USM PENANG, 22 December 2023 - Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) recently held its 61st Convocation Ceremony, where Luca Genetti, a 42-year-old gentleman from Italy, proudly stood as a graduand, receiving his Degree in English Language and Literature Studies during the Thirteenth Session at Dewan Tuanku Syed Putra (DTSP) in USM.

Luca's journey to USM unfolds as a captivating tale of spontaneity and exploration. Amidst the pursuit of a Bachelor of Arts degree in Taiwan, Luca deviated from the planned trajectory, embarking on an impromptu adventure to Malaysia, a country he had never visited.

The inspiration for this decision came from a friend suggesting a visit to Penang. Acting on this spur-of-the-moment choice, Luca boarded a flight to Penang.

Upon arriving at the Penang airport, Luca found an immediate connection with the place, leading him to choose Georgetown as his new home.

The comforting atmosphere and the enchanting surroundings fuelled Luca's curiosity to explore educational opportunities.

Following a conversation with the USM Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Academic and International, Professor Gs. Dr. Narimah Samat, Luca was convinced to enrol at USM.

From the very beginning, Luca felt a profound sense of amazement and belonging.

"I have always been engaged in language studies. My first major is Mandarin language, enabling me to speak three other languages, namely Italian, Spanish, and English. I also possess basic knowledge of Malay, including numbers and days,” he said.

When asked about what makes Malaysia and Penang special, Luca expressed appreciation for the friendliness of the people, likening the experience to feeling almost at home.

Luca highlighted the incredible places to visit and the delectable cuisine, even in the midst of the warm weather.

Looking ahead, Luca has applied for a Master's programme at USM, and the research paper, focused on coastal protection within the Geography course, is currently under review.

Luca aspires to become an academician, driven by a passion for teaching in the humanities field, and plans to continue his studies to achieve this goal.

A total of 8,166 graduands received their respective scrolls in their respective fields from the First Session to the Thirteenth Session, held on 21 November to 27 November 2023 and were alternately chaired by the 3 current USM Pro-Chancellors.

Text: Nur Farrah Ezlin Mohd Suhaimi/Photo: MPRC Photographers