Alia Hamed Ali, a student at IGNOU, received her second gold medal in M.A. Literature despite her challenging domestic and career responsibilities Astudent, a teacher, a mother, and now a two-time gold medalist – Alia Hamed Ali has several causes for celebration. After completing her secondary education from International Indian School Jeddah with stellar results as a topper in English language and Urdu, Alia pursued her B.A. and secured her first gold medal. With two beautiful daughters, Alia successfully balanced her academics with her career as a teacher at Al-Waha International School and her domestic responsibilities. Her hobbies of reading novels, watching TV, and reading Urdu poetry spell her out as an ordinary person – until you hear about her second gold medal for her incredible performance in M.A. Literature as a student of the Indira Gandhi Open University (IGNOU). Saudi Gazette spoke to her about her achievements and her advice for current students pursuing a distance-learning program. How do you balance your professional, academic, and domestic responsibilities?Being a house-wife and bringing up two daughters while pursuing education side-by-side was indeed a tough task. There were many times when I came across several challenges which were challenging enough for me to give up my aspiration but only my strength, will and determination helped me to trounce the obstacles. I am a firm believer that dreams and dedication are a powerful combination and my triumph has proven it truthful in all aspects. In life if a person values hard work then hard work shall value him in return and success is the result. After all “Nothing succeeds so well as success”. What helped you decide on IGNOU, amongst several other options for distance learning? I chose IGNOU amongst several other options for distance learning because I believe that no other university could respond to the need of the students in a manner in which IGNOU did. The course material provided was excellently researched and was absolutely self-sufficient. IGNOU also provided counseling classes which were of immense help. For any other student who is unable to go abroad for higher education, it is a golden chance and I was lucky enough to grab this opportunity and today Alhamdulillah I am proud of my decision. How did you become interested in pursuing Literature? Were you always fond of the subject? I was always fond of literature. I opted for Arts when most of my teachers had advised me to go for Science or Commerce. When I decided to pursue my education I could not think of anything other than literature and I enjoyed studying English Literature. What would you say are the factors behind your success? I am grateful to Allah for enabling me to accomplish my desired aspiration. I am grateful to my parents for their genuine prayers and wishes and my husband, Zubair Siddiqui, for his immense support and cooperation. The credit of my success goes to my husband for his constant support and for always boosting my dedication. Would you recommend distance learning to other potential students? What in your opinion are the merits and demerits? I would definitely recommend distance learning to other potential students. Learning anything either via distance or normal manner, you gain knowledge; many don't take advantage of this!!! As gaining knowledge is always a merit, it's how you utilize this knowledge. What are your top tips for those who aspire to become gold medalists like yourself? My first piece of advice for them is that they should never hesitate to step over the threshold of the door that is already open for you. There is no excuse for not trying. The demerits are so less that they are overshadowed by the merits and achievements. At the end you will stand out more confident and content with your decision. I would like to mention a quote for my fellow students: “Shoot for the moon!!! Even if you miss it you will land among the stars.”
