THE STAR, TUESDAY 29 MARCH 2016

special

COURSE FOCUS
ALLIED HEALTH SCIENCES, MEDICINE,
DENTISTRY & PHARMACY

ACCORDING to Datuk Dr
Kamaruddin Md Isa, director
general of Department of
Veterinary Services Malaysia, there
is a huge variety of job scopes
within animal science that depends
on the trend of the animal health
service industry, social shifts, and
public and economic demand.
Course Focus speaks to Dr
Kavitha Jayaseelan and Dr William
Chin, who are testaments to the
great deal of work veterinarians
do, whether in zoos, livestock
farms or laboratories, to help
improve the welfare of animals.

The guardian
Dr Kavitha has
always had a
connection

with animals. She cites her father,

who is also a veterinarian, as
her inspiration.
After finishing her Sijil Pelajaran
Malaysia, Dr Kavitha looked for
pre-university options to pursue
veterinary medicine at a public
institution.
She chose to enrol in Form 6
instead of the diploma programme
at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)
because she wanted to keep her
options open; Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran
Malaysia (STPM) qualifications are
recognised worldwide, whereas
UPMs animal science diploma
caters specifically for the
universitys own degree.
With her STPM results, she
applied for the veterinary
medicine course in UPM. Much to
her disappointment, she was given
a spot to pursue a biotechnology
course at a different university
instead.
Dr Kavitha was determined to
become a veterinarian and after
one year of constant appeal,
she enrolled in UPM as a
student of veterinary
medicine.

Go beyond
the ordinary

The five years of veterinary

medicine studies has its challenges.
Many who enrol do not understand
the actual nature of the job and the
scope of animal species and job
specifications they will have to deal
with. They end up not finishing the
course.
Dont give up so easily, advises
Dr Kavitha.
It was in her third year that
Dr Kavitha decided she wanted
to pursue a career in wildlife
veterinary medicine instead of
commercial general practice.
She chose Zoo Negara for her
first-year practical placement and
subsequently volunteered there.
With this experience, Dr Kavitha
successfully applied for a
permanent position there after
graduation.
The job of a veterinarian at a
zoo is a whole different ball game
from practice in a clinic. The
veterinarians at Zoo Negara are
pushed to be innovative in treating
animals that sometimes can be
dangerous to the veterinarians.
Be it the successful birth of a
newborn fawn or encouraging a
hand-raised chimpanzee to join its
troop, Dr Kavitha celebrates these
events as successes.

The scientist
With a degree in veterinary
medicine, you can also contribute
to medical solutions for animals.
Fields such as natural science
healthcare are growing to provide
effective medication and treatment
for livestock and farm animals.
This was where Dr Chin chose to
contribute his knowledge.
His interest in veterinary
medicine was inspired by his
love for biology in his school
days. To keep his option open, he
decided to pursue Form 6 as his
pre-university foundation so he
could then apply to public higher
institutions in Malaysia.
While most of my peers were
pursuing medicine or pharmacy, I
found veterinary medicine more
interesting. It presented the
opportunity to study not just one
species but covered many types of
mammals, reptiles, fishes and
other creatures, he says.
Dr Chin pursued his Degree in
Veterinary Medicine at UPM.
Dr Chin was involved in
volunteering at turf clubs, zoos,
wildlife sanctuaries, conservation
programmes, small animal clinics,
animal non-governmental
organisations and livestock farms
to improve on skills and
knowledge prior to joining the
work force.
He also had the opportunity to
be part of a student exchange
programme in South Africa and
had first-hand experience dealing
with the conservation of Africas
big-five animals lions,
buffaloes, rhinoceroses,
leopards and elephants.
Starting off in the
livestock industry, Dr
Chin is now involved
in the scientific
aspect of
veterinary
medicine for
InQpharm
Group Sdn
Bhd as senior
manager of
technical
marketing in
the Animal
Health Divisions.
Dr Chin aims to
develop novel solutions to
livestock animal health issues
and diseases due to an
increase of antibiotic
resistance
in disease-causing bacteria.

Becoming a veterinarian
l Minimum requirements in
SPM/O-Levels:
Credit in English,
mathematics, additional
mathematics
Pass in Bahasa Malaysia
l Minimum requirements in
STPM or Matriculation
CGPA 3.0
l Local education options for
Degree in Veterinary Medicine:
Universiti Putra Malaysia
Alternative entry pathway:
Diploma in Animal Science &
Production or Asasi Sains
Pertanian (foundation in
agricultural science)
Universiti Malaysia Kelantan
Alternative entry pathway:
foundation programme (for
bumiputera students only)
l Foreign education options for
a veterinary medicine degree:
HELP University American
Degree Program:
Health Science Program
majoring in Veterinary
Science
Complete degree in the US
or Canada
Indonesia:
Bogor Agricultural
University, Jakarta
Universitas Gadjah Mada,
Yogyakarta
Universitas Airlangga,
Surabaya
l Institutions that are
recognised and accredited are
listed under the Second Schedule
of the Veterinary Surgeons Act
1974.
l Upon graduation, graduates
have to be registered with the
Malaysian Veterinary Council
and obtain a current Annual
Practicing Certificate to practise
eligibly.

Malaysia has slightly more

than 2,000 registered
veterinarians in the country
under the Malaysian Veterinary
Council. Graduates will have no
problem getting a job or opening
up their own practice, says
Dr Chin.

