"Thriving in the UK: Medical School & Beyond"

A seminar organised by alumni of PAPRSB Institute of Health Sciences,  Dr Jonathan Lim and Dr Yeo Chong Hsien, Graduates of St George’s University of London, on June 19th, to share their experiences in the UK, addressing general topics and frequently asked questions by international medical students transferring from non-UK medical schools, including: What happens after UBD? How to thrive in the UK, and Planning ahead: opportunities in medical school and beyond.

We wish both doctors the best in their professions and the juniors to make our Faculty proud in the future.

Congratulations to Dr Sarah!

Another senior medical graduate made us proud! Also a former student of IHS, Medicine Cohort 1, named Dr Sarah Tay impressively has graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from her partner medical school, St. George's University of London few days ago with Dr Jonathan. In addition, she will be pursuing her study in Brighton starting August, and might even proceed with paediatrics. We wish you all the best in your future plans!

Congratulations to Dr Jonathan!

2011 is definitely a good year for IHS! All the staffs and juniors are amazed with all the good news from the students of Medicine Cohort 1. Here is another student of the cohort named Jonathan Lim who has just also graduated from his partner medical school, St. George's University of London few days ago with Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery. Congratulations Dr Jonathan, keep us proud!

Welcoming back the 1st Cohort of Bachelor of Health Science (Medicine)

Yesterday on the 9th of July 2011, an event was held at the institute, welcoming the first cohort after successfully graduated from their partner medical schools. The junior doctors went for a three-year programme at the institute to obtain an ordinary degree and another two or three years abroad. The event to celebrate the first UBD produced doctors was attended by the Vice Chancellor, Dr Hj Zulkarnain Hj Hanafi, who was also a former Dean of the institute.

Dr Hjh Maslina Hj Mohsin, the current Dean, in her welcoming address said the team is very proud of this achievement and also mentioned few other great achievements of the cohort, including the international inter-medical school physiology quiz, Institute of Medicine Charity Evening for Smarter as well as several medical school exchange programmes.

The doctors also shared their experiences as medical students abroad and gave useful advices for the final year students who will be leaving for their respective partner medical schools soon.

Some of the graduates attending the event;

From the University of Southampton, United Kingdom; Dr. Husnina, Dr. Nora Izzati and Dr. Fardila,

Dr. Ak Muhammad Nadzir, from the University of Calgary, Canada,

and Dr. Ak Ahmad Syukri from the University of Glasgow, United Kingdom.

Some of the cohort 4 seniors attending the event.

Dr. Hj Zulkarnain, in his speech, mentioned that the journey matters more than the destination. He also added that perseverance with a very clear directional vision and effort helps too. He reminded the new graduates that first and foremost you are human, secondly you are a doctor and only thirdly you are a surgeon.

The event ended with refreshments.

Some of the lecturers and staffs attending the event.

The doctors shared inspiring quotes at the end of their presentations:

"Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe." by Gail Dever.

"Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome" by Arthur Ashe.

Congratulation Cohort 1 graduates! All the best with your future career plans!

IHS Student Council IT Department

Congratulations to Dr Edah!

Another former student of PAPRSBIHS (which is formerly known as Institute of Medicine when she spent 3 years as a student here) named Siti Edah Fateema Haji Abdullah has just graduated with a Degree in Bachelor of medicine and bachelor of surgery (MBChB) from The University of Glasgow, UK last week. She was also one of the Cohort 1 Medicine in UBD. Impressively, she is officially titled Dr Edah now! We are proud of you, Dr Edah. You looked beautiful on your graduation day and we wish you all the best with your future career plans!

In Focus: Syukri Rahim

This time the InFocus is on one of the guys of the Medicine Cohort 1, who is currently doing Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) at University of Glasgow, UK. He left IM (former IHS) in 2008, after finishing Bachelor of Health Science, with his cohort mates.

Full name
Ak Ahmad Syukri bin Pg Haji Abdul Rahim

How old are you?
24

Describe yourself in 3 words.
Too difficult...I'll leave it unanswered :P

When is your birthday?
13th November

What are 3 things you can’t live without?
err....lappy, hp and football?

