CF - 1st April 2014

StarSpecialTHE STAR Tuesday 1 April 2014

Call to stand out, aim high > 3 An unforgettable internship > 8

What’s your calling?

Specialise to get ahead.

COURSE FOCUS:MEDICINE & ALLIED HEALTH SCIENCES

2 COURSE FOCUS StarSpecial, Tuesday 1 April 2014

Meeting medical needs in niche areasAN ageing population,

expanded medical coverage as well as sedentary

lifestyles will drive the demand for more specialised medical services in Malaysia.

The Ministry of Health reports that the country is facing a shortage of specialist doctors, specifically those who cares for adults.

Presently, the country has many general medical practitioners (GPs) who do not necessarily have the knowledge or skills to care and treat chronic conditions that are commonly found in an elderly population.

To increase the number of specialists, the government trains about 600 doctors to become specialists every year. There is a growing trend towards specialisation and sub-specialisation. Here we highlight some popular specialisations.

Oncologists

The American Society of Clinical Oncology estimates that there will be a shortage of oncologists by 2025.

In its report State of Cancer Care in America 2014, one in every five oncologists is currently over their retirement age and there is a widening gap between the number of older and younger oncologists.

In Malaysia, there is also a growing demand for more oncologists.

According to the Ministry of Health Malaysia, the country needs 360 oncologists by next year. As of 2012, we have a total of 64 oncologists practising in

government, university and private hospitals. Oncologists are doctors who specialise in treating cancer patients.

There are three main types of oncologists: medical, surgical and radiation oncologists.

A medical oncologist specialises in treating cancer with chemotherapy, whereas a surgical oncologist removes cancer tissues through surgical operation.

A radiation oncologist treats cancer with radiation therapy.

A 2012 report from the National Cancer Institute in Maryland, US, claims that there is a rising incidence of some cancers such as melanoma of the skin, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, cancers in children, cancers of the kidney, thyroid, pancreas and lung in women across the world.

Meanwhile, mortality rates for prostate, breast, lung and colorectal cancer have declined.

Podiatrists

Did you know that three in four people experience foot problems at some time in their life?

Injuries sustained by an increasing number of men and women who engage in exercise and an ageing population have created a great demand for podiatrists.

Also known as foot doctors, podiatrists specialise in the remedy and surgical treatment of foot and ankle disorders.

They treat a range of foot problems, including corns, calluses, bunions, ingrown nails, arch problems, foot deformities and foot pains related to diabetes and gout.

There is a growing trend of specialisations and sub-specialisations espicially in the face of an increasing older population.

Dermatologists

In 2012, Malaysia only had 84 registered dermatologists, resulting in a dermatologists-patient ratio of 1:200,000.

By 2020, the Ministry of Health hopes to have at least 285 dermatologists to improve this ratio.

As more people have increased disposable income, the demand for cosmetic procedures is expected to go upwards.

Cosmetic dermatologists who specialise in anti-ageing procedures such as dermabrasion, laser treatments and Botox will always be in demand.

Skin specialists, who can treat psoriasis which is a common skin disease in Malaysia, are also in demand.

Otolaryngologists

Commonly known as ENT (ear, nose and throat) specialists, they focus on the surgical and medical treatment of patients with diseases and disorders of the ear, nose and throat as well as the mouth, neck and face.

At present, ENT specialists are in high demand because of the high levels of air and noise pollution that has given rise to pollution-related diseases such as nasal allergies, hearing impairment, headaches and sore throat.

Radiologists

With the presence of newer and more powerful scanners such as computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging

(MRI), there is now a considerable need for specialised radiologists to read and explain these images.

These days, there are a few doctors who can read images produced by X-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans and MRIs. Radiologists play an important role as they interpret these images for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Obstetricians and gynaecologists

Doctors who perform childbirth duties are becoming increasingly scarce.

Generally, these specialists are adept with the female

reproductive organs. They also provide guidance to expectant mothers.

As the government aims to increase Malaysia’s population to 70 million by 2100, access to quality female reproductive health care is vital.

Neurosurgeons

These specialists are doctors who treat brain tumours. In Malaysia, most neurosurgeons deal with patients who suffered head injuries from motor-vehicle accidents. Malaysia has the highest number of road accidents in the region and patients with head injuries account for almost 80% of the patients in neurosurgical units.

Cardiothoracic surgeons

Popularly known as “chest surgeons”, cardiothoracic surgeons are doctors who surgically treat diseases that affect the heart and lungs.

