49 students from the Ethics in Psychology module at IMU University participated in a site visit to the Bioveterinary Science facilities on 2 April 2026. The visit introduced students to the “One Health” concept and provided students practical insight into the humane care and use of animals in research. The interdisciplinary experience encouraged psychology students to reflect on empathy, ethical responsibility, and compassion in research settings, while also sparking interest in animal psychology and welfare-related fields.

• Event: Ethics in Psychology Site Visit to IMU’s Bioveterinary Science Facilities
• Date: 2 April 2026
• Location: Hive 3, IMU University Technology Park Campus
• Participants: 49 students from the Ethics in Psychology module

• Key Activities:
  • Guided facility tour
  • Introduced to practical aspects of animal health and welfare
  • Demonstrations of routine veterinary care procedures
  • Examination of anatomical teaching specimens
  • Lectures on animal welfare and research ethics
  • Interactive small-group ethical debates

On 2 April 2026, students from the Ethics in Psychology module participated in a site visit to the Bioveterinary Science facilities at Hive 3, IMU University Technology Park Campus.

The visit aimed to integrate the “One Health” concept into the psychology curriculum, giving a total of 49 students practical insight into the humane care and use of animals in research.

The programme kicked off with a guided tour of the Bioveterinary Science facility hub by Dr Sabrina Binti Danial Leong. The students were:

• Introduced to practical aspects of animal health and welfare
• Observed demonstrations of routine veterinary care procedures

They also examined teaching specimens, including detailed anatomical models of animal skulls, brains, and limb structures, which provided insight into comparative anatomy and veterinary diagnostics.

Following the facility tour, the students engaged in academic sessions with bioveterinary science faculty, focusing on the ethical frameworks that underpin animal research and welfare.

Dr Gothai introduced the foundational “Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare,” while Dr Suriya delivered a lecture on the “Ethical Use of Animals in Research,” which culminated in an interactive small‑group debate, facilitated by Dr Mona Hassan. The sessions also:

• Highlighted the importance of institutional oversight, including approval and compliance processes, and
• Prompted critical reflection on how concepts such as informed consent are interpreted in the context of animals who cannot provide it directly.

The interdisciplinary exposure left a deep impression on the attending psychology cohort, expanding their understanding of science, empathy, and research boundaries:

Empathy and Connection:

For student Chong Zhi Yi, interacting with the animals on-site, including several cats and petting a dog named Sasha, made the core tenets of the curriculum deeply personal.

Zhi Yi shared, “I realised how deeply emotions, communication, and human connection are involved in OneHealth practices… That moment made the experience feel more personal and reminded me that animals are living beings that people form emotional bonds with.”

Sparking New Academic Curiosity:

Nur Husnina Zawanah Binti Azmi valued hearing directly from the veterinarians and researchers.

Reflecting on the exhibits and discussions, Husnina noted, “Overall, the visit was quite fun and the content they gave was informative and interesting, I started being curious about animal psychology and research after the visit.”

A Deeper Appreciation for Research Care:

Dhivyadaksha Paneer Selvam highlighted the benefit of stepping outside the traditional classroom setting to observe animals in a practical environment.

Dhivyadaksha stated, “The experience helped me appreciate the amount of responsibility, knowledge, and compassion required in this field… Overall, the visit was both educational and eye-opening, and it made learning much more engaging and memorable.”

Impressed by Institutional Safeguards:

Kovarthanan A/L Ramasamy was particularly struck by the rigid standards enforced to protect subjects from harm.

Kovarthanan remarked, “The explanation given by the veterinary doctors regarding ethical measures they take in order to protect an animal from being harmed was impressive because they’d go to an extent to abruptly stop research if the animals are not treated well.”

By bridging the gap between theoretical ethics and practical compassion, the site visit successfully provided these students with vital insights that will help them think ethically as they continue their paths in the psychology field.

Written by Mr Alexius Cheang and Dr Sabrina Binti Danial Leong, with contributions from Chong Zhi Yi, Nur Husnina Zawanah Binti Azmi, Dhivyadaksha Paneer Selvam, and Kovarthanan A/L Ramasamy