By Shahfizal Musa
Pix Shahiddan Saidi

BANGI, 26 Oct 2013 – A couple who received their Phds together at The National University of Malaysia’s (UKM) 41^stconvocation here today has proven that marriage and family is no barrier to self enrichment.

Dr Ismadi Ismail and Dr Rosilawati Amiruddin, a husband and wife, both received their Doctorates in the field of economics. They may look like any ordinary middle class couple but there is more to them than what meets the eye.

They don’t just receive their Phds on the same day, they also studied together in the same field, work in the same department as lecturers teaching the same subject.

The couple who had known each other since their matriculation days also have the same exact result for their Masters, 3.95 GPA.

They have been married for more than 20 years and are inseparable and always have things to talk about.

“Even at the office we are inseparable. We are just like two best friends who loved each other’s company,” said Ismadi.

They rarely have arguments and unlike other marriages, that is tested by circumstances, theirs are blessed and seems protected.

Ismadi jokingly said “I go to work with my wife in the same car, spent the day at the office with her and go back together. There is no chance for me to have an affair is there? Even if I wanted to.”

This couple put a whole new twist to flexible working hours when it comes to spending quality time with their children. “We spend a lot of time at the office after work and our children will come to our office and study with us,” said Dr Rosilawati.

Even on the weekends, she would cook at home and have their outings at the office bringing the kids along.

Commenting on her husband, Dr Rosilawati said she would gladly follow her husband and let him lead because she thinks he is perfect. “Even the children think he is perfect.”

Rosilawati took her Master’s Degree in 1992 while Ismadi only had a chance to do it in 1997. He gave full support to his wife and did not see it as something threatening his role as a husband.

But even with a lot a compatibility, they were very competitive and tried to outdo each other when it comes to their exams. But it never cause any strain in their relationship.

Usually it is the wife who is the backbone of any relationship and Dr Rosilawati reveals their secret to maintaining a happy and fruitful marriage is not to force an issue when they disagree.

“I do not force him to accept my views but I just would leave the issue alone for a few days and if I am right, he usually comes around and realised he is wrong and would come and say I was wrong” said Dr Rosilawati.

She said it is probably his upbringing that makes him the man he is.

Ismadi grew up in a military family with a very strict and disciplinarian father.

My father would do spot checks of our room when I was young, and we would all have to stand to attention like a normal soldier.

Discipline and the instilling of confidence made Dr Ismadi what he is. He and his wife both attributed their success as a blessing from Allah.

They both agreed that when a husband and wife works towards a common goal and have good chemistry, a marriage do not have to be dull even after the honeymoon period.