Annual Report - Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman

2011
FMHS Annual Report
2011
Annual Report
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman

FMHS Annual Report
2011
Contents
UTAR ..................................................................................................................................................... 1
Dean’s Message ................................................................................................................................... 2
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Organization Chart 2011 ................................................. 5
Glimpse Of Events In 2011 ................................................................................................................ 10
Orientation Programme for New Students ........................................................................................ 11
White Coat Ceremony (WCC) .......................................................................................................... 13
UTAR and MoH signed three pacts .................................................................................................. 15
Committees in FMHS ......................................................................................................................... 18
Programmes in FMHS ........................................................................................................................ 29
MBBS Programme............................................................................................................................ 30
Chinese Medicine Programme ......................................................................................................... 34
Nursing Programme ......................................................................................................................... 36
Physiotherapy Programme ............................................................................................................... 38
Research Laboratories and Centres, FMHS ..................................................................................... 40
Research Laboratories, FMHS ......................................................................................................... 40
Centre for Stem Cell Research (CSCR) ............................................................................................ 42
Centre for Cancer Research (CCR) .................................................................................................. 46
Centre for Research in Traditional Chinese Medicine (CRTCM) ....................................................... 47
FMHS Research Projects in 2011 ..................................................................................................... 48
Academic Performances of Staff ...................................................................................................... 53
Conference Presentation (Oral/Poster) ............................................................................................. 53
Publications ...................................................................................................................................... 57
External Appointments ...................................................................................................................... 60
Adjunct Professors ........................................................................................................................... 60
Industry Advisors .............................................................................................................................. 61
External examiners ........................................................................................................................... 62
Global Research Network ................................................................................................................. 62
Student’s Activities ............................................................................................................................ 63
Community And Social Activity ........................................................................................................ 66
Moving Forward to 2012 .................................................................................................................... 75
Annual Report Committee ................................................................................................................. 77

