THE STAR, TUESDAY 19 FEBRUARY 2019 Postgraduate 5

Creating healthcare managers

TODAY’S healthcare industry is
facing many challenges. Patients,
families and communities are
expressing stronger demands for
better care, but on the providers’
side, there is a longer list of issues.
International Medical University
(IMU) aims to provide training to
equip managers with relevant
competencies to direct and manage
different facets of these challenges
that confront professionals who
will be leading international,
regional and local private and
public health and health-related
organisations.
Thus, IMU is offering the Master
of Business Administration (MBA)
in Healthcare Management. This
programme will encourage
students to think outside the box,
further developing their
management and leadership skills.
With this qualification, students
will be equipped with skills
including discovering business
strategies, strategic marketing,
corporate reputation and more
through workshops, peer group
and experiential learning as well as
online activities.
They have the dual opportunity
of getting not only into the wider
business and management job
market, but also command an
advantage in the high-demand
market of healthcare industries.
Programme director Assoc Prof
Toh Puan Dr Safurah Ja’afar says,
“IMU’s MBA in Healthcare
Management aims to equip
learners with relevant skills for
leading and managing issues
relevant to professionals, managers
and those keen on managing the
healthcare industry.
“Learners have the opportunity
to learn how to critically assess
health systems and healthcare
structures, apply core principles
of management in healthcare
settings, and operate within
prevailing legal frameworks.
“Graduates will benefit by
further building their personal and
professional competencies so they
can provide insights into best
practices in managerial strategies
and the formulation of appropriate
strategic solutions.”
This programme has a flexible
curriculum to fit into the working
adult’s lifestyle. Students can
choose to complete the programme
in 15 months full time or 2.5 years
part time. This course uses a
blended learning model that offers
online study options that are more
flexible for professionals and those
wishing to advance their careers.
With a constellation of teaching
and learning activities such as
lectures, tutorials, case studies,
written assignments, group
projects, presentations and
discussion boards, students be will
equipped with a well-rounded
understanding of the subject and
relevant issues, allowing them to education, implant dentistry,
formulate intervention strategies, and health professions education.
both in class simulations and
actual industry-based n For more information,
interventions. visit www.imu.edu.my, email
Teaching and learning is postgraduate@imu.edu.my
delivered and supervised by highly or call 03-2731 7272.
qualified and experienced faculty
members. The faculty will be
complemented by industry
experts who will share their keys
to success with the students.
The inaugural intake for this
programme will commence in
March. Students in this intake
will receive a RM5,000 tuition
fee bursary.
IMU also offers
postgraduate programmes
in a wide range of fields,
including public health,
analytical and
pharmaceutical chemistry,
molecular medicine,
acupuncture, pharmacy practice,
diabetes management and

Reflections on
my PhD journey
EARNING a PhD is seen as a
daunting task to many. Having
gone through the journey myself,
I came to the realisation that one
does not need to spend the full
three or four years getting your
PhD. With good support,
determination and focus, you
can finish your PhD sooner and
make it an enjoyable journey.
Now that I am on the tail-end
of my own PhD journey, I can
reflect on all that I have been
through and the many lessons
that I have learnt along the way.
I can relate to what Thomas
Edison said about success:
“Genius is 1% inspiration and
99% perspiration.” The journey
to a PhD may not be as smooth
as one expects. There will be
twists and turns, as well as
unexpected obstacles. It will
make you perspire, and
sometimes, push you to the
depths of despair.
It is a matter of being
passionate about what you are
doing. When you have a passion
for the topic you are researching,
it is no longer a chore and
instead can be an enjoyable
experience.
A PhD is a huge undertaking,
as you will spend years
attempting to push the
boundaries of current
knowledge. You may think the
world revolves around you, but
the truth is, life goes on. For
mature students with family
commitments, such as myself,
your family will often demand
your undivided attention.
At such times, having
supervisors who can empathise
with you and your situation is
key. I am lucky to have had good
supervisors. Their support has
been critical in helping me
balance my commitments. The
ability to work well with your
supervisors and share your
struggles outside of the academic
realm allows them to support
you better in times of need.
Even with understanding
supervisors, the journey towards
a PhD can still be lonely. Faced
with seemingly never-ending
research and writing, there will
be times where you seriously
doubt your capabilities or
harbour thoughts of quitting.
Fortunately, I have a group of
peers who constantly motivate
each other. We communicate
frequently, texting one another
to ask how everyone is doing
and checking on one another’s
progress. It might seem
insignificant to some, but simple
words from my peers like “Hang
in there!” and “Do not give up!”
reminds me that I am not alone
on this journey.
Pursuing a PhD is about
exposing yourself to the larger
ecosystem of research, which
allows you to establish networks
and keep abreast of the latest
developments. I am glad to have
worked with like-minded
researchers who constantly
encouraged me and provided me
with opportunities to improve
my research skills.
When I started searching for
the right institution to pursue my
PhD, one of my key criteria was
a good support system. I made a
good choice in Curtin Malaysia
as it supported me by helping me
attend conferences and provided
scholarships and consumable
allowances to manage my out-of-
pocket expenses arising from
research. Such support
demonstrates the university’s
commitment to establishing a
conducive environment to
pursue postgraduate research.
If I can turn back time, would I
pursue a PhD again? The answer
is a resounding yes! Though it
has been challenging, it has been
a fruitful and interesting journey.
I was not born smart; it was my
hard work that brought me to
where I am today. I am glad I
chose this path. – By Tan Kim
Lim
n The writer is a Singaporean
pursuing his PhD with the
Faculty of Business at Curtin
University Malaysia. His
research interest is in work
engagement, meaningful work
and job burnout. He can be
contacted at tan.kim.lim@
postgrad.curtin.edu.my. For
more information, visit
curtin.edu.my