PENANG-born medical student Por Chia Yin of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland & University College Dublin Malaysia Campus (RUMC) was named valedictorian of the year.
She bagged RUMC awards for first place in surgery, psychiatry, family medicine as well as forensic and legal medicine.
Por, 24, said she initially found it frustrating to study online during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“It was harder to interact with the lecturers but they were very supportive and did their best for us,” she said when met after RUMC’s 22nd conferring ceremony in Penang.
She said she was honoured to be the top graduate in a class of outstanding students.
“However, winning these awards is not what defines me.
“Being a good doctor goes beyond that and takes compassion, humility and patience which I am hoping to harvest in the next chapter of my life.
“It is our ability to make an impact in our patients’ lives which really matters in the end,” she said.
Por, whose father, aunts, uncles and a cousin are also doctors, will be applying to serve as a houseman and although she is aware that the path will be tough, she has received much support from her father.
“As for my immediate plans, I want to do research with doctors from private hospitals to enhance my knowledge and skills,” she said.
Dean’s List 2022 winners Joel Chong Kai Xuan, 23, and Sarah Amirah Ahmad Hazri, 25, were also able to overcome the challenges of online learning.
Chong, from Melaka, who won an RUMC award for first place in radiology, said he put in extra effort.
He plans to pick up a musical skill before making any decision on his future.
Sarah Amirah, from Shah Alam in Selangor, who won an RUMC award for first place in ear, nose and throat (ENT) and public health, cited a passion for helping people as the reason for choosing medicine as a career.
She is looking forward to spending some time with her family before applying to undergo her housemanship.
Por, Chong and Sarah Amirah were among the 92 doctors from the Class of 2022 who took their oath and received their National University of Ireland (NUI) medical degrees at a ceremony held in George Town, Penang.
RUMC president and chief executive officer Prof David Whitford said those who graduated in 2020 and 2021 via virtual ceremonies because of the pandemic were also invited to join the conferring ceremony this year.
NUI chancellor Dr Maurice Manning said in his speech the graduates were entering the medical profession during a challenging time due to the shadow of the Covid-19 pandemic.He urged them to take care of their patients at all times and also show exemplary behaviour.
Also present were Ireland ambassador to Malaysia Hilary Reilly, Penang Health Department deputy director (public health) Datin Dr Azizah Ab Manan and RUMC dean Prof Premnath Nagalingam.