What are your current favourite songs?
Bukan Cinta Biasa (jiwang!), I gotta feeling, Tentang dia..

What is your favourite football team?
Arsenal

Do you still play football in UK? 
Yeah..but once in a while ONLY!

Describe your days in UK in three words.
Boringness, homesicknes, independence

Among all of your friends in your cohort, which one would you take for a holiday world tour if you are allowed to take only one? Why? 
Im not going to answer this question..HAHAHA prolly d chief coz hes always prepared and organized -->will always be handy to have him around

This World Cup 2010, which team are you supporting?
Spain? eh no..Argen? mm..brazil? but not England...

Are you 95% sure your team could win 2010 World Cup?
hahaha 100% sure

What area are you planning to specialise in?
epidemiology? GP?

Define Love?
Love is cinta...HAHAHHA

Describe your happiest moment so far
err...

If you have a million dollar, what would you do?
build a mosque lahh..

If you had the power to change one thing about this world, what would it be and why?
4 seasons in brunei..hahaha..astaghfirullah i love uk weathers

What do you miss most about IM?
everythng..the old building..the staff..

Revision or football?
football

Comedy or horror?
Comedy

Excapade or McD?
McD

Beckham or Ronaldo?
Ronaldo..

Team Edward or Team Jacob?
er...

Any celebrity crushes? 
-

Have you been in a car accident?
nauzubillah

What is the last thing you cooked?
lasagne

What would be your worst feeling in the world?
separation...

If you could build a house anywhere, where would it be?
near the beach

p/s: Thank you Syukri for agreeing to be interviewed, and for the photos! Goodlucks and all the best!

Ice Breaking Game

In Focus: Nadzir

Here's an "In focus" post from our Cohort 1 after such a long break :)

So who is Nadzir?? Surely you've seen him driving around UBD in his grey automobile, he was one of the previous MPPs of UBD and he even joined the dancing performances in the Charity Evening for SMARTER last Feb 2008. He's been on radioshows and even has his pictures on ranoadidas.com! Definetely one guy you should get to know (if you haven't already..) so read more about him here:

:: Quick Facts ::
Full name:
Ak Muhd Nadzir Pg Mohd Juanda

Nickname:
Nadz, Najay, Jay, The Vain Guy

Birthdate/ horoscope:05/05/86 - Taurus

Ambition (speciality of interest):
Good doctor. Specialty: Flying doctor/ Cardiothoracic surgeon/ Paediatric cardiologist
Where are you going to continue:
Calgary, Canada

:: Picture of you when you are happiest ::

"What happened was that…I was ecstatically and blissfully eating at this seafood restaurant in KK. Just look at the plate or should I say platesss”

>> State 3 things you can’t live without:
Oxygen. My laptop. My special someone

>> State 3 things you love:

Food. Food. Movies

>> Favourite quote/ saying:

“The problem is…” (from Japan)

“Yeah, that’s true!” … (from IM Charity Evening)

:: Picture of you in your favourite colour ::

(blue)

>> Task: Share with us a funny picture/funny situation and tell me why you think it was funny.

The problem is… I can’t remember what it was.

>> Whats on your playlist now?

David Cook – Will Always Be My Baby

>> Favourite food & why is it your favourite?

Pasta – spaghetti bolognaise, lasagna. Yummy yum.. that’s why it’s my favorite

>> Bruneian word you like to use?

“Buleh...”

:: Picture of you and your family/friend(s) ::

“Me and my vanity… oopss... I mean my beloved IM friends

:: Nadzir On medical stuff ::

>> Favourite Medical subject

Anatomy

>> What will you miss most about IM/ impression of IM?

Nadzir: "I’ll miss being in the lectures and other sessions. I’ll miss giving my friends car rides. I’ll miss all the fun we’ve had no matter if it’s about studying or being “wild”. Most definitely I’ll miss my adored friends and the kind and supportive staffs from IM and all those sweet moments we’ve had together. Though IM is relatively small in size, in our hearts we are all a big, happy family"

>> Any last words -Advice to the juniors (on anything-life/ success)?

