didnt see any sign
board reflecting the name of the University in English language. Nevertheless all the
sing board was referring to University Islam Antarabangsa (UIA). I said in myself let
see where this taxi driver will take me. Immediately I arrived at the main get of
Gombak Campus I saw the name boldly displayed in in front of gate International
Islamic University Malaysia and I apologized to the Taxi driver. He eventually
dropped me in Malahalah Ali. I was amazed by the university design, and green

DIARY FIVE: MY DAY IN IIUM (5)

MOHAMED THIERNO MAGASSOUB (G1315849)

environment and at the same time I was very nervous because of communication
barriers since I can speak French and Arabic only at that time so my worries is that
whether I can accomplish my Goal or not. I stayed in Mahallah Ali with a friend of
my mine called Abdourazak from Guinea; he gave me a warm welcome and gave me
full information about IIUM.
Registration day
Due to the fact that I arrived Malaysia after the university official registration day, I
didnt have a chance to do my registration in the designated venue on my admission
letter, which was the Cultural Activity Center (CAC). Because I arrived on Sunday
afternoon, on Monday morning, I proceeded to do my registration in the Center for
Postgraduate studies office whereby I collected registration form then I went to bank
Muamalate to pay my fees. After making payment to the bank I brought the payment
slip to UIA students finance division office to officially endorse the payment. After
finance division put their stamp on my registration form, I returned back to the CPS to
activate my status and thereafter I became an officially registered and active students
of the IIUM which is a unique citadel of learning that emphasizes the integration of
Divine Revealed Truth and western beneficial knowledge. After activating my status I
went to the smart card division to get my Matric card and after that, I went to ITD to
activate my portal pin number. The entire registration went smoothly because my
friend was helping me and he was familiar with the entire process.
Daily Routine schedule
After I became an active student, I got my own room and I prepared my daily routine
program that after Fajir prayer, I will embark on a minimum of 30 minutes excise in
the IIUM stadium and thereafter Ill head to Canteen Ali for breakfast around 7am

DIARY FIVE: MY DAY IN IIUM (5)

MOHAMED THIERNO MAGASSOUB (G1315849)

before I go to the class in CELPAD, while I was in CELPAD, I used to have my first
class in morning from 8am to 10am and my second class from 10am to 1pm daily
except Fridays. At the end of my class I usually go to the library level 4 to study on
my own especially English language. After 5 Pm I used to go to swimming at IIUM
swimming pool near by stadium since I was not overloaded with courses. My hobby
at that time was a photographer where I used to take a lot of picture of IIUM and post
it in my blog before they stole my Camera in bus.
Conclusion
The foregoing informations are a description of my early days here in IIUM
commencing from my flight from Saudi Arabia, the encounter I had with the taxi
driver that brought me to campus, my registration exercise and finally, the description
culminated with my daily routine when I arrive IIUM newly.