Two Malaysian students get MBBS award at IMU

KUALA LUMPUR: Two students were awarded MBBS (IMU) with distinction at the International Medical University’s convocation ceremony here recently.

The two students, Dr Meera a/p Kuppusamy and Dr Lee Soon Liang, were also in the Dean’s List of High Academic Achievement for the Medical Graduating Class of C1/06.

Dr Meera and Dr Lee were among 91 students of this graduating class who were conferred with the Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree.

Four of the graduates were recipients of the IMU Medical Scholarships. These medical scholarships are given annually to deserving students based on merit. The scholarship recipients are entitled to full tuition fee waiver for their studies at IMU. These students will also receive living allowances for the duration of their studies.

Dr Meera was the top student and received the Dr John Joseph Bosco Memorial Gold Medal from the Chancellor, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr Sulaiman Haji Daud. This award is given in memory of the late Dr John Joseph Bosco who played an instrumental role in the development of the IMU Clinical School.

“I was very happy when Prof Yasmin, Dean of Medical Sciences at IMU, called me to inform me that I was the gold medallist. Since young, I have always wanted to become a doctor and I can’t imagine myself doing anything else.

“I study hard as I feel that even though what is learnt may not seem to be relevant now, it may save someone’s life in the future. My advice to anyone who is interested in studying a medical programme is that this is not a glamorous profession and it is a profession that needs a lot of commitment,” said Dr Meera.

The Medical Graduating Class of C1/06 was one of the four batched that graduated. Other groups comprised Master of Science graduates, Bachelor of Medical Sciences (BMedSc) graduates and the medical sciences students who have completed Phase 1 of their Medical Programme.

At the ceremony, two students received their Master of Science in Medical Sciences.

The IMU postgraduate programme leading to the Master of Science (MSc) in Medical Sciences or Community Health is research-based and the appropriate degree is awarded upon successful completion of the research and defense of the thesis.

The Chancellor also conferred the Bachelor of Medical Sciences (BMedSc) degree to 15 students. Six of them obtained their degrees with First Class Honours. These students have spent an additional year after the Phase 1 of the medical programme learning about the principles of scientific research as well as getting the opportunity to undertake a small research project.

Having obtained this Bachelor of Medical Sciences (BMedSc) degree, they would then transfer to University of Queensland to complete their medical degree.

The ceremony also saw 191 students being conferred the Certificate of Completion for Phase 1 of the Medical Programme. These students will continue their studies in Malaysia or transfer abroad to their respective Partner Medical Schools for their clinical training.

The top student of the Medical Convocating Class of M1/06 was Lim Han Ying, who received the Dr Saidi Hashim Memorial Gold Medal from the Chancellor. This award is given in memory of the late Dr Saidi Hashim Tahir, one of the founders of the IMU.

“It is important for those who are interested to study medicine to have interest and are able to work hard. Studying in IMU is not too bad but it is definitely stressful during exam times. I always set a goal for myself and work towards achieving the goal,” said Han Ying from Subang Jaya.

She had represented Malaysia and IMU in chess tournaments and had also represented IMU in table tennis as well. Han Ying will be transferring to University of Edinburgh to complete her medical degree.

The medical students who have transferred to IMU’s to partner universities were doing well. Dr Chooi Kheng Chiew, who graduated from University of Glasgow, won the Trades House Prize for the highest mark in written and clinical examinations in final year and graduated with Honours. Another student from the same university, Dr Lee Kwang Chear, also won an award, the West of Scotland RAMC Memorial Prize. Many other students from other partner universities have also received awards such as the first prize for the Art of Rural GP Award, James Matthews Duncan Medal & Elective Advisers Medal as well as the Shepherd Medal.rrrrrr