According to a study in Circulation: The Journal of the American Heart Association, there will only be a limited number of these specialists by 2020.

Cardiovascular diseases account for 35% of deaths annually and are the leading cause of deaths in Malaysia. This is why the demand for these specialists will continue to increase over the next 10 years.

Eight thousand new heart patients are reported every year, with some of them being children, increasing the need for paediatric cardiac surgeons who specialise in congenital heart diseases.

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There will be future demand for more specialised medical services in Malaysia. The government trains about 600 doctors to become specialists every year.

StarSpecial, Tuesday 1 April 2014 COURSE FOCUS 3

Call to stand out, aim highBE brave, no matter how young you are,”

says MAHSA University’s dean of the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Assoc

Prof Chan Sook Chin. She goes on to explain, “Just because students are young, it does not mean they cannot achieve whatever they put their mind to”.

Assoc Prof Chan takes pride in her new endeavour as the dean of the faculty, which currently embodies four departments: Department of Physiotherapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Medical Imaging and Department of Environmental Health.

A passionate physiotherapist herself, she explains the faculty’s aim of developing the students’ potential to create high quality health care professionals.

“We plan to provide postgraduate programmes that will suit the growing need for specialisations and versatility in the job market today.

“The MAHSA Allied Health Sciences Faculty gives students an edge over the rest in terms of expanding their skills above and beyond mainstream methods of treatment. This gives them opportunities to stand out from the crowd when it comes to securing employment in the market,” she elaborates.

With more than 35 years of experience in the health care and teaching fields, Assoc Prof Chan explains that they are preparing students to think beyond the prescribed textbook answer and to be able to critically think about and analyse complex conditions of patients.

“Although there may be long hours and hard work to put in, students must always remember that they are in a profession that essentially deals with human beings. Students must have people skills, patience, tact and knowledge to deal with rising expectations of patients from all walks of life,” she says.

“Modern society has infinite access to information on health care thanks to technology, which is positive, as they now know the importance of health care fields that were previously unheard of. Although patients today may have higher expectations of health care providers, this simply means that students must be committed to their career to ensure they consistently update themselves on the developments of their field,” explains Assoc Prof Chan.

This leader, who is as lively and energetic as her passion, finds motivation in helping her students succeed in their fields.

“I am tremendously proud to receive positive feedback from employers who hire MAHSA graduates. It is always worthwhile to motivate young people to change their attitude for the better and understand the importance of their career in health care,” she shares.

Assoc Prof Chan Sook Chin, dean of the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences at MAHSA University.

Assoc Prof Chan continues to contribute to society by reaching out to more people in communities that need attention and care through graduates from MAHSA.

The dean advises school-leavers to ensure that they have an interest in the field they choose to pursue, understand the value of education, and carry out research by speaking to professionals in the field to understand career expectations, capacity and the professionalism required from students.

“It is important for students to remember that no matter what field they enter, success is always possible with hard work and dedication,” she says, reflecting on her own successes.

The MAHSA Faculty of Allied Health Sciences looks forward to continuous steady growth and future successes under Assoc Prof Chan‘s tutelage.

n For more information call 1800 880 300 or visit www.mahsa.edu.my

It is always worthwhile to motivate young people to change their attitude for the better and understand the importance of their career in health care. — Assoc Prof Chan Sook Chin

MAHSA University aims to create high-quality health care professionals. The MAHSA Allied Health Sciences Faculty gives students an edge in terms of expanding their skills.


Student scores great learning opportunity

Nurfatihah Ayumi Che Yunus says the time she spent as an intern allowed her to gain hands-on experience and use the latest laboratory equipment.

I AM very good with numbers and my strong subjects are physics and maths. I was initially enrolled in an aeronautics

engineering degree programme at a public university before switching to the Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology programme at Nilai University,” says Nurfatihah Ayumi Che Yunus.

Nurfatihah, who is from Bachok in Kelantan, explains that the decision was purely financial as she decided to apply for a scholarship from the Ministry of Health after failing to obtain a PTPTN loan approval for her degree programme.

“I had seen an advertisement inviting students to apply for sponsorships from the Ministry of Health for programmes in pharmacy and medical laboratory technology,” Nurfatihah says.

She says that her fireman father, the family’s sole breadwinner, was undergoing heart surgery and was worried about the financial burden on the family of six siblings.