THE STAR, TUESDAY 29 MARCH 2016

2 course focus

TEOH Wee Kiat, who graduated

from The University of Nottingham
Malaysia Campus (UNMC) in 2010,
was among the 10 Malaysian
youths named in Forbes 30 under
30 Asia 2016 announced recently.
The list consists of top 30
millennials who are leading
personalities in their respective
industries in the region.
We are very proud of Teoh for
being selected to be part of this
distinguished list at a very early
stage in his career.
However, it does not come
to us as a complete surprise as
Nottingham graduates are
accomplished in their respective
areas of work research and in
sports, says Prof Christine Ennew,
chief executive officer and provost
of UNMC.

Off to a great start

Teoh co-founded myBurgerLab
in 2012, which has since grown
into four outlets with 120
employees. The business plans
to venture into South-East Asia.
A Forbes report stated that
myBurgerLab is a Malaysian
sensation for its sought-after
burgers and innovative
promotions.
Teoh and his business partners
were revolutionaries in their own
right to have started the outlet
that offers a creative menu to its
patrons. We are also very proud
that apart from being successful

From books to burgers

(From left) Former deputy under secretary and head of Biodiversity Section at the Ministry of Natural Resources and
Environment, Malaysia, Nagulendran Kangayatkarasu, The University of Nottinghams vice-chancellor Prof Sir David
Greenaway and myBurgerLabs co-founder Teoh Wee Kiat.

entrepreneurs, they are also

constantly engaged in the support
of the less privileged in society,
says Prof Ennew.

Recognised for
excellence
Teoh is a business graduate
while myBurgerLab co-founder
Chin Ren Yi is an engineering
graduate of UNMC.
They were jointly conferred

theAlumnus of the Year 2014

Awardfor their innovative
entrepreneurial efforts, by Prof Sir
David Greenaway at the Alumni
Laureate Awards Ceremony held
in Kuala Lumpur.
myBurgerLab also wonBest
Western Restaurant in the Time
Out KL Food Awards 2013based on
votes cast by people who reside in
Kuala Lumpur.
In everything we do, there are
always choices and we have to

make those tough choices every

day. We have to constantly check
with ourselves whether those
choices are made out of love or
fear, says Teoh.

About The University

of Nottingham
One of the worlds truly global
universities with campuses in
Malaysia, the UK and China, last
year marked the 15th year since

setting up as UKs first full-fledged

international campus in Malaysia.
Its three campuses continue
to enrich the lives of students
across the world through global
education, ground-breaking
research and community
engagement.
UNMC has 43,000 students and is
the closest thing that Britain has to
a truly global university that
carries a distinct approach to
internationalisation as well as a
large presence in its home city.
It is also one of the most popular
universities in the UK among
graduate employersand the
winner of Outstanding Support for
Early Career Researchers at the
Times Higher Education Awards
2015.
It is ranked in the worlds top
75 by the QS World University
Rankings 2015/16, andeighth in the
UKby research power according to
the Research Excellence
Framework 2014.
UNMC has been voted the
worlds greenest campus for three
years running, according to the
Greenmetrics Ranking of World
Universities.

n For more information, visit

www.nottingham.edu.my.

THE STAR, TUESDAY 29 MARCH 2016

course focus 3

NUMed student John Poon (extreme left) had a great experience during
his stint at Newcastle University UK.

Home away
from home
WHEN third-year medical
student John Poon went to the
United Kingdom, he immediately
felt at home.
Poon had been selected from
a number of students at
Newcastle University Medicine
Malaysia (NUMed) to spend the
summer at Newcastle University,
the parent university in the
United Kingdom.
Ever since the British
university opened a branch
campus for medicine and
biomedical science in Johor in
2009, NUMed students have
been offered the opportunity to
study for short periods in the
UK.
The main purpose of Poons
10-week trip was to carry out a
special research project on the
regeneration of mammals
spinal cords.
The project required him to
collaborate with a diverse range
of students and faculty. Led by
an English tutor, his team
comprised fellow researchers
from Germany, the Netherlands
and Saudi Arabia.
Reflecting on his trip, Poon
says, I really enjoyed my
experience. I always knew we
shared the same syllabus and
learning resources. Sometimes,
we even share the same
lecturers who travel to deliver
parts of the course.
But now I have seen with my
own eyes and understood from
my experience just how similar
NUMed is to Newcastle UK.
He says, The time I spent
working with my counterparts
in the UK made me realise the
outcome of studying at
Newcastle University is the same
in Malaysia as it is in the UK.
The similarities between the
UK and Malaysia campuses are
useful for the students as
NUMed recently became the first
university outside of the UK to
receive recognition by the
General Medical Council (GMC)
the statutory body that registers
and regulates doctors in the UK.
This was an important
milestone for NUMed as it
means Malaysians who study
medicine at NUMed and carry
out their postgraduate clinical
training programme in selected
Malaysian hospitals can now
apply for full registration as
doctors with the GMC as well
as the Malaysian Medical

Council (MMC).
While Poon spent much of his
time exploring the regeneration
of mammals spinal cords, he
was also able to discover the
delights of the British
countryside.
In his spare time and during
weekends he travelled from
Edinburgh to Essex, and realised
that life and scenery in the UK
and Malaysia were vastly
different.
I wanted to make the most of
my trip and I think I managed
to. I met many people and
explored different places,
including the many castles and
cathedrals of UK cities. It was all
part of my learning experience.
At NUMed, we are always
reminded that you learn as
much outside the classroom as
you do inside it, he says.
Newcastle was the first UK
University to offer a UK Primary
Medical qualification outside of
the UK. Both undergraduate
degrees offered by NUMed in
Medicine (MBBS) and
Biomedical Sciences (BSc) are
conferred by Newcastle
University UK.

About NUMed
Newcastle University UK
established an international
branch campus in Johor,
Malaysia, to provide its
undergraduate degrees in
Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor
of Surgery (MBBS) and BSc in
Biomedical Sciences, as well as
opportunities for postgraduate
study.
The programmes of study
are equivalent to those of
Newcastles UK-based provision,
and lead to the award of the
same degrees.
By choosing to study at
NUMed Malaysia, students
will obtain a reputable UK
qualification from an
internationally recognised
university at a cost significantly
less than that of studying in the
UK.
The MBBS was launched in
2009 and BSc in the Biomedical
Sciences was launched in 2013.
Both programmes offer
opportunities for periods of
study in the UK.

n For more information, visit

www.ncl.ac.uk/numed.

THE STAR, TUESDAY 29 MARCH 2016

4 course focus

Cultivate excellence
in research
IN recognition of his outstanding
research work in biological
sciences, Prof Naveed Khan was
awarded the prestigious Pakistan
Academy of Sciences (PAS) Gold
Medal in November last year.
In regards to his research on
cockroaches, he says, As
cockroaches live in the filthiest
places known to humans, it makes
sense that they have potent
defence mechanisms against
superbugs. While we are protecting
ourselves against various
infections by introducing new
antibacterial soaps, species such as
cockroaches thrive in polluted
environments.
His research has led to the
discovery of new antibiotics in the
brains of cockroaches. He believes
his research findings can help save
lives in the face of increasing
threats from infectious diseases
and emergence of superbugs.

At present, more than 17 million

people are dying annually
worldwide and we have
approached a pre-antibiotic era.
Hence, there is an urgent need to
find novel ways to prevent and
treat infections, says Prof Khan,
who is head (academic) of the
Department of Biological Sciences
at Sunway University.
Prof Khan found that a
cockroachs central nervous system
produces antibiotics with strong
properties that kill bacteria that
are deadly to humans such as the
methicillin-resistant staphylococcus
aureus (MRSA) and
neuropathogenic E-coli without
harming human cells.
Cockroaches have existed for
some 300 million years. They can
survive the conditions of an atomic
war and successfully live and
thrive in filthy conditions. Based
on these facts, I believe they have a

potent defense system, says

Prof Khan, who was inspired to
look for an efficient answer to
infectious diseases.
The basis of his work on
cockroaches has clinched him
celebrity status in the medical
research world. The professor will
be looking into research on other
animals living in polluted
environments next.
His research has caught
worldwide media attention as
several documentaries were made
and shown on leading news
channels and websites such as BBC,
CNN, NY Times, CNBC, LA Times as
well as news channels and peerreviewed journals in France,
Sweden, Poland, New Zealand,
Norway, Ireland and the United
Kingdom.
For his high research
productivity, Prof Khan has
previously received in the United

Prof Naveed Khan says Sunway Universitys research programmes

produce graduates who can think and question critically.

States the prestigious

Schwentker Award from Johns
Hopkins University and Tufts
University Fellowship in Boston.
In the United Kingdom, he
received the Hull Royal
Infirmary Fellowship Award,
KUT Foundation Award, and
Individual Specialty Award for
best research by Medical
Research Society, Royal College
of Physicians.
In Pakistan, he won the Best
Research Award 2012 given by
the Aga Khan University and the
Best Young Research Scholar
Award by the Pakistan
government Higher Education
Commission in 2013.
In 2014, he was awarded the
AR Shakoori Gold Medal Award
by the Zoological Society of
Pakistan for best contributions
in biological sciences.
Prof Khan was among the top
10 productive scientists selected
in Pakistan in the field of
biological sciences (from 2,728
productive scientists of Pakistan)
from 2013 to 2014 and also
received the Pakistan Academy
of Sciences Gold Medal in
recognition of his continued
efforts in the fight against
infectious diseases.
Prof Khan brings with him
great achievements and 16 years
of research and teaching
experience to Sunway
University.
Prof Khan teaches because he
wants to learn and aims to help
transform an academic
institution into an intellectual
prospect that is creative and
facilitates quality education.
His mission is to excel in
scholarly activities in biological
science and positively contribute
to a research-led learning
environment with an aim to
impact society.
We are all overly concerned
with fancy terms or looking
to other countries to provide
solutions to our problems.
The solution lies within. We
need to be creative and critical
thinkers.
He emphasises that new
answers to old problems or
emerging issues requires one to

go back to the basics.

Prof Khan shares some of his
insight on the role of research in
universities and he describes
how the department in Sunway
University is changing its
curriculum to address the
research needs of biological
sciences in todays world.
Prof Khan says there needs to
be more personal interaction
between researchers at Sunway
University and students.
Students need to understand
basic research and spending a
summer in the laboratory or two
months during the academic
year is not sufficient.
However, this should not
deter them from entering the
laboratory as these elective
experiences are not meant
to be one-off.
Committing more time to
research by spending time in
the laboratory allows students
to mature in terms of their
research sensitivities.
Prof Khan says, By the end of
your programme, you may have
the skills of a researcher but this
should be a lifelong process.
Research is not a job but a
lifestyle. Apply these skills to
your routine lives. We at
Sunway University aim to
produce graduates who have the
ability to think creatively in
research and question critically.
This will serve as a building
capacity for the nation and
yourself.
Sunway University places
enormous emphasis on the
development of its research
profile. The academic team is
made up of many with strong
research profiles and proven
track-records of publication in
leading journals and campus
facilities include state-of-the-art
laboratories to support research
work.

n For more information about

the various programmes offered
by the Biological Sciences
Department at Sunway
University, call 03-7491 8622 or
e-mail [email protected] or
visit sunway.edu.my/university/
fst/dept-bio.

THE STAR, TUESDAY 29 MARCH 2016

course focus 5

Distinctive
in innovation
UNIVERSITI Teknologi Petronas (UTP)
has been awarded a six-star rating
for its research, development and
commercialisation efforts by the
Malaysia Research Assessment or MyRA.
It is the first private and non-research
university in the country to receive six stars
the highest performance level for its
research excellence.
The university was assessed for its
research and innovation achievements
from eight different areas, namely the
quantity and quality of researchers, the
quantity and quality of research, number
of postgraduates, quality of postgraduates,
innovation, professional services and gifts,
networking and linkages, and support
facilities.
UTP vice-chancellor Datuk Ir (Dr) Abdul
Rahim Hashim says that participating in
various rating and ranking initiatives was
part and parcel of the universitys efforts to
improve its standing and branding as a
reputable provider of higher education
services and credible partner for research.
Such participation positions ourselves
vis-a-vis our peers. It also helps us to
understand where our strengths and gaps
are, which allows us to address them
appropriately for continuous
improvement, he says.
Apart from the six-star rating, the
university has attained prestigious national
and international recognitions in less than
two decades since establishing.
One of its most significant achievements
was being listed in the top 200 of the 2014

Quacquerelli Symonds (QS) World

University rankings by subject for
chemical engineering.
It has since improved its position and
now ranks among the top 150 in the world.
UTPs mechanical engineering
programme is ranked in the top 200, a jump
from its previous position in the top 250 last
year.
This is a tremendous achievement for
mechanical engineering that only made its
entrance into the QS ranking system last
year.
The institution climbed up the ranks to be
among the top 160 universities in Asia
under the QS Asian University Rankings this
year, making it the only private university
in Malaysia to attain such a distinction.
It also ranked 288th in the 2015 QS World
University Rankings for engineering and
technology.
UTPs accomplishments include an
overall four-star rating from QS in 2014 as
well as five-star awards in the areas of
employability, facilities, internationalisation,
inclusiveness and innovation.
We have successfully exceeded our goals
and expectations. I am confident that we
can achieve future goals that we have set
for ourselves. With the full support of our
stakeholders especially the Government,
industries, partners, students and parents,
this is our way forward in achieving global
prominence, says Ir (Dr) Abdul Rahim.

n For more information, visit

www.utp.edu.my.

UTP vice-chancellor Datuk Ir (Dr) Abdul Rahim Hashim (left) receiving the MYRA six-star rating
from Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh while Deputy Higher Education Minister
Datuk Mary Yap Kain Ching (centre) looks on.

THE STAR, TUESDAY 29 MARCH 2016

6 course focus

Practical skills
add to quality
IMU students gained valuable experience communicating nutritional knowledge and providing
consultation to visitors at the IMU SPARK Community Centre launch.

STUDENTS ofInternational Medical

University(IMU)s BSc (Hons)Nutritionhad
the opportunity to translate their skills
into practice through experiential learning
at a health screening held in conjunction
with the launching of the IMU SPARK
Community Centre at Plaza Salak Park on
Sept 6 last year.
Students volunteered to measure and
explain the body composition of members of
the public who joined the health screening
event.
In addition, students communicated and
shared healthy shopping tips with the public
through a shopping tour in the same event.
Final-year student Ng Yeng Yi says, This
health screening activity provided me a
great opportunity to serve the community
besides gaining hands-on experience in
doing a health screening for the general
public. This activity has brushed up my skills
in anthropometric measurement and in
communicating nutritional knowledge in
speaking. I had a fruitful experience from
participating in this activity and look
forward to joining more IMU Cares activities
to sharpen my soft skills.
Heidi Young, another final-year student,
says, As a student nutritionist, participating
in this event made me realise my role in
educating the public and how much they
really need nutritional information based on
their doubts and questions asked during the
event. It was a good platform to realise my
shortcomings that I can improve on when it
comes to communicating with the public as
well as skills in health screening.
A second-year nutrition student Tan Yue
Mun says, I was very happy that I learnt a
lot through this supermarket tour in
conjunction with the SPARK Community
Centre launching. I learnt how to read food
labels and compare foods from the different
brands that are available in supermarkets.
The experience helped improve my
knowledge.
At IMU, the nutrition curriculum has been
developed to meet high international
standards and global needs.

As a student nutritionist,
participating in this event
made me realise my role
in educating the public
and how much they
really need nutritional
information based on their
doubts and questions
asked during the event.
Heidi Young

This degree exposes students to practical

industrial placements and research, giving
them valuable experience and preparing
them to be competent nutritionists upon
graduation.
This gives its graduates an added
advantage as they will be well prepared to
meet the increasing demand for nutritionists
in government agencies, industries,
universities, research institutions, mass
media and businesses involved in food,
nutrition, wellness, fitness and health.
The programme commences in August
and September. If you have an interest in
science, an ability to work in a team and
want to make a difference in the lives of
others via a career in nutrition, make an
online application today to study nutrition in
IMU and begin a career that challenges you
to expand your skills and open new doors.
If you have just completed your SPM and
do not have pre-university qualification,
consider enrolling in the one-year IMU
Foundation in Science, the preferred
foundation and direct route for entry into
any of the universitys local degree
programmes.

n For more information, visit www.imu.edu.

my or e-mail [email protected] or call
03-2731 7272.

About IMU
International Medical University (IMU)
is Malaysias first and most established
private medical and health sciences
university with more than 24 years of
dedicated focus in healthcare
education.
Established in 1992, IMU pioneered
the worlds first Partner Medical School
programme and has since gained
international recognition with more
than 30 world-class university partners
in Australia, New Zealand, the United
Kingdom, Canada, the US, Ireland

and China.
IMUs main campus is located at
Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur with branch
clinical schools located in Seremban,
Kuala Pilah, Batu Pahat and Kluang.
Committed to its brands promise of
delivering the future of better
healthcare, IMU became a fully
integrated healthcare institution
offering education, healthcare services
in both medical and complementary
alternative medicine, and research to
serve and improve the quality of lives.