FMHS Annual Report 2011

FMHS Annual Report
2011
UTAR Education Foundation, a not-for-profit organization, was officially launched
on 13 August 2002. But the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS) was
established on 16th November 2009, functioning at Bandar Sungai Long campus.
Faculty Vision
To be the preferred centre of education and research for medical & health sciences.
Faculty Mission
To provide a conducive environment for the acquisition of knowledge & skills for
effective clinical practice.
To develop values & attitudes of dedication, ethics & professionalism in the delivery of
healthcare.
To produce graduates who would serve and improve the quality of life of the
community.
Faculty Objectives
To build a team of dedicated educators and support staff to produce caring &
competent health professionals
To implement an effective learning model with extensive use of ICT.
To establish & nurture an innovative research & development culture.
To carry out community healthcare & social responsibilities
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FMHS Annual Report
2011
DEAN’S MESSAGE
The Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences (FMHS) UTAR was established on 16th
November 2009. The first batch of MBBS students began their journey in medicine in
May 2010. This group of pioneer students survived the tough first year and proudly
donned their white coats at the beginning of their second year, a transition year to the clinical phase of
the medical curriculum. In May 2011, the FMHS opened its doors to 3 other courses, namely Nursing,
Physiotherapy and Traditional Chinese Medicine, to cater for the needs of graduates in these sectors
of the health care industry. To cope with the increasing number of students, the number of academic
staff has been increased to meet the demand. We now have sufficient staff for the pre-clinical
disciplines and continue to recruit staff for the clinical disciplines.
To facilitate teaching-learning, we have added a medical museum and an additional multimedia
resource centre. Meanwhile, enhancement is being done to the existing Clinical Skill Centre,
Physiotherapy Centre and Traditional & Complementary Medicine Centre. At the same time, industry
advisors were appointed for the respective disciplines so that our curricular development and
enhancement will remain relevant to the industry. In addition, eminent members of the academia
nationally and internationally were invited to become the adjunct professors of our Faculty.
We have signed several memoranda of understanding with a number of institutions, which
include the Ministry of Health of Malaysia, the TCM universities in mainland China and Taiwan, and
private hospitals such as Tung Shin Hospital and Sungai Long Hospital to facilitate bedside teachinglearning
activities. There is no better way for the students to learn other than from the real patients in
the clinics and the hospital wards. In 2011, we began placement of students in Hospital Ampang,
Hospital Kuala Lumpur and Hospital Tung Shin. Meanwhile, our lecturers who are clinical specialists
began contributing their services to the respective hospitals where their expertises were sought.
It is never our intention to be just another medical & health science school. The FMHS has
allocated about 8000 sq.ft of floor space for research purposes. In addition, a small animal holding
facility has been constructed within the UTAR Sungai Long Campus to facilitate small animal research.
Towards the end of the year 2011, these research facilities are well equipped and operational.
Meanwhile, efforts are being made to introduce the Master and PhD programmes. The application to
the Malaysian Qualification Agency for these programmes has been successful, and we are now
waiting for the final approval from the Ministry of Higher Education. Our enthusiastic academic staff
wasted no time and attracted no fewer than RM3 million external funding to conduct research,
collaborating with investigators locally and overseas. Thirteen postgraduate students have been
recruited to assist our lecturers to carry out the research projects. In order to promote and facilitate
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research in focused areas, 3 research centres have been established, viz. Centre for Stem Cell
Research, Centre for Cancer Research and Centre for Research in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Next year is the 10th Anniversary of the founding of UTAR. We will work hands in hands with
other faculties and centres of UTAR towards making UTAR the leading private institution of higher
learning in Malaysia.
It will be a year to consolidate our undergraduate teaching programmes and enhance the
learning experience of the medical & health sciences undergraduates. In line with the recent
development in education of an outcome-based curriculum, the FMHS will concentrate on developing
the learning outcomes for all teaching-learning activities in the different phases of the medical and
health science courses. We will make every effort to promote the e-learning platform (MOODLE) for the
conduct of our teaching-learning activities.
The FMHS will continue to compete for funding to support research and the postgraduate
programmes. We have been successful in obtaining research grants from the Ministry of Higher
Education (MOHE) such as FRGS, from the Ministry of Sciences, Technology & Innovation (MOSTI)
such as Nano Technology Fund and e-Science Fund, private sources such as MAKNA Collaborative
Research Fund, EuYanSang Research Grant, Cryocrod Collaborative R&D Grant and HITV Research
Grant. However, we will not be limiting ourselves to bid for local funding; we will also set our sight for
international funding.
While our mission is to promote education and research, we should continue to interact with the
community to fulfil our corporate social responsibilities. In year 2011, the second year MBBS students
had carried out a successful community project on health promotion in the Seri Kembangan new
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village. The academic staff of TCM Department had visited many schools during the year to conduct
health promotion activities using alternate approach namely Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Furthermore, the FMHS will continue to interact with the health industry so that we can stay
relevant when Malaysia is in the midst of economic transformation. We look forward to professional and
health industry related activities to be organised in our Bandar Sungai Long Campus.
Last, but not the least, we will endeavour to make FMHS a caring workplace where our staff can
enjoy their academic life.
Emeritus Professor Dr Cheong Soon Keng
Dean
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FMHS Annual Report 2011
FACULTY OF MEDICINE AND HEALTH SCIENCES ORGANIZATION CHART 2011
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ACADEMIC & ADMINISTRATIVE STAFFS
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ACADEMIC STAFFS
Academic Faculty
Preclinical Science
1. Prof. Dr. Yap Sook Fan Chemical pathology
2. Prof. Choo Kong Bung Molecular & cell biology
3. Dr. Alan Ong Han Kiat Molecular & cell biology
4. Dr. Lim Yang Mooi Biochemistry
5. Dr. Satagopam Mitti Mohan Human physiology
6. Dr. Gan Seng Chiew Immunology
7. Dr. Leong Pooi Pooi Immunology
8. Dr. Venkatesh R. Naik Anatomical pathology
9. Ms. Chew Wai Fong Nutrition
10. Puan Masyita Binti Mamot Nutrition and community health
11. Dr. Asok Kumar Ghosh Anatomy & human physiology
12. Dr. Myint Aung Medical microbiology
Clinical Science
13. Emeritus Prof. Dr. Cheong Soon Keng Internal medicine & haematology
14. Prof. Dr. Boo Nem Yun Paediatrics & neonatology
15. Dr. Loh Keng Yin Family medicine & counseling
16. Dr. Robert Chen Family medicine & palliative care
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FMHS Annual Report 2011
17. Dr Mohammed Abdulrazzaq Jabbar Occupational and community health
18. Dr. Chandrashekhar T Sreeramareddy Community medicine
19. Dr. Thaw Zin Clinical pharmacology and toxicology
20. Dr. Nadia Mohamad Hatta Clinical psychology
Chinese Medicine
21. Prof. Dr. Zhai Yachun Genitourinary diseases & dermatosis
22. Dr. Yang Zao Oncology- digestive system
23. Dr. Tiong Ching Yu Febrile and digestive diseases
24. Mr. Te Kian Keong Internal medical diseases & acupuncture
25. Ms. Tham Hui Saan Neurology & sphygmology
26. Ms. Susuana Kuek binti Kamal Kuek Gynaecology
Nursing
27. Ms. Fong Ka Ling Nursing education and management ; intensive
care nursing
28. Ms. Liew Siew Fun General Nursing, OT Nursing
29. Ms. Woo Li Fong General Nursing, Diabetic education
30. Ms. Jagjit Kaur A/P Najar Singh Midwifery and nursing education
31. Ms. Chi Suh Yenn General Nursing
32. Ms. Jayanthi A/P Marimuthu Midwifery and sports injury nursing
Physiotherapy
33. Mr. Pramod D. Shenoy Orthopaedics and manual therapy
34. Ms. Manisha Parai Orthopaedics and hand rehabilitation
35. Puan Che Mah Binti Ahmad General physiotherapy
36. Mr. Lim Shih Liang Sports healthcare and rehabilitation
37. Ms. Woo Li Yee Rehabilitation
38. Mr. Nizar Abdul Majeed Kutty Orthopaedics
39. Mr. Muhammad Fahad Siddique Physiotherapy
Part-Time Teacher
40. Dr. Goh Lai Kuan Molecular biology & biochemistry
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ADMINISTRATIVE STAFFS
Faculty General Office
1. Ms. Than Siew Ling
2. Ms. Chang Teng Ting
3. Ms. Lim Ping
4. Mr. Andy Ng
5. Puan Wan Zulawati Binti Wan Hassan
Technical Staff
6. Cik Siti Nurbahjan Binti Ibrahim (IT)
7. Mr. Chong Kong Wah (MDL)
8. Mr. Lee Meng Lay (MDL)
9. Mr. Sim CH (MDL)
10. Puan Nur Ain binti Mahat (CSU)
11. Mr. Lee Han Chung (Research Lab)
12. Ms. Lim Ying Ni (Research Lab)
13. Mr. Wong Teck Yew (Research Lab)
14. Cik Azwaniza Binti Jamaluddin (Ampang Clinical Training Centre)
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FMHS Annual Report 2011
a. Minister’s visit
b. Orientation Programme
c. White Coat ceremony
GLIMPSE OF EVENTS IN 2011
a
b
c
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FMHS Annual Report 2011
Orientation Programme for New Students
The Orientation Programme was structured into five days, from 23-27 May 2011, to
provide different stages of activities for new students and their families with
information and support to help the students to make a smooth transition to their
study at the Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR). The Orientation Programme was
designed to help the new students to gain an understanding of what lied ahead and
