THE STAR, TUESDAY 15 AUGUST 2017
COURSE FOCUS
ALLIED HEALTH SCIENCES, MEDICINE,
INTERNATIONAL Medical
University (IMU) medical
biotechnology student from
Indonesia, Andrew Octavian
Sasmita, relates his experience
presenting at International
Conference of Healthcare and
Life-Science Research (ICHLSR) in
Bangkok, Thailand, and winning
the Best Paper Presenter Award:
Having completed my final year
research project in medical
biotechnology at IMU, which
focused on the mechanisms of a
natural compound in ameliorating
excessive neuroinflammation,
I was nominated by various
lecturers and peers to attend a
conference to present my research
findings.
I realised that I was exposed to
researchers from various
disciplines and with different
perspectives who viewed my
research paper.
Aside from the exposure,
I also had the privilege to make
connections with researchers from
around the globe. I felt it was
beneficial to me as well as
potentially beneficial for IMU as
the university I was representing.
The other speakers and
organisers were very
DENTISTRY & PHARMACY
Stepping out boldly
accommodating to the kinds of
questions I asked about their
research and constructive about
points of the research I presented,
which they thought I could
improve on. Hence, it was very
cohesive and humbling at the
same time.
I believe that conferences, aside
from other platforms such as
publications, are assessments of
how valid ones research can be in
the eyes of other researchers.
At IMU, the medical
biotechnology degree curriculum
is developed to meet international
the entire degree at IMU. IMU is
the first Malaysian university that
provides a complete and
specialised undergraduate training
in medical biotechnology.
Graduates of these degrees can
Sasmita
undertake postgraduate degrees in
presenting
any related disciplines.
his final year The medical biotechnology
research programme in IMU exposes you
project at the to industrial attachments locally
ICHLSR in or abroad, giving you the
Bangkok, opportunity to gain valuable
Thailand industrial experience and required
before skills. This would also give you a
winning an distinct and added advantage
award at the in your career.
conference. The next commencement date
for this programme is in
September. If you have pre-
standards and is accepted by university qualifications and have
renowned international partner an interest in medical
universities such as University of biotechnology, apply online now.
Newcastle, Australia, and
University of Strathclyde in the n For more information, call
United Kingdom for credit transfer 03-2731 7272, e-mail
into relevant programmes. start@imu.edu.my or visit
Students can also complete www.imu.edu.my.
2 Course Focus
PENANG Medical College (PMC) is a
private medical school in Malaysia,
wholly owned by the Royal College
of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) and
University College Dublin (UCD),
two of the oldest and most
prestigious medical universities in
Ireland. It was established in 1996
to increase high-quality training
opportunities to help provide
future medical manpower in
Malaysia and worldwide.
With ever-changing policies in
medical practice across countries,
it is important to ensure a globally
recognised degree with a strong
history of graduates represented
worldwide.
Outstanding career
opportunities
The award of internationally
recognised medical degrees from
the National University of Ireland
and the inclusion of PMC as an
Irish medical school in the World
Directory of Medical Schools
enable PMC graduates subject to
housemanship requirements to
undertake training and pursue
World-class medical education
Dr Dhssraj Singh.
careers in most of the countries
worldwide.
All students begin their medical
degree programme at either the
RCSI or UCD in September every
year. Students receive high-quality
medical education (pre-clinical
studies) in Dublin for two and a
half years with world-class
professors and classmates from all
around the world.
Students then continue with an
exceptional clinical training at
PMC and its teaching hospitals
delivered by highly qualified and
experienced clinicians. Research Summer School
The medical education I
obtained was absolutely
outstanding. It prepared me very
well for real-world medicine and
opened countless doors in my
career. I had the opportunity to
interact with brilliant students
from all corners of the globe. We
forged lasting friendships and
exchanged ideas as well as
perspectives on medicine and life.
In addition to the outstanding
and vigorous clinical education at
PMC, I was provided with personal
guidance, mentorship and support
by the faculty at PMC. It is no
surprise that some of these faculty
members remain my mentors to
this very day a testament to how
much I value my time at PMC,
says Dr Dhssraj Singh, an advanced
heart failure and cardiac
transplant fellow in Ohio, the
United States.
RCSI first year medical student
Chan Weng Kit says, After the
programme at RCSI in July, I am
involved in a research study with a
second year medical student and a
final year pharmacy student on
prescription medication in older
people carried out at Beaumont
Hospital.
The project is under Dr
Caitriona Cahir, senior postdoctoral
researcher fellow at the Division of
Population Health Sciences. The
aim of this research is to gain a
better understanding of medicines
management in older populations
after discharge from hospital.
There is increasing emphasis on
clinical medicine as the course
progresses. There is access to an
extensive and diverse range of
clinical cases in Penang.
Tuition for the PMC programme
National champion
NG Zheng Yu, a final year
mechanical engineering student
from The University of
Nottingham Malaysia Campus
(UNMC), won the Materials
Lecture Competition (MLC 2017)
recently.
The competition was jointly
organised by the Institute
of Materials Malaysia and
Institute of Materials, Minerals
and Mining, United Kingdom.
Since its inception, it has
served as a platform to cultivate
young talent to showcase
their skills in presenting
innovative ideas on materials
science.
Ng presented a 16-minute
lecture, titled Graphene-based
magnetic hybrids for dye removal,
which used his universitys final
year project topic as the main
foundation of the presentation.
