PENANG, 12 March 2026 – The Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) School of Distance Education (PPPJJ) recently visited one of its RPJJ (Distance Education Programme) alumna, Zunita Binti Sahat, 47, who has been diagnosed with endometrial cancer, to offer care and encouragement in her journey to remain strong.

Representing PPPJJ during the visit were Deputy Registrar, Mohd Rashid Abdul Rejab, together with Senior Assistant Registrar (Management and Alumni) and PPPJJ Alumni Ambassador, Nor Rafizah Md Zain.

Zunita, affectionately known as CJ, is an alumna of the Bachelor of Management programme, majoring in Organisation, and graduated in 2017.

She had previously worked as a part-time tutor, as well as giving tuition classes to children in the area of Permatang Damar Laut in Penang where she lives.

However, since she was diagnosed with cancer, she has stopped those activities to focus more on her treatment.

“I also used to work for a contractor company, but during the COVID-19 pandemic which swept the country, I was laid off,” she said as she started the conversation.

Now staying with her husband and parents, she has accepted her fate with an open heart, although deep down she hopes that the community would be praying for her well-being and for her health issues to be lessened.

She also has other ailments aside from cancer, namely a weak heart and chronic kidney stones, and is currently using the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) breathing apparatus to help her breathe while sleeping.

“Alhamdulillah and I feel truly grateful to have received assistance from various agencies in Penang, in the form of a ventilator and a wheel chair,” added CJ who was in high spirits when met.

She would begin her radiotherapy treatment at the end of the month.

Also present during the visit was her friend, Dr. Noorazlina Yusoff, herself an alumna and a part‑time lecturer at PPPJJ.

The visit was meant to offer her support, care, and to show solidarity from the big ‘family’ in PPPJJ as well as the RPJJ USM Alumni community, for her to remain strong and steadfast in facing this difficulty.

For those among her alumni friends or from the community who would like to extend financial assistance to provide ease in the treatment expenses and also for her personal needs, the contribution can be deposited into this bank account: Zunita Bt Sahat – Maybank 157139796155.

Let us pray for CJ to be given the strength, to be healed, and to receive her treatment in the best way possible. Thank you for all your prayers and care.

Original Text & Photo: School of Distance Education (PPPJJ), USM/Translation: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin