THE STAR, TUESDAY 21 AUGUST 2018

COURSE FOCUS
ALLIED HEALTH SCIENCES, MEDICINE, DENTISTRY & PHARMACY

Fast track to a career in physiotherapy

VIJITHA Sivanjanam has had a
long-standing fascination with the
field of physiotherapy. As a child,
she would accompany her mother
to physiotherapy sessions and her
interest was constantly piqued by
the motley of equipment at the
clinic.
She was offered a job as a
physiotherapy assistant after
finishing secondary school, where
she learnt that the profession is
much more than tending to sports
injuries. She knew then that she
wanted to pursue a programme
that could help her achieve a
successful career in physiotherapy.
Ramsay Sime Darby Healthcare
(RSDH) College, one of the early
trailblazers of healthcare education
in Malaysia, offers the Diploma in
Physiotherapy programme – a
three-year course undertaken over
six semesters.
“I paid a visit to the college to
learn more about the diploma
programme. What really stood out
was the fact that the head of
department at the time sat down
with me and took the time to
explain what physiotherapy is
about despite her busy schedule.
“The experience felt
personalised. From the beginning,
I felt like the college had a close,
familial environment. I had a
strong feeling that this place was
going to be good for me,” says
Vijitha. Kumar teaches his physiotherapy students how to work with patients in RSDH College's skills laboratory.

Natural career progression skills laboratories at the campus. In can about real-world situations. knew what I was doing, and I