THE STAR, TUESDAY 29 MARCH 2016

course focus 7

Study medicine
IF you dream of being a doctor, not only
are you going to need a good work ethic
and some big brains, you will need certain
academic qualifications to be able to
undertake a degree in medicine.
In 2011, the Malaysian Medical Council
(MMC) introduced a new list of
requirements and qualifications for entry
into a medical programme.
Here are the pre-university
requirements for studying medicine in
Malaysia:
l STPM (Form 6)
Students must generally do well in
chemistry and biology, while having good
results in either physics or mathematics is
also a big plus.
The minimum STPM requirements are
grades BBB, ABC or AAC in:
Chemistry
Biology
Physics or pure mathematics
(Mathematics T)
Minimum of Band 3 in MUET

l A-Levels
The General Certificate of Education
Advanced Levels, or A-Levels, is a popular
pre-university course offered by private
institutions.
These qualifications are also
internationally recognised.
Requirements are grades BBB, ABC or
AAC in:
Chemistry (compulsory)
Biology (compulsory)
Physics or mathematics

l Foundations in science
Foundation in science programmes are
designed to be gateway courses for
students to enter a degree programme.
The requirement is minimum CGPA of
3.0 in:
Chemistry
Biology
Physics or mathematics
Any similar subject offered in the
programme at your institution

l Malaysian Matriculation
This pre-university programme is
offered at matriculation colleges and
MARA colleges only.
The requirement is a minimum CGPA of
3.0 in:
Chemistry
Biology
Physics or mathematics
Minimum of Band 3 in MUET

l International Baccalaureate (IB)

Diploma
This internationally recognised
programme is a two-year course that is
aimed at students aged 16 to 19.
Students must choose six subjects from
the six subject groups and must take three
subjects at Higher level (HL) and the other
three at Standard level (SL).
To study medicine in Malaysia, IB
Diploma students must take these subjects:
HL chemistry
HL biology
SL mathematics

THE STAR, TUESDAY 29 MARCH 2016

8 course focus

Quality Irish expertise

PERDANA University was
established by the Academic
Medical Centre Sdn Bhd as a
Public-Private Partnership (PPP)
initiative with the support of the
Unit Kerjasama Awam Swasta of
the Prime Ministers Department.
The Royal College of Surgeons
in Ireland (RCSI), founded in
1784, is one of the oldest medical
schools in Ireland and was
chosen to establish an
undergraduate teaching
programme in medicine at
Perdana University.
The majority of the teaching
faculty is from Ireland, one of
them being Assoc Prof Karen
Morgan (pic).

Assoc Prof Morganis the

academic lead in psychology and
behavioural sciences and head
of student support and personal
development at the Perdana
University Royal College of
Surgeons in Ireland School of
Medicine (PU-RCSI).
Assoc Prof Morgan is a health
and organisational psychologist.
She has a masters in social and
organisational psychology
(University College Dublin,
Ireland) and a PhD in health
psychology (Royal College of
Surgeons in Ireland).
Assoc Prof Morgan joined
PU-RCSI in 2011 when the
programme was established.

Prior to this, she worked in the

Department of Psychology in
RCSI Dublin teaching medicine,
physiotherapy and pharmacy
to undergraduate and
postgraduate students.
She has also taught at the RCSI
campus in Bahrain and is the
current president elect of the
European Health Psychology
Society.
Assoc Prof Morgans research
interests include quality of
care, ageing and population
health.
She works closely with
Malaysian collaborators in the
University Malaya-based Ageing
and Age-Associated Disorders
Research group on projects that
aim to improve the health of
Malaysias ageing population.
These projects focus on areas
such as fall preventions and the
promotion of independence in

patients with arthritis.

Assoc Prof Morgan also
works with PU colleagues
on research related to HPV
vaccination.
Students in PU-RCSI are
encouraged to become involved
in research. In 2012, Assoc Prof
Morgan led the development of
the PU-RCSI Summer Research
Programme, which has
facilitated students participating
in a wide range of laboratory,
community and hospital/clinicbased research projects locally
and internationally.
Ongoing student projects
include studies on organ
donation, health risk behaviours,
dengue, child injury and abuse
and the transfer of disease
between animals and humans.

n For more information, visit

perdanauniversity.edu.my/purcsi/.

Route to
biomedical
science

Biomedical science students at SEGi are exposed to a wide range of

medical diagnostics and developments.

IF you enjoyed carrying out

experiments and handling
equipment during science
classes in secondary school, then
biomedical science may be right
for you. As you advance on this
path, you will discover that there
is more to this field than meets
the eye.
With Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia
qualifications, you can pursue
the Diploma in Medical
Laboratory Technology offered
at SEGi University and Colleges.
This programme includes a
medical laboratory placement,
providing hands-on training in
the components of biochemistry,
haematology, serology,
histopathology, cytology,
microbiology and parasitology.
Upon completion, you can
proceed to the Bachelor of
Biomedical Science (Hons)
offered at SEGi University.
This programme is in line
with the National Higher
Education Strategic Plan to
produce a desirable percentage
of scientists and researchers in
Malaysia to cater to the growing
demand of the healthcare
industry.
Biomedical science mostly
involves the study of human
biology as well as viruses,

bacteria and other life forms

that influence the human body.
Biomedical science students
study the human body and are
exposed to various medical
diagnostics and latest
developments covering the areas
of anatomy and physiology,
clinical biochemistry, human
genetics, medical microbiology,
cellular pathology, blood
sciences and pharmacology.
With this qualification,
you can become a biomedical
scientist, forensic scientist,
healthcare scientist,
microbiologist and
toxicologist, among others.
The Diploma in Medical
Laboratory Technology is
available at SEGi campuses in
Kota Damansara, Kuala Lumpur,
Penang and Sarawak.
The Bachelor of Biomedical
Science (Hons) programme is
available only at SEGi University
in Kota Damansara.

n For more information, call

SEGi University (03-6145 1777 or
1800 887 344), SEGi College
Kuala Lumpur (03-2070 2078 or
1800 888 028) or SEGi College
Penang (04-263 3888) or e-mail
[email protected] or visit
www.segi.edu.my.

