The power of science

Disease is part and parcel of life. Every now and again an epidemic breaks and hundreds of thousands are effected across numerous countries. Zika was the latest epidemic to effect pregnant women across South and Central America. Closer to home, we are well-versed with the Aedes mosquito and the deathly devastation it can bring.

Research by scientists in the US and UK has estimated that up to 1.65 million childbearing women in Central and South America could become infected by the Zika virus by the end of the first wave of the epidemic. Across Latin America and the Caribbean, this could mean more than 90 million infections as a result of the initial stages of the spread of Zika.

Scientists are working around the clock to put an end to the spread of the disease as well as find answers through the work being carried out in dengue research. Breakthroughs can come from anywhere, so as scientists continue to work to bring answers to the table, organisations like the WHO are concentrating on issuing health guidelines and travel advisories.

Everyone has a role to play, and as a person of science you could be one of those people that brings relief and cure to thousands affected across the world. Take that step. Become a person of science!

Secret to success in science

As a student of science, it is vital that you stay abreast with the developments in science and technology. Research can be a great source of inspiration and growth in your life as a student. Reading about what’s happening in the world of medicine worldwide will help you understand your studies better and give you clarity about the areas you may want to specialise in. So troll science websites and start hitting the library to pick up journals. You never know what you may be inspired to do with the next article you read.

Here’s a couple of titbits:

Recently, Ahok K. Shetty, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, associate director of the Institute for Regenerative Medicine, and research career scientist at the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, and his team at the Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, is looking at how to replace brain cells and restore memory. Research like this has far-reaching benefits especially for those who suffer from dementia and other age-related illnesses. His findings were published in the journal Stem Cells Translational Medicine.

Leading autism treatment provider, Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD), in a joint study with Chapman University is looking at the effects of variables in treating autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Results revealed important determinations in regards to supervision, with experience of the supervisor directing impacting the individual being treated. Studies like these will help practitioners make better decisions about clinical standards of care.

If you are interested in one day contributing to areas of science and medicine like these researchers, the place to start is here. With the right foundation and choice of medical school, you will be on your way to change the world of medicine through your contribution.

Great foundation to take you further

Have you wondered how well you will fare in your medical exams? Does it keep you up at night wondering if you have ability and capacity to cope with the stresses of medical school?

A great foundation will get you far. It will set the groundwork for you to step confidently into life at medical school. With the right grounding, you can be assured that you are as good as your peers if not better. A great pre-university programme would also enable you to better participate in learning and ask questions that will enhance your knowledge.

An Argentinian university recently made the news when only two percent of its medical students passed their basic modules at the start of their degrees. The extremely low pass rate at the National University of La Plata prompted the country’s education minister to call for better basic education in schools.

Of the 3,100 enrolled medical students at the university’s School of Medicine this year to take the term-time assessments, a whopping 98 percent failed their introductory courses in biology, anatomy and histology. The call included asking universities to participate in strengthening education quality before university.

Argentina may be far from home, but education quality is something that is equally as important any side of the world. Get yourself the best grounding for a great start at university. Talk to us about our Foundation in Science programme. Intakes are all year round, and in just 12 months you will have the necessary grounding to set you on your way towards your medical degree.

 

Best paying jobs in Malaysia

Did you know the best paying jobs in the country include those in the fields of science and medicine? Surveys have shown that some of the top paying jobs in Malaysia are those with a technical aspect. A couple of years ago, Jobstreet carried out a survey that concluded that the top paying jobs for fresh graduates included pharmacy and medicine in the top 4. Geophysics and actuarial science made the top 1o!

Yes, science is said to be one of the tougher options in terms of the subjects you have to study, but the opportunities in the real world are numerous. There are opportunities to go into research and you could be pivotal to the next breakthroughs in science and medicine.

With the right foundation programme, your years in university could be highly rewarding and your job prospects healthy. The decision you make right now could set you on the right path towards an exciting and fulfilling career. Talk to us about our foundation programme. We have scholarships and bursaries that could aid you in getting your foot into the doors of science and medicine. Take that step today!

Preparing to enter university

It’s human nature to shy away from the difficult, from things that don’t necessarily have a straight route. Any task or issue is surmountable one step at a time. As a student in secondary school, university may seem like something to think about years down the road. If going to university is something you are considering, it isn’t too early to think about the steps that will gain you entry into the course you desire.

Is it the science field that you are interested in? Maybe you dream of becoming a dentist or a veterinarian. Working out which subjects you need to excel in and what the pre-university requirements are, will aid tremendously in getting you closer to your goal. Yes, it does require additional work and focus right now, but come your SPM exams, you will be a step or two closer to your goal, setting you apart from your peers.