RSDH College is a subsidiary of

Ramsay Sime Darby Health Care
Group, which is a joint venture by
Ramsay Health Care (Australia)
and Sime Darby (Malaysia). The
group runs Ara Damansara
Medical Centre, Subang Jaya
Medical Centre and ParkCity
Medical Centre.
RSDH College students undergo
clinical training at these three
hospitals, giving them a great
advantage. On top of this,
students get to serve at
government medical
establishments and
non-governmental
organisations.
Krishna Kumar
Pathmanathan, lecturer
at the physiotherapy
faculty of RSDH
College’s new Setia
Alam campus,
shares, “A great
benefit for our
students is that
talented candidates
are offered jobs at
the group’s hospitals
once they qualify
as physiotherapists.
Yayasan Sime Darby
offers scholarships for
deserving students to
be absorbed into our
own hospitals, which is
subject to manpower
distribution across
RSDH hospitals.”
In terms of
facilities,
physiotherapy
students have access
to a wide variety of
these spaces, students practise
physiotherapy techniques such as
“We go the extra mile by
covering more than the syllabus
should go for what I want. They
would also show me how I can
We physiotherapy
electrotherapy and manual details, taking global advancements approach things when I was lecturers are very
therapy.
“We have what we need here,
into consideration. I try and
present them with clinical
unsure about what I could do.
They are almost like parents, close with our
but if there is cutting-edge
technology that is not available on
scenarios that they may encounter
once they start working so that
and we have a great bond,” says
Vijitha.
students. If there
campus, the lecturers will show us they can be prepared and In the process of helping her is a distance
videos and explain how it works to
us. We are always updated with
unafraid,” explains Kumar.
Besides the skills laboratories,
achieve her dreams, Vijitha feels
that her lecturers helped her between students
what is practised in hospitals,”
shares Vijitha.
students at RSDH College have
access to a range of facilities within
mould her manual and soft skills.
Kumar says that these positive
and lecturers, we
Kumar sometimes the campus grounds such as a outcomes can be attributed to the cannot make good
professionals out
brings his patients to the library, auditorium, anatomy and good rapport between students and
college to teach his physiology museum, and lecturers.
students how to work
with particularly
simulation wards. There is also
a student hostel that is equipped
“We physiotherapy lecturers are
very close with our students. If
of them.
complex cases. with amenities such as a there is a distance between Vijitha Sivanjanam
“Before I joined swimming pool and gymnasium. students and lecturers, we cannot
academics, I was make good professionals out of
practising physiotherapy
for almost 22 years.
Meaningful mentoring them. We need to make them feel
secure and confident, unafraid to
employed at a hospital. Lecturers
can ignite a student’s interest in
Through my Solid rapport between lecturers ask questions and do what needs to the profession by showing him
experience, I have and students is a significant part of be done. or her the many career options
gotten to know many life at RSDH College. Vijitha recalls “To foster this, lecturers should available. For example, a student
patients and their that the best part of her experience be very approachable. If the may consider opening a clinic,
parents, who trust was the relationships she built with students are comfortable with us, community-based rehabilitation
my expertise. Since other students, faculty members they will feel braver when they centre or fitness centre, or joining
we want our diploma and college staff. face the public in the working academics with relevant
students to be skilful “Here, it is like family where we world. We do not want to create a experience,” he says.
Vijitha and not just sit around the lecturer and talk to culture of fear,” he says. Vijitha points out that through
Sivanjanam. theoretically him openly. We are always Kumar explains that first and the guidance of her lecturers, she
inclined, it is best genuinely happy to see one foremost, lecturers need to set feels that she has even more
that they are another. It is the same for students good examples for their students. interest in the field compared to
exposed to real of all programmes, not just the He believes that it is his when she first started.
cases, which the physiotherapy students,” she says. responsibility as a lecturer to “The lecturers have shown us
college and I Vijitha adds that she was very promote the profession to them. that we can make a real difference
help provide,” he reserved when she first joined the Many college freshmen may to the lives of others. Through their
