GEORGE TOWN: Ooi Ivan, who has been suffering from autism (hyperactive) since he was two, never expected that he will be named the recipient of the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Gold Award (award for outstanding graduate with disabilities) at the varsity's 60th convocation, which will be held from Saturday (Dec 3) to Dec 14.

The 24-year-old, who prefers to be called Ivan, said although he has been dealing with the problem of concentrating in classes for a long time and often gets anxious, it did not stop him from furthering his studies in USM.

Ivan, who is the eldest of two siblings, said although he would easily get anxious, he was still able to follow and focus on each class for an hour.

The Perai-born Ivan also thanked his USM lecturers for paying more attention to him.

Ivan, who obtained a Bachelor of Education (TESOL) with an Honours degree, said USM's environment, which is conducive to persons with disabilities (PwDs), also helped him a lot when he faced problems focusing on his studies.

"The biggest challenge when it comes to following the classes in USM is that I easily get anxious and have difficulty concentrating if the classes are too long, in addition to becoming unstable emotionally when I'm in a crowded place.

"However, I managed to follow every class for four years and obtained a 3.72 cumulative grade point average (CGPA). My lecturers and classmates may think that I was not focused but, actually, I could concentrate.

"And (because my emotions can be unstable when I'm in a crowded place), I would ask to be placed in a separate room during examinations," he told reporters at a press conference in conjunction with the 60th USM Convocation here today.

Ivan, whose ambition is to be a teacher, said he was also grateful to the USM staff for their dedication in helping him throughout his time at the varsity.

Arief Ferdaus Azmi, 22, who won the Chancellor's Gold award (award for best final-year student in all fields), thanked his parents for encouraging him to do a Bachelor of Arts (English For Professionals) course.

Arief Ferdaus, the eldest of four siblings, said it was his mother, Norliza Abdul Rahman, who is in her 50s, who chose the course as she found that he was fluent in English.

"Alhamdulilah, I am grateful I listened to my mother and I never faced any problems. I may want to continue to further my studies overseas," said Arief Ferdaus, whose ambition is to become a lecturer.

Muhammad Nasri Nasehir Khan, 23, received the Royal Education Award by the Council of Rulers of Malaysia for the best student in the Bumiputera category and Siek Jia Wen, 24, for the best student in the non-Bumiputera category while Farah Zahidah Abdul Halim, 22, won the Vice-Chancellor's Gold Award for outstanding student leader.

USM deputy vice-chancellor (research and innovation) Prof Datuk Ir Abdul Rahman Mohamed, who was present at the press conference, said the 60th convocation ceremony, involving 12 sessions, would be held at the Dewan Tuanku Syed Putra, with the first batch of 478 graduates set to receive their scrolls from USM Chancellor the Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail at 10,30 am on Saturday (Dec 3).

He said the convocation this time will see a total of 7,280 graduates receiving their respective degrees, including Professor Emeritus (two), doctorates in Philosophy (493), Master's degrees (1,732), Bachelor's degrees (4,984) and Diploma in Nursing (69).- BERNAMA ONLINE