Speak to consultants and experts who can advise you about the steps you can take to prepare yourself early. Consultants like those at KSMU are always willing to help with the advise that would suit you best. Talking to school leavers who are doing their pre-university studies or are in university courses that you are interested in would also help you paint a picture about what life would be like in these programmes and the prerequisites you should be aware of. Whatever the scenario, there is much to gain from taking proactive steps early on.

 

5 things pre-med students should know

Medical school is going to be an experience like no other, an adventure from the moment you step through the car to the day you graduate. But before you even consider the life of a doctor, you should consider the life of a medical student. Here are some points to consider:

1. It’s going to be hard work. There will be lectures, practicals and exams. The materials will be more intense, and you will be expected to cram a great amount of information. You will also be expected to work in groups during study sessions and tutorials. So be prepared to be flexible with how you study!
2. Be prepared to get your hands dirty. You will be dealing with dissections and not just of rodents if you’re lucky enough to go to a medical school that offers human cadavers for hands-on practise.
3. It is a marathon not a sprint. A medical degree is going to be longer than any other degree, so be prepared to pace yourself so you don’t burnout. At the same time, your friends from school will be graduating long before you and getting on with their lives — gaining employment, getting married and having children. Expect to feel like you are a perpetual student.
4. Biology is cool. There is so much to discover and the marvels of the human body will have you thrilled to the bone. Expect to want to share your knowledge with friends and family. Expect them to not be as excited.
5. Organisation is key. With the juggling of subjects, classes, exams, tutorials, assignments, practicals, friends and family, you need to get your life in order. It’s great preparation for when you graduate and are a houseman in a local government hospital.

Check out blogs by medical students. That will give you a great idea about how things really are, as medical student bloggers rarely mince words or sugarcoat their experience. Another option is to meet with our consultants at KSMU Edu Services. The consultants would be able to paint a pretty accurate picture about life in universities in Russia, India and Indonesia.

Doctors make an impact on public health, policy

Gaining an education in medicine doesn’t just have to be about dealing and treating patients directly. There are many areas that you can go into once you earn a degree in medicine – including that of public health.

Public health is a wide and exciting field that includes the likes of dealing with epidemics, environment, community health as well as policy and implementation. Furthermore, with a degree in medicine you can choose to do a master’s in public health and get into policy work where you will be part of teams that make recommendations to governments about public health policies.

There is much to gain with a degree in medicine apart from being a doctor – the options are actually limitless. The first step is of course to gain a place in university – which can be done with KSMU Edu Services. Get in touch with them for a free consultation!

The Foundation in Science that’s right for you

Now that your SPM results are out, this is the perfect time to make some decisions. What’s the next for you? Should you do the STPM? What about a pre-university programme like matriculation or foundation?

Do consider the Geomatika Foundation in Science as an option for you pre-university needs.

The Geomatika Foundation in Science is simply unique!

Why? Because intakes are not fixed to just two months a year, but are carried out all year long! Isn’t that just brilliant?

The Foundation in Science could lead to majors in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physiotherapy and piloting. The Foundation programme requires 5 SPM credits in Mathematics, and either Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Additional Mathematics, and any other three subjects.

The advantages of the Geomatika Foundation in Science is threefold. Apart from the certification from the Foundation Programme, all students will receive a certificate from University of Cambridge ESOL examination. There will also be exposure on clinical training at a government hospital. O-levels is available for those who have not met the requirements.

More information can be found here.

Medical university that ticks all the boxes

If you are looking for options to study medicine overseas, an affordable and reliable option is Kursk State Medical University.

Kursk State Medical University, 500km outside Moscow, has a strong tradition of academic excellence, with nearly eight decades of creating medical graduates. The university offers a medical degree recognised internationally. Using English as a medium of instruction, the university is a top ten facility among the 48 medical varsities in the country.

Kursk’s strong leadership role means that it is in the cutting-edge of medical science. Among the awards it has received includes the ‘Star Award’ from the Russian government for its contribution in training medical doctors. Kursk has been named ‘The Best 100 European universities’ and has received the ‘Best Rector Award’.

The facilities in Kursk are top-notch. It has eight research institutes headed by scientists from the Russian Federation. The laboratories and research centres have the best equipment and are up-to-date with the latest technologies, including digital resources and libraries boasting more than 87,000 periodicals. Most importantly, there are more than 20 specialist hospitals for students to carry out their clinical practise.

More information can be found here.

 

Rural training mandatory for medical students

According to the newspaper The Hindu, the Indian government has decided to make a one-year rural posting compulsory for medical students graduating from government medical colleges or those in private colleges, but under government quota.

The decision comes due to the fact that rural areas in India continue to suffer from a shortage of doctors despite more than 6,000 medical graduates a year in the country. The lack of doctors and other healthcare personnel in rural areas is not unique to India, with countries like Australia facing a similar situation.

This is certainly an interesting development for India and it would be good to watch this space to see which other countries adopt a similar ruling.