Penang student wins top prize

Achievement

A Science Honours student studying a common skull disorder in children has been named the top final-year Malaysian student in South Australia for 2008.

Wan Ilma Dewiputri Wan Burhanuddin from Penang has received the Patron's Award for Excellence, the major prize in the Merdeka Awards given by the Australia Malaysia Business Council SA.

The Merdeka Awards recognise academic excellence as well as Malaysian students' extracurricular activities and how well they interact with the South Australian community.

Ilma, who has been living and studying in Adelaide for the past three years, began her Science degree in the University's School of Molecular and Biomedical Science, and is now working within the Discipline of Paediatrics, based in the Women's and Children's Health Research Institute in the Women's and Children's Hospital.

"My Honours project is about craniosynostosis, which is a debilitating skull disorder that affects one in 2500 children," Ilma said. "Craniosynostosis is the premature closure of the skull's sutures, resulting in a deformed skull at birth. My project's goal is to improve the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of craniosynostosis so that treatments supplementary to surgery can be developed.

"I chose the University of Adelaide to study biomedical science because of the flexible program structure which allows me to explore my own interests, as I got to choose the subjects that I wanted to study. The School of Molecular and Biomedical Science and the Discipline of Paediatrics also have many dedicated scientists and lecturers who are keen to impart knowledge to the students, and are very helpful too," she said.

"I feel very privileged to work under the supervision of dedicated scientists, Associate Professor Barry Powell and Associate Professor Peter Anderson this year, and Dr Felicity Keiper in 2007 (for my summer research scholarship)."

In addition to her studies, Ilma has been a committee member of United Malays National Organization SA (UMNO SA), a Malaysian-based student organisation that represents and serves the interests and welfare of the Malaysian student community in South Australia.

"I enjoyed getting primarily involved in a number of events that promoted Malaysia, the food, the tourist attractions and the culture to the locals," she said.

She has also been an Enrolment Buddy at the University, helping local students during the all-important enrolment time.

"All these activities have helped develop my interpersonal skills and confidence. I have gained better insights about other cultures and I have learnt to respect them," she said.

Winning the Merdeka Award was a welcome surprise, Ilma said.

"I am ecstatic to have won the award - I did not realise the magnitude of the award," she said. "This really is a motivation for me to work harder. I hope I won't rest on my laurels, but continue to strive harder and challenge myself."

On her return to Malaysia, Ilma plans to continue to work in biomedical research.

"I have acquired specific research skills that would help me in my career in science, which I can put to good use when I return to Malaysia, where biomedical research is continuing to boom," she said.

"In my opinion, medical research is as important as the healthcare itself. There is a need to improve our understanding about the molecular mechanisms of diseases so that diagnosis and patient care can be improved. I also would love to help increase awareness about biomedical sciences to Malaysian students and the public," she said.

Story by David Ellis