Times of India
Vishwas Kothari, TNN 1 December 2009, 12:47am IST
PUNE: The Malaysian health ministry and the Malaysian dental council have recognised the dental surgery degree (BDS) course offered by the Pimpri-based D Y Patil University. This comes close on the heels of a similar recognition extended last year by Malaysia to the university's medical degree (MBBS) course.
Speaking to TOI, D Y Patil University's (DYPU) deputy director V S Anand said, "The recognition will enable students passing out with a BDS degree from our university to directly pursue the medical profession as private practitioners or in government jobs in Malaysia."
Simultaneously, the recognition will enable non-resident Indian (NRI) as well as Malaysian students to undertake their dental degree studies at the DYPU campus in Pimpri from 2010-11 onwards, he said.
The DYPU is a deemed university, which offers degree as well as post-graduate programmes in medical, dental and other health science streams.
The university admits 100 students for its BDS course and 43 students for its post-graduate dental programmes on an annual basis, said Anand. Similarly, DYPU's annual student intake for the MBBS course is 150 seats and for the post-graduate (PG) medical course it is 100 seats.
For the entire five-year and three-year duration for degree and PG courses the number of total medical students works out to 750 and 300 respectively, while 500 seats and 129 seats are available in the dental programmes.
A six-member study team of the Malaysian government and the Malaysian dental council, headed by the health ministry in-charge, officer Norian Abu Talib Datin, earlier visited the DYPU campus for an inspection vis-a-vis academic standards and quality of programmes, infrastructure and allied facilities. The DYPU vice chancellor, P D Patil, made an elaborate presentation to the visiting Malaysian team.
Anand said, "The Malaysian recognition was critical to the university's overall objective of spreading its presence in different countries in South East Asia as well as in the US. We are applying for US recognition soon."
He said, "Most countries have standards and norms of their own for regulating the medical and dental profession. For instances, the Indian Medical Council and the Indian government does not recognise medical degrees awarded by institutions in Russia. For that matter, students with foreign medical degrees have to undertake a screening test to qualify for practice in India."
In this context, he said, "The Malaysian government's recognition opens up an additional avenue for our students to look out for, vis-a-vis pursuing practice in a foreign country."
The DYPU dental college and hospital ranks among the first few colleges that were granted an A' grade by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (Naac). It offers specialisation in nine areas in the field of dentistry.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Medicine in Poland
Higher Education
At home in Warsaw
2009/11/27 [New Straits Times]
Malaysian medical students adapt to life in Poland with aplomb, writes DAVID BOWDEN
WHEN Malaysian students Wan Atiqah Wan Abdul Rashid, Muhammad Saifullah Shaarani, Mohd Hamdan Mohd Ibrahim, Mohd Khairul Hanan Mohd Wajiah, Hadi Naqiuddin Subhi and Nursofia Diana Azmi received their tertiary studies appointment notices, it was an atlas that they first went to as a reference.
The students, along with some 60 other Malaysians, were being sent to a specific overseas destination to study medicine. The excitement mounted every day as they awaited their appointment notice but they were surprised when they saw that the university was in Warsaw.
Most scratched their heads and quickly looked at a map to find out just where this remote place was that they had heard of but knew little about.
They quickly discovered that Warsaw is the capital of Poland and the university they were to enter soon is the Medical University of Warsaw (MUW), the largest medical school in the country.
The students quickly made Google searches for information about the place that was going to be their home for the next six years.
The good news for the Malaysian students is that the faculty has an English Division where the lessons are conducted in English. Medical studies in English are available to those who aren’t Polish citizens.
Each year, approximately 120 students are enrolled on the English programme with undergraduates coming from some 26 countries but mainly from Europe, the United States, Canada, Saudi Arabia and now Malaysia. Successful students are admitted on the results of their high school grades, especially those in Chemistry, Biology, Physics and English.
There are now more than 100 Malaysian students studying Medicine in three Polish universities with the Malaysian programme having been in operation for three years. The course started as an initiative of the Polish Embassy in Kuala Lumpur. All students receive government scholarships although fee-paying ones can apply to be admitted to the course.
