Yet another role model for us!<\/p>\n
\nKUALA LUMPUR: Being blind is no handicap to tertiary education. N. Laxme Preyala tha is a testament to this.<\/p>\n
She was among 920 Universiti Malaya (UM) graduates who received their master\u2019s degrees in the second session of the university\u2019s 49th convocation here yesterday.<\/p>\n
Laxme, 34, who has been blind since birth, received her Master\u2019s in Education from UM Pro-Chancellor Raja Dr Nazrin Shah, who is also the Raja Muda of Perak.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlthough blind, one should always have a passion for knowledge because the door to employment will be opened wider for disabled people with knowledge,\u201d said the second of three siblings who plans to pursue a doctorate in the same field.<\/p>\n
Laxme, who teaches Bahasa Malaysia and moral studies at SK Brickfields 1, also dedicated her success to her mother, who died of dengue three years ago.<\/p>\n
Another graduate with impaired sight, Al\u2019Azifah Mohd Shafie, 30, said her will to compete with normal people in education and employment motivated her to get a Master\u2019s in Syariah.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom my experience, it is really difficult for a disabled person to land a job.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, to compete with normal people, I need extra knowledge for my advantage,\u201d said the religious teacher at Sekolah Agama Menen gah Muhammadiah, Pekan Sabak, Sabak Bernam, who suffers from retinal pigmentation.<\/p>\n
Another blind student, Ahmad Shamsuri Muhamad, 28, dedicated his success for his master\u2019s degree in counselling to his family and friends, as well as UM lecturers.<\/p>\n
He is pursuing a doctorate in UM and is active in associations and non-governmental organisations for the blind.<\/p>\n
The convocation also saw twin sisters K. Shantini Devi and Shamini Devi receive their master\u2019s degrees in counselling.<\/p>\n
Shantini, 32, said she made the decision to pursue her studies in counselling after observing Shamini\u2019s different approach to thinking and solving problems. \u2014 Bernama<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n