Nadzir: "To my juniors, be proud of yourselves. You have been doing hard since all your school lives to being what you are now… the future doctors. Nevertheless, the journey shall continue. Never stop, never give in. In no time, it will be a dream come true. Remember to respect the lecturers, seniors and to love the juniors. Last but definitely not least, take a good care of yourselves. I’ll miss you all. Good luck!"

-nad^~

Group photos~

Time does pass by very quickly. We can't believe it has been 3 years already!

So what have we been up to post exams? like the other cohorts We are definitely waiting anxiously for our results. Apart from us busy doing our respective procedures/process for our transfer to the Partner Medical Schools (medical checkups, UBD clearance, immunisation, filling forms!!), we’re trying as much as possible to make use of our (last?) long holidays before we enter clinical years.

In Year 1: group photo- the infamous white IM jersey:

;P trust me there are many really old photos of us..that we'd rather not put up LOL

In Year 3: we've taken tons ands tons of photos together as this is our final year, we're really going to miss each other, Sonia has left for Singapore, the staff/ lecturers/ doctors, the other cohorts, the RIPAS hospital and the studying evironment as a whole..

last clinical placement with Dr Elizabeth Chong the one where we did venepuncture on each other

Thai Restaurant Dinner with Dr Nurol and Dr Zul
Photo of our last OSCE Exam in IM,UBD- us looking nervous but still smiling :)

Post OSCE with Kenny, Dr Zul, Mariah and Dr Hanna

Post- Exam gathering with Dr Mas and Prof. McCrorie
most photos are courtesy of Sarah Tay

more to come....
special mention: Congratulations to Zetti on your wedding! (Mana photos ?? ;))

-nad^~

KK trip Day 4

The trip had to end eventually and on Sunday morning, after breakfast, we all proceeded to check out of the hotel (not before a last-minute trip to Starbucks for some =p). We left the hotel at approximately 10am. The trip back home was admittedly much longer than anticipated with many Brunei-registered vehicles making their way back home after the long weekend. Nonetheless, we made the most of the bus trip, whether to play games, watch a movie, or basically just catching on our sleep. Seit had quite a surprise when an advanced birthday cake was presented to her on the bus! All in all, we arrived back in IM about 9pm.

Our last breakfast at the hotel

Dr Fiza, in charge of checking all of us out of the hotel

Last trip to Starbucks!

Saying goodbye to those we left behind...

Playing cards to pass time in the long bus trip home

Snacks for the bus trip

Surprise advanced birthday celebrations to Seit on the bus

Once again, I would like to take the opportunity to thank the organisers for the trip, Dr Nurol and Dr Fiza as well as Kenny for making sure we did what we wanted to do on the trip. Thanks to Karthik as well for showing us around his hometown. A big thanks to Aswir as well for handling our passports/immigration stuff! All of us really enjoyed the trip and maybe who knows, we'll make this an annual one albeit to a different destination maybe ;)

p/s: I would also like to acknowledge the people who took the photos that I posted up; (Edah, Jon, Michelle) I hope you guys don't mind me "grabbing" the photos you posted on facebook and put them up here.

KK trip Day 3

Day 3 was a rather laid back day for us where most of us just went shopping for the day. By Mr Rajah's (Karthik's dad) recommendation, we went to the "revolving restaurant" for lunch. The concept was pretty cool; we would have lunch while slowly revolving in the tower, giving a 360 view of the place. The interior was really nice and we took quite a few pictures while waiting for lunch to be served.

Outside the restaurant

Enjoying the atmosphere of the place

Mr Rajah and Dr Tim

Chong Hsien serenading us on the grand piano


Chong Hsien and Ben team up to entertain us

"Cheese!!"

We stopped by the almost-completed 1Borneo mall after lunch

The last part in the KK trip series would be coming soon....