The Malaysian students welcome the opportunity to have immediate contact with patients which is something that isn’t possible for undergraduate doctors locally. Most feel they are receiving a more rounded education as a result of this immediate patient contact.
MUW has 16 affiliated hospitals where students are trained in almost all fields of medicine. There are some 130,000 inpatients in these hospitals every year and the figure doubles when outpatients are also included.
Dean of Medicine Professor Jerzy Polanski claims that three times more students than can be placed apply for positions at MUW.
“Our degrees, which are recognised the world over, offer better value than in most other countries as they cost between Euro 11,000 (RM55,663) and Euro 14,000 per annum.
“While we still need a few additional facilities to make us truly world-class, the university and its teaching hospitals provide an excellent learning environment. We also train our overseas students in Polish as they have to communicate with patients while on the wards during their practical classes,” says Polanski.
Faculty of Medicine (English Division) deputy dean Professor Kazimierz Szopinski speaks emotively of his Malaysian students.
“I would gladly accept a whole intake from Malaysia as the students have been absolutely outstanding and highly motivated,” he says in an interview in Warsaw.
“They have fitted well into university life and have even injected new life and colour into the community. The employees and fellow students eagerly anticipate their annual cultural show which they put on for our benefit.”
WUM has more than 10,000 students and a staff of almost 1,600 academic teachers including 150 professors and 600 lecturers. The university offers nine principal subjects and in four specialties as well as postgraduate education (specialty training and refresher courses).
There are two main medical degrees offered with a four-year plan available to students who already have a relevant primary degree.
For many years, MUW has collaborated in research with centres all over the world including France, Germany, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the US. There are 16 formal agreements on scientific cooperation which involve exchange of research workers, joint research projects and publications.
Most Malaysian students interviewed at MUW like the weather despite it being different to what they are used to at home. Despite it getting quite cold with snowfalls in winter, most have learned to adapt especially as central heating is installed in all buildings.
They are all impressed with the friendliness of Polish people and they can even purchase halal food in some markets as well as in a few restaurants. Nursofia Diana, who grew up in Gombak, says many strangers greet them in the streets and make them feel welcome.
Wan Atiqah commented that there is a shop next to a mosque near the university that sells halal food and her Polish friends respect her religion and avoid serving food and drinks she can’t consume.
Mohd Khairul Hanan, from Kota Jembal in Kelantan, the president of the Malaysian Students’ Society of Poland, likes Warsaw’s public transport system because it is punctual and cheap. Students use it to travel to and from the university and around the city.
Hadi Naqiuddin from KL is one of the Malaysian students who is studying Medicine as a second degree to supplement his first bachelor’s degree in Biomedicine attained from Malaysia’s Management and Science University. He especially likes the relaxed learning environment at MUW.
It won’t come as any surprise to Malaysians to know that the students miss home with family, friends and food high among the things they miss most. Nursofia Diana misses her family and friends most of all and intends to catch up with them when she returns to KL. Mohd Hamdan misses nasi lemak, mee goreng and bihun sup but knows that when he returns to Malaysia as a fully-trained doctor, he will be able to enjoy these dishes and many more as often as he likes.
davidbowden.travelwrite@gmail.com
At home in Warsaw
2009/11/27 [New Straits Times]
Malaysian medical students adapt to life in Poland with aplomb, writes DAVID BOWDEN
WHEN Malaysian students Wan Atiqah Wan Abdul Rashid, Muhammad Saifullah Shaarani, Mohd Hamdan Mohd Ibrahim, Mohd Khairul Hanan Mohd Wajiah, Hadi Naqiuddin Subhi and Nursofia Diana Azmi received their tertiary studies appointment notices, it was an atlas that they first went to as a reference.
The students, along with some 60 other Malaysians, were being sent to a specific overseas destination to study medicine. The excitement mounted every day as they awaited their appointment notice but they were surprised when they saw that the university was in Warsaw.
Most scratched their heads and quickly looked at a map to find out just where this remote place was that they had heard of but knew little about.
They quickly discovered that Warsaw is the capital of Poland and the university they were to enter soon is the Medical University of Warsaw (MUW), the largest medical school in the country.
The students quickly made Google searches for information about the place that was going to be their home for the next six years.
