Ms Sharon Chan Min Hui
Described as
Caring, Nurturing and Motherly
Ms Sharon (in the photo above) is part of the Foundation in Science (FiS) Founding Team and is the only faculty member who has been a part of it since the inaugural cohort in 2014. From initially four members in the faculty to 28 in the present, as a pioneer, she has felt a sense of achievement and accomplishment to help build the IMU Foundation in Science from ground up.
Following this, the FiS programme had its challenges, and one of the biggest hurdles was gaining local recognition. There were some general things that needed to be clarified about foundation programmes, such as whether they can be compared with more recognised programmes such as A-Levels and STPM.
To address these misconceptions, Ms Sharon sent four eligible students from the inaugural cohort into IMU’s dentistry programme. Eventually, their success helped pave the way for future FiS students.
One of the things Ms Sharon is most proud of is the unique curriculum developed with courses like Biosciences and Physics for Health Sciences, which provide a strong foundation in the sciences and a strong focus on essential skills like referencing and problem-based learning.
“These skills give students a real advantage when they move on to their next level of study.”, Ms Sharon emphasised.
For the future FiS, Ms Sharon hopes to incorporate OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) and OSPE (Objective Structure Practical Examination) into the FiS syllabus” to well prepare students for the next level.
Lastly, Ms Sharon always found the teaching experience rewarding as she enjoys coaching weaker students to excel in their studies.
Ms Sharmini A/P Muniandy
Described as
Responsible, Adaptable, and Approachable
Ms Sharmini joined the IMU FiS faculty in 2014 and has since witnessed the Foundation in Science programme’s inception as an English lecturer. Over the years, she has seen a positive change in students’ learning approaches.
“Students today are eager to learn and adapt to new technologies quickly,” she says.
Additionally, Ms Sharmini acknowledges that some students struggle to balance academics and personal life, adding to that there are various ways to help students manage stress,” she explains.
The faculty is always available to provide support. Moreover, Ms Sharmini finds it motivating when students come forward after a lecture to express how they enjoyed and understood her lecture, as this has become a source of motivation and the driving force to continue teaching for almost two decades.
Lastly, Ms Sharmini believes that the rewarding experience of becoming a lecturer has impacted students and has led them to make a greater change in the future.
Ms Kanagamalar A/P Subramaniam
Described as
Passionate, Positive and Fun
Ms Kanagamalar joined the IMU FiS faculty in 2015 and is currently the Programme Director for the FiS programme. From a growing cohort of 200 students at the beginning of the three FiS intakes to 500+ today cumulative, there’s no doubt it can be a challenge as more issues arise and must be dealt with.
Programme Directors wear many hats. Moreover, Ms Kana manages the big picture of FiS, like creating and preparing lectures, and is also responsible for all the administrative tasks that keep things running smoothly – emails, reports, meetings, faculty materials, and the list of workload continues.
Despite the demands, Ms. Kana finds this role empowering, as “the biggest challenge has also become a great opportunity,” she explains, and the gift after years as a Programme Director is becoming a master multitasker.
Similarly, with Ms Kana’s years of experience, she understands exactly what each student requires and needs to succeed, which becomes immensely important to her and the overall reputation of the FiS programme.
At the same time, she also plays a role in the yearly curriculum review and the programme revamp, which is crucial in upholding the highest standards of the FiS programme.
Finally, as she recalls, one of the rewarding experiences of becoming a lecturer is when students can remember the classes which are taught by her during their FiS journey and share their experience on how her lecture has massively eased their burden in their proceeding with their studies.
Ms Chow Kit May
Described as
Approachable, Analytical, and Organised
Ms Chow joined the IMU FiS faculty in 2016 and is the recipient of the Motivational Master Award during Educator’s Appreciation Day 2024.
During her teaching journey, she has, over time, seen students seamlessly and progressively integrate technology into education after the pandemic. Gone are the days of traditional printed notes, voice-recorded lectures, and writing on whiteboards. With this, Ms Chow enjoys using technology to teach complex chemical structures and mechanisms with more ease and convenience, simultaneously making technology more accessible to cater to different characteristics of students.
Additionally, Ms Chow strives to take small initiatives to create a positive learning environment for students to learn chemistry so that students are drawn to the subject rather than forced to prepare for exams.
Lastly, one of her rewarding experiences as a lecturer is grading exams and seeing a clear understanding of the material reflected in student answers. Nonetheless, the most gratifying moments by Ms Chow come from those short notes of appreciation students leave behind.
Mr Parkash A/L Mathivanan
Described as
Introvert, Peace-Lover, Myself
Joining the IMU FiS faculty team in 2015, Mr Parkash has seen tremendous changes in the students’ communicative and interactive abilities due to the increased usage of technology gadgets as time passes.
One of his significant impacts on FiS is creating the niche module “English for Healthcare Professionals,” which includes the basics of report writing skills and medical terminologies. The module has garnered lots of appreciation and positivity, as it had a lasting long-term impact on students during their foundation and undergraduate studies.
Additionally, the rewards he has gained as a lecturer are witnessing his mentees or past students successfully completing their undergraduate programmes and there were times where they will realise the truth of the stories, advice that Mr Parkash has shared with them when they were his students. Ultimately, with Mr Parkash’s transition to IMU’s brand new Foundation programme, “Foundation in Arts”, which is part of the University’s One Health mission, as a Programme Director, he hopes the new programme’s success can be witnessed soon in the future just like its elder brother, the IMU Foundation in Science programme, which is now celebrating its 10th Anniversary this year.
The five longest-serving faculty members are a testament to the enduring spirit of the FiS programme. Their dedication to fostering a well-rounded experience has undoubtedly shaped countless students’ journeys toward fulfilling careers in science and healthcare. Their passion for teaching and commitment to excellence drives the programme’s success.
Written by Chong Zhan Xuan