provided the students opportunity to discuss the future at UTAR with faculty staffs and
student leaders.
All new students were required to attend the Orientation Programme within a week prior to
their first day of classes at UTAR. The Orientation Programme involved a variety of
activities and presentations, video presentation, orientation briefing, soft skill talks,
President and head of departments in Mass Call
introduction of teaching method, city tour and other activities which were guided by
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences staffs and senior students, and was organised
with contributions from the Department of Students Affair (DSA) to introduce the faculty
and facilities and academic staffs, helping the students to familiarise themselves with
UTAR policies and expectations.
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Students taking oath
All the activities were designed to inform the students on elements important to success
as a student, and included academic advising The Orientation Programme should serve to
assist all new students to begin their studies at UTAR with confidence, and to make the
adjustment to UTAR life as smooth as possible to increase their chances for academic
success.
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FMHS Annual Report 2011
White Coat Ceremony (WCC)
WCCs originated in University of Chicago's Pritzker School of Medicine in 1989,
but the first full-fledged ceremony took place in 1993 at Columbia University
College of Physicians and Surgeons. WCCs involve a formal "robbing" or
"cloaking" of students in white coats, the garb physicians have traditionally been wearing
for over 100 years and other health professions have adopted.
In a typical WCC, the issue of medical ethics is addressed and rising students are
commended for their success in completing the preclinical and basic sciences of medical
studies. Over 100 medical schools in the USA now have WCCs and many students now
consider it a rite of passage in the journey toward a healthcare career.
In 2011, WCC was first organized in FMHS, UTAR. The ceremony was coordinated by
Associate Professor Dr. Robert Chen and the implementation was assisted by Dr. Leong
Pooi Pooi, Ms Chew Wai Fong and Ms. Manisha Parai.
Students reciting “Oath of Commitment”
On Monday, 30 May 2011, our students embarked on their medical school journey in a
symbolic ceremony that saw them don the signature white lab-coats. The event started
with background music when students entered the hall taking their places. The Keynote
Address was delivered by the Dean of FMHS, Emeritus Professor Dr. Cheong Soon
Keng. With his enlightening speech, students were aware that this ceremony was one of
the important milestones of their lives and donning on the white coat was a tangible
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symbol of the extraordinary journey they embarked upon, and they would have to carry
this image for the rest of their lives. Following the speech, our students, for the very first
time, recited the oath pledging in a statement of intent to ethical and honourable behaviour
as a medical student.
Our dean, Emeritus Professor Dr Cheong Soon Keng, graced the event and along with
our deputy deans, Professor Dr. Boo Nem Yun and Professor Dr. Yap Sook Fan, and the
entire faculty staffs. In the spirit of camaraderie, they too wore their white coats as they
helped the fresher’s don theirs.
Before the end of the ceremony, gratitude and thanks were expressed to all who had
helped in organising and implementing the occasion. This was a beginning of a symbolic
yet important ceremony which will henceforth be carried forward each year in FMHS with
the same sprit of enthusiasm and interest.
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FMHS Annual Report 2011
UTAR and MoH signed three pacts
Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) and the Ministry of Health (MoH) signed
three memoranda of agreement at the UTAR Sungai Long Campus on 4 July
2011.
Signing for UTAR was President Ir Professor Academician Dato' Dr Chuah Hean Teik, and
for MoH was Deputy Secretary General (Finance) Cik Chin Phaik Yoong, while Dean of
the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Professor Emeritus Dr Cheong Soon Keng
and Dean of Faculty of Science Dr Lim Tuck Meng, and Deputy Director General
(Medical) Datuk Dr Noor Hisham bin Abdullah signed as witnesses.
Present to witness the signing were the Minister of Health Dato' Sri Liow Tiong Lai, the
guest of honour; Director-General Dato' Dr. Hasan bin Abdul Rahman, senior officers from
MoH and UTAR Board of Trustee and Council member Datuk Leong Tang Chong.
Under the memoranda of agreement, UTAR would be accessible to selected government
hospitals and community clinics for its students from five honours bachelor's degree
Prof. Chuah exchanging the signed documents with Dr. Hasan at the ceremony. Looking on are Dato Sri Liow (centre), Dr.
Lim and Prof. Cheong (from left), Dr. Noor Hisham and Cik Chin (from right)
programmes of Nursing and Physiotherapy of the Faculty of Medicine and Health
Sciences (FMHS) at the Sungai Long Campus, and Biochemistry, Biomedical Science,
and Microbiology of the Faculty of Science at the Perak Campus in Kampar to undergo
their practicum, industrial training and clinical studies.
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FMHS Annual Report 2011
At the simulation ward, UTAR Head of deaprtment Dr. Loh Keng Yin explaining to the visitors the use of manikins in training.
The government hospitals accessible to UTAR include Hospital Ampang, Hospital Kuala
Lumpur, Hospital Sultan Ismail (Johor), Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun (Ipoh), Hospital
Melaka, Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan (Kuantan), Hospital Queen Elizabeth (Kota
Kinabalu) and Hospital Sibu.
In January 2010, a similar agreement was signed by both parties for the UTAR Bachelor
of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programme which started the FMHS of UTAR.
"I applaud the immense efforts put in by UTAR to make the medical and allied health
sciences programmes of the highest quality," said Dato' Liow, adding that through the
collaborating with his ministry, UTAR would be producing more the much sought-after
competent human capital for the healthcare sector.
In his speech, Ir Professor Academician Chuah thanked Dato' Liow and the Ministry of
Health for their invaluable support, confidence and trust they had in UTAR.
Ir Professor Academician Chuah said, "After today's signing, there will be altogether four
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MoAs UTAR has signed
with the Ministry of Health.
The signing of the first MoA
has been instrumental for
UTAR to start up the
Faculty of Medicine and
Health Sciences. Indeed
the support given by the
government, in particular,
the Ministry of Health and
the Ministry of Higher
Education, to UTAR has
been enormous."
After the signing ceremony, Ir
Professor Academician Chuah
and Professor Cheong led Dato' Sri Liow and the senior officers from MoH on a tour of the
teaching and research facilities of FMHS. They visited the Simulation Ward and the
Physiotherapy Centre at level three, the Multidiscipline Laboratories, the Clinical Skills
Unit and the TCM Centre at level two and the Research Laboratory and the Sungai Long
Campus library at level one of UTAR Sungai Long campus.
At the simulation ward, UTAR nursing lecturer Liew Siew Fun explaining to the visitors the
use of manikins in training.
A photograph session was organised by the MBBS, Nursing, Physiotherapy and Chinese
Medicine students. They were all delighted with the opportunity to have their photographs
taken with Dato' Sri Liow and the entire team of officers from the Ministry of Health.
Dato' Sri Liow (right) listening for abnormal heart beats of a manikin, guided by Prof. Dr. Boo Nem
Yun (Deputy Dean, FMHS) while Dr. Noor Hisham (left) and Dr. Hasan look on.
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FMHS Annual Report 2011
COMMITTEES IN FMHS
Faculty Management Committee
Faculty Management Committee shall be responsible for the following:
(a) Ensuring the smooth functioning, operation and administration of the Faculty
(b) Coordination of all activities of Faculty
(c) Recommending the budget and funding for learning, teaching and research activities
(d) Carrying out other duties as and when directed by the Dean/Faculty Board or ancillary
to or consequential upon any of the matters aforesaid
Members
Professor Dr. Cheong Soon Keng (Chairman)
Professor Dr. Yap Sook Fan
Professor Dr. Boo Nem Yun
Professor Dr. Choo Kong Bung
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Alan Ong Han Kiat
Ms. Fong Ka Ling
Mr. Te Kian Keong
Mr. Pramod D Shenoy
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FMHS Annual Report 2011
Faculty Academic Development and Curriculum Committee
Academic Development and Curriculum Committee shall be responsible for the following:
(a) Planning of new academic programmes
(b) Advising the Dean on strategies required for ensuring the quality of academic
programmes of the Faculty and to evaluate the structure and syllabi of the academic
programmes and to recommend improvements to them
(c) Preparation of the business plan/budget of the Faculty
(d) Advising the Dean on cooperation and collaboration with other agencies/institutions
that will bring strategic advantages to the Faculty
(e) Facilitating the evaluation of academic programmes of other institutions of higher
learning for credit transfer purposes
(f) Carrying out other duties as and when directed by the Dean/Faculty Board or ancillary
to or consequential upon any of the matters aforesaid
Members
Prof. Dr. Boo Nem Yun (Chairperson)
Prof. Dr. Yap Sook Fan
Ms. Fong Ka Ling
Mr. Pramod Shenoy
Mr. Te Kian Keong
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FMHS Annual Report 2011
Faculty Purchasing Committee
The Committee shall:
(a) Recommend to the Dean of Faculty for approval on purchase of laboratory/teaching
equipment, lab consumables and special services for undergraduate/postgraduate
programmes with a total not exceeding RM20,000 per item.
(b) Recommend to the UTAR Purchasing Committee and supported by the Dean of
Faculty for approval on purchase of laboratory/teaching equipment, lab consumables and
special services for undergraduate/postgraduate programmes with a total value above
RM20,000 per item.
(c) Recommend to the Director of Institute of Postgraduate Studies and Research for
approval on purchase of research equipment, consumables and special services for