The good news for the Malaysian students is that the faculty has an English Division where the lessons are conducted in English. Medical studies in English are available to those who aren’t Polish citizens.
Each year, approximately 120 students are enrolled on the English programme with undergraduates coming from some 26 countries but mainly from Europe, the United States, Canada, Saudi Arabia and now Malaysia. Successful students are admitted on the results of their high school grades, especially those in Chemistry, Biology, Physics and English.
There are now more than 100 Malaysian students studying Medicine in three Polish universities with the Malaysian programme having been in operation for three years. The course started as an initiative of the Polish Embassy in Kuala Lumpur. All students receive government scholarships although fee-paying ones can apply to be admitted to the course.
The Malaysian students welcome the opportunity to have immediate contact with patients which is something that isn’t possible for undergraduate doctors locally. Most feel they are receiving a more rounded education as a result of this immediate patient contact.
MUW has 16 affiliated hospitals where students are trained in almost all fields of medicine. There are some 130,000 inpatients in these hospitals every year and the figure doubles when outpatients are also included.
Dean of Medicine Professor Jerzy Polanski claims that three times more students than can be placed apply for positions at MUW.
“Our degrees, which are recognised the world over, offer better value than in most other countries as they cost between Euro 11,000 (RM55,663) and Euro 14,000 per annum.
“While we still need a few additional facilities to make us truly world-class, the university and its teaching hospitals provide an excellent learning environment. We also train our overseas students in Polish as they have to communicate with patients while on the wards during their practical classes,” says Polanski.
Faculty of Medicine (English Division) deputy dean Professor Kazimierz Szopinski speaks emotively of his Malaysian students.
“I would gladly accept a whole intake from Malaysia as the students have been absolutely outstanding and highly motivated,” he says in an interview in Warsaw.
“They have fitted well into university life and have even injected new life and colour into the community. The employees and fellow students eagerly anticipate their annual cultural show which they put on for our benefit.”
WUM has more than 10,000 students and a staff of almost 1,600 academic teachers including 150 professors and 600 lecturers. The university offers nine principal subjects and in four specialties as well as postgraduate education (specialty training and refresher courses).
There are two main medical degrees offered with a four-year plan available to students who already have a relevant primary degree.
For many years, MUW has collaborated in research with centres all over the world including France, Germany, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the US. There are 16 formal agreements on scientific cooperation which involve exchange of research workers, joint research projects and publications.
Most Malaysian students interviewed at MUW like the weather despite it being different to what they are used to at home. Despite it getting quite cold with snowfalls in winter, most have learned to adapt especially as central heating is installed in all buildings.
They are all impressed with the friendliness of Polish people and they can even purchase halal food in some markets as well as in a few restaurants. Nursofia Diana, who grew up in Gombak, says many strangers greet them in the streets and make them feel welcome.
Wan Atiqah commented that there is a shop next to a mosque near the university that sells halal food and her Polish friends respect her religion and avoid serving food and drinks she can’t consume.
Mohd Khairul Hanan, from Kota Jembal in Kelantan, the president of the Malaysian Students’ Society of Poland, likes Warsaw’s public transport system because it is punctual and cheap. Students use it to travel to and from the university and around the city.
Hadi Naqiuddin from KL is one of the Malaysian students who is studying Medicine as a second degree to supplement his first bachelor’s degree in Biomedicine attained from Malaysia’s Management and Science University. He especially likes the relaxed learning environment at MUW.
It won’t come as any surprise to Malaysians to know that the students miss home with family, friends and food high among the things they miss most. Nursofia Diana misses her family and friends most of all and intends to catch up with them when she returns to KL. Mohd Hamdan misses nasi lemak, mee goreng and bihun sup but knows that when he returns to Malaysia as a fully-trained doctor, he will be able to enjoy these dishes and many more as often as he likes.
davidbowden.travelwrite@gmail.com
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Universitas Hasanuddin
Najib Witnesses Signing Of Memoranda In Makassar
By Mohd Nasir Yusoff
MAKASSAR, Nov 18 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak today witnessed the signing of three memoranda of understanding involving agencies of Malaysia's Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry and Indonesia's Universitas Hasanuddin (UNHAS) here.
