ID :
63652
Mon, 06/01/2009 - 19:17
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ACMS` MEDICAL TWINNING PROGRAMME WITH INDONESIA

By Ainul Huda Mohamed Saaid

KUALA LUMPUR, June 1(Bernama) -- Realising of the abundant employment
opportunities in the medical line, Allianze College of Medical Science (ACMS)
is offering matriculation and medical degree programmes for qualified students.

The college spearheaded by a heart surgeon Zainuddin Wazir also offers
a diploma programme in physiotherapy, pharmacy and nursing for those with SPM
qualification.

MEDICAL DEGREE PROGRAMME

The medical degree programme at ACMS has been conducted since 2002 through a
twinning programme with Universiti Sumatera Utara, Indonesia (MD USU).

The programme is recognised by the Malaysian Qualification Agency (MQA) and
the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC), and has also been recognised under the
Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand-Growth Triangle (IMT-GT).

"By adopting a cooperative strategy between two nations, we have been able
to increase the number of seats for medical studies," noted Zainuddin when met
by Bernama at his office recently.

He said initially ACMS only took a small number of students but their
numbers were increased year by year through planning.

"This is to maintain the quality of the education programme," he said.

Now the number of students taking up the medical degree programme is almost
300 with 10 percent of them being Indonesians.

Zainuddin stated that Universiti Sumatera Utara being a reputed institution
in Indonesia boasts for its highly experienced teaching staff.

"The combined expertise of Indonesia and Malaysia in the field of medicine
will put the students in a better footing to venture into the employment world
and serve better," he said.

Zainuddin said undergraduates of ACMS would undergo their clinical studies
at Hospital Tuanku Fauziah in Perlis and other hospitals in Alor Star, Kulim and
Taiping.

"It's best that the Malaysian medical undergraduates undergo their 'clinical
posting' within the country so that by the time they start working they are
already familiar with the system and the environment in Malaysian hospitals.

"They will also be exposed to the common medical problems in the country,"
he said.

NO SHORTAGE OF LECTURERS

Zainuddin noted that ACMS has access to teaching staff from Malaysia and
Indonesia and therefore there is no shortage of lecturers.

"Medical education involves a big number of teaching staff and this
programme has succeeded in achieving a ratio of one instructor to every 25
students, a very good ratio," he noted.

Other than that, Zainuddin also stressed that the medium of instruction in
ACMS is English.

"We admit that most of the medical terminologies are in English, and by
learning in English our students will only benefit further," he said.

According to Zainuddin, studying in Indonesia provides positive experience
to students as they would be able to evaluate the differences in the medical
services between Indonesia and Malaysia.

"I hope that they will appreciate and be thankful for the facilities
available in Malaysia," he said.

Other than that they will also be exposed to diseases prevalent there but
less or almost non-existent in Malaysia, for example tuberculosis and certain
diseases involving the skin.

EASY TO ACCLIMATIZE

He said students would find it easy to acclimatize as the weather and
culture in Indonesia is not far different from Malaysia.

"Parents too will be able to visit their children more often, as it is only
one hour by flight to Medan," he said.

Nonetheless, Zainuddin pointed out the biggest advantage of the twinning
programme, the graduates can serve as medical officers in both nations.

"Both nations recognise the programme, meaning the students after completing
their education can work here or in Indonesia," he said.

On ACMS' campus in Kepala Batas, Zainuddin noted that the campus is open to
the rural community and this will be helpful for the undergraduates when they
are posted to rural areas.

He also said that that ACMS Medical Students' Association has been active in
community work.

"Among the activities undertaken is the Community Service Project where the
students put up with `adopted' families, conduct medical check-ups, provide the
basic health education and join in gotong royong," said Zainuddin.

PROGRAMME DIPLOMA

ACMS also provides opportunity for SPM leavers to continue their studies in
physiotherapy, nursing and pharmacy.

"We are having four intakes per year and also conduct preparatory classes.
Financial assistance are provided for deserving students," he said.

STUDENT INTAKE

Zainuddin anticipated that this year 120 places would be provided for
medical students. Those keen had to undergo a written selection test.

"We encourage students who are keen and with the required qualification
to contact us as soon as possible," he said.

ACMS also accepts students from organisations that provide scholarships like
JPA and MARA, he said.

Zainuddin also made it clear that the institution does not accept more than
120 students a year in efforts to maintain the quality of education.

FUTURE PLAN

Zainuddin noted that medical education is borderless and currently ACMS is
finding ways to establish cooperation with universities in Thailand and Ireland.

"We also want to increase the number of foreign students and academics," he
said.

Plans are underway to set up the ACMS International Medical Institute and
Specialist Center at Bertam Perdana, Kepala Batas, that is expected to be
completed by 2012.

"With our own medical centre, we hope that ACMS will be upgraded to a
university," he said.

-- BERNAMA


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