Singaporean Spina Bifida Patient Earns UIAM Master's Degree

By Ainul Farahana Chik Lid KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13 (Bernama) -- A Singaporean woman, born with defective backbone, defied all odds to earn a master's degree at the Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia (UIAM) Sunday. Norsuria Jani, 28, a spina bifida patient, said she was lucky as she could still walk, albeit with difficulties. "I was fortunate as most spina bifida patients are unable to walk...I can get around with a walking stick. "I have to put on a specially-made pair of shoes which is higher on one foot to balance my body while I walk. Sometimes, when I do tumble, my kind and considerate college mates will help me up," she told Bernama here. Norsuria, the eldest of five children, proudly walked up the stage to receive her scroll for a Master of Science (Finance and Islamic Banking), in conjunction with UIAM's 30th convocation here. "I cannot carry out many daily activities in a normal manner as my movement is rather slow. Nonetheless, I must thank my college friends for lending me a hand in sending me to college and so on. I am very grateful for their kind assistance," said Norsuria, who also holds a bachelor's degree in Law and Syariah from UIAM. Another graduate, Ahmad Zulkahfi Hayat Hussin, 28, whose hands are disabled, proved that his physical disadvantage was not a hindrance to higher education when he received a Master's Degree in Education (Curriculum and Teaching) from UIAM. "For me, your disability to see my ability is your own disability. I ignore all kinds of perceptions people have against the physically disadvantaged...I am grateful to Allah for his blessings in many unexpected ways," he said. The teacher from Terengganu, who had just married Nurul Ain Malik, 28, three weeks ago is now teaching Additional Mathematics at the International Islamic School (IIS) here. "Apart from teaching full-time at IIS, I also teach at a tuition centre. While taking my master's here (UIAM), I did not face much problems except for the tight schedule of rushing for lectures after school," he said. Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, who is UIAM Mentor Minister, presented the scrolls at the second convocation session Sunday. A total of 4,853 graduates comprising 47 diploma, 3,851 bachelor's degree, 808 master's degree and 147 doctoral students, received their respective degrees at the three-day convocation. -- BERNAMA