The memoranda involve Sirim Berhad, Mimos and Technology Park Malaysia.
Under the memorandum, Sirim and UNHAS will cooperate in aquaculture management, and entrepreneurial development for the potato commodity and its related downstream industries.
Mimos and UNHAS will cooperate in the field of marine aquaculture and precision agriculture.
The memorandum between Technology Park Malaysia and UHNAS involves social community projects in which UNHAS researchers will be allowed to use the park's laboratories and herbal processing facilities in Raub, Pahang.
The projects will start this year and to be completed next year.
Najib is here as a VVIP guest at the 689th commemoration of the Gowa regency.
Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili, who was also present, said that this was the first time that agencies under the ministry collaborated with an institution in Makassar.
He said that the collaboration would further enhance bilateral relations between Malaysia and Indonesia, especially in the fields of science, technology and innovation.
-- BERNAMA
By Mohd Nasir Yusoff
MAKASSAR, Nov 18 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak today witnessed the signing of three memoranda of understanding involving agencies of Malaysia's Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry and Indonesia's Universitas Hasanuddin (UNHAS) here.
The memoranda involve Sirim Berhad, Mimos and Technology Park Malaysia.
Under the memorandum, Sirim and UNHAS will cooperate in aquaculture management, and entrepreneurial development for the potato commodity and its related downstream industries.
Mimos and UNHAS will cooperate in the field of marine aquaculture and precision agriculture.
The memorandum between Technology Park Malaysia and UHNAS involves social community projects in which UNHAS researchers will be allowed to use the park's laboratories and herbal processing facilities in Raub, Pahang.
The projects will start this year and to be completed next year.
Najib is here as a VVIP guest at the 689th commemoration of the Gowa regency.
Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili, who was also present, said that this was the first time that agencies under the ministry collaborated with an institution in Makassar.
He said that the collaboration would further enhance bilateral relations between Malaysia and Indonesia, especially in the fields of science, technology and innovation.
-- BERNAMA
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
From the Sun Newspaper Wed 21st Oct 2009
Proposal to reduce compulsory service for doctors
Proposal to reduce compulsory service for doctors
PETALING JAYA (Oct 21, 2009) : The Ministry of Health (MOH) has recommended to the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) to reduce the compulsory service for new doctors from the present three years to two years.
Ismail Merican
This was in response to requests from parents who had sacrificed in funding the medical education of their children, said Director-General of Health, Tan Sri Dr Mohd Ismail Merican.
Writing in the special column in the Malaysian Medical Association's (MMA) latest newsletter, he said the ministry appreciated the long hours housemen and junior doctors and doctors in general have put in and the ministry "was doing everything in its power to fight for better remuneration, allowances and promotional prospects."
"Various measures have been taken and will be implemented to ensure that doctors continue to serve the MOH," he added.
Among them were creation of new allowances; improving the current critical and on-call allowances; providing RM80 per hour allowance for working extended hours; and RM200 per hour for those performing operations on off-days.
In addition MOH had also created more opportunities for doctors to get promoted to higher grades and improve working conditions and environment.
He said so far 24,135 posts have been created but as at Dec 2008 only 13,762 or 57% of the posts had been filled of which 2,545 were for specialists from various disciplines.
Dr Mohd Ismail said the ministry was also working on a time-based and flexible promotion for medical officers who were not specialists.
"It saddens me to learn that some of our non-specialist medical officers have retired on low grades even after putting in long years of valuable and loyal service."
"However, with this new initiative the days of medical officers, some of whom are 'gurkhas' in the department, being neglected or overlooked for promotion will be history," he assured.
To address the shortage of doctors in the short term , Dr Mohd Ismail said the ministry had invited those working abroad and those in the local private sector to work with the MOH.
"We have already placed advertisements and hope they will respond favourably and rise to the challenge of providing quality healthcare to Malaysians," he added.
