PUTRAJAYA: Laughter and cheers filled the air as 48 former medical students of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) reminisced about their good old campus days.
The group had gathered for their Silver Jubilee Reunion at the Alumni Medic '92 Appreciation Dinner at Le Meridien Hotel here, last night.
After graduation, the former uni-mates parted ways and went on to become general practitioners, pathologists, gynaecologists, orthopaedic surgeons, psychiatrists and dermatologists, among others.
Meeting again after years apart was a rare pleasure – made all the more meaningful by the attendance of 30 former lecturers.
Among them was USM Vice Chancellor, Prof Datuk Asma Ismail, who was the guest of honour.
Asma, who was a microbiology lecturer, said she was proud to see that the alumni had evolved into successful people in various fields.
"Twenty-five years ago, some of you used to be shy, some struggled to pass in exams and some others were panicking when asked about the examples of Gram positive and negative bacteria!
"But now, many (of you) have become top consultants, specialists, general practitioners and leaders in your organisations.
"In those days, we, the lecturers, sometimes shouted, scolded and corrected you. But looking at what you have achieved today, it was all worth it," Asma said in her speech.
The organising committee chairman, Associate Prof Dr Muhammad Najib Mohamad Alwi, said the alumni have held several gatherings before, but on a smaller scale and without the lecturers.
"Some of us had mini-reunions. This time, we decided to organise a bigger event and invite the lecturers to celebrate our silver jubilee year.
"This is a great occasion, as some of us have not seen each other since our graduation. Although we come from different fields, we are close-knit, like brothers and sisters," said Najib, who specialises in psychiatry.
General practitioner Dr Ina Harlina Mohd Ali recalled herself as being “naughty” in class.
"There were times I skipped classes and slept in the classroom. But when exams were rounding the corner, I would study hard.
"Entering this grand ballroom is like entering a time machine and travelling back to 25 years ago. It is fun to be reunited with former classmates. Suddenly, we become childish," she said, laughing.
Dr Ina Harlina now has her own clinic in Taman Sri Rampai, Kuala Lumpur.
At the dinner, the USM medical school alumni also collected RM25,000 for the USM Medical Doctor Alumni Association (Padu). The funds will be used to help poor patients and students at the USM Medical School.
The cheque was presented to Padu president, Prof Datuk Dr Jafri Malin Abdullah.
Guests were also entertained by popular singer, Adibah Noor, and a gamelan group.