~ 442 students graduated from various programmes in IMU, including the country’s first-ever Postgraduate Diploma in Implant Dentistry ~
Kuala Lumpur, 30 June 2018 – More than 400 graduands from multidisciplines took centre stage for IMU’s convocation ceremony, marking their completion of their postgraduate and undergraduate studies in various healthcare studies. Held at IMU’s campus in Bukit Jalil, the ceremony was presided over by IMU’s Vice-Chancellor Prof Abdul Aziz Baba. The ceremony also marked a milestone for IMU as seven graduands made history as the first to graduate from the nation’s first-ever Postgraduate Diploma in Implant Dentistry (PGDID). The programme was specially developed by IMU to provide dentistry practitioners with advanced training and classes to help develop their knowledge in implant dentistry, enabling them to include implants into their clinical practice. 
“We are very proud to celebrate the graduation of our first batch of PGDID students who have successfully completed their one-year modular study programme in spite of their busy dental practice. The programme is structured, organised and benchmarked to the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh Diploma in Implant Dentistry Examination. Designed to support the training and learning of working dental practitioners, it uses a flexible modular mode of study whereby students have the flexibility to perform implant surgery in their own clinic or under one-to-one supervision in IMU Oral Health Centre. On top of that, it is also complemented by technology-based learning with online i-seminars,” says Dr Y Naresh Shetty, PGDID Programme Director. 
Also graduating is IMU’s first cohort of two students from the Postgraduate Certificate in Health Professions Education (PGCHPE). Says Dr Simranjeet Judge, Programme Director, Postgraduate in Health Professions Education Programme (Certificate, Diploma & Master), “PGCHPE was designed based on stringent Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) requirements and is flexible as it allows students to study whilst fulfilling their work commitments. It is designed to fulfil the needs of the 21st century health professions educationist in that it integrates a core set of competencies to produce leaders and scholars in health professions education. We congratulate our graduates and are confident that they will do well in their future careers.”
In his speech at the convocation ceremony, Vice-Chancellor Prof Abdul Aziz Baba reminded students of the reasons why they chose to be in the healthcare profession. “Your education at IMU has prepared you for this future. But there are things that cannot be taught – compassion, sympathy, care, kindness, humanity and benevolence. While it is part of our strategic goals at the institution to inculcate values and principles in our students, encouraging them to perform their role as healthcare providers with 100% heart, I urge you to uphold the very reasons why you chose this profession as your calling: To serve and deliver. To serve the community and deliver to them hope, optimism, confidence and if it comes to it, support and comfort when needed. Do not stop learning. Make every day a lesson, whether it is to improve your technical skills and knowledge or to become a contributing member of the healthcare industry, and ultimately a better person. Push forward to advance the industry, one that is continuously changing to provide a better life and future for all.”
Dr Tan Chew Fang, who is one of the seven graduates from PGDID, says she is thankful for the academic experience at IMU. “PGDID provided me with a great start in learning implant dentistry. With good support from the university, mentors and course mates, I am thankful that I have completed the programme successfully. This serves as a wonderful motivation for my passion and clinical work in the field,” she says.
A Prize Presentation Ceremony was held during the convocation to celebrate the academic excellence of the University’s best students. One of these students is Muhammad Anwar bin Azrin, graduate in Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), who is a medallist for the Dr John Joseph Bosco Memorial Gold Medal. The Dr John Joseph Bosco Memorial Gold Medal is awarded to a student graduating with IMU MBBS with the highest academic excellence. The award is given in memory of the late Dr John Joseph Bosco who played an instrumental role in the development of the IMU Clinical Campus. Muhammad Anwar is also a winner of the Professor Guan Chong Book Prize in Surgery and on the Dean’s List. 
“After getting through five years in medical school, it is big relief to finally graduate. It feels like all my hard work has finally paid off. Graduating is just the beginning of another journey. There is more to come for us to learn and improve ourselves. Everyone in IMU played a role from the start of my studies till today. I can’t thank them enough for their dedication and help,” he says. At the same event witnessed by members of the Board of Governors, Senate, faculty members, invited guests, students and parents of students, the new Chancellor of IMU, YBhg Dato’ Dr Gan Ee Kiang, was officially installed in his new role.
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YBhg Dato’ Dr Gan Ee Kiang Dato’ Dr Gan obtained his PhD Degree in Pharmacology in 1972 from the University of Western Australia. He played an instrumental role in bringing international recognition for Malaysian clinical pharmacy education. He was also the first Malaysian member of the International Health Advisory Panel of the United States Pharmacopoeia Convention from 1990-95. More about YBhg Dato’ Dr Gan Ee Kiang |  |
Also officially installed as IMU’s new Pro-Chancellor is YBhg Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Yahya bin Awang.
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YBhg Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Yahya bin Awang Dr Yahya qualified as a doctor in 1974 with a Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery from Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. He obtained his fellowship from the Royal College of Surgeons and Physicians of Glasgow (FRCS) Scotland in 1980 and began his career in cardiothoracic surgery in Brompton Hospital, London. Returning to Malaysia in 1983, Dr Yahya played a significant and pioneering role in the development of cardiac surgery in the country. He was instrumental in training cardiac surgeons and cardiac paramedics to meet the needs of the nation. He successfully performed the first heart transplant in Malaysia on December 1997. More about YBhg Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Yahya bin Awang |  |
The event also saw the conferment of IMU’s Emeritus Professor to Prof Mak Joon Wah.
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Prof Mak Joon Wah Having obtained his medical degree from the National University of Singapore in 1967, Prof Mak served as a medical doctor for five years in the Ministry of Health Malaysia before joining the Institute for Medical Research in 1972 where he was appointed Director in 1995. He joined IMU as Professor of Medical Parasitology in 2001, becoming Pro Vice-Chancellor, research in 2016. Under his stewardship, the university has made significant progress in research, as evidenced by increases in the numbers of peer-reviewed publication, external research funding and numbers of postgraduate research students. Prof Mak will continue to contribute and support the University in his new role. More about Prof Mak Joon Wah |  |
Live broadcast of the ceremony as it unfolds inside the auditorium was made available at other lecture theatres in the University. This provided family members and friends who were unable to be in the auditorium the opportunity to witness this special event. The half-day event ended at 1pm with graduands and their families further celebrating this milestone.
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Congratulations to all! |
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