IMU Graduates First Cohort of MSc in Public Health and Bachelor of Dental Surgery at Graduation Ceremony

8 June 2013 – More than 260 graduands took centre-stage at the auditorium in the International Medical University’s main campus in Bukit Jalil for their graduation ceremony, marking the completion of their postgraduate or undergraduate studies. Certificates of completion were also given to students who have completed the first part of their medical, dental, pharmacy and chiropractic programmes at the University. These students will then spend the second part of their programme at one of IMU’s Partner Universities, where they would also graduate. This convocation is significant as it marked a milestone for the International Medical University with the graduation of its first cohort of its dentistry students.

Dean of the School of Dentistry, Prof Toh Chooi Gait said “Today is a momentous and joyful day for us as we witness the graduation of our pioneer batch of students who have all successfully completed the full local track of the IMU dental programme. The staff have strived to develop and deliver a contemporary integrated curriculum that provides a wide learning experience to the students. It is most gratifying to watch the students exhibit their creativity, leadership and teamwork in many of the activities. They have demonstrated that they are able to provide a wide variety of dental treatment competently to individual patients as well as communities with empathy and good communication skills. We are indeed so proud of them!”

Top student of the dentistry programme and recipient of Tan Sri Datuk Dr Amar Sulaiman Merit Award, Chong Jun Ai, said, “IMU has a good reputation in medical education and despite being the first batch of dental students, the strong academic team led by Prof Toh Chooi Gait gives us much confidence. Dentistry wasn’t easy for me as it required good manual dexterity and often, I struggled with my course work. Sometimes, I was at the brink of giving up but I often reminded myself that hard work and persistence will pay off and if others could do it, so could I!  Also, the satisfaction gained from happy, grateful patients motivates me to give my best and all for them.” Jun Ai, a recipient of the PTPTN loan and Maxis Scholarship, hopes to have the opportunity to train dental graduates in the future.  Her advice to students who would like to pursue a career in dentistry is to enjoy every moment of it.

Chong Jun Ai was one of the graduates with academic excellence who were awarded the Tan Sri Datuk Dr Amar Sulaiman Merit Award during the university’s convocation ceremony on 8 June 2012. Numerous other awards were also bestowed on the graduates of other programmes who have achieved academic excellence in their respective fields. There was also acknowledgement of students who have excelled academically and included in the Dean’s List of High Academic Achievements.

Prof Hematram Yadav, coordinator of the MSC (Public Health) said “Today marks an important milestone for MSc in Public Health programme and also for the Community Medicine Division. This is the first fully taught programme for postgraduate programmes in IMU and we are proud that the first batch has successfully completed the programme. The graduates have completed 1½ years of University life to become qualified public health professionals. They not only have a good knowledge in the field of public health but they also demonstrated basic competencies of good communication skills, team work, research abilities and leadership as well. They are ready to contribute to the society and community with this new expertise. This is indeed a proud day for the graduates and their lecturers”. One of these students who have excelled academically and included in the Dean’s List of High Academic Achievements is Mangala Rubini A/P Sudharson. Along with her classmates, Mangala graduated in June from the Master of Science (MSc) in Public Health – the first cohort to do so since the programme began in 2011.

Another student who has excelled academically and is the recipient of Dr John Joseph Bosco Memorial Gold Medal is Nurhuda Nadzri, a Public Service Department (JPA) scholar. “I feel so blessed when I heard I am the top student and recipient of the Gold Medal. Studying medicine has always been my dream as I feel that it offers the best option for me to do charity. It also provides a great platform for me to explore my potentials especially leadership and social skills. Medicine is a field that is constantly changing which would encourage me to constantly learn something new. To me, in order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure. You need to always aim for the best and be sincere in everything that you do. The only way to do great work is to love what you do. Always think positive and be positive. It is our sincerity that will ease our journey,” said Nurhuda, who was also active in extra-curricular activities and community projects while studying in IMU.

The auditorium was packed to capacity at the half-day event with members of the Board of Governors, Senate, faculty, invited guests and parents of the students witnessing the ceremony. The ceremony had to be held over two sessions to cater for the large number of graduates and the mood was one of enthusiasm and joy. During the ceremony, there were speeches from our Chancellor, YBhg Dato’ Seri Dr T Devaraj, President, YBhg Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Abu Bakar Suleiman and Executive Dean, Prof Peter Pook. Live broadcast of the ceremony as it unfolds inside the auditorium was made available at other lecture theatres in the university. This gives family members and friends who were unable to be in the auditorium the opportunity to witness this very special event.