“My father advised me to apply for the scholarship even though biology and chemistry were not my best subjects. Besides helping me out financially, the scholarship will ensure that I have a job after graduation as I will be bonded to the ministry for three years,” Nurfatihah says.

Nurfatihah’s transition to the Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology programme was very tough as taking chemistry and biology at a university level was not as easy as she had expected.

Undeterred, Nurfatihah spent more time in the campus’ resource centre brushing up on those two subjects.

“I was very disciplined and would stay in the library until 8pm every day. It didn’t take long for me to come up to par and though I had to switch fields, I am thoroughly enjoying my studies at the moment,” she says.

Now in her final year, Nurfatihah says her favourite subject is microbiology as she gets to spend a lot of time in the laboratory doing investigative work. She has already completed her internship, which is part of the syllabus of Nilai U’s Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) programme.

She has had stints at both the public and private sectors of health care.

Nurfatihah says she has learnt many valuable lessons. In particular, her time with the nation’s biggest pathology services provider, Gribbles Pathology Sdn Bhd.

The time she spent with them has allowed her to gain hands-on experience in handling the latest laboratory equipment.

“Gribbles is an industry partner of Nilai U and all MLT students get to carry out their internships with them. We get to learn from experienced professionals and handle state-of-the-art machinery and if we perform well during our internship, there is a good prospect of us being retained after graduation,” she says.

Students who successfully complete the MLT programme will receive a diploma from Nilai U as well as enhanced certification from Gribbles Pathology Sdn Bhd.

Nurfatihah believes that this certification will give graduates an edge in the job market.

“From my experience, even the public sector sends samples to Gribbles for analysis. I believe one of the reasons I was sent to Nilai U by the Ministry of Health is because the MLT programme here includes a stint with Gribbles,” she says.

She also spent a few months in the Enche’ Besar Hajjah Kalsom Hospital in Kluang, which gave her valuable insights into how the public sector operates. Nurfatihah says that the experience was invaluable as the large volume of patients enabled her to observe the techniques of sample collection and how they are processed and stored.

Nurfatihah advises school-leavers who are looking to apply to the MLT programme to not take the decision lightly.

“Just like medical doctors and nurses, medical laboratory technicians are health care professionals. Students will need to be precise with their work as their input will be crucial to a patient’s chances of recovery.”

n For more information, call 06-8502308 or visit www.nilai.edu.my

MALAYSIA can expect access to education in the health sciences field to widen within the next seven years.

The move is expected to help fill the shortage of 1.2 million health professionals, particularly in the South-East Asian region, growing to 1.8 million by 2020.

To achieve this, the government has invested RM1.4bil in health sciences. The field is also one of the main clusters under the National Key Economic Areas for education as health sciences students are regarded as highly skilled people with a bright future.

In addition, individuals should also consider a career in the pharmaceutical industry. The Health Ministry of Malaysia is looking to establish more community

pharmacies in rural areas in an attempt to evenly distribute medical services to the public.

The ministry also hopes to increase the pharmacist-people ratio in the next three years and has allowed pharmacy graduates to undergo their Provisionally Registered Pharmacists (PRP) training outside government hospitals.

These may include private pharmacy facilities such as private hospitals, research and development industries and community pharmacies accredited by the Malaysian Pharmacy Board.

The training was shortened to one year (from three years) in 2011, allowing pharmacists to gain their qualification quicker.

Filling the gapsin pharmaceutical care


Changing the medical landscape

> TURN TO PAGE 8

Edward JennerKnown as the father of immunology,

Edward Jenner developed the vaccine for smallpox, which was a fatal disease particularly among children. Jenner became an apprentice to a surgeon when he was just 14. This apprenticeship gave him the required experience he needed to become a surgeon.

Jenner noted a common observation pertaining to the immunity of milkmaids to smallpox. From this observation, he hypothesised that the pus from the milkmaids’ blisters, which they received from cowpox, rendered them immune to the smallpox disease.

This led Jenner to test this hypothesis on eight-year-old James Phipps on May 14, 1796. He inoculated Phipps in both his arms, which then brought up favourable results. Following this success, Jenner continued to test his hypothesis on another 23 test subjects, who also showed no signs of smallpox infection.

Alexander FlemingBacteriologist Alexander Fleming

discovered penicillin by chance on Sept 3, 1928. On that fateful day, Fleming resumed work in his laboratory after spending a month on holiday with his family. Prior to his holiday, Fleming had arranged his cultures of staphylococci (a type of bacteria that can cause pus) in stacks in one corner of his laboratory.

