19 August – 6 September 2013 – Seven final year students from the Sultan Agung Islamic University (UNISSULA), Indonesia, the pioneer batch of the UNISSULA dental school, spent three weeks at International Medical University (IMU), Malaysia learning more about Oral Pathology and Oral Medicine under the Oral Diagnostic and Surgical Sciences (ODS) Division. These students are part of the Student Mobility Programme where international students from overseas universities or partner institutions visit IMU to observe or to undertake any form of academic activities such as study tours, observation, electives, research, clinical, community or any other practical attachments in any of the programmes offered by IMU. The seven students followed the academic schedule of the IMU Semester 8 dental students and also attended extra sessions were arranged for them by the ODS Division. These students were then assessed at the end of their attachment and all seven students passed their assessment. The semester 8 IMU dental students showed these students their warm Malaysian hospitality by taking them sightseeing and experience the Malaysian food culture. The students felt that their three weeks’ stay at the School of Dentistry had significantly enhanced their knowledge in general dentistry especially in Oral Pathology and Oral Medicine discipline. They also had the opportunity to make new friends and increased their personal development and intellectual maturity. “Being a participant of the student mobility programme at IMU was beyond my imagination. It was a wonderful experience that I will remember throughout my life. One thing that I liked most was the hospitality of the Dean and lecturers here. Dean, Prof Toh Chooi Gait and Associate Dean, Prof Khoo Suan Phaik, even with their hectic schedule, were willing to spend some time chatting with me and my friends. Also the lecturers were very nice – Dr Ahsan, Dr Muneer and Dr Niekla, they were very caring and helpful since our arrival. They gave us some lectures too. Also we had sessions with Dr Sunil, Dr Vimi, Dr Haider and Dr Abhishek. During these lectures, we learned a lot. Furthermore we had a wonderful time with the IMU students. They were really kind and attentive. I can say that all IMU’s team really welcomed us wholeheartedly. Therefore I would like to give my special thanks to the Dean, Prof Toh Chooi Gait, for this opportunity. Thanks to others for this wonderful experience. Hopefully I will be given another chance to meet them again”, said Tisa Munisa Munawar. Another student, Welly Anggarani, said “Being one of the participants of the student mobility programme in IMU is a matter of great pride for me. I feel honored to get this opportunity to study at IMU. I would like to thank Prof Khoo Suan Phaik and Dr Muneer for accepting and guiding us willingly from start to finish. Thanks to Dr Ahsan, Dr Niekla, Dr Abhishek, Dr Sunil, Dr Vimi, and Dr Haider for the lectures. Once again, thank you for accepting us and providing additional knowledge to the dental students of Islamic Sultan Agung University, Indonesia.” “I would like to express our gratitude to Prof Toh Chooi Gait, who has given the opportunity for the students of Sultan Agung Islamic University Indonesia to study at IMU. Thanks to Prof Khoo Suan Phaik and other lecturers for guiding us. Thank you for receiving us. The three weeks’ time at IMU went so fast, because we enjoyed every new thing that we have learned. We felt the joy of learning during our stay at IMU; that we will never forget. Thanks IMU, We love you”, said Aulia Ika Pratiwi Besides these students, the School of Dentistry has been receiving a number of incoming students under the IMU students’ mobility programme: a postgraduate student from Institute of Dental Medicine, Myanmar, two students from University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne in July this year for two weeks, United Kingdom and a student from Jinnah Medical & Dental College, Pakistan (University of Karachi) for four weeks. In her feedback she said “I had an amazing time at IMU and got to learn a lot during my stay”.
