In Focus: Fakhri

After a very long time, InFocus section is back in action! Let us get to know this young man from Cohort 1 of Bachelor of Health Sciences (Biomedical Science). He has officially finished the 4-years degree programme, and will InsyaAllah be graduating this coming September. 

Fakhri in general

What is your full name?

Fakhriedzwan Fitri Haji Idris

Where do you live?

Kg. Peninjau, Jerudong

When is your birthday?

30^th June 1988

What are your hobbies?

Hiking, surfing the net

Describe yourself in three phrases.

Responsible, organized, loyal

What are the 3 things you can't live without?

Money, laptop, handphone

What is your favourite quote?

You have to go through the worst to get to the best - anonymous

Fakhri as a Biomedical Scientist at IHS

Describe BHSci BiomedSci based on your experience.

It is an enjoyable programme where you experience a lot of things definitely. Covering a variety of topics and you get to experience different sorts of experiments during the practical sessions. If you are a type of person who likes laboratory and doing experiments, then this programme may be suitable for you.

What are your favourite modules?

Microbiology and haematology.

Describe your most memorable moments at the faculty.

The most memorable for me was basically the time spent with my coursemates especially when IM was still at the old building, fighting for a parking space at the bus stop.

Describe your final year project.

My final year project was on the salinity tolerance of mosquito vectors of human disease in Brunei. So basically I had to visit different places with brackish water (water that is salty but not as salty as seawater) around Brunei which were potential sites for breeding of mosquitoes. Larvae were collected and species were identified. Subsequent experiment was monitoring the larval development of identified species in brackish water from the egg stage to adult mosquito. It was tiring but fun.

Where did you go for your internship programme during the Discovery Year? Describe your experience.

I went to Germany for the Discovery Year and did my internship at the Otto-Meyerhof Centre and Clinical Research in Heidelberg and Krankenhaus Nordwest, Frankfurt am Main. It was a valuable experience. First, my colleagues and I have to be independent (you have no option), commuting between Frankfurt and Heidelberg for the first two weeks (just imagine if you commute from Bandar to Belait every day), a couple of morning runs to catch the train, meeting interesting people, you did experiments which you’ve never done in UBD, visiting places (sponsored), cool weather. The difficulty was that it’s hard to find halal food if you don’t know where to go.

Fakhri on personal matter

How do you define love?

Love is when you can give and receive equally, respect and understanding.

What do you look for in your ideal lady?

Someone who can be a good wife and a good mother.

Do you have celebrity crushes?

A lot..hehe..

What is your favourite song? Do you wish to be a singer?

You are my love by Kim Yeon Woo and I don’t want to be a singer because I just don’t have the voice.

You are titled to be the Mr Metrosexual and Mr Perfectionist in Cohort One (based on the votes). Any comments on that?

Am I? I don’t consider myself as metrosexual because I’m miles away from being one. Mr. Perfectionist? I’m not denying this fact. I just want to be organized and I know whatever you do things won’t be perfect as a whole but I believe it is those little things that you perfected makes the whole thing seems perfect.

Why do you use only one single blue pen throughout the semester? Is there a hidden secret behind it?

Well it’s not only throughout the semester but I have been using the same brand since I was in Form 3. There are no special reasons as to why I choose to stick with it.

Fakhri's future plans

You have officially finished the 4-years Bachelor's programme. What do you wish to do after the graduation?

Sleep!!! And just do nothing..haha..I’m planning to continue with master after this.

Which branch of Biomedical Sciences do you want to pursue?

Medical microbiology but more towards virology.

Any advice/words of success for the juniors?

Work hard and try to keep the flame burning all the way.