GEORGE TOWN, Nov 21 — Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Muhammad Izzamir Nabihan Abdul Majid, 23, who was killed in a bus accident in Guempang, Acheh, Indonesia, last March, was today awarded a posthumous degree by the university.

The scroll was received by his father, Abdul Majid Abdul Ghafar, 55, at the university’s 52nd convocation. It was presented by USM pro-chancellor Tan Sri Mustafa Mansur.

Abdul Majid, when met after the convocation ceremony, said he felt sad to receive the scroll, but happy because his son’s wish to have a degree had been realised.

“Since small, his aim was to study at USM and every time during our trip to our hometown Gelugor, from Kuala Lumpur, he would always tell us that not matter what, he would obtain his degree from USM.

“When we receive a letter from USM informing us about the posthumous degree, my wife and I were very happy, though sad that he was no longer with us. We are happy that his dream had been realised,” he added.

Izzamir Nabihan, the second of five siblings, was a final-year student in mineral resources engineering when he went on the study visit to Acheh.

He was killed while returning from a visit to a coal mine in Geumpang when the bus he was travelling in with 24 others of the exploration team overturned.

Two other students were injured in the accident which occurred on March 11 this year.

Meanwhile, mechanical engineering student Yiauw Diing Shenq was named the recipient of the Chancellor Gold Medal for his academic and co-curricular achievements.

Yiauw, 23, attributed his success to hard work. He said the award was a gift for his parents, who are USM alumni.

“No only my father and mother are former USM students. I also have a younger brother studying here,” he added. — Bernama