research grant projects with a total not exceeding RM20,000 per item.
(d) Recommend to the UTAR Purchasing Committee and supported by the Director of
Institute of Postgraduate Studies and Research for approval on purchase of research
equipment, consumables and special services for research grant projects with a total
value above RM20,000 per item.
Members
Prof. Yap Sook Fan (Chairperson)
Dr. Lim Yang Mooi
Ms. Fong Ka Ling
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FMHS Annual Report 2011
Faculty Research and Development Postgraduate Committee (FRDPC)
Research and Development Postgraduate Committee shall be responsible for the
following:
Formulating the direction to be taken for the Faculty on Research & Development matters
Evaluating research funding applications and make the necessary recommendations to
the relevant authority
Facilitating collaborative Research & Development activities with other institutions
Evaluating research proposals and applications by postgraduate candidates, and make
necessary recommendations to the Faculty Board
Recommending to the Faculty Board on potential supervisors for candidates
Evaluating progress reports by postgraduate candidates and funded research projects and
make relevant recommendations to the Faculty Board.
Carrying out other duties as and when directed by the Dean/Faculty Board or ancillary to
or consequential upon any of the matters aforesaid.
Members
Prof. Dr. Yap Sook Fan (Chairperson)
Prof. Dr. Choo Kong Bung
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Alan Ong Han Kiat
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lim Yang Mooi
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gan Seng Chiew
Mr. Pramod Shenoy
Ms. Fong Ka Ling
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FMHS Annual Report 2011
Mr. Te Kian Keong
Student Development Committee
Student Development Committee shall be responsible for the following:
(a) Monitoring and making the necessary recommendations to the Faculty Board on the
teaching-learning activities in the Faculty and overall academic performance of students
(b) Overseeing the implementation of the Academic Advisory System
(c) Planning and administering programmes that could enhance students overall
performance
(d) Liaison with the Department of Student Affairs and related departments/units on
matters concerning the students of the Faculty
(e) Carrying out other duties as and when directed by the Dean/Faculty Board or ancillary
to or consequential upon any of the matters aforesaid
Members
Assoc. Prof. Dr Gan Seng Chiew (Chairperson)
Dr. Leong Pooi Pooi
Ms. Chew Wai Fong
Mr. Lim Shih Liang
Lim Mei How (MBBS 2 Student Representative)
Kumarendran Balachandran (MBBS 1 Student Representative)
Lee Alvin (TCM Student Representative)
Tu Jeck Ming (Nursing Student Representative)
Shalini d/o Velayutham (Physiotherapy Student Representative)
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FMHS Annual Report 2011
Self Assessment Committee (SAC)
The SAC is responsible for the following:
a) Examine university data such as objectives, vision, mission statements
b) Examine data in relation to academic plans such as departmental and faculty
development plans and university level plans
c) Request for additional data from the relevant administrative department and Vice
President, IAD, if required
d) Examine previous accreditation, external examiner reports or academic
assessment documents that are relevant to the faculty programmes under review
e) Review the achievement of academic plans and MQA reports related to the
programme under review
f) Write the Self Assessment Report (SAR)
g) Review implementation status after 1 year and prepare Summary of Results
Members
Assoc. Prof Dr. Loh Keng Yin (Chairperson)
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Alan Ong Han Kiat
Assoc. Prof. Dr Gan Seng Chiew
Ms. Lim Ping (Secretary)
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FMHS Annual Report 2011
Research Laboratories Management Committee (RLMC)
Under the direction of the Dean of FMHS, RLMC was formed to oversee the smooth
running of the FMHS Research Laboratories. This committee reports to the Dean and the
Faculty Management Committee. The committee shall be responsible for the following:
(a) Security of the laboratories
(b) Supervision on all laboratory personnel to follow safety guidelines
(c) Supervision of proper use and maintenance of laboratory instruments
(d) Recommendation on the purchase of new equipments
(e) Allocation of laboratory benches and desk space
(f) Management of the animal holding facilities
Members
Prof. Dr. Choo Kong Bung (Chairperson)
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Alan Ong Han Kiat
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lim Yang Mooi
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gan Seng Chiew
Asst. Prof. Dr. Leong Pooi Pooi
Mr. Wong Teck Yew
Mr. Lee Han Chung
Ms. Lim Ying Ni
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FMHS Annual Report 2011
Medical Education Committee
1. History:
• The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS) was officially established in
November 2009. The Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)
program had the first intake of 38 students in May 2010, followed by the second
batch of student intake in May 2011 with 46 students enrolled into the program. In
March 2011 a progress monitoring visit was conducted by Malaysian Medical
Council (MMC) and Malaysian Qualification Agency (MQA). In its report on area 7
(MONITORING, EVALUATION AND REVIEWING THE CURRICULUM) it was
suggested that a Medical Education Unit should be set up in FMHS to oversee
overall curriculum development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of
MBBS program.
• Following the above recommendation, in June 2011, the formation of Medical
Education Committee (MEC) was approved (item 11/52, June 2011 minutes) by
the FMHS Faculty Board.
• On 1 st July 2011, members of the Committee was officially appointed by the Dean.
• MEC had its inaugural meeting on 17 th August 2011.
2. Vision of MEC
The vision of FMHS MEC is to assist FMHS to achieve quality education in medicine and
health sciences.
3. Mission
• To ensure continuing medical education development in FMHS.
• To assist FMHS faculty members to achieve high standards of medical education.
• To promote research and publication in medical education.
4. Goals
In carrying out its mission, FMHS MEC is committed to:
• Carry out curriculum development & improvement
• Conduct medical education training courses for academic staffs in FMHS.
• Support all medical education-related activities in FMHS.
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FMHS Annual Report 2011
• Continuously monitor the quality of teaching and learning activities in FMHS
programs.
• Continuously monitor the standards of all assessments in FMHS programs.
• To collaborate with other institutions in medical education activities.
• Carry out research in medical education
• Innovate in teaching and learning methodology.
5. Philosophies
• Up to date Evidence Based Medical Education.
• Creativity and Innovation in teaching and learning.
• Justice in assessment
• Ethical medical education research.
• Continuous dissemination of information through publications.
6. Domains of FMHS MEC:
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FMHS Annual Report 2011
7. Members
The committee members are appointed by the Dean of FMHS. Currently there are SIX (6)
members, led by the Deputy Dean of Academic Development and Undergraduate
Programs. One administrative executive is appointed as secretary to the committee. The
committee reports to the Dean of FMHS.
Current members are:
Professor Dr.Boo Nem Yun (Chairperson)
Members:
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Loh Keng Yin
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Venkatesh R Naik
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Robert Chen
Dr. Leong Pooi Pooi
Dr. Thaw Zin
Secretary: Ms. Lim Ping (FGO)
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PROGRAMMES IN FMHS
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FMHS Annual Report 2011
MBBS Programme
Department of Pre-Clinical Sciences
Department of Pre-clinical Sciences was established in May 2010 with
Professor SF Yap as the founding head. It is responsible for the teaching
and learning activities of basic medical sciences in the pre-clinical phase
for students from the MBBS, Chinese Medicine, Physiotherapy and Nursing programmes.
Currently there 12 lecturers in this department with both medical and non-medical back
ground. One part-time lecturer is currently engaged to assist us in teaching students in
the pre-clinical subjects.
The teaching-learning activities included lectures, Q&A sessions, case studies,
practicals and Problem-Based Learning (PBL), Task-Based Learning (TBL), and Clinico-
Pathological Correlation (CPC). The ratio of teachers to students recommended by the
MQA was strictly adhered to. The students were encouraged to learn the subjects with the
assistance of the lecturers in Self-Directed Learning (SDL). To make SDL easier, there is
on site a well-equipped library with many online books and journals and interactive
materials to aid the students in their self studies. We also promote e-learning via the
MOODLE platform. The Department has appointed an Industrial Advisor (Professor
Ainoon Othman) and an External Examiner (Professor Chan Li Chong) to provide advice
on the MBBS pre-clinical curriculum and examination.
Between the period 6 August to 19 September 2011, Year 2 MBBS students had
organised a community project, assisted by various lecturers of Pre-Clinical Sciences and
coordinated by Prof. Dr. Yap Sook Fan, Dr Leong Pooi Pooi, Ms. Chew Wai Fong and
Puan Masyita Binti Mamot. A health screening was conducted among the residents of Seri
Kembangan New Village, Selangor, in 4 weekends. The objective of this project was to
investigate the nutritional status of adults aged 21-60 years old in this population. A total
of 250 participants took part in this screening. Fasting blood of the participants were taken
for analysis of fasting glucose and lipids. Besides this, anthropometric (weight, height and
waist
circumference)
and blood
pressure
measurements
were also
recorded. After
the screening,
analysis of the
nutritional status
in this population
was done by the
Staff and students involved in community project, and stdents displaying the results of
their study as poster.
students. A health
promotion event was conducted a week after the last day of the health screening. During
30

