At this Convocation, a Special University Award: Sports Icon, was conferred upon our graduate and national women’s doubles shuttler, Thinaah Muralitharan. The award recognised her excellence in academics while continuing to bring glory to the country in sports.
The 26-year-old seized the opportunity to further her studies when Covid-19 hit in 2020 and Malaysians had to stay indoors. She said that education is just as vital as sports for personal development., “I knew that obtaining a degree was as important as my sports career, so when we athletes were all sent home, I used that extra time to enrol in OUM.”
Thinaah opted for Bachelor of Education (Teaching of English as a Second Language) with Honours (BETESL) rather than a sports-related course due to her passion for the English language.
“I chose to study TESL because I often travel to countries where English is the primary language. Knowing English makes it much easier to communicate with others,” she said, adding that mastering a language opens up countless opportunities for learning.
Thinaah, who maintained a commendable academic record, also made the Dean’s List twice. Last February, she was awarded a scholarship for the semesters from January 2023 onwards.
She hoped her achievements would inspire young student-athletes everywhere, demonstrating that persistence can lead to both academic and athletic success.
“We support Thinaah and our other students by providing an engaging learning environment with personalised academic guidance. We encourage open communication and continuous development to help them achieve their full potential till their graduation,” said Ramash Ananth K. Ganeson, the Director of the Shah Alam Learning Centre, where Thinaah had enrolled.
Meanwhile, Eti Fairudz Zainudin, the Programme Director of BETESL, had been one of Thinaah’s tutors, especially for literature courses. She shared, “I can say that at the beginning I was quite concerned that she would not be able to obtain high marks for the courses, but she definitely managed to prove me wrong.
“Towards the last few semesters of her studies, I kept in contact with her and her mother, via WhatsApp, to make sure that we could assist her to graduate on time. It was her parents’ wish to see her graduate this year. And, I am very happy to report that Thinaah always replied to my messages, albeit her busy schedule. Here’s to a future where victories extend beyond the badminton court … with all our love and support!”
