UNIMAS Medical Students Clinch Best Oral Scientific Presentation at International Conference

Monday, 15 June 2026

KUCHING – The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS) celebrated a historic milestone this afternoon as four extraordinary 4th-year medical students were officially honored during a mini prize-giving and officiation ceremony held from 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM at the Auditorium, UNIMAS City Campus.

The ceremony, officiated by FMHS Dean Prof Dr Asri bin Said, recognized the outstanding global achievement of Ivan Ringkai, Nur Syah Amira, Nandhiniswary, and Dayana Batrisya. The team emerged as the proud winners of the Best Oral Scientific Presentation at the prestigious VI Razumovsky Saratov State Medical University IV All-Russian Research and Practical Conference, held virtually on 22 and 23 April 2026.

Competing under the conference theme, ‘Physical Culture, Sport and Healthy Lifestyle in the System of Medical Education,’ the UNIMAS team stood out among international peers, validating the high caliber of research culture fostered within the faculty.

From Undergraduate Assignment to Global Acclaim

What makes this international victory truly remarkable is its origin. The winning research began as a foundational Year 2 Research Elective Project. Under the dedicated mentorship of supervisor Prof Dr Marina Kapitonova and project co-supervisor Associate Professor Dr. Deburra Peak Ngadan (Phase 2 MD Programme Coordinator), the students successfully transformed a curriculum requirement into an internationally recognized piece of scientific research.

“You have proven that research is not just about fulfilling a curriculum requirement to graduate. It is about curiosity, dedication, and the courage to project your voice and your data onto global platforms.”

— Prof Dr Asri bin Said, Dean of FMHS

Pioneering Data on Student Well-being

The award-winning study, titled “ASSOCIATION BETWEEN THE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LEVEL AND MENTAL HEALTH CONDITION AMONG THE UNDERGRADUATE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS,” tackled highly relevant modern issues regarding lifestyle transitions and academic pressures among undergraduates.

Using a robust cross-sectional study design, the team surveyed 262 undergraduate students across three distinct UNIMAS faculties:

Faculty of Engineering
Faculty of Language & Communication
Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences

The students utilized the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SF) and the DASS-21 scale to cross-examine physical activity against depression, anxiety, and stress levels. Their Chi-Square analysis yielded a vital, statistically significant finding: higher levels of physical activity are directly associated with significantly lower depression symptom severity among undergraduates.

By establishing physical activity as a crucial protective factor against depression, the team has provided UNIMAS with its very first localized dataset integrating physical activity and mental health. Their forward-thinking recommendations—including university-level physical activity initiatives and targeted mental health screenings for high-risk faculties—offer pragmatic solutions highly applicable to future university policy.

Inspiring the Next Generation of Researchers

During his address, Dean Prof Dr Asri bin Said expressed his deepest gratitude to the supervisors for their tireless mentorship through the demanding rigors of data collection, analysis, and international presentation. He concluded the ceremony by sharing his hope that this monumental victory inspires more medical students to step out of their comfort zones, embrace scientific inquiry, and showcase UNIMAS’s research capabilities to the world.

Congratulations to our brilliant 4th-year medical students! You have set a stellar benchmark for the entire MD Programme.

(Note: Visual highlights from this afternoon’s ceremony, featuring the Dean, supervisors, and award recipients at the City Campus Auditorium, are compiled in the photo gallery below.)