Upon returning, he found one of the cultures to be contaminated with a certain fungus and the colonies of staphylococci around the fungus had been destroyed. However, the staphylococci that were further away were fine.

After conducting further testing, Fleming discovered that the mould produced a substance that was able to kill a few bacteria that caused diseases.

Fleming is recognised as the founder of penicillin but the drug only came into commercial use more than a decade later after pharmacologist and pathologist Howard Florey and biochemist Ernst Boris Chain further developed it. This discovery led to Fleming, Florey and Chain’s Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1945.

Archibald McIndoeOriginally from New Zealand, Archibald

McIndoe became the consultant plastic surgeon to the Royal Air Force (RAF) in 1938. McIndoe treated many pilots who were burnt badly in combat during the Second World War.

During this time, plastic surgery was still in its early stages and McIndoe was only one of the four plastic surgeons in the United Kingdom.

His contribution to the field was his decision to operate on a burn victim as soon as possible instead of the old method, which used acid to remove the damaged skin. The old technique required doctors to wait for two months before taking the patient in for surgery and because of this, the victims spent a lot of time in pain.

McIndoe’s method was to cut the damaged skin as soon as the patient arrived in order to apply skin grafts.

Christiaan BarnardChristiaan Barnard, a cardiac surgeon,

was the first person in the world to successfully carry out a heart transplant. Three years after obtaining his master’s degree in medicine and a doctorate in medicine in 1953 from the University of Cape Town, Barnard received a two-year postgraduate training scholarship in cardiothoracic surgery at the University of Minnesota, United States. He carried out this postgraduate training under open-heart surgery pioneer, Walt Lillehei.

During Barnard’s postgraduate training, he met Norman Shumway and Richard Lower. Shumway and Lower were the ones who worked together with Barnard in carrying out the research that led to the first human heart transplant in 1967. During the operation, Barnard was assisted by his brother and a team of 30 people.

The patient who underwent this ground-breaking surgery was suffering from diabetes and an incurable heart disease. The heart donor was a young woman who had suffered brain damage as a result of an accident.

Barnard injected potassium into the donor’s heart to paralyse it instead of waiting for it to stop beating. After the operation, the recipient lived for 18 days before dying of pneumonia, which was caused by immunosuppressive drugs.


THE SEGi University Group has a wide range of programmes in the field of health sciences to suit every young

learner’s need. The programmes include medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and optometry and vision science.

Medicine – The five-year Bachelor in Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) at SEGi University aims to nurture doctors who are not only capable and skillful, but also compassionate. To achieve this, the curriculum is designed to embed moral and ethical values into teaching and learning activities.

This is fostered and enhanced by the implementation of a novel dedicated mentoring system, which is carried out over the entire programme.

The MBBS programme is delivered through themes and a system-based approach rather than as individual subjects. In addition, clinical exposure is introduced in the first year to ensure students are familiar with the basic medical sciences in clinical practice.

Dentistry – SEGi conducts the five-year Bachelor of Dental Surgery programme (BDS) to produce competent, caring and knowledgeable dental practitioners. Students are involved in clinical procedures from the start of the programme.

The dynamic integrated curriculum is delivered within a student-centred learning modality, with focus on problem-based

learning and delivery through student participation.

Pharmacy – The Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons) (BPharm) offered at SEGi is a clinically oriented, four-year programme. Problem-based learning (PBL) and student-centred collaborative learning are implemented throughout the programme. Students are introduced to real practice in the hospitals, community pharmacies and industries from the first year.

This arrangement in the curriculum ensures that students benefit from experiential learning and have a feel of almost every possible work setting.

Optometry and vision science – The four-year SEGi University Bachelor of Optometry (Hons) equips students with sufficient clinical training and a strong academic grounding under its Faculty of Optometry and Vision Sciences.

Most of the clinical teaching is undertaken at the in-house optometry clinic called the SEGi EyeCare, which is located on campus.

The clinic has a wide range of ophthalmic equipment for both teaching and research and its primary care optometric centre is open to the public. Clinical experience is also provided to students during their internship at private and public hospitals.

n For more information, call03-6145 1777 or visit www.segi.edu.my

SEGi aims to produce world-class professionals in the health care industry.

Choices aplenty

Catalysing developmentPENANG Medical College (PMC) welcomes Prof Kevin B. Nolan as its new vice-president for academic affairs.