FMHS Annual Report 2011
this event, a talk on prevention of cardiovascular disease and the reports of the overall
nutritional status of the community were presented. Free health consultation was given to
the participants by the students and lecturers. Besides providing healthcare promotion to
the community in Seri Kembangan, the participating students gained invaluable
experiences in organising a community project, and had the first opportunity for making
contact with potential patients. Furthermore, the project had indirectly promoted UTAR as
a not-for-profit tertiary private institution of higher learning, in particular, the Faculty of
Medicine and Health Sciences as a premier medical school.
Following that, the students spent 8 weeks in pathology laboratory postings. This is
unique for the medical faculty of UTAR, as no other medical schools in Malaysia has this
feature in their curriculum. The students initially had two weeks of introduction to
diagnostic pathology & laboratory medicine. They were then posted to the laboratories to
observe the actual labraotry practices. They were rotated to anatomical pathology
including cytopathology, haematology & blood transfusion, chemical pathology and
medical microbiology laboratories. The laboratories of Hospital Kuala Lumpur and Hospital
Ampang were utilised. Learning outcomes were spelt out and a log book for
documentation was designed for the occasion. We are grateful to the support given by
the MOH pathologists and laboratory scientists in facilitating the implementation of the
programme.
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FMHS Annual Report 2011
Department of Clinical Sciences
The Department of Clinical
Sciences was established in
May 2010 with Professor NY
Boo as the founding head. It is responsible
for the clinical input for the pre-clinical
phases of the medical & health sciences
programmes, and the teaching-learning
activities in the clinical phase for the MBBS
students. We are collaborating with Ampang
Hospital (181 beds), which is now our main training centre for the clinical phase. We are
also collaborating with other gazetted training centres in the neighbourhood which include
Hospital Kuala Lumpur (2302 beds) and
surrounding government community clinics.
The Department currently has eight (8)
clinical teachers of different specialties who are
highly experienced and many more are expected
to join in the future. At present, the teacher-tostudent
ratio is 1: 4, which is very good and in
accordance to the MMC/MQA guidelines.
In 2011, the Department was involved in
the teaching of basic clinical skills. Initially it was
conducted in our Clinical Skill Centre which
comprises the Clinical Skill Unit (CSU) and the
Simulation Ward. This was extended later to the wards in Hospital Ampang as 2 blocks of
elementary clinical postings, 6 weeks each. In addition to bedside teachings, we also
conducted other teaching-learning activities through case discussion, clinical pathological
conference, task-based learning and patients’ case write up. Our department works
closely with the teaching hospital to provide a conducive learning environment for the
students. To facilitate placement of students in Hospital Ampang, a clinical training centre
was established adjacent to Hospital Ampang, complete with a reception counter, 3
seminar rooms, 1 staff room, 1
computer laboratory and 1
student lounge.
32

