Faculty of Education, Language & Communication

𝑺𝒖𝒄𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝑺𝒑𝒐𝒕𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕

Srikandi @ Saemah began her PhD journey in October 2017 while serving as a teacher at SMK Santubong, pursuing her doctorate on a part-time basis alongside her professional responsibilities.

Inspired by the wishes of her late parents and reinforced by the unwavering support of her family, she remained committed to advancing her education while encouraging both her children and her students to aspire to the highest levels of academic achievement.

Under the supervision of AP Dr Fatimah Hj Subet, her research explored the application of Relevance Theory in the teaching of the Bahasa Melayu KOMSAS component. Throughout her journey, she demonstrated remarkable resilience and determination, earning praise from her examiners for her strong command of Relevance Theory during her viva voce. Her supervisor fondly recalls the light-hearted moments before thesis submission—"Aduh, Dr Fatimah call..." (Oh no... Dr Fatimah's calling)—a familiar phrase that reflected both the nerves and trust built throughout their journey.

True to her name, Srikandi successfully passed her viva voce on 9 July 2026 with the courage of a true heroine. The sleepless nights and anxious phone calls had all been worth it.

Congratulations!

𝐹𝐸𝐿𝐶 – 𝑇𝑜𝑑𝑎𝑦’𝑠 𝐿𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔, 𝑇𝑜𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑤’𝑠 𝐿𝑒𝑔𝑎𝑐𝑦
Official channels: | www.felc.unimas.my

𝑺𝒖𝒄𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝑺𝒑𝒐𝒕𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕

What began as an academic interest in literature evolved into a passion for language learning and teaching through the insightful mentorship and continuous encouragement of her supervisor AP Dr Joseph Ramanair. With his guidance, Cai Mudan redirected her research towards English language education, examining how teacher-student collaborative written corrective feedback can enhance argumentative writing among Chinese EFL undergraduate students.

Her research demonstrated that involving students as active partners in the feedback process led to significant improvements in writing quality, particularly in content, organization, language use, and mechanics. Students also reported positive perceptions of collaborative feedback, recognising its role in strengthening their confidence, engagement, and responsibility for learning. By providing empirical evidence for collaborative feedback practices in an under-researched private higher education context in Anhui, China, her study offers valuable implications for EFL writing instruction and formative assessment.

Cai Mudan successfully passed her viva voce on 7 May 2026, marking a significant milestone in her academic journey. This achievement reflects both her dedication to educational research and the lasting impact of her supervisor AP Dr Joseph Ramanair’s exceptional mentorship.

Congratulations!

𝐹𝐸𝐿𝐶 – 𝑇𝑜𝑑𝑎𝑦’𝑠 𝐿𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔, 𝑇𝑜𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑤’𝑠 𝐿𝑒𝑔𝑎𝑐𝑦
Official channels: | www.felc.unimas.my

𝑺𝒖𝒄𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝑺𝒑𝒐𝒕𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕

Amira’s doctoral research at UNIMAS stems from a fascination with how close reading and computational analysis can combine to make literary interpretation more robust and evidence-based. Her PhD thesis presents an integrated stylistic analysis of Robert Frost's poetry, blending traditional and corpus stylistic methods.

Her work shows, for the first time, how Frost’s language evolved diachronically from concrete, experiential imagery in his early poems to abstract, philosophical reflection in his later work. Completing this doctorate, however, was no easy feat. Amira shared that the journey required consistency, adaptability, and an enduring patience through demanding challenges that required careful planning and critical thinking. Remarkably, she carried out her research while navigating the disruptions of both the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing war in Yemen.

Despite these severe impacts on her professional and personal lives, her diligence and grit allowed her to complete an arduous, empirically grounded study against considerable odds. This perseverance culminated in a successful viva voce on 21 July 2026. Reflecting on the milestone, Amira noted that the journey strengthened her research skills and reinforced the importance of disciplined work and intellectual curiosity.

Congratulations and best wishes in your future undertakings, Amira!

𝐹𝐸𝐿𝐶 – 𝑇𝑜𝑑𝑎𝑦’𝑠 𝐿𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔, 𝑇𝑜𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑤’𝑠 𝐿𝑒𝑔𝑎𝑐𝑦
Official channels: | www.felc.unimas.my

𝑺𝒖𝒄𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝑺𝒑𝒐𝒕𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕

Zhao Ranran did not begin her PhD with the topic she ultimately defended. Her initial interest was in translation research, but through a series of supervisory discussions and careful reflection, she developed a new focus on motivation, attitude, and enjoyment in Chinese college EFL learning. After passing her proposal defence, she refined the research instruments, completed the data collection, and steadily transformed the study into a doctoral thesis.