Bringing with him a wealth of experience, Prof Nolan was formerly the head of the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland (RCSI) Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, vice-dean of the RCSI Medical Faculty (Research) and chairman of the RCSI Research Committee.

He was also the founding head of the RCSI School of Postgraduate Studies, which oversees higher degrees by research and a wide range of master’s programmes in health care ethics and law, pharmacy, physiotherapy, nursing and leadership.

Under his leadership, the school has secured significant funding from the Health Research Board, Ireland, to develop structured PhD programmes involving relevant taught modules and laboratory rotations in 2007.

“I will use my expertise to ensure the development of high-quality postgraduate programmes at PMC and the further development of its already high calibre research by putting in place frameworks that will allow the activities to expand and flourish,” he says.

PMC is renowned worldwide for providing excellent medical education since 1996 in partnership with RCSI and University College Dublin (UCD), two of Ireland’s oldest and most prestigious medical schools.

Students spend the first two and a half

years at either RCSI or UCD in Ireland before returning to PMC to complete their clinical training. Successful graduates are awarded medical degrees from National University of Ireland and Licentiates of RCSI and RCPI (Royal College of Physicians of Ireland), receiving the same qualifications as those who complete a full programme in Ireland.

The PMC campus is located within a five-minute walk to the Penang General Hospital, where most of the clinical teaching takes place. The academic complex at Sepoy Lines houses excellent learning facilities.

The library, clinical skills laboratory, canteen, recreation rooms and student centre are located at the historic former Penang Home building at Residency Road.

n For more information, call 04-226 3459, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.pmc.edu.my

Prof Kevin B. Nolan is the new vice-president for academic affairs at Penang Medical College.


Producing well-rounded doctorsTHE Management and Science

University (MSU) has been awarded the “Excellent

Status University” in Malaysia twice. A leading university, MSU focuses on the critical areas of studies that include medicine, pharmacy, health and life sciences, nursing, business, management, accounting, hospitality, information sciences and engineering.

MSU’s involvement in the medical sciences areas is in keeping with the nation’s need for qualified medical personnel in Malaysia and the region across.

The Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programme is offered through the International Medical School (IMS) at MSU’s main campus in Shah Alam and its overseas campus in Bangalore, India.

The International Medical School has received a five-year accreditation from the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) and with this accreditation, MSU is set to be a major provider of medical education in Malaysia.

According to statistics by the Ministry of Health for 2012, the doctor-patient ratio in Malaysia is at 1:791. With the MBBS programme, MSU aims to bring down the doctor-patient ratio to 1:600 by 2020.

At present there are 36,607 doctors, including specialists, and by the year 2020, the Malaysian population is expected to increase

to 34 million. With the population increase, a total of 85,000 doctors would be needed to attain the standard ratio of 1:400.

The MBBS programme at MSU is a five-year programme that is divided into three phases. Each phase varies in length, subjects and activities involved. The MBBS curriculum is designed according to MMC’s guidelines and is approved by MMC.

The MBBS programme presents a continually expanding level of medical experiences.

In the early years of study, the basic medical sciences focus on patient care. Later in the course, clinical teaching builds upon and reinforces this strong scientific foundation.

Key features of the MBBS programme include clinical communication skills, early clinical contact and visits to medical practices, community care facilities and hospitals.

The teaching-learning approach is student-centred and the methods used include small group

teaching, self-directed learning, case-based learning, bed-side teaching, continuous medical education and clinico-pathology. Students are also encouraged to attend conferences, seminars, lectures and tutorials regularly.

MSU aims to produce good medical doctors who are excellent both academically and in their soft skills.

The MBBS students are also encouraged to be involved in various community service projects to give back to society.

MSU aspires to provide education that will enhance the employability of its graduates.

Upon completing the MBBS programme, students will be required to register with the Public Service Department and complete a two-year housemanship programme at selected public hospitals under the supervision of the Ministry of Health. The programmes at MSU meet the stringent standards set by both local and international bodies.

MSU’s award-winning programmes are among the best in the region. These programmes are meticulously designed to enhance a graduate’s worth.

The university aspires to provide education that will enhance the employability of its graduates and at the same time, enrich their learning experience with ethical and moral values.

Intakes for MBBS programme are in May and October and qualified students are required to sit for the Medical Entrance Test to determine their aptitude for the MBBS programme.