says. college, but lecturers were warm not have a comprehensive guidance and exposure to hands-
Throughout and friendly towards the students, understanding of physiotherapy. on clinical practice, I began to
the diploma putting her at ease. Lecturers armed with many years realise that I have the power and
programme, the “I felt like I was in a second of experience can explain the ability to help patients,” she says.
lecturers remain home. When I had insecurities, the different areas of specialisation
committed to lecturers and other staff members that graduates can enter as n For more information,
teaching students here would always reassure me. qualified physiotherapists. call 1300 888 321 or visit www.
as much as they “They would remind me that I “Not everyone wants to be ramsaysimedarbycollege.edu.my
2 Course Focus
Realising passion in healthcare
AFTER many years of study,
examinations and clinical
practicals, students can finally
graduate. Armed with a Bachelor
of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery
(MBBS) or Bachelor of Dental
Surgery (BDS) scroll, all they want
now is to start working in a
hospital, unleashing their
knowledge and passion in their
chosen vocation of healing the
sick.
However, graduates of Melaka-
Manipal Medical College are not let
off that easily. It is impressed upon
them that they have just stepped
on the first rung of the medical
profession. As the cliché goes,
learning is lifelong, and this is no
less true in the medical arena.
Progress in medical fields has
been startling in the past decade or
two, which means that professional
versatility and agility are becoming
imperative.
In a future where technology
dictates, skills that are distinctly
human will be among the most
valuable, and it is through
postgraduate study that these skills
are enriched.
Considering how vital this is,
Melaka-Manipal organises
workshops for the United States
Medical Licensing Examination,
Professional and Linguistic
Assessments Board and various
Royal Colleges at its campus in
Melaka.
Attended by doctors who are
unable to enrol in full-time
postgraduate courses, these
programmes enable them to
develop skills in specific areas of
Melaka-Manipal Medical College offers aspiring healthcare professional a solid ground for holistic education and
social development.
interest and gain industry
relevance.
It is because of such forward
thinking that Melaka-Manipal is
miles ahead as a top medical
school. Since its inception, more
than 3,500 medical and over 200
dental surgeons have been
delivered to the Malaysian and
overseas health systems.
Feedback from healthcare
professionals on the quality of its
graduates has been positive, and
Melaka-Manipal intends to
maintain this excellence.
Melaka-Manipal was launched in
1994 and commenced its flagship
MBBS with its first batch in 1997.
It saw its first BDS cohort in 2009,
followed by the Foundation in
Science (FIS) in 2012.
Twinning with the iconic Indian
institution, Manipal Academy of
Higher Education (formerly known
as Manipal University), the degree
programmes require students to
complete their pre-clinical studies
at the Indian campus and then
return to Malaysia to complete
clinical training.
The year-long FIS is completed
entirely at the Melaka campus.
With the inclusion of medicine
and dentistry modules in its
curriculum, the programme is
aimed at streaming students to its
own MBBS and BDS programmes.
Students with the Melaka-
Manipal’s FIS can apply to allied
health science programmes in
other institutions.
Since its inception, Melaka-
Manipal Medical College has
successfully integrated the Manipal
ethos into its Malaysian
curriculum, faculty and students.
The same passion for and
philosophy of providing quality
education without neglecting
individual life pursuits have been
successfully replicated in the
THE STAR, TUESDAY 21 AUGUST 2018
Melaka campus and twinning
programme.
The facilities in both the Manipal
and Melaka campuses are second
to none in that they fully provide
for holistic education and social
development.
At the Manipal campus,
students can join clubs for music
and fine arts, or enjoy literary
pursuits, meditation, yoga, debate,
photography and language classes.
In addition, the campus has
playgrounds and courts for cricket,
hockey, football, tennis, basketball,
badminton and volleyball, as well
as swimming pools, gyms and an
athletics track.
The facilities in the Melaka
campus include various teaching
and learning facilities, auditoriums,
lecture halls, classrooms, science
laboratories, skill laboratories,
library and computer laboratories.
Other amenities are student
hostels, cafeterias, gymnasium,
swimming pool, sauna, squash
courts, football field and basketball
court.
Melaka-Manipal’s course
structure and campus facilities