According to Dr Mohd Ismail, last year government doctors provided services to two million admitted patients and 62 million out-patients. This year the number would increase significantly due to the economic downturn and the Influenza A H1N1 pandemic. -- BERNAMA
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Re-placement for the University Andalas students
Isnin Oktober 19, 2009
IPTS akan temuduga pelajar Malaysia dari Universiti Andalas, Isnin
PUTRAJAYA: Para pelajar perubatan Malaysia dari Universiti Andalas (Unand) Padang, Sumatera Barat yang terjejas teruk akibat gempa bumi beberapa minggu lalu akan berhimpun di Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) pagi Isnin ini untuk mendengar taklimat khas mengenai masa depan mereka.
Sebahagian besar daripada mereka juga akan menjalani sesi temuduga dengan Institusi-institusi Pengajian Tinggi Swasta (IPTS) Malaysia bertempat di Dewan Fakulti Perubatan UPM pada jam 10.45 pagi untuk proses penempatan semula mereka di sini.
Setiausaha Akhbar Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi, Mohd Izani memberitahu, seramai 276 pelajar Malaysia di Unand dijangka hadir pada sesi taklimat dan temuduga hari ini.
Pelajar-pelajar yang akan ditemuduga untuk penempatan semula di IPTS Malaysia adalah terdiri daripada pelajar-pelajar tahun satu, dua dan tiga.
Kabinet Rabu lalu telah membuat keputusan untuk menasihati pelajar-pelajar tahun satu, dua dan tiga pengajian perubatan di Unand supaya meneruskan pengajian mereka di IPTS tempatan. Manakala pelajar-pelajar tahun empat dan lima dan mereka yang sedang menjalani latihan klinikal pula dinasihati supaya menamatkan pengajian mereka di Unand.
Keseluruhannya terdapat 313 pelajar perubatan Malaysia di Unand. Daripada jumlah itu, 16 penuntut sedang mengikuti kursus asasi, tahun pertama (45), tahun kedua (44), tahun ketiga (65), tahun keempat (53), tahun kelima (55) dan klinikal (35).
Sesi temuduga Isnin diadakan dengan kelolaan Jabatan Pengajian Tinggi Malaysia (JPT) dengan kerjasama IPTS.
Di antara IPTS yang bersetuju untuk menerima pelajar-pelajar Malaysia di Unand ialah International Medical University (IMU), Allianze College of Medical Sciences, University College Sedaya International (USCI), UniKL-Perak Royal College of Medicine, Kolej Universiti Mahsa, Management and Science University (MSU), Melaka Manipal Medical College dan Asian Institute of Medicine, Science and Technology (AIMST).
Rabu lalu, Menteri Pengajian Tinggi, Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin berkata, pasukan kementerian yang dihantar ke Unand untuk memantau situasi di situ telah mengemukakan laporan penilaian teknikal dan pembelajaran fizikal kepada pihak kementerian.
Katanya, laporan tersebut mengenalpastikan Unand tidak kondusif untuk para penuntut menyambung semula pengajian mereka kecuali bagi pelajar tahun akhir dan mereka yang sedang menjalani latihan klinikal.
"Oleh itu, kita galakkan penuntut tahun pertama hingga tahun ketiga yang banyak menghabiskan masa dalam kuliah agar menyambung kursus mereka di IPTS. Para penuntut tahun keempat, kelima dan klinikal pula diminta supaya menghabiskan pengajian mereka di Unand kerana mereka lebih banyak menghabiskan masa di hospital berbanding mengikuti kuliah.
"Juga rata-ratanya, para penuntut tahun keempat, kelima dan klinikal telah membayar kira-kira 95 peratus yuran pengajian mereka," jelas Mohamed Khaled.
Tambah beliau, sekiranya para penuntut berkenaan tidak ingin menyambung pelajaran di situ, yuran tidak dapat dikembalikan dan tiada pampasan akan diberikan.
Dalam pada itu, di samping membantu para penuntut Malaysia ini menyambung semula pengajian mereka di dalam negara, JPT juga bersedia membantu pelajar membuat permohonan untuk mendapatkan pinjaman Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi Nasional (PTPTN).
Bagaimanapun, pinjaman PTPTN itu adalah maksimum sehingga RM150,000 bagi setiap penuntut. - the star
Be safe.
Malaysian medical student killed in car crash in Salem
CHENNAI (Oct 14, 2009) : A Malaysian medical student and her two local friends, including a doctor, were killed when the car they were travelling in, collided with a bus while the students were returning home yesterday evening.