THE STAR, TUESDAY 29 MARCH 2016

course focus 9

Become a
superhero
IN life you often meet
superheroes who strive to
serve and save peoples lives.
Sarahtul Aisyah Ahmad
Suhaime is one such person.
Sarahtul always dreamt of
becoming a naval officer until
she was offered the opportunity
to enrol in the Diploma in
Nursing programme at Ramsay
Sime Darby Healthcare College
(RSDH College).
At first, Sarahtul was
apprehensive about pursuing a
nursing programme. Having
entered the second year of her
programme, Sarahtul now has
no doubt that she made the
right choice.
So far, she has successfully
maintained a CGPA of 3.5 and
above throughout the semesters.

Motivated by a cause

Nursing student Sarahtul Aisyah

Ahmad Suhaime (right) with her
lecturer Maureen Gong.

According to Sarahtul, her

Programmes offered:
mother Samsiah Yusoff is her
pillar of strength and has
continuously given her support
Degree
and motivation in her studies.
BSc (Hons) Contemporary
In addition, her nursing
Nursing 2+0 (in collaboration
lecturer Maureen Gong has
with University of
always been supportive.
Hertfordshire, the United
Nursing is a noble
Kingdom)
profession. Where else can you

give so much of yourself to
Advanced diploma
people whom you hardly know?
Advanced Diploma in
I love the programme and have
Trauma and Emergency Care
no regrets taking it up. Apart

from learning about nursing,
Diploma
Ive learnt a lot about
Diploma in Nursing
leadership, friendship and
Diploma in Nursing
teamwork and it has helped
(Assistant Nurse Conversion
enhance my communication
Program)
skills.
Diploma in Medical Assistant
The education that Ive
Diploma in Physiotherapy
obtained from RSDH College is
Diploma in Medical
incomparable. The lecturers
Laboratory Technology
and clinical instructors are
Diploma in Healthcare
a team of dedicated and
Service
passionate veterans from the
healthcare field. They ensure
Pre-university programme
that each student is provided
Foundation in Science
with the best learning

experience, says Sarahtul.
Postgraduate
The training programme at
Postgraduate Certificate in
Subang Jaya Medical Center is
Teaching
internationally accredited so I
Professional Certificate in
get to learn about clinical
Nursing
governance, best practices and
Professional Certificate in
management systems. This is
Critical Care Nursing
important as I can work
Professional Certificate in
anywhere in the world with
Perioperative Nursing
confidence.
Professional Certificate in
Sarahtul sees herself
Renal Nursing
becoming a compassionate and
Professional Certificate in
caring nurse who is ever ready
Oncology Nursing
to serve and care for others.
She intends to pursue a
specialisation in midwifery and
As a healthcare education
work in Saudi Arabia one day.
provider and backed by the
leading Ramsay Sime Darby
Healthcare Group, RSDH College
About the college
understands the unique training
requirements for healthcare
RSDH College is unique as a
personnel.
higher education provider as it
is the only college awarded the
highest quality rating of six
n For more information,
stars by the Malaysian Ministry
visit 1300 888 321
of Higher Education in the
or 03-5191 4531 or visit
MyQuest 2015 quality rating
www.ramsaysimedarbycollege.
of Malaysian Colleges.
edu.my.

THE STAR, TUESDAY 29 MARCH 2016

10 course focus

Decoding DNA
DID you know that you have the ability to
decode yourself? Specifically, decoding your
deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) the blueprint
of life will give you the best and most
accurate information related to your health.
Discovering the secrets of life that lie
within DNA can significantly improve our
quality of life.
However, there are three billion letters
in every persons DNA. So how can you
decode it?
This is where computing comes in, where
biology is coupled with information
technology (IT) to give birth to a new field of
studies known as bioinformatics.
It plays a major role in the analysis of
massive biological sequence data using
sophisticated computing skills.

The Faculty of Information Science and

Technology (FIST) at Multimedia University
(MMU) Malacca offers an undergraduate
degree programme that prepares students
for the field of bioinformatics.
The integrative three-year programme
that encompasses the study of biology using
computational and quantitative methods
covers the theoretical and practical aspects
of the field.
FIST senior lecturer Ong Chia Sui, who
specialises in molecular microbiology
and mycobacterialogy, says, The data
needs to be managed with IT tools in
this interdisciplinary field. A significant
component of our course is practical
laboratory work and problem-based
learning, besides lectures and student

MMUs bioinformatics course is an integrative programme that encompasses the study of biology
using computational and quantitative methods.

presentations in smaller classes. Project and

industry experience add another dimension
to the knowledge gained in lectures as well.
Through this study, DNA samplings
undergo various procedures such as cell
harvest, cell lysis, protein digestion and DNA
precipitation before one can obtain the final
results.
Bioinformatics can become the tool that
solves global hunger, prevents death by
diseases, solves crimes and helps people live
in greener and cleaner environments.
This programme is delivered through
lectures and practical work. Students get
hands-on experience at well-equipped
molecular and computer laboratories
available on campus.
Encompassing all aspects of gathering,
storing, handling, analysing, interpreting and
transmitting vast amounts of biological
information, a career in bioinformatics
places you at the cutting edge of science
where molecular biology meets information
technology.

