USM PENANG, 22 August 2023 – Two students from the School of Biological Sciences (SBS) Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) were recently honoured with the Academic Excellence Award 2022 by the Incorporated Society of Planters (ISP) during the ISP Academic Excellence Award Ceremony.

The award ceremony took place at the SBS 107 Conference Room and was presented by Rajindran Irusan, the Chief Executive of ISP.

The criteria for award selection, as set by ISP is based on a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.8 and above.

The honourees are Oong Xian Zhe (24), a Bachelor of Applied Science (Agrobiology) student with a CGPA of 3.87, and Thien Oi Yee (24), a Bachelor of Science (Microbiology) student with a CGPA of 3.86.

Oong who is currently working as a research assistant at Advanced Agriecological Research Sdn. Bhd. in Kota Damansara, Selangor was also involved in the following research projects:

1. Effects of Spent Mushroom Waste and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi as Plant Growth Promoters, and
2. Efficacy of Biopolymer-Coated Controlled-Release Fertilizer on Pre-Nursery Oil Palm Seedlings.

He said that by receiving this award, it will be a recognition of his previous efforts and would also provide him with more passion and enthusiasm for his future work.

“I believe that the four-year education journey is not merely just a pursuit of degree or grades, but it is also a journey of self-discovery, intellectual growth and personal transformation that has shaped me into the person I have to be,” said Oong.

Meanwhile, Thien who had received the USM Top Student Award in Applied Biology, said that she was unexpected to receive the award, especially after experiencing failure nine times during her final year project experiments.

“I was quite down and struggling hard at that moment, but the progress and effort mattered the most, as the imperfections helped to shape my journey towards improvement and success,” she said.

Thien further emphasised that this award acknowledges her dedication to academic studies in the field of microbiology and serves as a reminder of her responsibilities in advancing scientific knowledge and making a meaningful contribution to the field.

Additionally, Thien was involved in a mini project titled ‘Effect of Culture Media and Sub-inhibitory Isoniazid on Growth and Vesicle Production in Mycobacterium Smegmatis’.

When asked about their future plans, Oong expressed his desire to collaborate with USM in research and development within the next 10 years, with a strong determination to contribute his skills and knowledge in the field of agriculture for the benefit of future generations.

On the other hand, Thien said that she is planning to seek a job in a hospital microbiology lab, as she aims for this experience and wants to give it a try before pursuing her Master's degree.

“Our advice for the younger generations who aim to pursue their studies in the Biology field is to have the passion, as tertiary education is important, but it’s your passion that will drive you to excel and make meaningful contributions in this field,” said Oong.

As for Thien, she had been coping with a severe ankle condition, marked by instability and discomfort since her first year of studies. During her final year, she also faced the challenges of struggling with mental health issues.

“It’s okay not to feel fine at times, as you’ll weather the storm. Most importantly, don’t hesitate to seek help from lecturers and professionals. Never give up, and embrace imperfections as a part of your unique self. The key to success lies in being true to yourself. Follow your passion, and find joy in what you do,” she said, ending the interview.

Text: Nur Farrah Ezlin Mohd Suhaimi/Photo: Shahnizam Ab Rahim