Throughout her candidature, Ranran balanced her research with full-time work at Qilu Institute of Technology. During the final stage of her PhD, she also welcomed her first child and adapted to the new responsibilities of motherhood. Despite these major academic, professional, and personal transitions, she remained committed to writing, revising, and working towards submission.

Her successful viva voce reflects not only the completion of a substantial research project, but also her adaptability, perseverance, and sustained determination.

Congratulations, Zhao Ranran, on this important achievement, and best wishes for the next chapter of your academic and professional journey.

𝐹𝐸𝐿𝐶 – 𝑇𝑜𝑑𝑎𝑦’𝑠 𝐿𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔, 𝑇𝑜𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑤’𝑠 𝐿𝑒𝑔𝑎𝑐𝑦
Official channels: | www.felc.unimas.my

𝑻𝒂𝒉𝒏𝒊𝒂𝒉

Setinggi-tinggi tahniah diucapkan kepada Dr Chuah Kee Man atas kejayaan menamatkan pengajian dan memenuhi segala syarat bagi penganugerahan Ijazah Doktor Falsafah dari Universiti Sains Malaysia. Pencapaian ini telah disahkan oleh Senat Universiti dalam mesyuarat bertarikh pada 30 Julai 2026.

Semoga kejayaan ini menjadi pemangkin kepada lebih banyak pencapaian pada masa hadapan, di samping memperkukuh sumbangan beliau dalam bidang akademik, penyelidikan dan pendidikan. Diharapkan kejayaan Dr Chuah Kee Man turut menjadi inspirasi kepada seluruh warga Fakulti Pendidikan, Bahasa dan Komunikasi untuk terus melangkah maju dan mencipta kecemerlangan.

Tahniah, Dr Chuah Kee Man!

𝐹𝐸𝐿𝐶 – 𝑇𝑜𝑑𝑎𝑦’𝑠 𝐿𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔, 𝑇𝑜𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑤’𝑠 𝐿𝑒𝑔𝑎𝑐𝑦
Official channels: | www.felc.unimas.my

Scenes from Professor Dr Ting Su Hie’s Inaugural Lecture, “Language Choice and Power” — a meaningful celebration of scholarship, language and an important academic milestone.

Thank you to everyone who made the occasion possible.

𝐹𝐸𝐿𝐶 – 𝑇𝑜𝑑𝑎𝑦’𝑠 𝐿𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔, 𝑇𝑜𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑤’𝑠 𝐿𝑒𝑔𝑎𝑐𝑦
Official channels: | www.felc.unimas.my

Language has the power to connect, influence and transform. It has also been at the heart of Professor Dr Ting Su Hie’s academic journey.

This montage offers a glimpse into her path to becoming a professor and the experiences, people and moments that have shaped her remarkable academic career.

🎥 Video by Fitzpatrick Ricky Guing, UNIMAS Corporate Communications.

𝐹𝐸𝐿𝐶 – 𝑇𝑜𝑑𝑎𝑦’𝑠 𝐿𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔, 𝑇𝑜𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑤’𝑠 𝐿𝑒𝑔𝑎𝑐𝑦
Official channels: | www.felc.unimas.my

A Journey Shared A Journey Shared: Prof. Dr Ting Su Hie’s Inaugural Lecture Montage....

https://youtube.com/live/gRQKWr0M0YY?feature=share

Inaugural Lecture, Prof Dr Ting Su Hie Inaugural LectureLanguage Choice and PowerProf Dr Ting Su Hie29 ...

𝑻𝒐 𝒆𝒙𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒖𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒖𝒏𝒄𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒆 𝒉𝒖𝒎𝒂𝒏 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒐𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒕𝒚.

Tomorrow, we gather to explore how language shapes identity, influence and power.

Join us for Professor Dr Ting Su Hie’s Inaugural Lecture, “Language Choice and Power.”

📅 29 July 2026 (Wednesday)
🕘 9.00 am
📍 FACA Experimental Theatre, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS)

All are welcome.

𝐹𝐸𝐿𝐶 – 𝑇𝑜𝑑𝑎𝑦’𝑠 𝐿𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔, 𝑇𝑜𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑤’𝑠 𝐿𝑒𝑔𝑎𝑐𝑦
Official channels: | www.felc.unimas.my

𝑳𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒖𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒍𝒚 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒄𝒓𝒊𝒃𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚; 𝒊𝒕 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒊𝒏𝒇𝒍𝒖𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒊𝒔 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒅.

Join us as Professor Dr Ting Su Hie examines the choices, meanings and power embedded in language.

📅 29 July 2026 (Wednesday)
🕘 9.00 am
📍 FACA Experimental Theatre, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS)

𝐹𝐸𝐿𝐶 – 𝑇𝑜𝑑𝑎𝑦’𝑠 𝐿𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔, 𝑇𝑜𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑤’𝑠 𝐿𝑒𝑔𝑎𝑐𝑦
Official channels: | www.felc.unimas.my