have been designed to leverage on
Manipal’s extensive experience in
providing medical education for
more than 55 years.
Visit the Melaka campus in Bukit
Baru and see for yourself the ideal
ambience for calm, uninterrupted
study.
n For more information, call
the marketing department at
06-289 6662 (extensions 1005/1142)
or visit www.manipal.edu.my
THE STAR, TUESDAY 21 AUGUST 2018 3
4 Course Focus
Standing out in
the global arena
IMMANUEL Tan (pic), a psychology alumnus
of International Medical University (IMU),
graduated with his degree in October 2016
and is currently pursuing his Master of
Public Administration (MPA) at Texas State
University.
He works as a graduate assistant for the
Office of International Affairs and serves as
the operations coordinator of the Student
Leadership Board at Texas State University.
Tan is a member of the United Nations
Association of the United States of America
and American Society for Public
Administration. In addition, he is currently
an intern at the Permanent Mission of
Malaysia to the United Nations.
Prior to earning his master’s degree, he
worked as a recruitment consultant in a
Japanese recruitment company based in
Kuala Lumpur and was promoted to team
leader after eight months of work.
Tan was selected to be one of the
Malaysian representatives to attend the
company’s annual general meeting in Japan
and was the only non-Japanese employee
across Asia to be awarded the Commitment
Grand Prix 2017 Award by the president of
the group of companies. He was also the
recipient of Best Performed Rookie 2017 in
his company.
In the past few years, Tan gained
opportunities to represent Malaysia in
various international conferences.
Last year, he was selected to be among the
top 80 international delegates from Asean
countries to participate in the Young
Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative Workshop
on Economic Engagement in ASEAN in
Vietnam.
Besides that, he had the opportunity to
speak with the former Prime Minister of
Malaysia Datuk Seri Najib Razak to discuss
the roles of Malaysian youth in building a
stronger Asean community.
The right foundation
Tan expresses his sincere gratitude to his
lecturers at IMU who have nurtured and
guided him in many ways. He describes his
lecturers as committed individuals who see a
tomorrow in every student’s eyes.
According to him, IMU is not just another
tertiary institution, but a place to be for all
students, where talents are unleashed and
future stars cultivated professionally.
Tan is thankful that the IMU’s psychology
programme has significantly broadened
his understanding of people’s behaviour,
performance and mental operations,
enabling him to serve and work with people
better.
In the extracurricular area, his role as the
president of IMU’s second Psychology Ethics
Forum helped develop his leadership,
Pursuing the Bachelor of Science (Hons) Psychology at IMU has equipped Tan with the
understanding and skills to work with people better.
THE STAR, TUESDAY 21 AUGUST 2018
Students have the
option to complete the
entire psychology degree
at IMU or study part
of the programme at
IMU and transfer to the
University of Newcastle in
Australia or University of
Strathclyde in the United
Kingdom to complete their
degree.
negotiation, communication and time
management skills.
IMU is Malaysia’s first and most
established private medical and health
sciences university with 26 years of
dedicated focus in healthcare education.
Its three-year Bachelor of Science (Hons)
Psychology programme uses a curriculum
that has been developed to meet high
international standards.
Students have the option to complete
the entire psychology degree at IMU or
study part of the programme at IMU and
transfer to the University of Newcastle in
Australia or University of Strathclyde in
the United Kingdom to complete their
degree.
To become a qualified psychologist,
you will have to first complete your
undergraduate degree in psychology,
followed by a master’s degree in a
specialised area of psychological practice.
The Bachelor of Science (Hons) Psychology
has been accepted internationally for further
specialisation at the postgraduate level.
Intakes for the psychology programme are
in February and September. If you enjoy
thinking about the causes of human
behaviour and have a desire to help people
manage their problems, apply now for a
great start to an interesting and exciting
career in psychology.
If you have just completed your Sijil
Pelajaran Malaysia, you can consider
enrolling in the one-year IMU Foundation in
Science, the preferred foundation and direct
route for entry to any of the university’s local
degree programmes.
n For more information, call 03-2731 7272,
e-mail start@imu.edu.my or visit www.imu.
edu.my
THE STAR, TUESDAY 21 AUGUST 2018 Course Focus 5

