PENANG, 11 March 2014 - Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Vice-Chancellor Professor Dato’ Dr. Omar Osman today paid his last respects at the Penang Hospital mortuary to a Master’s degree candidate from the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, the late Mostafa Ahmed Mafik Mohammed Ayad who died on Saturday.

The remains would be brought to Kuala Lumpur before being flown to Egypt for burial.

Also present at the mortuary were Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs and Development) Professor Dr. Adnan Hussein; the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Dean, Professor Dr. Munavvar Zubaid Abdul Sattar; Deputy Dean (Academic) Dr. Nurzalina Abdul Karim Khan; the International Office Director, Associate Professor Dr. Anees Janee Ali @ Hamid; Deputy Registrar (Students Affairs and Development) Hj Husin Yahaya and several university officials. USM Islamic Centre Assistant Director Ustaz Iswandi Abdul Mokmin read the doa.

Meanwhile, USM also mourn the death of a third year student, Ho Chin Nam, from the School of Computer Sciences who was found dead by his roommate in the early morning of the same day.

Paramedics came to confirm the death at the student’s hostel room and the Royal Malaysian Police later took the body to the Penang Hospital.

The family of the deceased from Malim Nawar, Perak, was contacted by the University at the time of the incident and his remains were brought back to his hometown for burial.

“We grieve over the loss of both students and hope that their families will be able to endure the pain of the loss," said Omar.

The Vice-Chancellor also thanked the Egyptian embassy in Malaysia that helped to arrange the sending of the student’s body home. Omar also thanked all the officers and university staff who helped to facilitate and comfort the two families to face such moments of grief.

The University wishes to express condolences to the families of both students who are mourning the loss of their loved ones and we pray that their spirit will find eternal peace. - Translation: Yong Check Yoon/Text & Photo: Mohamad Abdullah