FMHS Annual Report 2011
We believe in progressive improvement of
the Department by upgrading the curriculum
design, delivery and examination standards. To
achieve this, we sought advice from our industry
advisors. In 2011, our Adjunct Professor Dr.
Charlie Loke Yung Wai from the University of
Cambridge, UK, Dr. Oh Kim Soon, Consultant
Orthopaedic Surgeon, and Adjunct Profesor Dr
Wong Twee Juat, Senior Consultant Surgeon,
both from the Island Hospital, Penang, visited our Sungai Long campus and conducted
teaching-learning activities for the MBBS students and curriculum review with the
academic staff. We are glad that they had shared valuable information with us in
improving the quality of education provided by us. Professor Wong and Dr Oh have invited
our students to spend with them their clinical elective during year 4.
33

FMHS Annual Report 2011
Chinese Medicine Programme
I
n 2011, we enrolled a total of 32 students for the Chinese Medicine Programme,
19 of them are from the May intake, 9 are from the October intake and 4
students are reporting to us in January 2012. Currently our programme is
running smoothly and Professor Dr Li Yisheng, our visiting professor from Nanjing
University of Chinese Medicine, has completed his lecture of “Basics of TCM” for the first
batch of students.
Besides, 3 industry advisors were invited and gave talks to our May- and Oct-intake
students, sharing their industrial experiences, answering students’ queries and giving their
precious advices. We organised 2 talks and 2 speakers from relevant fields were invited
and spoke on TCM herbs and research. Three video seminars were also held and all got
very good responses.
Our students also participated in the PWTC TRACOMEX 2011 in November, which
was organised by the Traditional & Complementary Medicine Division, the Ministry of
Health, Malaysia. In August 2011, we established our Centre for Research in Traditional
Chinese Medicine (CRTCM) and the Centre
is led by our Head of Department, Prof. Dr.
Zhai Yachun. The centre will focus on
researches in TCM treatment of tropical
diseases, common diseases as well as local
herbs studies. So far, we have managed to
organise one outdoor local herbs research
activity, and succeeded in keeping contact
with the Forest Research Institute, Malaysia
(FRIM), for further cooperation. One paper
has been published under our current
research on Malaysian local herbs.
In October, Prof. Dr. Ngeow Yun
Fong donated numerous highly precious autographed books in TCM as well as
photographs of her father, the prominent Chinese Medicine Practitioner – Prof. Ngeow
Sze Chan. The donation is to promote the noble spirit of Prof. Ngeow Sze Chan in
championing Chinese Medicine in the country and region to facilitate the cultivation of
future generations of truly professional and responsible Chinese Medicine practitioners.
We also set up our Chinese Medicine Showroom with more
than 500 kinds of Chinese’s herbs in December. The
showroom becomes an important part of teaching component
for our Chinese Medicine Programme.
Besides, for the purpose of enhancing the clinical level
of Malaysian TCM practitioners, we are developing extended
learning programme for local TCM practitioners to enhance
their academic background. Apart from the 5-year full-time
Chinese Medicine degree programme, we started to enrol for
a 7-year part-time degree programme, as well as a 3-year
part-time or 2-years full-time diploma programme which are
34

FMHS Annual Report 2011
pending MQA approval. At the same time, we are moving forward to design our
postgraduate programmes.
We also managed to work with DPP colleagues to promote our TCM programme in
various channels like Education Fair, Open Day, public talks, seminars, radio interviews
and free consultation for which approximately 8,300 people were attended. In 2011, we
visited 37 secondary schools, giving 49 talks and lectures, and held 25 TCM programme
promotion talks, with a total of over 4600 students participating. We also gave talks on
health-related topics to secondary school teachers 24 times with a total of 761 teachers
attending. The Department also participated in “villager activities” 4 times, free
consultation 32 times and 1,319 people benefited from our involvement.
We also worked with CEE to hold 5 short-term TCM programme courses to the
public with good responses. In 2010 and 2011, we signed MOA with Nanjing University of
Chinese Medicine, MOU’s with Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine,
Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangxi Traditional Chinese Medical
University, Tung Shin hospital and Eu Yan Sang Enterprise, and we established good
relation with Forest Research Institute of Malaysia, University of Hong Kong, School of
Chinese Medicine. Our next step is to have further contact with Hospital Lam Wah Ee
(Penang), Tiong Hua Chinese hospital and MBA KL/Sel Branch Medical Welfare Centre.
Furthermore, UTAR TCM staff members participated in the 2011 National
Conference for Clinical Research organised by MOH, Malaysia, TCM seminars organised
by IMU and China-ASEAN Summit Forum on Traditional Medicine organised by MOH,
China. We are now moving forward to keep a close relationship with the three major TCM
societies in Malaysia for further cooperation, and organising to hold the 2012 International
Conference in Chinese Medicine in conjunction with UTAR 10 th anniversary celebration.
35

