PMC and partners to provide innovative courses

The challenge is not only about adapting to ever-changing technology in science—it is about leading in terms of innovation, technology and discovery.
Those are the words of Prof Dr Abdul Rashid Khan Md Jagar Din, Penang Medical College (PMC) director of Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) Health Research Programme and deputy dean of Postgraduate Affairs & International Relations.
Rashid says it is because of this that most industries, be it health related or otherwise, hire and promote personnel who are competent in research.
“Cognizant of this fact, PMC, in collaboration with its sister institutions in Dublin, intends to replicate its courses here to produce graduates who are competent and savvy in the art and science of research,” he adds.
The partnership between PMC, RCSI and University College Dublin (UCD) was developed to provide Malaysian students with the best of two worlds, namely European quality, excellence and expertise, and local training at an affordable cost.
PMC intends to provide relevant and innovative courses that will benefit the local healthcare industry. The graduates of these courses will be an important asset to the healthcare industry.
The Masters in Science in Health Research is one of the programmes offered in collaboration with RCSI. It is a fully accredited degree of RCSI and the National University of Ireland (NUI), with the approval of the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) and Ministry of Higher Education.
The two-year postgraduate degree is aimed at medical, allied health and social science graduates with an interest in health research. Students graduating from the postgraduate degree are awarded an internationally recognised qualification of the RCSI and NUI.
“This innovative programme is tailored to the career development needs of health professionals in Malaysia and adjoining countries. It is designed to facilitate students who are working full-time, by adopting a blended learning approach, including weekend teaching and distance learning,” Rashid says.
The programme is directed by Rashid and Prof Ronan Conroy from RCSI, and students have access to both PMC and RCSI’s facilities.
“We intend to start similar innovative and relevant courses from both RCSI and UCD in the very near future. We are in the process of getting the necessary approval from the Ministry of Education to replicate other RCSI and UCD courses, which include Graduate Certificate in Ultrasound Obstetrics, Postgraduate Diploma in Dermatology and Master’s in Public Health,” Rashid says.
They also intend to have courses in Safety and Health, Environmental Health, Palliative Medicine, Sports Medicine, Radiation Safety, Food Safety and Quality, and Nutrition—all relevant fields today.
“Not only are RCSI and UCD involved and committed to the national education agenda but they are also committed in the transfer of skills and technology, especially health-related technology, to Malaysia.
“The relationship is getting stronger as time passes by, and PMC’s partners in Dublin are committed to this relationship. They are in for the long haul and intend to continue and nurture this relationship,” Rashid says.
Keeping up with the needs of the market place or industry is a challenge, hence PMC and their sister institutions in Ireland work with industry locally and internationally.
“Students doing the postgraduate courses have the opportunity to do their practical training in Ireland and in Malaysia,” Rashid says.
“PMC is very much in tune with the government’s vision of making Malaysia an education hub and we intend to help the country achieve this goal.
“Getting an international degree is a challenge especially with the rising cost of education. RCSI and UCD are cognizant of this and are committed to bring internationally marketable courses at affordable costs to Malaysia, to attract not only local students but also international students from around the region and beyond.
“The role the government can play in promoting Malaysia as an education hub is to support institutions that offer such courses, ensure quick approvals, and approvals to use government facilities for training.
“PMC is already well known for its undergraduate medical course and is now committed to being the preferred institution which offers international-standard and market-driven health-related postgraduate courses,” he says.