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December 9, 2004

Dr Siti Hasmah Launches 'Against All Odds'

From: Bernama.com, Malaysian - Dec 9, 2004

PENANG, Dec 9 (Bernama) -- Former First Lady Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamed Ali Thursday launched a book on the education of the deaf authored by renowned specialist in the field, Datuk Saleena Yahaya-Isa.

The launching of the 128-page 'Against All Odds' at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) here was in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of education for the hearing-impaired in Malaysia.

Dr Siti Hasmah said that all Malaysians engaged in the humanity service have much to gain from the book which was written by a true champion and friend of the deaf.

"I recommend that the book be made available in every secondary school library as well as every university library in the country," she said.

Also present were Penang Chief Minister's wife Puan Sri Chui Kah Ping, Sarawak Chief Minister's wife Puan Sri Laila Taib and representative of the Federation of Schools for the Deaf Board of Governors, Datuk Zubaidah Ariff and USM Vice-Chancellor Datuk Dzulkifli Abdul Razak.

Dr Siti Hasmah said that Saleena was closely associated with the School for the Deaf in Penang which was founded in 1954 when she first served as a voluntary worker and then as a teacher and currently as its principal.

She said that the book have both historical and professional significance to interest students in the professions of medicine, special education, social work and the social sciences as well as parents and the deaf.

Dr Siti Hasmah said Saleena's enterprise and dedication had contributed to uplift of the quality of life for the deaf in the country that was unimaginable 50 years ago.

The book consists of 10 extracts from a list of 30 presentations on the education of the deaf delivered at national, regional and international conferences from 1959 to 1989.

Meanwhile, Saleena thanked those who assisted her in publishing the book which was originally planned for 1987, the year she retired from government service.

-- BERNAMA

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