In Focus : Abdulai Usman

Today’s ‘IN FOCUS’ is a Cohort 2 Biomedical Student, Abdulai Usman.

Abdulai is currently a 3^rd Year student. He is from Ghana.

Abdulai in general

How old are you? - I’m 28 yrs old

Which part of Ghana are you from? - I am from northern Ghana but have lived exclusively in the South

What do your friends usually call you? - Here in Brunei, I think it is Abdul or Abang courtesy my adik-adik

Describe yourself in 3 words. - Kind, Considerate and Fun

What is your favourite quote? - “If you find or see something you don’t like in a brother, try to find 1-70 excuses for him. And if you can’t find an excuse, say ‘there might be an excuse, but I don’t know it’”. Imam Jafar as-Saadiq

What is your hobby? - Well I got a few; Reading, learning new languages (I can speak 5 fluently as well as write and make random sentences in 2 others), Martial Arts and cooking.

Do you have anyone that inspires you? - The Beloved Prophet Mohammed (May peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and his household)

Abdulai’s opinions

What is the most important thing in life? - Love because I believe it is what makes the ride of our worldly life worthwhile.

If you have 1 million, what would you do with it? - I would invest in establishing a “Mobile Clinic” comprised of personnel from the various medical departments and basic equipments. Please give me a call when you write that cheque!

If you have one way to help the others, what would that be? - I have seen plenty people, mainly kids living in rural areas and when sick have to wait through their sicknesses due to limited access to healthcare or its lack thereof for various reasons; some recover but many others succumb to their ailments. This is devastating to their parents and it breaks my heart. I would reach out to these people and bring to them at least basic healthcare through a mobile clinic.

If you were given one chance to reverse time, when would it be and why? - I think it would be sometime in 2004. This is because the iron was red hot but I failed to strike.

If you could build a house anywhere, where would that be? - In my home country Ghana!

Abdulai on personal matter

Where do you want to go on a vacation and why? - Cook Islands in South Pacific, because it is exotic with beautiful beaches, quiet and peaceful atmosphere. Besides, I find the names of the islands quite interesting and I think it would be nice to hear the local people speak and to learn a few phrases too! And hey they got lots of bananas there!

What is your favourite series? - F.R.I.E.N.D.S

What is the best and worst movie to you? - You know what, I suck at judging other people’s efforts and I believe every movie has its own best and worst part.

Do you have any favourite restaurants here in Brunei? - Hmmmm, I can’t think of any at the moment, because I hardly eat from outside.

Do you have any favourite meals? - Yeah! Fufu and light soup, Cucur pisang, Jollof Rice and Nasi Ayam penyet, yeay.

Abdulai as a biomedical science student at IHS

How is university life so far? - It’s been quite challenging but exciting.

Describe your life as a biomedical science student. - Going for lectures, reading, doing LOBS (well not anymore) writing essays, projects and laboratory placements at the hospital and lab sessions in IHS.

What is your favourite subject? - That would be Immunology; I find the intricacies of the immune system simply amazing!

Describe your best moment in IHS? - My first Hari Raya Eid-ul-Fitr in IHS 2009, I got to wear the Cara Melayu a friend lent me and also stepped to the Hari Raya song, everybody was so happy and friendly, it was fun.

Abdulai as a future biomedical scientist

Why do you want to become a scientist? Do you have any inspirations? - I want to become scientist to join in the search for cures and vaccines to infectious diseases. My inspiration comes from the realization that a lot of effort and money is being pumped into discovery of drugs and vaccines to diseases and to make these affordable or even free to people. I come from an area where some of these diseases are a burden so I am inspired to join in this quest and hopefully in the near future there will be the discovery of cures to some of these devastating infectious diseases which shall be affordable to all who would need them.

Have you thought about any specialty of interest at the moment? - Yes I have and it will possibly be in Infectious diseases, Vaccinology and Drug discovery.

Any study tips for us? - For whatever subject you are studying, just find one recommended textbook, then shut up and read! Don’t just study, but read, memorize stuff you need to, soak it up and digest the information to build a good knowledge foundation from that one book. Then look up extra information from other sources to strengthen that foundation and build on. Discuss with colleagues and explain to them if necessary. Relax, review and integrate the information and then find your own voice by writing down in your own words and most importantly, learn to remember. You will be able to argue and answer your questions better. Just leave the awarding of marks to the lecturer people.

Any advice/word of success to the juniors? - Just know yourself, know your capabilities and your limitations and don’t fool yourself. Find something you are genuinely interested in and pursue it with all your might and move as if you will never fall but when you do fall, which of course you will occasionally, get up brush yourself down, look where you tripped, remove the stumbling block and caution those behind you and continue moving as if nothing happened having faith solely in Allah and trusting Him completely. You will reach there and not only you, you would have helped others too!

Thank you Abdulai for today's in focus. It is a very inspiring account. All the best with your future plans! 

IHSSC