ASSOC Prof Dr Victor Chuang, the new head

of Monash University Malaysia’s School of Monash University
Pharmacy, sheds light on initiatives taken by Malaysia’s research
the faculty in helping students learn better. facilities allow its
With more than 25 years of experience, he is pharmacy students
under no illusion as to the challenges that he to develop industry-
faces. ready skills.
“At Monash, we endeavour to equip
students with knowledge, necessary
professional skills to excel, qualities such as
integrity and empathy, and the ability to
work with people,” says Assoc Prof Chuang.
A new teaching method, which is being
rolled out at the local campus and Monash’s
Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical
Science in Australia simultaneously, is aimed
at empowering students to drive their own
learning processes.
Where teaching was once governed by
lecturers, students are now required to read
up and understand a given topic before they
pose questions in an online forum, on which
the lecturers post their responses.
The students then attempt a series of
questions to evaluate their understanding of
the topic.

Ahead of the game

In life, change is something that humans
struggle to grapple with. It is no different for
students who may have been brought up in
a system that encourages rote learning.
Assoc Prof Chuang acknowledges this and
elaborates on methods that are in place to
address these challenges, easing concerns
that students may drown under the weight
of expectations.
“The entire process has been moved
forward from a passive teaching method to
active personalised coaching. This is a
flipped classroom approach. We guide
students to teach themselves, obtain
information and solve problems.
“Lectures will be conducted in an
interactive manner where lecturers provide
further clarification on concepts that cannot
be easily explained on the online forum, in
addition to answering students’ questions.
“There exists a mentor-mentee
partnership in this approach. After two
weeks, students will reflect on their learning
progress to identify learning issues they may
have and how they plan to resolve the
problem.
“We treat our students as athletes, and we
are the coaches. We find out what their
strengths are and which areas they are
lacking in. Then, we provide them with the
guidance and tools to overcome their
weaknesses,” says Assoc Prof Chuang.
He adds that students will then post their
plans on the online forum for their mentors
to provide feedback. This way, mentees
receive one-on-one attention that can help
them improve their learning.
Assoc Prof Chuang was a benefactor of the
Monbusho Scholarship from Japan’s Ministry
of Education, where he completed his
postgraduate studies. He focused on studying
the ligand-binding properties of plasma
proteins – aiming to understand the function
of proteins – and modifying protein
molecules using recombinant DNA
technology for drug delivery and therapeutic
purposes.
Having spent more than six years in Japan
and over 10 years in Western Australia,
Assoc Prof Chuang is well placed to relate to
the challenges that students may face in a
foreign country.
From the Brain Research Institute Monash
Sunway to its animal housing centre,
Monash University Malaysia is ahead of its
competitors in terms of research facilities.
Assoc Prof Chuang waxes lyrical about the
superb amenities in place.
“I am impressed by how Monash as a
private university can successfully maintain
animal facilities.
“Animal studies are conducted to
investigate the efficacy of certain
medications or effect of certain compounds
on living beings. This is a costly endeavour
to maintain, as the animals must be kept in
controlled environments,” he says.
n For more information on programmes
offered by Monash University Malaysia’s
School of Pharmacy, visit www.monash.edu.
my/pharmacy
6 Course Focus
On-campus
community
pharmacy practice
THE traditional view that only doctors can
prescribe medication is no longer true, with
pharmacists now being granted prescribing
rights. This is a necessary step for
pharmacists to better perform their roles as
healthcare providers.
Graduating from QIUP’s Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons) programme makes you a well-rounded
The pharmacy programme offered by
Quest International University Perak (QIUP)
candidate for employment. was developed with practice outcomes in
mind, comprising community, industrial and
hospital/clinical pharmacy. The four-year,
full-time Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons) is
positioned to ensure that its graduates are
able to adapt to the working world.
“The programme was designed to equip
graduates with the skills and knowledge they
need in future. At every stage, they will find
themselves experiencing real-life or
simulated clinical and patient situations.
“This practical element is supported by
fundamental pharmaceutical and medical
science studies, taught by our research-active
academic and professional staff. It is the
ideal balance of hands-on learning and
in-depth study,” says Datuk Nicholas Goh,
chief operating officer of QIUP.
To develop such a programme, QIUP went
to great lengths to find the right person to be
the backbone of the Faculty of Pharmacy –
Prof Datuk Dr Allan Mathews.
Faculty dean Prof Allan is a well-known
figure in the pharmacy profession. With
14 years of experience in the government
sector, 22 years in the pharmaceutical
industry and having pioneered clinical
pharmacy services, he is highly sought
after for his valuable expertise.
Prof Allan shares that QIUP’s Faculty of
Pharmacy leadership has extensive
experience in hospitals, clinics, industry,
academia, research, consultancy and
management, and this will ensure that
pharmacy students are world-ready upon
graduation.
“Our programme is tailored so that
students are exposed to the real world from
year one. The faculty has established a close
relationship with Hospital Raja Permaisuri
Bainun, Ipoh, which has well-established
clinical pharmacy services. In addition,
clinical pharmacists from the hospital are
appointed as adjunct lecturers to conduct
case study sessions.
“Our students perform pharmaceutical
care at senior citizen homes as well.
Nurturing competent nurses
NURSING may be one of the oldest
professions, but public knowledge of this
growing career field still holds some
misunderstandings. A common statement
nurses hear is “You’re just a nurse. I want to
see a doctor.”
That statement represents a widespread
misunderstanding in what nurses’ roles are.
AIMST University’s Faculty of Allied Health
Professions dean Assoc Prof Dr Yu Chye Wah
shares an excellent way to respond.
“Tell them that nurses are professionals
and not trying to usurp doctors’ positions.
Nurse practitioners are leaders in healthcare
who work with doctors as partners. Their
roles include making urgent decisions that
can result in life or death, and these crucial
moments require the kind of critical thinking
and judgement that only highly educated
and trained nurses possess,” he says.
More college students are opting to
become nurse practitioners rather than
doctors due to the high cost of medical
school.
According to Dr Yu, nursing students
should be trained to think of themselves as
THE STAR, TUESDAY 21 AUGUST 2018
This practical
element is supported
by fundamental
pharmaceutical
and medical science
studies, taught
by our research-
active academic and
professional staff.
It is the ideal balance
of hands-on learning
and in-depth study.
Datuk Nicholas Goh
Each student is assigned a resident
whom the student, along with a lecturer,
visits once a month to carry out medication
management. A report is sent to the home
after the visit.
“Students get to learn about
communication, different classes of
medicines, monitoring outcome
achievements, side-effects, interactions
between medicines, and herbal or
complementary medicines,” adds Prof
Allan.
The university has set up Quest Pharmacy,
an on-campus facility. First-year students
undergo rotational placements during which
they are taught about every aspect of
community pharmacy.
QIUP’s interim campus is strategically
located in Ipoh away from the distractions
of bustling city life. It provides a lower
cost of living and an environment conducive
to learning.
Should you have high hopes of having a
rich student life and opportunities to interact
with the best academicians, QIUP is the
answer.
n For more information, call 05-249 0500,
e-mail enquiries@qiup.edu.my or visit
www.qiup.edu.my
nursing agents. He shares that AIMST
University’s nursing faculty teaches its
students about the value of nursing
so that they are ever-ready to dispel
misconceptions when someone questions
their viability.
Umamageswari Kunasegaran, AIMST
University alumna and staff nurse at
National University Hospital, Singapore, says,
“AIMST’s nursing programmes inculcates
caring attitudes in students so that they can
serve society.
“The learning environment, resources and
teaching faculty at AIMST are superb for
anyone who aspires to pursue his or her
dream to be a nurse.
“My primary source of inspiration to
become a nurse is an innate desire to help
people and care for them in times of need.
“I am also someone who thrives on
being challenged and always have new
goals to achieve, so nursing suits me as
it offers much diversity in learning
opportunities.”
> SEE NEXT PAGE
THE STAR, TUESDAY 21 AUGUST 2018 Course Focus 7