FMHS Annual Report 2011
Nursing Programme
UTAR’s Bachelor of Nursing (Hons) programme was established in a
constructive and quality nursing curriculum. In 2011, there were 6
academic members. Besides strengthening the
number of qualified academic staff members in
the programme, building up networking and
collaboration with relevant fields was pivotal to
promoting this programme.
In April, 2011, we paid a visit to Tung
Shin Hospital, Kuala Lumpur, for students’
clinical placement that the Nursing Board
Malaysia had approved. On 18 May 2011, our
Head of Programme and senior lecturer, Ms
Fong Ka Ling, was a presenter for Malaysia
International Medical Tourism 2011/TCM Expo
2011 on “Nurses’ Role in Medical Tourism”. On
4 July 2011, our guest of honour, the Minister of Health Dato' Sri Liow Tiong Lai, and other
senior officers from the Ministry of Health graced our faculty by signing a Memorandum of
Agreement (MoA) between the Ministry of Health and UTAR. The MoA allows UTAR to
use the facilties at the MOH approved government hospital and community clinics for the
purpose of teaching and training students pursuing the Nursing Programme. We are glad
that our students are given the opportunities to practise their nursing skills both at the
General Hospital Kuala Lumpur and Tung Shin
Hospital. We aimed to widen students’
understanding and appreciation of their future
working environment at both government and
private hospitals. We were also involved in
expanding our networking with the International
Medical University (IMU), Sime Darby Nursing and
Health Sciences College as well as School of
Nursing of Tun Tan Cheng Lock, Assunta Hospital,
by visitation. In these visits, we had exchanged our
knowledge and had introduced our programme to
their hosts.
We are grateful that Professor Dr. Beverly
Olivia O'Connell, Deakin University, Australia, had
accepted our invitation as our external examiner
(academic). Similarly, Ms Bernadette Pua Lay Hoon from Singapore, as our external
examiner (clinical). Besides, Ms Lee Pei Lee, Prince Court Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur,
36

FMHS Annual Report 2011
was appointed as our Industrial Advisor and she gave a lecture on “Use of Technology
and Nursing Practice” to the Faculty during her visit.
We launched and recruited our first intake of students in May 2011. The second
intake was held in October 2011. There was one student for each trimester. On 24 June
2011, the trimester 1 student initiated his first step in the medical milieu at Ampang
Hospital, Kuala Lumpur, for a visit accompanied by nursing academic staff members. On
17 October 2011, the student started his first clinical posting in the General Hospital,
Kuala Lumpur. We are proud to announce that our student received the expressed
gratitude from patients, during his clinical posting in the KL General Hospital.
Through our course, we aim to produce nurses who are caring and competent
professionals of Malaysia. Last but not least, we would like to thank our team members for
their efforts in initiating and nurturing the Nursing Programme in 2011.
37

FMHS Annual Report 2011
Physiotherapy Programme
It has been a wonderful year for the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences of
UTAR to have started the new programme of Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Hons)
in 2011.
In the May and October 2011 intakes, we had an amazing response from the
applicants. The first Physiotherapy class successfully recruited 12 students in May and
another 8 students in October, with a total intake of 20 students in 2011. It is in our plan to
admit only a total of 50 students per year to ensure high quality of teaching and learning
between students and lecturers as well as seeking excellence in content and enhancing
the inter-professional education. All
applicants were interviewed before
admission.
Our department continues to
evaluate the programme by regular
meetings and use of feedbacks from
lecturers, students, external examiners
and industry advisors to review the
curriculum. Our goal is to ensure that the
curriculum reflects ongoing changes in physiotherapy practice in Malaysia and worldwide,
and to constantly make sure that the curriculum remains suitable for student development
to maintain the quality and standard of our students. Our programme has obtained
provisional accreditation from the MQA in April 2011 and we also obtained approval from
MOH to use the facilities of 9 hospitals and 2 health clinics in Malaysia for clinical
attachment for the students. A MOA was signed with the MOH in July 2011.
As an undergraduate programme in the Faculty, we will
continue to work hard to develop our skills and advance our
programme. In our first year, we appointed Dr. Celia Tan from
Singapore as our Clinical External Examiner in Oct 2011 and
Ms Yew Su Fen as an Industry Advisor as well as Academic
External Examiner. We also appointed a Psychology Guest
Lecturer Mr Utharas Arumugam for the duration of the October
trimester to cover specialty subjects.
We had a 50% increase in staff in 2011 and the
academic staff members of our programme are highly qualified
with vast experience in various fields including local and foreign staffs. We hope that our
staff can continue to improve and to develop in the coming years to make the
Physiotherapy Programme of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences a success.
38

FMHS Annual Report 2011
We also have a well-equipped physiotherapy centre with state-of-the-art facilities.
We provide an efficient academic advising system to make sure that students’ problems
are heard and attended to promptly, and also to offer suggestions for academic and
personal development to the students. In September 2011, the first examination was
conducted without any hassle and the students achieved a 100% passing rate. In fact, one
of the students was recommended to be in the President’s list by achieving a very good
result.
39

FMHS Annual Report 2011
RESEARCH LABORATORIES AND CENTRES, FMHS
R
esearch activities in FMHS in 2011 were under the supervision and
management of the following committees, research centres and programme:
Committee
Faculty Research & Development and Postgraduate
Committee (FRDPC)
Research Laboratories Management Committee (RLMC)
Postgraduate Programmes (MMedSc / PhD)
Centre for Cancer Research (CCR)
Centre for Stem Cell Research (CSCR)
Centre for Research in Traditional Chinese Medicine
(CRTCM)
Chairperson
Prof. Dr. Yap Sook Fan
Prof. Dr. Choo Kong Bung
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Alan Ong
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lim Yang Mooi
Prof. Dr. Choo Kong Bung
Prof. Dr. Zhai Yachun
Research Laboratories, FMHS
In 2011, the Research Laboratories of FMHS have continued to grow to fulfil the
mission, vision and goals of UTAR as an excellent laboratory engaged in researches in
translational medicine in cancer, stem cells and in molecular and cellular biology of
diseases.
The Research Laboratories, situated on the first floor of the UTAR Sungai Long
campus building, now consist of 22 rooms including three major General Laboratories and
rooms for cell culture, instruments, cleaning and sterilization and stock storage. The
instruments rooms are equipped with high-end advance instruments for flow cytometry,
fluorescence microscopy, real-time PCR, high-performance liquid chromatography, highspeed
centrifugation and 2D gel electrophoresis. There are three general laboratories and
40

