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SINGAPORE : The latest batch of students to graduate from Ngee Ann Polytechnic later this month includes a few outstanding students with amazing success stories.
21-year-old Mohammad Zaki Jurani has muscular dystrophy.
He has been wheelchair-bound since he was 11 and in 2006, he took up a diploma at Ngee Ann Polytechnic.
But before he could complete his course, Zaki had a major seizure and was unconscious for 36 hours.
He remained in the Intensive Care Unit for three months and had to defer his studies.
And when he recovered, he went back to class, accompanied by a maid, just in case he needed help with his breathing device.
Zaki, who will graduate with a Diploma in Information Technology, specialising in Software Engineering, is also a volunteer, handling IT projects for the Muscular Dystrophy Association Singapore.
He said: "I want to become like a role model for others in a similar situation, and to be more positive."
The Polytechnic made special arrangements to tutor Zaki individually. For example, during exams, a lecturer was also assigned to write the answers dictated by Zaki because it would have been too taxing for him to write.
Andy Ng, Lecturer, School of InfoComm Technology, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, said: "His spirit and his desire, his determination (in) wanting to finish his studies (is admirable). I believe any student, despite (their) condition, and everyone of us who are physically able, should learn from him."
That can-do spirit is also why 22-year-old Saravanan Rajah has been singled out.
The bank officer was in his final year in a Banking & Accountancy course when he was hit by a heavy vehicle. That accident left him with, among others, a cracked skull, a broken collarbone and five broken ribs.
The long-distance runner was bedridden for months and confined to a wheelchair. But he has since made a full recovery.
Another exemplary student is Josiah Ng ChengHan, who is graduating with top honours. Josiah, who will graduate with a Diploma in Film, Sound and Video, is mildly dyslexic.
He said: "I really want to be an example for others. For example, right now, I tell my students - because I am relief teaching - 'if I am dyslexic, and I actually did well and managed to achieve something, so can you.'"
Among Josiah's achievements are the Ngee Ann Kongsi Gold Medal, Lien Ying Chow Gold Medal, The Shaw Foundation Gold Medal & Prize, Diploma with Merit, Cathay Organisation Film Prize, Media Development Authority Prize and Gold Certificate of Achievement in CCA (Co-Curricular Activities).
Another outstanding student is Holmberg Jeffrey, who is graduating with a Diploma in Mechatronic Engineering.
He is receiving the Tay Eng Soon Gold Medal, Motorola Gold Medal & Prize, Diploma with Merit, AEM Holdings Prize and a Gold Certificate of Achievement in CCA.
The self-confessed troublemaker was in the EM3 stream and went to the Normal (Technical) stream at Bishan Park Secondary School. That was where he won a mechanical pencil for doing well in a Mathematics test.
The unexpected recognition proved to be a turning point in his life. He became highly motivated and topped his class throughout his four years in the school.
He progressed to ITE Bukit Batok before joining Ngee Ann Polytechnic, where he continued to make his mark.
A total of about 4,500 full-time students will receive their Diplomas at the end of the month. - CNA/ms
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