In addition to the MBBS programme, MSU offers bachelor’s and diploma programmes in the areas of pharmacy, optometry, bioinformatics, forensic science, nutrition, medical sciences, biomedical science, food service technology and traditional Chinese medicine.

n For more information, call 03-5521 6868 or visitwww.msu.edu.my


An unforgettable internship

Tan Siew Zhuan (left) says that she learnt practical skills and teamwork while interning at the Cancer Science Institute of Singapore.

INTERNATIONAL Medical University’s medical biotechnology final year student

Tan Siew Zhuan was given the opportunity to undergo a two-month internship at the Cancer Science Institute of Singapore (CSI Singapore), a state-of-the-art university research institute affiliated with the National University of Singapore.

“As an undergraduate student, it was a great experience for me to work at this prominent research centre. I was excited when I received the e-mail from the institute informing me of my acceptance into the internship programme,” says Tan.

“On the first day, I was given a tour of the research labs, where I visited several different facilities and met researchers from various

countries, including China, Japan, Taiwan and India. It was a great experience and I had an interesting time working with people from different cultures and backgrounds. I was given my first task on the third day, which was to amplify the DNA samples of patients. By the second week, I was expected to start working independently with minimum supervision. The two months of the internship programme were enriching as I learnt practical skills and also the importance of working in a team,” Tan adds.

She is grateful for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and experiences.

“I wish to acknowledge my supervisors and the lab members for giving me the chance to assist and work with them. In

addition, I wish to thank my lecturers, particularly the medical biotechnology lecturers at IMU, for training me and giving me the necessary knowledge and skills for my internship,” Tan says.

IMU has developed its medical biotechnology curriculum to meet international standards.

The programme is accepted by the University of Newcastle, Australia, and the University of Strathclyde, Scotland, for credit transfer into relevant programmes. IMU is also the first Malaysian university to provide complete and specialised undergraduate training in medical biotechnology.

The medical biotechnology programme at IMU exposes students to industrial training, giving them the opportunity to gain valuable industrial experience

Medical game changers

> FROM PAGE 5

The 2013 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was jointly awarded to James E. Rothman, Randy W. Schekman and Thomas C. Südhof for discovering the mechanisms behind a cell’s organised transport system.

Cells are factories that produce and export molecules. For example, when insulin is manufactured and released into the blood stream, molecules called neurotransmitters are signalled and sent from one

nerve cell to another. Molecules such as this are

transported around the cell in small bundles called vesicles.

Rothman, Schekman and Südhof learnt the molecular principles that govern how these bundles are delivered to the right place and the right time in a cell. The awards committee of the Nobel Prize is optimistic that their findings may be able to spearhead future treatments for diabetes, epilepsy and immunological disorders.

and the necessary skills to be immediately ready for employment.

This also gives students a distinct and added advantage in their career. Graduates of this degree can also undertake postgraduate degrees in any related disciplines.

The next intakes for this programme are in July and September. Students with pre-university qualifications who are interested in medical biotechnology can apply online and join the university

in pursuit of a promising and rewarding career. Students who have just completed their SPM can consider enrolling in the one-year IMU Foundation in Science (FiS) programme.

This programme is the direct route for entry into any of the university’s local degree programmes.

The next intake for the FiS programme is next month.

n For more information, call 03–2731 7272 or visit www.imu.edu.my

James E. Rothman, Randy W. Schekman and Thomas C. Südhof


Surgeons keep pulse on newbreakthroughs

The panel of illustrious speakers at the inaugural International Conference on Surgery and Surgical Education held at the Clinical School Johor Baru, Monash University Malaysia.

THE last decade has seen a revolution in the field of surgery. From humble beginnings with endoscopic

gynaecological surgery, minimally invasive surgeries have made enormous advances after the pioneering work of French physician, Philippe Mouret.

Key highlights such as breast and gastrointestinal surgery to laparoscopy and bariatric surgery were discussed during the inaugural International Conference on Surgery and Surgical Education, held at the Clinical School Johor Baru, Monash University Malaysia.

“Continual medical education is an integral part of being a surgeon today. With the evolving medical landscape, in order to be effective, health care professionals must be aware and keep abreast with the latest in technology, expertise as well as what is happening around the world,” shares clinical Assoc Prof Dr Anil Gandhi, who is also the organising chairperson for the conference at Clinical School Johor Baru.

The conference, organised jointly by the Clinical School and Malaysian Medical Association, Johor Branch, welcomed more than 120 delegates from all over Malaysia.

