Digital technologies can overcome Covid-19 disruptions
We are facing a major pandemic that has drastically affected social and economic growth. Since last year, lockdowns have been imposed so that the burden of COVID-19 can be mitigated. While this move has saved lives, it has destroyed livelihoods with disruptions to businesses and industries. In relation to this, Dr. Haarindra Prasad, the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Computer Technology (FECT) AIMST University has come up with suggestions that can help government and businesses to exploit digital technologies in managing the dilemmas caused by the pandemic through a write-up titled ‘Digital technologies can overcome Covid-19 disruptions’. The opinion piece was published in the News Straits Times (NST) on 6th April 2021. Click https://www.nst.com.my/opinion/columnists/2021/04/679942/digital-technologies-can-overcome-covid-19-disruptions to read.
Program Hari Terbuka AIMST 2021
Venue: AIMST UNIVERSITY
3 April 2021
8am - 12pm
Tips to saving water while brushing teeth
AIMST University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs) and the Dean of Faculty of Dentistry, Associate Professor Dr. Ramesh Kumaresan has listed eight simple tips to save water while brushing our teeth. While referring to data by the National Water Services Commission, he had stated that Malaysians consume more water than recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Dr. Ramesh’s write-up on ‘Tips to saving water while brushing teeth’ was published in NST’s Letters to the Editor column on 30th March 2021. Click https://www.nst.com.my/opinion/letters/2021/03/678015/tips-saving-water-while-brushing-teeth to read.
Help to quit smoking
Associate Professor Dr. Hasnah Hashim from the Dental Public Health Department, Faculty of Dentistry of AIMST University has highlighted the role of dentists to identify smokers and help encourage them to stop the habit.
According to her, patients may be receptive to cessation advice if their health concerns can be related to smoking. Furthermore, she has also contributed her opinion on tobacco cessation efforts using the 5As approach.
The article, titled ‘Help to quit smoking’ was featured in the STARHEALTH section of The Star on 21st March 2021. 
Why Mastery of Mathematics is Important
Mr. Raman Raguraman, the Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Computer Technology (FECT), AIMST University has articulated the importance of mathematical skills and knowledge. He has also offered recommendations to revive the interest among children to learn mathematics at high school level. His short write-up on ‘Why mastery of mathematics is important’ was featured in NST’s Letters to the Editor column on 19th March 2021. Click here to read.
RERO Robotics
Learning of New Skills Vital to Remain Relevant Throughout One’s Career
According to the Labour Force Malaysia Report, the number of unemployed has increased from 764,400 in November 2020 to 772,900 in December 2020. Although the COVID-19 National Immunisation Programme is in full force together with other initiatives to propel the job market, Malaysia's labour market will remain challenging this year.
In light of these issues, Mr. P.K. Karuna, the Director of the Centre for Lifelong Learning (CLL), AIMST University has emphasised on sustainable and inclusive lifelong learning model which are required to tackle unemployment. He had outlined five suggestions for the government, policymakers, businesses, and individuals on how lifelong learning can tackle unemployment in Malaysia.
The opinion piece by the CLL Director, titled ‘Learning of new skills vital to remain relevant throughout one’s career’ appeared in the columnist section of the News Straits Times (NST) on 13th March 2021.
Click Learning of new skills vital to remain relevant throughout one's career to read.
Phase out migrant labour, accelerate tech investments to boost productivity
In a 2020 survey, the World Economic Forum found that more than 80 percent of global firms planned to digitalise their processes, while 50 percent wanted to quickly automate their production. In line with this finding, the government and companies have to emulate new developments so that the country’s workforce will stay relevant and continue contributing to the battered economy. Professor Datuk Dr. John Antony Xavier, the Vice-Chancellor & Chief Executive of AIMST University has suggested three initiatives that would complement the government's efforts to accelerate productivity improvements during the COVID-19 era and beyond. The article titled ‘Phase out migrant labour, accelerate tech investments to boost productivity’ was published in the columnist section of the News Straits Times (NST) on 8th March. Click here to read.
