T H E G RADU A TIO N ADDRES S
Ms Chiara Lionel Salim, who graduated from Monash University Malaysia with a Bachelor of Computer Science in 2019, has turned personal health challenges into a mission of advocacy and impact. Diagnosed at age nine with severe psoriatic disease— a chronic autoimmune condition causing painful, scaly skin patches and potential joint inflammation— she experienced firsthand the stigma, misinformation, and lack of support faced by patients. Recognising that many of the one million Indonesians with psoriasis struggle with limited information and inadequate access to care, she founded Psoriasis Indonesia in 2019. Today, the patient organisation supports over 19,000 community members.
In 2021, Chiara’ s journey took an unexpected turn when a second attack of transverse myelitis— a rare neurological condition causing spinal cord inflammation— left her paralysed from the diaphragm down. Demonstrating remarkable resilience, she persevered through rehabilitation and relocated to Europe just a year later to pursue a career in data analytics. She now serves as a Senior Growth Analyst at Bolt, the first European mobility super-app, based in Tallinn, Estonia.
Her advocacy work has earned widespread recognition, including being named one of 25 distinguished alumni at Monash University Malaysia’ s Silver Jubilee celebration in 2023. Since 2021, she has also served as a Global Ambassador for the International Federation of Psoriasis Associations, representing Indonesia at international conferences and speaking engagements.
Driven by a deep commitment to public health, Chiara continues to leverage her lived experience to improve patient quality of life and advocate for equitable healthcare access. Her journey exemplifies the power of resilience, transforming personal challenges into positive change for others.
26 G R A D U A T I O N CEREMONY