Final call for applications

RCSI & UCD Malaysia Campus
(RUMC), formerly Penang Medical
College, is now a university upon
attaining foreign branch campus
status – one of the highest levels
attainable for education
institutions in Malaysia.
Owned by the Royal College of
Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) and
University College Dublin (UCD),
the institution is also the first
accredited private medical school
in Malaysia.
With its unique, best-of-both-
worlds medical programme, RUMC
prides itself on delivering a world-
class student experience in
medical education.
Graduates are conferred the
internationally renowned National
University of Ireland medical
degrees – Bachelor of Medicine,
Bachelor of Surgery and Bachelor
of Obstetrics.
Students of RUMC’s medical
degree programme will have the
opportunity to study in Dublin and
Penang.
Over the last 20 years, nearly
1,700 RUMC students have
graduated and now hold senior
positions in Ireland, the United
Kingdom, Australia, the United
States, New Zealand, Singapore
and Malaysia.
Students begin their first day in
Dublin among international peers
at RCSI or UCD for two and a half
years of preclinical studies.
They then continue with
rigorous clinical training delivered
by an expert clinical faculty at
RUMC in Penang and its teaching
hospitals while remaining
students of RCSI and UCD
throughout.
Students who do not meet the
requirements for the medicine
programme have the option to
pursue the Pre-Medical Year
progression programme.
Orientation and spot
admissions
This Saturday, students
embarking to Ireland in
September and their parents
will be welcomed to the Pre-
Departure Orientation event at
Pullman Hotel, Kuala Lumpur.
This event allows them and their
parents to interact with senior
RCSI and UCD students visiting
from Ireland.
Representatives from the
Embassy of Ireland will join
RUMC’s senior management in
presenting scholarships to this
year’s recipients.
This year, president and chief
executive officer Prof Stephen
Doughty and vice-president and
registrar Prof David Whitford will
be present at the event to meet
students and parents who want to
submit late applications for the
programme.
The admissions team will be
on standby to assist with
documentation and interview
processes. This Saturday’s
on-the-spot admissions are the
final chance for students to
apply to begin their journey at
world-renowned medical
schools RCSI and UCD this
September.
Research opportunities
Research enriches the student
experience, builds on education
received, and provides students
with the chance to publish
papers, present at conferences
and win research awards before
RUMC students starting their first year in Dublin will attend a Pre-Departure
Orientation event where they and their parents can ask questions and find
out more about the experience.
graduation. Students are
encouraged and supported to
embrace independent learning
and seek research opportunities.
It can begin with summer
research programmes or with
postgraduate study.
Projects range across a broad
spectrum of disciplines from
biochemistry, molecular biology,
immunology and inflammation
to microbiology, molecular
oncology, neurosciences and
physiology, clinical investigation
and bioethics.
RUMC recognises the
significance of education and
health management for
individuals and the community,
and is committed to finding ways
of giving back to its communities
in Ireland, Malaysia and other
countries.
Students can avail of their
international experience by
building networks in the global
medical community of leading
practitioners and academics,
enabling RUMC doctors to play
key leadership roles in the
community.
n To apply for the September
intake, visit www.rcsiucd.edu.my