It also featured a panel of illustrious international speakers, which included surgeons and academics from Australia, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia and Singapore.

“Hosting the conference at Monash University Malaysia allows our students to learn as well as network with industry professionals.

"I hope that this will be a regular annual feature as it will definitely showcase the university as a centre for excellence with a strong focus on education and a training platform for medical advances,” says Dr Gandhi.

The theme for the two-day conference was on newer techniques/current statuses in the field of breast and gastrointestinal surgery. Specialists also discussed and presented their research on the increasing role of metabolic surgery in the management of weight and “curing” diabetes.

There were also sessions devoted to surgical education and the postgraduate

training of surgeons in the region.“We are very glad to be a part of this

partnership between Monash University Malaysia, the Malaysian Medical Association and the Sultanah Aminah Hospital. This will enable us to look into better quality of education, care and service for our community,” says Prof Datuk Dr Anuar Zaini Md Zain, head of the Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia.

“With the changing face of surgery, it is important for us to change and transform to be part of the health care evolution. We, the Ministry of Health, private and public health care providers and universities should come together and work towards making the general public healthier. Our aim is to ensure quality and accessible health care for everyone,” adds Datuk Nur Hisham Abdullah, the director general of health for Malaysia.

The MBBS programme at the Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences is the same one conducted in Monash University Australia and has been accredited by the Australian Medical Council (AMC).

MBBS students will also complete their final three years at the Clinical School in Johor Baru.

n For more information,visit www.med.monash.edu.my

In order to be effective, health care professionals must be aware and keep abreast with the latest in technology.

— Assoc Prof Dr Anil Gandhi


Learning about social responsibility

The New Village Community Service (WE CARE WE ACT) is one of the programmes held at the new villages.

THIS project bears significant meaning and it is an indication of what Universiti

Tunku Abdul Rahman stands for – for the people, by the people,” said UTAR council chairman Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik at the recent launch of the UTAR New Village Community Project (NVCP) Exhibition at the UTAR Perak campus.

He was referring to the three-day exhibition that was held to create awareness and promote the UTAR New Village Community Project to the students and the public, as well as to expand its network with leaders of new villages, schools, collaborative partners and the community.

Colourful and captivating photos featuring succinct explanations of the students’ involvement in the project were displayed together with an array of project reports.

The exhibition aimed to share with the public the success of this community project, which

not only benefitted the new villages but also the participating students.

Having visited more than 300 new villages around Peninsular Malaysia since the introduction

of NVCP in 2009, this community project has seen the active participation of more than 3,000 students in its four main activities – new village visits, new village surveys, new village community

services and collaborative projects.

“The NVCP is not just about helping the new villages, it is also about instilling a sense of social responsibility in our students. I

am also grateful to all who have contributed, in monetary form or services to this new village community project,” says Ir Prof Academician Datuk Dr Chuah Hean Teik, president of UTAR.

The NVCP, under the purview of the Department of Soft Skills Competency (DSSC), has also garnered the support from government authorities, NGOs and even companies such as the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia and Silverlake.

UTAR’s open days will be held on: • April 5 and 6(9.30am to 5.30pm)at the UTAR Perak campus in Kampar• April 12 and 13(9.30am to 5.30pm)at the UTAR Kuala Lumpur campus in Setapak

n For more information,call 03-7958 2628 orvisit www.utar.edu.my


The MBBS programme at QIUP is led by highly qualified and experienced academic staff and professors.

Caring doctors with empathyQUEST International University

Perak’s (QIUP) Bachelor in Medicine and Bachelor in Surgery (MBBS)

programme has become a highly sought after medical programme since the university’s inaugural intake in August 2012.

“To become a good doctor, one has to have the right aptitude. We do not want students who only excel in their studies but lack the attitude required to become a good doctor,” says Prof Dr Alam Sher Malik, dean of the Faculty of Medicine.

QIUP’s medical curriculum focuses on soft skills. This is evident in the activities that are carried out as part of its curriculum such as early clinical exposure and hospital visits. Other activities include visits to underprivileged communities to perform medical check-ups to put into practice what students learn in class.

“Charity work has been designated as a significant part of the teaching programmes at QIUP. Through this component, students will participate in community service or volunteer their time for a worthy cause,”

Dr Alam says. “Our MBBS programme is led by highly

qualified and experienced academic staff and professors, both with local and international background. You will be assured of gaining the most out of their expertise and guidance,” says Prof Dr Subhada Prasad Pani, deputy dean (pre-clinical) of the Faculty of Medicine and head of the Department of Microbiology.

