GEORGE TOWN: A Malaysian medical student at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and University College Dublin Malaysia Campus (RUMC) has emerged as RUMC’s 2022 student of the year.

       Por Chia Yin also bagged the RUMC Award for first place in surgery, psychiatry, family medicine and forensic and legal medicine.

       She said it was an honour to receive the awards, though she was also looking at the bigger picture ahead.

       “Being a good doctor is not about the amount of money we earn, it is about our ability to make a meaningful impact in our patients’ lives,” said Penang-born Por, 24.

       Por, who was also chosen as this year’s valedictorian, said she initially found it frustrating to attend online classes for the past two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

       “It was hard to interact over the screen and talk over the microphone, but I got used to it thanks to the supportive lecturers,” she told reporters after RUMC’s 22nd conferring ceremony here yesterday.

       RUMC president and chief executive officer and registrar Prof David Whitford said after two years of conducting graduation ceremonies virtually, 92 doctors from the class of 2022 took their oath and received their National University of Ireland medical degrees.

       “We also invited those who graduated in 2020 and 2021 via virtual ceremonies to join in as graduation is a major life event and should be celebrated with family and friends physically,” he said. — Bernama