AII’NA MARDIAH OVERCOMES LOSS TO EARN USM ROYAL EDUCATION AWARD

GEORGE TOWN, Nov 24 (Bernama) -- Her father’s passing during her first year at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) became a turning point that strengthened Aii’na Mardiah Din’s resolve to change her family’s circumstances.

Today, her sacrifices and hard work were rewarded when she was named the recipient of the Anugerah Pelajaran Diraja (Royal Education Award) by the Conference of Rulers under the Bumiputera category, in conjunction with USM’s 63rd convocation ceremony.

Aii’na Mardiah, 24, a Bachelor of Education (TESOL) graduate, admitted that she was not an outstanding student when she first started her degree. However, the passing of her father, Din Yakub, due to prostate cancer three years ago, strengthened her determination to excel academically.

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The 12th child of 15 siblings said her late father, a retired civil servant, had always dreamed of seeing all his children complete their studies up to the degree level.

“I have fulfilled my late father’s wish, but reaching this stage has not been easy. I want to continue my studies until the doctoral level (PhD) because I hope to become a lecturer.

“Throughout my studies, I took on various part-time jobs, including tutoring, working at a watch shop and running an online business, to make ends meet,” she said when met at USM convocation ceremony’s special press conference today.

Aii’na, who repeatedly held back tears as she recalled her late father, expressed gratitude for the support of her siblings and the prayers of her mother, Zaitun Deraman, 54.

“If my father were still here, I’m sure he would be happy and proud. Yet even with this accomplishment, I doubt I could ever feel completely fulfilled knowing he never got to see it,” said the Kota Bharu-born graduate.

USM Gold Medal recipient in the Persons with Disabilities (PwD) category, G. Valli, 24, exemplifies extraordinary resilience, never once allowing her limitations to hold her back.

The Bachelor of Technology (Honours) graduate, who is now pursuing a Master’s in Environmental Technology, had her left eye removed after she was diagnosed with eye cancer at the age of two.

“Since then, I can only see with one eye, while the other is fitted with a prosthetic. It was very challenging, especially during online classes.

“My eye would hurt from prolonged laptop use, and I had to complete assignments quickly before the pain worsened, but over time, I got used to it,” she said.

Earlier, USM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Seri Dr Abdul Rahman Mohamed announced that 9,347 students will receive their degrees during the convocation ceremony from tomorrow until Dec 2, which will be presided over by USM Chancellor, the Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail.

Abdul Rahman said Petronas Property advisor Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif will be conferred an Honorary Doctorate in Urban and Regional Planning.

He said Maimunah, who is a former Kuala Lumpur mayor, has over three decades of experience in urban planning and sustainable development, with notable contributions at the global level.

“Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin has also consented for Pro-Chancellor Tan Sri Datuk Dr Zulkefli A Hassan to preside over the second session, while sessions three to fourteen will be presided over by Tan Sri Dr Ahmad Tajuddin Ali and Datuk Seri Awang Adek Hussin,” he said.

The convocation will see 865 graduates receiving PhDs, 3,501 their Master’s degrees, 4,934 their Bachelor’s degrees, and 47 will receive the Diploma in Nursing.

-- BERNAMA