Career in caring
> FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
Hazwani Azizan, AIMST
University alumna and staff
nurse at Pantai Hospital Sungai
Petani, shares, “Studying at
AIMST provided me with a
good experience and platform
and helped me improve my
communication skills in English.
AIMST delivers quality
education and gave me an
excellent start to my nursing
career.
“As a nurse, my job involves
a variety of roles to provide
professional nursing care.
Nurses are educators who
are responsible for explaining
medical procedures and
treatments to patients. We also
empower patients by guiding
them towards healthy behaviour
and supporting them in times of
need.”
Many mistakenly believe that
to advance in their nursing
careers, they must leave the
profession entirely to go back to
school full-time. This is not true
as you can complete a bachelor’s
or master’s degree in nursing
through part time or distance
learning programmes.
AIMST University’s nursing
degrees are designed to
strengthen your knowledge and
prepare you to advance your
career. It is important to note
that the nursing profession is a
career path with expected
growth.
If you are considering
pursuing a nursing course,
AIMST University invites you to
find out more about its School of
Nursing and explore its diploma
and degree offerings.
You can also visit the AIMST
University campus in Semeling,
Kedah.
n For more information on
AIMST University’s nursing
programmes, call 014-252
3157/019-644 7042/016-414 7504.
8 Course Focus
Creating better pharmacists
WE need pharmacists. As experts
on medicines and the way they
interact with the body, pharmacists
play a vital role in improving
community health. As the global
population grows and ages, and as
medicines become more complex,
the need for pharmacists
intensifies.
The World Health Organization
estimates that there is potential for
creation of some 40 million
additional healthcare jobs across
the world by 2030 – almost double
the current number. Pharmacists
are expected to figure prominently
among these jobs.
Quality pharmacy
graduates
Monash University has long
been considered the leading
pharmacy programme provider in
Australia. According to QS World
University Rankings by Subject
2017 and 2018, Monash is in
second place globally in the
Pharmacy & Pharmacology
category, with only Harvard
University ranking higher.
Monash believes that the world
deserves better pharmacists, not
just more pharmacists. This is why
it offers Australia’s first and only
combined Bachelor of Pharmacy
(Hons)/Master of Pharmacy
programme, which ensures that its
graduates go out into the world
equipped with a higher level of
education and stronger skill set.
The pathway to registration as
a pharmacist in Australia takes
As a leading pharmacy education provider, Monash ensures that its graduates enter the working world with an edge
over their peers.
five years.
Traditionally, this route is
structured as a four-year bachelor’s
degree plus a one-year internship.
At Monash, the BPharm(Hons)/
MPharm takes the same four years,
but you graduate with a master’s
degree as well as a bachelor’s
degree.
The fifth year of the pathway
combines one year of paid
supervised practice with intern
studies through Monash’s Intern
Training Program and Intern
Foundation Program. This
amalgam of intensive learning and
work will prepare you for
registration as a pharmacist.
Skills that make a
difference
The combined course ensures
that you have a thorough grasp of
the underlying scientific disciplines
of pharmacy such as chemistry,
biology and pharmacology, but it
also focuses on key skills that set a
great pharmacist apart from a
good one. These skills include
problem solving, empathy,
reflective practice, integrity,
teamwork, inquiry, and oral and
written communication.
You will hone these skills
through work placements in
community pharmacies, hospitals
and other environments while
learning from some of Australia’s
best pharmacists.
When you pursue the
BPharm(Hons)/MPharm, you do
not just sit in lecture halls passively
listening to teachers. Monash is a
world leader in developing
learning technologies for
pharmacy that help its students
THE STAR, TUESDAY 21 AUGUST 2018
simulate and engage with practice
environments. The educational
tools developed at Monash are
used in pharmacy programmes all
over the world.
Monash’s Faculty of Pharmacy
and Pharmaceutical Sciences is
situated in Parkville – the heart of
Melbourne’s medical and
biotechnology precinct that is just
minutes away from Melbourne’s
central business district. It has
excellent public transport links and
is renowned for its keen sense of
community.
In addition to smaller class sizes
and the opportunity to really get to
know your instructors, you will be
paired with a student mentor who
will help you transition to life as a
university student.
You will have the resources of
Australia’s largest university to
draw from. Monash is widely
regarded as one of the world’s top
100 universities with a reputation
for excellence in science studies.
Transfer opportunities
If you would like the experience
of studying in Australia without
pursuing your whole degree there,
Monash has an option that allows
selected students to complete the
first one or two years of their
degree at Monash University
Malaysia before transferring to the
Melbourne campus for the rest of
the programme.
n For more information,
call +613 9903 9635 or visit
www.monash.edu/pharm