Medical varsity to prep students for US residency test

PETALING JAYA: The International Medical University (IMU) in Kuala Lumpur will start integrating the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) preparation courses as part of its medical programme curriculum this year.
The course, which was launched last week, will prep IMU (pix) students for the USMLE – a set of qualifying examinations for medical graduates to practise in the US.
This is to "elevate standards" of medical education in Malaysia and to prepare graduates for overseas studies and opportunities, MU School of Medicine dean Prof Dr Kew Siang Tong said.
"This will benchmark the Malaysian medical education to American standards," he was quoted by Study International News as saying.
"The course is designed for the student to be critical and quick thinkers, with the ability to apply their knowledge in various situations. Thus, it will also boost their confidence in being better doctors."
IMU is partnering with educational resource company Becker Professional Education. It will be the first of its kind in Malaysia to offer structured guidance for the USMLE.
On fear that the move will possibly facilitate the funnel of Malaysian talent overseas and worsen the country's brain drain problem, IMU said it was "unfazed" by these claims.
In a statement, it said had "no control" over the number of doctors leaving the country as well as emphasising that the USMLE integration is aimed at ensuring the quality of its graduates meet international standards.
More than 300,000 Malaysians are residing in The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries, according to estimates in the 2015 World Bank Report.