CHENNAI (Oct 14, 2009) : A Malaysian medical student and her two local friends, including a doctor, were killed when the car they were travelling in, collided with a bus while the students were returning home yesterday evening.
Fatimatussolihah Aziz, 22, of Kuala Terengganu, died on the spot in the crash which occured at a road under construction in Seeragapadi, Salem about 4.30pm.
She was a third-year student at the Vinyaka Mission Dental College in Salem, about 400km from here.
The car driver, identified only as Dr Sabree, 25, and one of two passengers, Arathi Srikumar, 21, were also killed on the spot.
The other passenger, Dr Mohseen, from Kerala, was critically injured in the mishap.
The accident occured when the Malaysian and her friends were returning in a Maruti Suzuki Swift car to their rented house, located about 20km from the college. The car was reduced to a wreck.
Khairudin Abdullah, the Malaysian education counsellor based in Chennai, told Bernama today:
"The Malaysian student died on the spot. The Consul-General's office in Chennai is making arrangements to fly the body to Malaysia today."
The body is being taken to Bangalore, the nearest airport, where it would be sent to Malaysia, possibily tonight.
In KUALA TERENGGANU, Fatimatussolihah's grandmother Hendon Yusof, 72, told Bernama, her granddaughter had telephoned her a few days before leaving back for India after spending a holiday back home during the fasting month.
"She called to apologise that she was unable to come to Kuala Terengganu. I did not expect that would be the last call from her," she said when met her home in Kampung Binjai here.
She said she heard news of the tragedy from Fatimatussolihah's father Aziz Kasim, 46, an engineer with Tenaga Nasional Berhad now living in Kedah, but happened to be in Kuala Terengganu on work matters. -- BERNAMA
Comment
Whilst this is not our student we feel the loss for all students around the world seeking to gain some measure of academic advantage and taking the bold step to do this away from home for a better future and a better life. It is sad that when such a bright life is taken away.
While most of our students will one day save many lives, it is necessary to always remind yourselves to be prudent and vigilant. There are things that are out of your control but to whatever is within your control make sure unfettered care and respect for yourselves and your life is taken.
Be safe. There are many faces known and unknown counting on you to get the best education you can so that you can make your life and their lives better.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Bearable heat going further south ?
We have contacted our students in Indonesia to ask them if they were still comfortable there. Was there any social pressure due to nationalism or latent bias within the University walls. The answer was no more than usual.
It seems that there are certain newspapers in Indonesia like the Tempo that keep publishing negative views on Malaysia. They try to stoke fires perhaps to sensationalize or politicize the issue. It may trickle down to some of the citizens but no evidence of that yet to our students. The current views of our politicians are distorted and viewed as arrogant, no one is holding the olive branch on both sides of the issue.
Funnily most of our Indian and Chinese students are automatically presumed to be from India or China but our students, full of the 1 Malaysia spirit, correct them. Our most powerful strength as a country is our unity. To our students the divisions of Malay, Chinese or Indian seem to dissipate when they are there [apparently at all overseas universities]. There they are just Malaysian and damned proud of it!
Most Indonesians tell our students that issues between them and Malaysia stop at the doors of our government and not its people. So overall things are still going well for our students in Indonesia. But we will always keep tabs on them and wish them well.
It seems that there are certain newspapers in Indonesia like the Tempo that keep publishing negative views on Malaysia. They try to stoke fires perhaps to sensationalize or politicize the issue. It may trickle down to some of the citizens but no evidence of that yet to our students. The current views of our politicians are distorted and viewed as arrogant, no one is holding the olive branch on both sides of the issue.
Funnily most of our Indian and Chinese students are automatically presumed to be from India or China but our students, full of the 1 Malaysia spirit, correct them. Our most powerful strength as a country is our unity. To our students the divisions of Malay, Chinese or Indian seem to dissipate when they are there [apparently at all overseas universities]. There they are just Malaysian and damned proud of it!
Most Indonesians tell our students that issues between them and Malaysia stop at the doors of our government and not its people. So overall things are still going well for our students in Indonesia. But we will always keep tabs on them and wish them well.
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