QIUP’s medical facilities ensure students have everything they need to put theory into practice.

In Year 2, the MBBS students learn all about the body’s different systems. For each system, they practise procedures in the clinical skills lab at QIUP. Students also visit hospitals to observe how the patients are examined and managed. The duration of the MBBS programme is five years, including a two-year pre-clinical curriculum of and a three-year clinical curriculum.

n For more information, call 1800 88 QIUP (7847) or visit www.qiup.edu.my

Early patient interactionIt is important to get a head start in communication skills, says Tung.

THE Doctor of Medicine degree from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at UCSI University is designed to be a comprehensive and integrated curriculum that emphasises patient interaction as early as the first year.

To enhance students’ interaction with patients, the faculty has incorporated the Behavioural Science, Communication Skills and Personal and Professional Development (BSCSPPD) module for all five years of the programme.

This module includes lessons in psychology, communication and professional development to produce graduates who have both the knowledge and the soft skills of a doctor. When students first enrol, they will spend the first phase of their studies – the first and second year – in the Kuala Lumpur campus learning basic medical science theories where they are given ample opportunities to relate theory to application.

This is done by encouraging medical students to organise and participate in health-related community activities where they convey insightful health information to the public. Although the students are not able to treat patients yet, these activities help them to interact with patients and perform basic health tests under the close supervision of their lecturers.

“We practise listening to the public and polishing our communication skills. It is important that we get a head start as bedside manners can make or break a patient’s trust,” says Tung Him Soon,

president of the UCSI University Medical Student Association (MedicSA).

This emphasis on applying what they learn and serving the public continues when students move on to the clinical phase of their programme at the UCSI University Kuala Terengganu Campus.

During the clinical phase, students will spend their third, fourth and fifth years attached to Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah in Kuala Terengganu and also other district hospitals such as Hospital Daerah Dungun and Hospital Daerah Hulu Terengganu.

The clinical trainings aim to ensure that students have a smooth transition from being a university student to a houseman, and upon completion to a medical officer and finally to an effective and well-trained doctor.

UCSI’s information day will take place on April 5 and 6 from 9am to 6pm.

n For more information,call 03-9101 8882 or visitwww.ucsiuniversity.edu.my/onlineenquiry


Nurturing employable graduatesThe University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus offers quality British qualifications. Students gain a well-rounded education that includes work experience and excellent teaching.

THE University of Nottingham features among the best in the world in a new ranking of

individual subjects.The QS World University

Rankings by Subject shows that Nottingham has improved its position significantly, appearing in the world’s elite institutions (top 200) in 29 out of 30 subjects.

The new rankings also feature 16 Nottingham subjects in the top 100 and eight subjects in the top 50, compared to five last year.

Flying high

The university was placed high

in pharmacy (9th), education (28th), agriculture and forestry (34th), law (34th), geography (39th), English language and literature (44th), linguistics (44th), and accounting and finance (45th). Seven subjects, including sociology, also placed higher this year.

More than 3,000 universities worldwide were evaluated as part of the survey with 689 ranked in total. The QS World University Rankings by Subject series takes into account the opinion of academics and employers via a global survey.

The rankings series is the

only international evaluation that allows prospective students to compare universities in their particular area of interest.

Exceptional standards

“To be placed so high by subject out of so many universities across the globe is a testament to the exceptional standards at Nottingham, both in teaching and research.

“We are proud that our pharmacy course has been placed in the top 10 and features among the best institutions in the world,” says Dr Paul Greatrix, registrar at

the university.“Following our success earlier

this year, where we were cited as having the most employable graduates by High Fliers, an independent market research company, this is confirmation that we offer a well-rounded experience to our students of both work experience and high quality teaching delivered by academics at the forefront of research in their disciplines.”

QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) is the leading global provider of higher education and careers information. Its activities span across 50 countries and it

works with more than 2,000 international universities and business schools.

The rankings are based on research citations alongside reputational surveys of more than 90,000 academics and graduate employers worldwide.

This latest ranking followed several high-profile surveys, which the university scored highly in, including being placed No.1 in the High Fliers list of most employable graduates in the UK.

n For further information on courses offered at UNMC, visit www.nottingham.edu.my

Documents

CF - 1st April 2014