Aflame Student Award

Professor Toh Chooi Gait is the founding Dean of Dentistry and Professor of Restorative Dentistry at the International Medical University in Kuala Lumpur. Prior to joining the International Medical University, she was a professor in the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya and had served in various capacities including Deputy Dean and Head of Department of Conservative Dentistry.

She was the President of the South East Asian Association for Dental Education (2000-2002), President of the International Association for Dental Research (IADR) South East Asian Division (1977 – 1999), Founding President of Malaysian Section of IADR (SEA Division) (2000-2002), Founding Council Member of the Malaysian Academy of Aesthetic Dentistry (2004-2008) and member of Board of Directors, International Federation of Dental Educators and Associations (2007 – 2009).

She is a member of the editorial boards of Operative Dentistry, the European Journal for Dental Education and had served as a reviewer for other local and regional journals including Malaysian Dental Journal and Asian Journal of Aesthetic Dentistry. She is a member of various governmental technical committees including the National Committee for Oral Health Manpower Development, Task Force 2 on Dental Education, Qualifications Evaluation Committee and Specialist Sub-Committee on Restorative Dentistry.

YBhg Datuk Munirah is the founder of Pertiwi Soup Kitchen, which was started together with her old friends from boarding school and launched in 2010. Her first encounter in feeding the poor was when she was only 5 years old, following her mother to feed the poor in Alor Setar. She has also been a volunteer with Pertubuhan Tindakan Wanita Islam (PERTIWI) ever since it was established in 1967.

Datuk Munirah is a consummate entrepreneur who enjoys nurturing businesses in exciting new areas. She first ventured into the business world in 1973 after she was introduced to it by her older siblings. In 1977, Munirah together with her husband, Robert George Hercus, set up their first IT company which initially focused on accounts and payroll systems for financial institutions. Later, the company was instrumental in the design and development of Touch ‘n Go, a pioneer automatic toll payment system which was implemented throughout Malaysia.

She is also the co-founder of the Malaysian Genomics Resource Centre Berhad and Neuramatix group of companies. Despite having achieved much as a corporate leader in the sciences, she never fails to make time to help the homeless— providing them with food and medical supplies four nights a week through her NGO, Pertiwi Soup Kitchen.

Michele Fernandez graduated from International Medical University (IMU) with a Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons) in 2017. She is currently pursuing her Master in Pharmacy (Philosophy) at Taylor’s University. She believes that helping those less fortunate is a responsibility. As such, during her tenure at IMU she had participated in various volunteer programmes through IMU Cares.

Michele continued to participate in similar projects after graduating. Given her experience in healthcare, in 2017 Michele volunteered at the Registrar at Empowered Colorectal Cancer Awareness, a government clinic raising awareness about colorectal cancer and encouraging people to get tested. From 2016 to 2017, she also volunteered at Liter of Light Malaysia, helping build solar powered lights for the indigenous population living in Pahang. With her experience in volunteering and community outreach, from 2018 to 2019, Michele served as a committee member of the United Nations Association Malaysia (Youth) under the community outreach and collaborations division.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Michele observed that children from underprivileged communities were struggling with e-learning and were unable to catch up to their peers. She has since been providing free tutoring and mentorship to select children from these communities. She continues to strive to do her part in society and plans to continue to do so in the future.