Stage four Cancer patient receives PhD at UiTM convocation

SHAH ALAM, Nov 26  (Bernama) -- Despite being diagnosed with stage four colon cancer just a fortnight ago, Dr Anis Mardiana Abdullah did not allow her sickness to stop her from receiving her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) today at the 95th Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) convocation ceremony.

Anis Mardiana, 45, who cannot stand for long due to her illness, boldly stood up to receive her PhD in Transport and Logistics from UiTM Pro-Chancellor, Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin.

The mother of one said she did not want to trouble university officials about her condition and bravely defied the pain to complete the ceremony on her historic day.

She also said she did not expect her name to be selected as the recipient of the Malaysia Technology Development Corporation (MTDC) Innovation Book Award.

"When I was doing my PhD, I had no serious symptoms, I noticed my hands trembled when I was writing which I thought was due to stress.

“After completing my studies, I went for a check-up and found that I had thyroid cancer. However, when my health deteriorated, I went for a further check-up and the doctor confirmed that I had stage four colon cancer," she told reporters when met after the convocation.

 Anis Mardiana added that she will undergo surgery to combat the disease at the UKM Chancellor Tuanku Muhriz Hospital (HCTM) in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, next week.

 Meanwhile, Dr Siti Shakinah Sobri, 36, who received a Master’s in Pathology and Anatomy, said although she was heavily pregnant with her first child, she did not want to miss the opportunity to attend the convocation ceremony. 

Dr Siti, who is currently attached to the pathology department of Tuanku Fauziah Hospital in Kangar, Perlis, said initially her husband objected her attendance at the convocation.

"I am now 36 weeks pregnant, but I want to come because I want to meet my friends (colleagues). So my husband accompanied me to my convocation today,” she said.

Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin conferred Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Medicine degrees on 116 graduates.

 The convocation ceremony which began on Saturday (Nov 26) to Dec 21 involved 31,220 graduates who will receive their degrees and diplomas in their respective fields.

-- BERNAMA