NOR SHAMIRA SHINES AT UUM CONVOCATION DESPITE STAGE FOUR CANCER DIAGNOSIS

SINTOK, Nov 9 (Bernama) -- Beneath the radiant smile of a young graduate at Universiti Utara Malaysia’s (UUM) convocation ceremony today lies a journey of courage, endurance and unwavering hope.

Nor Shamira Irwani Farid, 24, never thought she would be able to attend her graduation.

Diagnosed with stage four Classic Hodgkin Lymphoma, she had spent much of the year undergoing intensive treatment, yet today, she stood proudly in her graduation robe, surrounded by her loved ones and fellow graduates.

What made the moment even more meaningful was when she was awarded the Vice-Chancellor’s Gold Award for academic excellence, having completed her Bachelor of Social Work Management with an impressive CGPA of 3.94.

The award was presented by the Sultan of Kedah, Al Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah.

“At the beginning of my treatment, the chemotherapy was strong and I was in and out of the hospital. I honestly didn’t think I’d be able to be here today,” she said when met after the first session of the convocation ceremony. 

The youngest of three siblings from Nilai in Negeri Sembilan said her diagnosis came after noticing a small lump on the right side of her neck in 2022. Pressed for time, she delayed getting it checked.

Earlier this year, the lump grew larger and began to spread, leading to tests that confirmed her illness in August.

 The road that followed was not easy, but her family, lecturers and friends became her pillars of strength throughout both her studies and her treatment, constantly encouraging her to keep going.

Nor Shamira now hopes to become a lecturer and serve in the field of medical social work, inspired by the challenges she has lived through.

To others who may be battling chronic illness or struggling with mental health, she shared a quiet but powerful message: “Your illness is not the end of your story. Hold on to even the smallest hope. There are people who care about you, who are praying for you”. 

Her story received heartfelt recognition during the convocation session, when UUM Vice-Chancellor Prof Dato’ Dr Mohd Foad Sakdan paused his speech to invite the entire hall to applaud her strength and presence.

“Let us give our warmest applause to Nor Shamira, who is here with us today,” he said.

Also during the convocation, which runs from today until Thursday, the Royal Education Award was presented to Mohammad Noor Aiman Hassan Nudin, 23, from Tawau and Vianca Syam Shamlal, 24, from Kedah, while the Chancellor’s Gold Medal Award was received by Wong Yoong Wai, 24, from Seremban. 

Recipients of the Royal Education Award received RM7,500 in cash along with a certificate, while the Chancellor’s Gold Medal Award recipient received RM4,000 in cash and a certificate.

-- BERNAMA