Penang Medical College

The pride of Penang continues the decade-old tradition to offer student to the Basic Surgery Skills Course to the surgical trainees. This the 10th year of offering. The course is held with quality control by the RCSI (Royal College of Surgeons Ireland).

It is one of its kind in Malaysia and the course is offerred two ties per year in Penang. As the course requires hand-on skill, only 16 seats are available.

The main objectives of the course are:

- Basic knot tying technique

- Suturing Techniques

- Percutaneous biopsies

- Gastrointestinal anastomosis

- Repair of nerves and tendons

- Introduction to safe laparoscopy

- Endoscopc procedures

The next course will be in Mar 2011. The fees is RM1000 for Malaysia and Rm 3000 for non Malaysian.

The Penang Medical College is in partnership with Royal College of Surgeon in Ireland and University College Dublin.

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Fighting for Success "Jennyfer Sukong Yan"

Jennyfer Sukong Yan
I caught my attention, the story of a remote girl from the inland of Sarawak, working her way to make her future better. In fact I always take it for granted that Malaysian are open to opportunities to further their education. I was wrong.

I am sure many more are not as lucky of successful as Jennyfer. I think the story touches many heart and I hope the newspaper does not mind if I share it in this blog.

Jennyfer emerged as the top student in the Diploma in Tourism at Taylor University College. She did it at all odds against her. The obstacle was great as she was against the wish of the family and decided to seek employment at Miri. The father was against her dream to further her study, but she was determined and wanted to prove to them that this is the right way.

This is what she said "Had I not gone to Miri to get the job, I would never be able to step my foot out of the village. I would never hear about the Honda Fund"

He mum was the main driver behind her determination. Jennyfer was the happiest lad to be able to fulfill the wish of her mum.

" I wanted my mum's tear will be the tear of joy and not the tear of sorrow" that is what Jennyfer Sukong Yan said".

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New Rules for Malaysian Students in Britain

New rule for Malaysian Students in Britain will be imposed in 2011. It would be tougher for them to pursue the education in UK and they will not be allowed to stay upon the completion of their study. The other area affected is the reduction of seats for those students pursuing course below the degree level.

A new standard for English Language requirements will also be imposed. Students will also have to show academic progressions before visa can be renewed. Only one degree will be approved at one time. That mean, if a student applies for his first degree, then he has to return to Malaysia and reapply for another visa to continue for his Masters..

The step is being taken to prevent the students from taking advantage of the immigration rulings and come to Britain mainly to seek employment. Malaysia is at number 5, with 14% of the students stay back upon completion of their study. The highest is Indian with 43%, pakistan 36%, Nigeria at 35% followed by China at 18%.

About 6000 Malaysia left for UK to study every year and about 13,500 current are currently studying in UK.

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Malaysian Education Reform.

Malaysia aspires to be the education hub and wants to attract international students. However the country seems to losing to others, even Singapore appears to be doing better. I have not come across any research done to identify the cause, but on first glance, it does appear that the system is facing instability and too much interference from the political sphere. These are the example:
1. Some Malaysian still remember the MSC, multimedia super corridor, where the government dumped billions of dollars to the smart school, the project fails, many made money from it, but the country and the nation loss money. This project was carried out under the Prime Minister at that time, Dr Mahathir.

2. Then the Malaysian experienced the reformed at the university when Mahathir decided to focus on new technology and ignored the agriculture sector. Many institutions raced to offer aerospace technology courses. The traditional agricultural university's name was changed. Later there was a reversed swing, and the country was refocused on agriculture.

3. Then came the sudden switch to teaching of science and mathematics in English, after 6 years it was decided to reverse back. The PM, with the power bestowed upon him gave the country 6 months to change to the teaching of science and maths in english.

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a rich mix of cultural blending

The university life is probably the best time to enjoy life. There is no commitment except to study and get through the paper. That was what the groups of students from universiti of kuala lumpur thought when they were organizing the open day for the malaysian institute of of information technology.

There was a rich mix of cultural blending by the groups of student from various countries. The three days of extravaganza focus on traditional, modern and international cultures.Students were required to set up booth reflecting their culture based on their ethnic and countries. Top add value to learning, the exhibition include the work of final year students made for public display.

The short three days were a learning experience of different kind. A student from Iran like the events and she considered herself lucky to learn and experience the different culture and foods of different people which she never even thought about it before.

The international students put up their traditional dress and dance to the song of their countries. The local did the dikir barat and the chinese classical dances.

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