KOTA SAMARAHAN: A total of 1,731 graduates from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) here received their degree on the second day of the 22nd Convocation Ceremony held at the Dewan Tunku Abdul Rahman (DeTAR) Putra yesterday. The ceremony was graced by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi (Dr) Abang Johari Tun Openg, who is also the Pro-Chancellor of UNIMAS.
The second day of the convocation witnessed the graduation of students from five faculties, namely Faculty of Cognitive Sciences & Human Development (FCSHD), Faculty of Computer Science & Information Technology (FCSIT), Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (FSSH), Faculty of Medical & Health Sciences (FMHS), and Faculty of Language & Communication (FLC). The convocation comprised 517 students from FCSHD, 375 (FCSIT), 623 (FSSH), 160 (FMHS) and 56 (FLC).
Among the graduates yesterday was a 22-year-old with special needs, Nur’Azreen Azirah Mohamad Azelan, who suffers from Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), a genetic disorder that causes loss of vision. The graduate of Bachelor of Science with Honours (Human Resource Development) from FCSHD is the eldest among her five siblings.
“I started to lose my vision during high school and it deteriorated over time. I need someone to guide me while going to class during the night. I also use more of hearing and write my notes immediately during class. “Sometimes, it becomes difficult for me to read what the lecturer write on the whiteboard despite sitting in front of the class.
However, my lecturers and friends have shown their support and helped me throughout my studies. “I ever thought of giving up as I was always dependent on someone to guide me but I persisted until I managed to receive my degree today,” said Azreen while advising other students to not give up on their studies.
