Education

  Star Education Fair

Sunday November 29, 2009

Overcoming the odds

By CINDY POH

OBTAINING a degree is a challenge in itself — even more so when one has left school for a long time, or has a physical disability. But for deaf graduate Teh Cheang Hock, 42, the word ‘impossible’ does not seem to exist in his vocabulary.

Teh, who graduated with a Bachelor of Information Technology from Open University Malaysia (OUM), became the first recipient of the Chancellor’s Award during its seventh convocation at the Putra World Trade Centre recently.

Chancellor Tun Jeanne Abdullah said that Teh’s achievement served as a great example and encouragement for those who had reservations to further their studies. She said that there were still many who did not seize the opportunity provided by the university, and they were the ones who needed support and confidence, adding that Teh’s example was definitely one that could change perceptions.

“I’m happy to be rewarded with such outstanding award and it was my wife who first encouraged me to further my studies.

“I also wanted to get a recognised degree in order to get promotion from my current company,” shared Teh.

Deaf graduate Teh (left) and school teacher Chan are no strangers to hard work and persistence. Their efforts paid off when they won the Chancellor’s Award and CEMCA Award respectively

When asked what was his recipe for success, Teh said that it was his nature as a sportsman to want to win, succeed, and excel in what he set out to do.

“Just like in a badminton game, every shot and every action counts as it will influence the score, and I just can’t afford to lose even one point,” said Teh, who has participated and won many badminton competitions such as the Deaflympics, World Deaf Badminton Championship, and Asia Pacific Deaf Badminton Championship.

Teh admitted that his disability affected his learning style.

“Due to the fact that I cannot hear, I had no choice but to read and read. My eyes became my ears. Because of this added responsibility to my eyes, it was very difficult to stay awake during late night studying,” said the Penang resident.

However, being swamped with work, studies and other responsibilities never interfered with his family life, said the committed father of two. He said that he regularly spent quality time with his children, aged three and six, which in turn motivated him to work hard in his studies.

The convocation saw the largest number of graduands receiving their scrolls at over 6,000. It also saw the presentation of the Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia (CEMCA) Award to another outstanding student, Chan Oy Leng.

Chan, who teaches Science, Bahasa Cina, and Mathematics at SJK(C) Serdang Baru 1, graduated with a Bachelor of Information Technology.

Chan said that her daughter was still a baby when she enrolled to study at the university.

“It wasn’t easy at first, as I had to juggle my time between taking care of my family and studying.

“But I was glad that I had the flexibility in choosing my own schedule as well as study mode, and my husband was very supportive too,” she said.

Four prominent scholars were also conferred Honorary Doctoral Degrees at the ceremony.

They were Sir John Daniel and Prof Dr Muhammad Atwi Suparman (Education), Prof Datuk Dr Ishak Tambi Kechik (Science), and Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Mohd Zawawi Ismail (Engineering).

For Sir John Daniel, the conferment of the Honorary Doctor of Education Degree was especially dear to him, as he was part of the university’s establishment itself.

“Being honoured with such a distinguished award is very meaningful and significant to me and I would like to thank OUM for that.

“I am also happy that the university is flourishing,” said Daniel, whose contributions in open and distance learning have made him a renowned authority in the area. He was also knighted by the Queen of England for his services to higher education.

Despite his long list of achievements, Daniel said he was a life-long learner, committed to acquiring knowledge in different areas. With this latest feather in his cap, he certainly exemplifies passion for education.

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