• This IMU University medical student shares his journey from the Foundation in Science (FIS) programme to the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programme.
• Starting with uncertainty after SPM, he discovered his passion for medicine through experiences, mentorship and exposure at IMU.
• His journey included student leadership, international electives, community service, peer mentoring and clinical training.
• Despite challenges, including scholarship setbacks, he developed resilience and a stronger understanding of patient-centred healthcare.
• Today, he continues his clinical training at IMU’s Seremban Clinical Campus with the aspiration of becoming a compassionate and competent doctor.

My journey at IMU began in 2022 when I enrolled in the Foundation in Science (FIS) programme. After receiving my SPM results, I knew I wanted to pursue a healthcare-related degree, but I was still uncertain about which field to choose.

As I explored different universities, IMU stood out as the only university in Malaysia dedicated exclusively to healthcare education at the time. I was drawn to the opportunity to study alongside like-minded individuals who shared a common passion for healthcare.

Transitioning from high school to university life required a different learning style, adaptability, and greater independence. Looking back on my time in FIS, one of the greatest blessings was the friendships I built.

I was fortunate to be surrounded by hardworking, supportive, and encouraging friends who motivated me to continually improve myself while making the transition much smoother.

One of my fondest memories was spending late nights in the PBL rooms with friends, discussing concepts and completing tutorials together.

During those early days of university, when everything felt new and I was still adapting, the friendliness and approachability of the lecturers made the transition much more comfortable.

I still remember my Chemistry lecturer, Ms. Chow Kit May, patiently answering the many questions I sent her during the Chinese New Year break before jokingly saying, “Don’t do questions already, go play!” It was a simple but memorable reminder of the genuine care IMU lecturers had for their students.

Entering the MBBS programme introduced a new chapter filled with memorable experiences.

One of the highlights was the orientation programme, where I became part of the Group 8 family.

The orientation allowed me to build close bonds with seniors, who, to this day, remain a valuable source of guidance and encouragement.

One piece of advice they shared has stayed with me ever since: “Whatever help we offer you today, pass it on to your juniors when you become seniors.”

Since then, helping juniors prepare for their OSCEs has become a meaningful tradition within Group 8.

Beyond academics, sports, extracurricular activities, and volunteering played a significant role in shaping my university experience. Outside the classroom, I embraced opportunities in sports, leadership, volunteering, and international exchange programmes that broadened my perspective as both a student and future doctor.

I represented IMU in multiple badminton competitions, participated in events such as Medicine Cup and IMU Cup, and contributed to student-led organisations and professional development initiatives, including serving as an IHP Mentor and peer tutor for junior batches.

Volunteering also allowed me to engage with diverse communities and gain a deeper appreciation of healthcare beyond the classroom.

Among my most memorable experiences was a three-week elective posting at a hospital in Surabaya, Indonesia, where I rotated through Internal Medicine, Neurology, Emergency Medicine, and Surgery. The experience broadened my clinical perspective and provided valuable hands-on learning opportunities.

I was also honoured to represent AMSA IMU as a delegate to Hong Kong under the AMSEP 2024 programme.

Together, these experiences provided a healthy balance to the demands of medical school while allowing me to grow personally and build meaningful connections with students from different cohorts, programmes, universities, and countries.

Like many students, I faced my share of challenges. During my foundation studies, I was a full scholarship recipient for the FIS programme and hoped to secure IMU’s scholarship for the MBBS programme. However, despite achieving a CGPA of 4.00, I was unsuccessful.

Although disappointing at the time, the experience taught me that setbacks do not define one’s potential. Instead, they can become opportunities for resilience, self-discovery, and personal development.

As I progressed through medical school, another transformative experience came with the transition from theoretical learning to developing clinical skills. IMU’s curriculum, with its emphasis on early clinical exposure, gave me the opportunity to interact with real patients from the early stages of my medical school.

These experiences taught me that medicine is not only about diagnosing diseases or recalling facts, but also about communication, empathy, and understanding patients as individuals. More importantly, they showed me that effective healthcare begins with listening to and understanding each patient’s unique story.

The lessons I gained through these experiences strengthened my commitment to leadership, community service, and student engagement, values that were later recognised through the PEARL Excellence Award.

Receiving the PEArL Excellence Award, alongside achieving a cohort ranking of 8th out of 201 students during my pre-clinical phase, was particularly meaningful.

The PEArL Excellence Award stands for Participation, Engagement, Advisory and Leadership. It is awarded to only one student in the cohort graduating with the Certificate of Completion for Part 1 (pre-clinical phase) of the Medical Programme. One of the few objectives of this programme is to identify students who demonstrate extraordinary engagement and performance in both academics and extra-curricular activities.

Beyond recognising academic achievement, the award reflected the importance of leadership, service, and student engagement throughout my time at IMU.

It reminded me that personal growth is measured not only by academic performance, but also by the positive impact we make on those around us.

More importantly, it continues to:

• Motivate me to step beyond my comfort zone,
• Strive for excellence, and
• Contribute to the community and, in the future, to the healthcare profession.

This achievement would not have been possible without the unwavering support of my parents, lecturers, seniors, and friends, who have all played an important role in my journey.

I remain actively involved in several student-led organisations, including MMI Public Health, MMI Malaysia, and SCOPH SMMAMS, alongside community outreach initiatives. I also hope to take on more leadership opportunities within and outside IMU, allowing me to further develop my skills while contributing to the community.

I am currently undergoing clinical training at the IMU Clinical Campus in Seremban. The transition from pre-clinical to clinical learning has been both exciting and challenging. In just four months at the clinical campus, I have developed a deep appreciation for the dedication and commitment of the clinicians who mentor us to become competent, curious, and disciplined doctors. I am confident that the next two years will be a valuable period of learning that will continue to shape me as a future doctor.

In terms of my future career direction, I have not yet committed to a specific specialty. However, I remain excited to explore the diverse fields of medicine during my clinical training and discover a path that aligns with my interests, strengths, and long-term goals.

Regardless of where my journey eventually leads, I aspire to become a competent, and patient-centred doctor who continually strives to improve both professionally and personally.

To future IMU students, remember that medical school is not a race but a journey of continuous growth. There will be moments of success and moments of self-doubt. Embrace both, because they are equally important.

My biggest piece of advice is to say “yes” to opportunities, even if they push you beyond your comfort zone. While academics are important, they should not be your sole focus. Get involved in extracurricular activities and leadership roles, as these experiences will help you grow in ways that the classroom cannot.

During the more challenging moments, never forget the sacrifices your parents have made to support your journey. Let their love and trust be a source of motivation, and always strive to make them proud.

Most importantly, stay humble and never stop learning. Academic achievements may open doors, but integrity, professionalism, and the way you conduct yourself are what earn the trust of patients, colleagues, and the community.

As I looked through my gallery to choose photos for this article, I realised that some of the moments I cherish most had quietly become memories I could never relive. So, make the most of every opportunity, appreciate the people around you, and enjoy every moment, because one day these moments will become the memories you look back on with gratitude.

Looking back, my experience at IMU has been far more than an academic pursuit; it has been a period of transformation, resilience, and self-discovery. Every friendship, challenge, opportunity, and lesson has shaped not only the student I am today but also the doctor I aspire to become. As I continue my clinical training, I look forward to embracing new experiences and opportunities that will continue to shape my future.

Written by Nakkheeran A/L Nedumaran