VETERAN actress, radio announcer, acting coach and director Datuk Fauziah Nawi has been honoured by the theatre fraternity of Universiti Malaya (UM) for her immense contributions to the entertainment industry.
Fauziah, 71, received the Karviter 2024 Special Award at UM's annual Theatre Carnival or Karviter 2024 last Sunday.
Thanking the university for recognising her hard work over the years, Fauziah said she is never out to "collect" awards but always feels heart-warmed whenever she receives one.
"Acting is my passion, be it on TV, cinema or theatre. I always give 200 per cent whenever I partake in an artistic endeavour, and as a mentor and teacher, I also guide my proteges and students to do the same," she said, adding that her "real reward" is seeing them shine as bright, if not brighter, than her.
"My advice to all aspiring actors and actresses is simple, you must love what you are doing and go all out to make yourself shine, on TV, film or the stage. Never take short-cuts and always push yourself to leave your comfort zones."
Fauziah said UM always brings back fond memories, as she had starred in in its theatre performances ... and also worked in the university's Treasury Department, where she "carried lots of files".
"The surest sign that we have done our job brilliantly is the acceptance from the audience. If you act well, they will respect you for your craft, that is the true measure of your success."
Fauziah also advised aspiring actors and actresses to further their studies as best they can.
"Knowledge is power. Pursuing paper qualifications is a great investment for a better future."
In August last year, Fauziah, who is best known for her roles in films such as 'Sayang Salmah', 'Mencari Rahmat' and 'Small Town Heroes', said she plans to pursue a doctorate in philosophy at another local university and her course will take two years to complete.
Fauziah graduated from Open University Malaysia with a creative industry (acting) degree in 2018 and received an acting diploma from Meatech Creative Academy in 2022.
Fauziah admitted that having a degree has seen her getting paid "more than before" in dramas and films.
"Besides a pay rise, it has also enabled me to conduct more acting classes, including online ones, like what I did during the Movement Control Order."
In July last year, Fauziah was awarded the Darjah Panglima Jasa Negara (PJN), which carries the 'Datuk' title, by the then Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.
Fauziah has been an active participant in the Malaysian arts and entertainment scene with a career spanning five decades.
The Ipoh-born entertainer has also recorded several music albums and staged numerous theatrical productions.
In 2003, Fauziah founded Sanggar Teater Fauziah Nawi and Sanggar Teater Kanak-Kanak Fauziah Nawi to nurture new talents for the arts scene.