The programme provides a strong

foundation in the discovery of new drugs
and vaccines, development of molecular
diagnostic kits and new gene products,
personalised and preventive medicine,
crop improvement and evolutionary
studies.
With lecturers who have extensive
experience in the field, state-of-the-art
laboratories as well as good relationships
with organisations in the bioinformatics
industry, MMU provides the best place in
Malaysia to learn and get a degree in
bioinformatics.
MMU is offering automatic rebates for
every student enrolled in its April intake.
Foundation students are assured rebates
of 5% while undergraduates receive 10%.
On top of these rebates, qualified
students stand to enjoy scholarships
collectively worth up to RM2.5mil.

n For more information, visit

www.mmu.edu.my or call 1300 800 668.

Beyond academics
FOR final-year mechanical engineering
student Clarina Chua (pic), life as a
university student goes beyond academic
studies.
From teaching refugees how to build a
flashlight and simple water filtration system
to getting involved in the installation of a
microhydro generator for the Buduk Aru
College in BaKelalan, Sarawak, the
21-year-old has a thirst for activities
that create big impacts.
Giving back to society has always been
my passion. In March last year, my friends
and I established the student chapter of
Engineers Without Borders in Monash
University Malaysia. Engineers Without
Borders (EWB) is a non-profit organisation
aimed at providing simple sustainable
solutions to improve the livelihoods
of the underprivileged, she says.
The student chapter of EWB at
Monash has been making waves,
working together with other NGOs
to make life better for the
underprivileged. One of its first
projects involved hosting 20
Somalian refugee students and
teaching them basic First Aid
as well as how to build a
water filtration system
and flashlight.
These students are just
passing through Malaysia
and they do not yet know
their destination. We hope
that through these workshops
they learn important
technical skills and are
exposed to the idea of
engineering and the concept of
sustainability, which they will
be able to take wherever they
go, says Chua.
In July last year, the group

undertook a larger scale project in

collaboration with Light Up Borneo, a
group that promotes access to electricity
and lighting in Borneo where such basic
amenities are significantly absent.
They took a two-and-a-half-hour
flight followed by a 10-hour drive into
a rural village in Sarawak to install a
hydrogenerator.
The 19 students together with their
supervisor Dr Babak Salamati, senior
lecturer at the School of Engineering at
Monash University Malaysia, spent a total
of three days with the villagers, getting to
know them and immersing themselves in
the culture and the way they live.
Putting in the muscle and technical
know-how, the installed
hyrdrogenerator finally gave
villagers access to electricity.
The enthusiastic young
engineers are now involved in the
three-phase Project Positive Living
Community.
Positive Living Community is
a shelter home for people
rejected by the society those
who are disabled or dealing
with AIDS and drug or
alcohol addiction.
The project, which began
in August last year, is now
in its second phase. This
will see them working on
converting the storage room
into a multipurpose room for
the residents.

n For more information on

the engineering programmes
offered at the School of
Engineering, Monash
University Malaysia, visit
www.eng.monash.edu.my.

THE STAR, TUESDAY 29 MARCH 2016

WE eat for many reasons out of hunger or

for pleasure, flavour, comfort and nutrition
but have you considered the impact your
eating habits have on your body?
According to the head of UCSI Universitys
(UCSI) nutrition with wellness programme,
Assoc Prof Dr Yim Hip Seng, the human body
is similar to a racing car.
Putting in the wrong fuel or running it
without maintenance will prevent it from
giving its full performance. Without healthy
eating, your body will suffer just like a car
engine, he says.
Findings from British medical journal The
Lancet showed that Malaysia has one of the
highest rates of obesity among Asian
countries with 45.3% of its population being
obese. The number of diabetes patients
jumped to 31% this year from 15.2% in 2011.
On the other end of the spectrum, eating
disorders such as anorexia and bulimia are
on the rise due to the growing influence of
the media and todays celebrity-centric
culture.
All this leads to the increasing need for
nutritionists who are qualified to give advice
on disease prevention and promote holistic
well-being of individuals and communities.
A nutritionist has various roles to play,
including being a scientist in the public
health andclinical settings as well as in the
fields of sports nutrition, health promotion
andeducation.
To groom qualified and well-rounded
nutritionists, UCSI has launched the BSc
(Hons) Nutrition with Wellness programme.
Unlike other programmes on nutrition,
this degree has a dual focus on the scientific
understanding of nutrition and food science
as well as fundamentals of marketing and
entrepreneurship.
The degree is the latest in a string of
successful programmes from UCSI, which
is the first private university in Malaysia
to offer a food science with nutrition BSc
degree.
The dual focus of the BSc (Hons) Nutrition
with Wellness will give students an added
edge in the competitive working world.
The programme enables graduates to
venture into traditional nutritionist roles
such as health consultants for disease
prevention, public health and education or
into the booming wellness business, says
Assoc Prof Yim.
When it comes to fields related to human
health, research and innovation is crucial to
ensure continuous advancement for
mankind.
Innovation and research are two things
UCSIs Faculty of Applied Sciences (FAS) is
well known for.
To maintain the highest level of
academic and scientific standards, the

Assoc Prof Dr
Yim Hip Seng
of UCSI
University
explains how
the role of a
nutritionist
has changed
over time.