COVID-19 vaccination
Since Malaysia started its National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme in February 2021, many issues and concerns are surrounding the immunisation programme. In light of this, the Malay Mail has published an article on ‘COVID-19 vaccination: Could opt-out model speed up sign-up rates in Malaysia? Health experts raise ethical concerns, prefer voluntary opt-in’. The article which was published on 6th March 2021, features several health experts which include AIMST University’s associate professor and public health specialist, Dr. Sarawasthi Bina Rai. The comprehensive article answers many questions with regards to the COVID-19 vaccination programme and offered suggestions on ways to improve services by the government with regards to the pandemic. Click here to read
Step up to hit 80% target
Professor M. Ravichandran, Dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences (FAS) and Chairman of COVID-19 Task Force of AIMST University has contributed thoughts on the initiation of the National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme (NIP). The write-up which also calls the public to do their part towards the success of NIP is titled “Step up to hit 80% target” was published in the ‘Letters to Editor’ column of The Star on 5th March 2021. Click here to read.
4 Amazing Women Who Have Changed the World
Emmeline Pankhurst: 1858-1928
Marie Curie: 1867 - 1934
Oprah Winfrey: 1954 - present day
Malala Yousafzai: 1997 - present day
Click here to read more about the Amazing women who have changed the world.
Page source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/42872803
Why You Should Choose To Do MBBS Locally
When deciding the best course to study in Malaysia, you should consider the current job demand and salary. There is already an oversupply of general practitioners in Malaysia, but there is an increasing need for specialized physicians. If you choose to do your MBBS locally, it will take 9 to 10 years to become a professionally registered physician in Malaysia and an additional 3 to 6 years to become a specialist. Before entering a Medical Program or MBBS (Bachelor in Medicine, Bachelor in Surgery) in Malaysia, after SPM or O-Levels, students can choose the right Pre-University Programme for themselves. STPM and Matriculation are inexpensive options, but at public universities or IPTA, the seats are limited and extremely competitive to enter a medical degree.
Private medical universities and colleges
Private universities and colleges are the other options for students. If you're not going overseas for your medical degree, you could consider the Foundation of Science at a private university offering an MBBS course in Malaysia. The duration of the Foundation in Science is one year and cheaper than external pre-university programmes. The A-Levels are a common external pre-university programme for admission into the MBBS. The A-Levels are 18 months long and will train students to withstand the rigours of Malaysia's medical curriculum. For the Pre-University program and medical degree, the entrance requirements are higher, so students need to verify if they qualify for entry.
Housemanship
Students need to select a university with a medical program approved and accredited by the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) and Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) following completion of the Pre-University Programme. A 5-year MBBS programme accepted by the Malaysian Medical Council is required to apply for the medical qualifying examination. If you are qualified to practice as a doctor, this test will help you determine your core knowledge and gauge. After completing two years of housemanship and one year of government service, passing this exam will allow you to practise medicine in Malaysia. Housemanship is essentially the first two years after graduation in the lives of doctors. In Malaysia, interns will gain an average of RM3500 to RM4,400 a month as a houseman. A houseman will then be promoted to the rank of Medical Officer after completing two years of housemanship. New housemen in Malaysia are placed in the bracket of UD43/UD44. They will advance to the UD 48 bracket after serving three years as a medical officer. Following another four years of service, Medical Officers will then be promoted to UD47/UD48 and UD52 after three more years. Furthermore, as a Medical Officer, one may switch to private practice, which translates to a higher pay grade. Depending on the specific medical field you choose, you can continue to specialize after serving a year as a Medical Officer, which can take you 3 to 6 years. To be a licensed medical specialist in Malaysia, 4 to 5 years of postgraduate study is required, plus 2 to 4 years of supervised training as a specialist. Some of the areas you can choose to specialise in include:- Cardiology (heart)
- Pulmonology (lungs)
- General surgery
- Neurology (brain)
- Dermatology (skin)
- Orthopaedics
- Gynaecology
