Outstanding Students of UKM Intends to Contribute to Society
By Abd Ghani Nasir and Shahfizal Musa
Pic by Pkk and Photo Unit, UKM Press
BANGI, 24 Sept, 2011 – Outstanding graduates of UKM intends to further their studies and contribute to the society.
Four of them Ainol Basirah binti Abdul Wahab, 23; Ahmad Syiimir bin Suffian, 23; Pang Kok Lun, 23 and Nazirah Binti Kamal Basah, 22 were conferred various awards at the 39th Convocation Ceremony of The National University of Malaysia (UKM) beginning here, today.
The sixth daughter of a bus conductor cum security guard, Ainol Basirah binti Abdul Wahab, 23, will strive to achieve her goal of getting a PhD in accounting.
Born in Kampung Batu Talam, In Felda Jengka Raub, Pahang, Ainol Basirah is the recipient of the Royal Education Award and The Tun Abdul Razak Award. She currently serves as a tutor in UKM after getting her Bachelor of Accounts degree from the Faculty of Economics and Management. She is making arrangements to do her Masters in Britain.
Since joining UKM in 2007, this former student of SMK Tengku Kudin, Raub , Pahang was awarded the Dean’s Award for five session until the end of her semester this year.
Ainol Basirah is also the winner of UKM Senior Bursary Prize, The Outstanding Pahang Student Award, Aminuddin Baki College Academic Award and Oustanding Student Faculty Award in 2009.
Besides being focussed in her studies, she is also very active in extra-curricular activites , including taking part in sports at national and international levels and is a member of the UKM Taekwondo Club.
“I will continue in my studies to become a lecturer and God willing will strive to achieve my ambition of becoming a professor,” said Ainol Basirah who is proud of being born in a remote area in a Felda scheme finishing her primary and secondary education in rural schools.
Another recipient of the Royal Education Award, The Vice Chancellor’s Award and Tun Abdul Razak Award, Ahmad Syiimir bin Suffian, 23, is steadfast in facing challenges and competition in the legal arena.
Born in the rubber estate of Bukit Katil, Melaka, Ahmad Syiimir is currently doing his chambering with a well known law firm in Kuala Lumpur after getting his Bachelor of Law degree (with distinction).
Since starting his studies in UKM, Ahmad Syiimir has been awarded the Dean’s Award for five continuous semesters, the Outstanding Graduates Award, winner of four gold medals for swimming at Sukem 2009 and also the Keris Mas College Athletics Award in 2009.
His ability in dividing his time between studying and being active in students association and sports enabled this son of a Risda technician to be involved in the Students Mobility Program at the University of Tasmania, Australia in 2010 and had also represented Malaysian at the Asian Law Students International Conference in 2008.
He is also the chief director of the Malay Language Debate, Law and Society for the Chief Justice Trophy 2011.
Nazirah Binti Kamal a graduate of Islamic Propagation and Leadership from the Faculty of Islamic Studies and winner of the Vice Chancellor Award hopes to be a scholar in Islamic studies and take the subject to a higher level.
She said that all this while Islamic Studies has been given a back seat because of the impression that it cannot contribute much to the nation’s development.
“I want to change the perception that Islam belongs to the mosques and homes only, when Islam is in fact relevant in all aspect of life and especially in science and technology,” she said.
When asked how theology can contribute to science she said “ let’s take surgery for example, don’ talk about our past glory but Islam if given a place in medical research will open a whole new area of treatment which only use halal material and medication.”
Nazirah will be reading for her Masters in the same subject and is very enthusiastic in putting Islam at the forefront of development of the nation.
Pang Kok Law a Biomedical Science graduate who won the Tun Abdul Razak award , intends to develop new drugs that could help to cure cancer.
The son of a lorry driver with seven siblings, he definitely made the family proud because he is the only one in the family that made it to a university.
He intends to further his studies until the doctorate level and is desirous in contributing back to society.
“I am grateful to have won the award, I feel I must do something that can benefit society and I intend to develop drugs that can cure cancer one day.” 