course focus 11

Advancing nutrition
The BSc (Hons)
Nutrition with Wellness
degree programme
has a dual focus
on the scientific
understanding of
nutrition and food
science as well as
fundamentals of
marketing and
entrepreneurship.
faculty emphasises evidence-based learning
and takes pride in having state-of-the-art
laboratories and equipment.
Students will also learn from the
programmes experienced academicians
such as Prof Dr Mirnalini Kandiah, one of
the first three nutrition officers of the Health
Ministry during the late 1970s.
She is currently one of the respected
researchers specialising in the fields of
cardio-metabolic risk and herbal remedies
for cancer patients.
In line with the universitys Praxis
approach, which advocates the application
of theory to practice, the programme also
includes two months of co-operative
placement for every year of study.
This offers students the opportunity to
pursue an internship with some of the most
prestigious names in the industry.
Further adding to the programmes
credibility is the prestige of the university.
UCSI was ranked SETARA Tier 5: Excellent in
the SETARA 2013 ranking by the Malaysian
Qualifications Agency.
It is also among the Top 300 in the 2015 QS
Asian University Rankings.
This is due to its increasing research
output, internationalisation and
collaborations with renowned universities
such as Harvard University, Imperial College
London and many others.
Passion and enthusiasm
in improving human
health are important in
a student, as are good
communication skills.
There are also

multiple health awareness projects where

nutritionists are required to work with the
community so always be ready to venture
out of your comfort zone, says Assoc Prof
Yim.
To ensure students improve their
communication skills, the final year of the
programme involves students embarking
on a community project.
This involves them working with a
community, be it a school or a residential
area, and advising members of the public

on nutrition and wellness.

Assoc Prof Yim explains that
curiosity is another essential trait.
Work can be challenging and
sometimes, it takes months to see the
results. But being curious will warrant
you new discoveries and the experience
is always fulfilling.

n For more information, call 03-9101 8882

or e-mail www.ucsiuniversity.edu.my/
onlineenquiry.

THE STAR, TUESDAY 29 MARCH 2016

12 course focus

BENCHMARKED against STPM and

A-Levels, UTAR (Universiti Tunku
Abdul Rahman) foundation
programmes offer a path for
qualified students to progress to
undergraduate studies within a
year.
With a flexible course structure,
students may complete their
foundation studies at their desired
pace within two years.
UTAR foundation programmes
are offered by UTARs Centre for
Foundation Studies (CFS). Students
can progress from foundation
studies to more than 110
undergraduate programmes and
postgraduate programmes in
UTAR.
As an academically oriented
institution that constantly strives
for improvement and excellence,
the foundation programmes
offered by UTAR incorporate an
integrated curriculum that
promotes and prioritises the
holistic development of students,
says Melissa Stefanie Netto,
director of CFS Sungai Long
Campus.
Tan Lee Siew, director of CFS
Kampar Campus, adds, The
qualified and committed teaching
staff, availability and incorporation
of online learning environments
and well-equipped facilities as a
whole provides students with an
environment conducive to
learning.
UTAR Foundation programmes
emphasise hands-on practices,

Foundation studies at UTAR combine classroom learning with hands-on training and experiences.

Prepared to soar
presentation skills and English
language proficiency to better
equip students with the skills
needed for future academic and
professional endeavours.
The English classes conducted
every week comprise two to three
hours of lecture and one hour of
tutorial for foundation students.
The English classes taught
me aspects of communication
such as grammar, syntax and
pronunciation. I am more
confident of my presentation skills
now and my proficiency in using
the language has improved
tremendously under the guidance
of my qualified, dedicated and
experienced English lecturers,
says Hiew Mei Teng, a UTAR

Foundation in Arts student.

In line with its vision to become
a premier research university,
UTAR has invested in cutting-edge
science and computer laboratories
to facilitate academic and research
activities.
As a former student of UTARs
Foundation in Science programme,
I would say that the programme
has prepared me well for my
undergraduate studies.
I was exposed to sound
theoretical knowledge, critical
thinking skills and the latest
research techniques and
technology. I was able to put my
knowledge to use during the
laboratory training sessions,
says Lee Keat Teng.

UTAR offers loans and

scholarships to academically
deserving students. Students with
7As and above in their SPM
examination will be automatically
considered for the UTAR High
Achievers Scholarship under the
UTAR Foundation programmes.
Foundation students who receive
this scholarship will have their
tuition fees waived. They are
required to maintain their
academic performance to continue
receiving this scholarship for their
undergraduate studies.
UTAR also considers the wellbeing of students. Students can
seek counselling services from the
Department of Student Affairs
(DSA) at their campus.

In addition, every student in

foundation studies will be assigned
an academic advisor who they can
consult to seek guidance and
advice throughout their studies.
Established in 2002 with just 411
students, UTAR now offers more
than 110 programmes in various
fields, includingaccounting,
business and economics, actuarial
science, mathematics and process
management, agriculture and food
science, arts, social sciencesand
education, creative industries and
design, engineering and built
environment, information and
communication technology, life
and physical sciences and
medicine and health sciences, to
more than 25,000 students in its
nine faculties, three institutes and
three centres located at the Sungai
Long Campus and Kampar
Campus.
UTAR will be hosting its Open
Day on April 2 and 3, from 9am to
5pm at UTAR Sungai Long in
Bandar Sungai Long and UTAR
Kampar Campus in Perak.
UTAR is also having its extended
counselling hours at the Sungai
Long and Kampar Campuses daily
till 12 June, from 9am to 5pm
(excluding public holidays).

n For more information, call

03-9086 0288/016-2233 559 (Sungai
Long Campus) or 05-468 8888/0162233 557 (Kampar Campus) or
e-mail [email protected] or
visit www.utar.edu.my/openday.