This research primarily
aims to produce a hybrid that
takes advantage of the
absorption properties of carbon
and magnetic properties of
metal particles, to effectively
remove dye pollution from
polluted water bodies and help
solve one of the worlds biggest
crises.
Ng was recognised for the
excellent slide structure, content
THE STAR, TUESDAY 15 AUGUST 2017
is about 50% less than the fees for
the full programme in Dublin but
culminates in the same degree,
representing high cost
effectiveness.
As the institution motto says, it
truly offers a world-class education
and with unparalleled tuition too,
says first year student Melvin Hoo.
The last call for the September
2017 intake is in progress.
n For more
information,
visit www.
pmc.edu.my.
Chan
Weng Kit.
Ng represented
The University
of Nottingham
Malaysia
Campus in the
Materials
Lecture
Competition
2017 national
semi-final and
managed to
advance as one
of the five
finalists.
The competition
is jointly organised
by the Institute of
Materials Malaysia
and Institute of
Materials, Minerals
and Mining, United
Kingdom.
flow, technical information and
presentation style as well as his
handling of questions at the end
of the presentation.
Ng is an outstanding, highly
reliable and motivated student.
He demonstrated high
competence in the performance
of his project. In addition, he
is an excellent communicator.
I am proud of his achievement
and would like to congratulate
him on his success, says UNMC's
Assoc Prof Ing Kong who is
also Ng's final year project
supervisor.
> SEE NEXT PAGE
THE STAR, TUESDAY 15 AUGUST 2017
Hero material
> FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
His journey to the finals began on
March 1 when he won the UNMC-M3
Materials Lecture Competition jointly
organised by UNMCs Institution of
Mechanical Engineers Student Chapter
and Department of Mechanical, Materials
and Manufacturing (M3) Engineering.
On Apr 18 this year, Ng
represented UNMC in the national
semi-final, which was held at Asia Pacific
University of Technology & Innovation,
where he competed with 12 other
Malaysian universities. Ng managed to
advance as one of the five finalists.
Ultimately, Ng emerged as MLC 2017
national champion after a round of debate
and discussion among the competition
judges. This result has qualified Ng to be
a contestant representing Malaysia to
participate in Young Persons World
Course Focus 3
Lecture Competition, which will be held in
Perth, Australia, on Oct 12 this year.
I had never imagined that this could
happen, to be the national champion and
represent Malaysia in Perth. Ironically, the
presentation is still one of my greatest fears
but certainly my fear is drowned by my
desire to share with people around me.
Of course, all this would not have
been possible without the constant
encouragement, support and blessings
from my family, supervisors, friends, juniors
and seniors.
I am really grateful for this golden
opportunity. I will definitely give
my best shot at the final performance and
hopefully make UNMC and Malaysia proud,
says Ng.
n For more information, e-mail
study@nottingham.edu.my or visit
www.nottingham.edu.my.
4 Course Focus THE STAR, TUESDAY 15 AUGUST 2017

Carve out your career with Manipal

BIOTECHNOLOGY is touted to be
one of the fastest growing
industries in the world today.
Expected to contribute greatly to
Malaysias gross domestic product
by 2020, biotechnology has and
will continue to impact our daily
lives.
This growing industry is apt for
those wishing to dive deep into the
world of genetics and biochemistry.
The Malaysian Government
recognises biotechnology as one of
the key strategic drivers to propel
the countrys social and economic
development in pursuit of the
status of a developed nation.
Manipal International University
(MIU)s courses in biotechnology
are designed to enable graduates to
have a solid understanding of
science and technology as well as
develop entrepreneurial skills. This
composition of skills will be
invaluable to future employers and
lay a platform for budding
biotechnology entrepreneurs.
The Bachelor of Science The courses in biotechnology at Manipal equips students with diverse skills for future employment advantages.
(Biotechnology) (Hons) at Manipal
International University, Nilai, strong partnerships and business activities. A sports complex, located university offering students with three credits for
provides an overview of the connections, students are given the just 1km from the MIU campus, multidisciplinary programmes their SPM will receive a 40%
biotechnology industry and opportunity to learn while they houses a gymnasium, badminton with focus in the fields of science, scholarship while students
common techniques used in study via the industry internships court, bowling alley and karaoke engineering and management and enrolling in the degree
research and development. that are provided. centre. business. programmes are offered up to a
Graduates are trained to fuse Through this programme, each Upon completion of their As part of its offer, MIU is 50% scholarship based on their
their technical expertise with a student is given the chance to put initial years, students have the providing up to 100% scholarship CGPA. Terms and conditions apply.
keen understanding of this knowledge gained into the flexibility to further their studies in on tuition for the foundation For consultation, visit MIUs
fast-paced industry. working environment of the the country of their choice as the programme for students who excel lakeside campus in Nilai on week
MIU believes that it is imperative industry. With 13 global academic twinning programme at MIU in their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia days from 10am to 6pm.
for each student to go beyond partners, students can also opt for allows students to complete their (SPM). A semesters tuition will be Registration is open every day
the corridors of the lecture halls credit transfer programmes with degree programmes overseas. waived if they progress to including weekends.
and studies. Its main aim is to participating universities. MIU is a member of the undergraduate programmes at
prepare the students well for Students at MIU are encouraged Manipal Global Education Group MIU. n For more information, call 1800
embarking on their career. With its to take part in different sporting and a full-fledged Malaysian For the diploma programmes, 222 648 or visit www.miu.edu.my.