FMHS Annual Report 2011
four tissue culture laboratories well equipped with instruments needed for research. A
seminar room is strategically located in the Research Laboratories for use for the monthly
Faculty Forum, for research presentation, laboratory meeting, instruments training and as
a general discussion room. There is an isolated chemical-waste storage room on the
ground floor at the edge of UTAR building for storing waste chemicals before being
disposed by licensed vendor. A well-organised stock room ensures supplies of glassware,
labware and basic consumables for the research and teaching laboratories. Besides that,
an Animal Holding Facility is in the final stages of preparation for operation in FMHS for
animal research.
The Research Laboratories and the Animal Holding Facilities are managed by the
Research Laboratories Management Committee (RLMC) of the faculty, chaired by Prof.
Dr. Choo Kong Bung in 2011. Three Assistant Laboratory Managers (formerly called
Science Officers), Mr. Wong Teck Yew (Chief Lab Manager), Mr. Lee Han Chung and Ms
Lim Ying Ni, were responsible for daily management of the Research Laboratories and
Animal Holding Facilities. RLMC met regularly and reported to the Faculty Management
Committee. The Assistant Lab Managers also contributed their services to the teaching of
undergraduate practical classes.
In 2011, there were 13 masters/PhD students and research assistants, three
assistant laboratory managers, 5 external
researchers pursuing their post-graduate research
and a postdoctoral fellow in the FMHS Research
Laboratories. The ongoing research projects were
funded by UTARRF, FRGS and other external
grants.
All new laboratory personnel were required to
attend an induction course to familiarise
themselves with essential rules and regulation of
many aspects in the laboratories such as personal
behaviour, health and safety, security, use of
instruments, chemical storage and waste disposal. A booklet on Essential Code of
41

FMHS Annual Report 2011
Conduct in the Research Laboratories was prepared for circulation to all laboratory
personnel. In 2011, numerous seminars focussing on proper use and maintenance of the
major equipment were conducted as shown in the table below.
Training on use of equipment conducted by RLMC in 2011
No Equipment Date Trainer
1 Phase Contrast Microscope 6 Sept, 2011 Nikon
2 Fluorescent Microscope 20 Sept, 2011 Nikon
3 Tissue Processor, Embedding, Microtome 28 Sept, 2011 Kinematic Resources
4 Semi Dry Blotter 3 Oct, 2011 Lisa Tho (M.Sc. student)
5 Nanophotometer 6 Oct, 2011 Nano Life Quest
6 Imaging System 7 Oct, 2011 Kinematic Resources
7 PCR 14 Oct, 2011 Mok Shao Feng
(M.Sc. student)
8 Highspeed Refrigerated Centrifuge 17 Oct, 2011 Straits Scientific
9 Freeze Dryer 20 Oct, 2011 Analytical Scientific
10 Rotary Evaporator and Multivapor 14 & 20 Oct, Chemopharm
2011
11 VIS Spectrophotometer 14 Nov, 2011 CNG Instruments
12 Water Purification Training 15 Nov, 2011 Merck Millipore
13 Real-Time PCR 17 Nov, 2011 Research Biolabs
14 Liquid Nitrogen System 21 Nov, 2011 LabIVF
15 Refrigerated Microcentrifuge 25 Nov, 2011 Thermoscientific
16 Flow Cytometer 29-30 Nov, 1 Biomarketing
Dec, 2011
17 UV Crosslinker 13 Dec, 2011 Research Instruments
42

FMHS Annual Report 2011
Centre for Stem Cell Research (CSCR)
UTAR Centre for Stem Cell Research, or CSCR in short, was established on 1st
May 2011, and Professor Dr. Choo Kong Bung was appointed the founding chairperson of
the Centre. The CSCR secretariat is presently located in the Faculty of Medicine and
Health Sciences (FMHS). The Centre aims to promote multi-disciplinary stem cell
research activities leading to the advancement of knowledge on the mechanisms of
cellular reprogramming and stem cell differentiation leading to the translation of basic
research findings into clinical benefits and improvement in the quality of healthcare in
Malaysia. The Centre also collaborates with the community, industry and the government
to provide innovative solutions and to facilitate knowledge transfer.
Key Areas of Research: a five-year plan (2011-2015)
The Centre for Stem Cell Research has identified the following key target areas to
focus on:
1. Development of core facilities and technological platforms for stem cell research,
including generation of iPS cell lines from selected cell types, DNA methylation and
microRNA analysis in stem cells.
2. Development of disease models focussing on cancers
3. Development of clinical applications of MSCs isolated from umbilical cord and cord
blood (in collaboration with CryoCord Sdn Bhd)
4. Development of strategies for cell therapy of diseases (in collaboration with
Cytopeutics Sdn Bhd)
5. Development of aesthetic medicine focussing on hair regeneration
Biweekly journal club meeting
Since most members were new to the field of stem cell research, it was important
that we became aware of recent advances in stem cell research. To achieve this goal,
CSCR organised seminars and biweekly journal club meetings to study and discuss
recent literature in stem cell research. In 2011, the following stem cell research seminars
and journal club meetings were held in the seminar room of the Research Laboratories,
Sg Long campus:
43

FMHS Annual Report 2011
CSCR Research Seminar and Journal Club Meeting 2011/2012
No Date Presenter Title
1 3 June 2011
Prof Choo Kong
Bung
June 2011
MicroRNA-regulated expression of gene
expression in cancer and stem cells
2 1 July 2011
Ms Erica Choong
Prof Choo Kong
Bung
July 2011
Generation of induced pluripotent stem (iPS)
cells by transfection of the Yamanaka factors:
technical considerations and recent successes
DNA methylation in cancer and stem cells
3 15 July 2011 Ms Tan Yuen Fen
Nanoparticles for ex vivo siRNA delivery to
dendritic cells for cancer vaccines:
Programmed endosomal escape and
dissociation.[J. Controlled Release (2011)
149, 58-64]
5 5 Aug 2011 Dr. Goh Lai Kuan
August 2011
Integrin activation and internalization on soft
ECM as a mechanism of induction of stem cell
differentiation by ECM elasticity. [Proc Natl
Acad Sci USA (2011) 108, 9466-9471]
6 19 Aug 2011
Ms Amanda Teoh
Ms Chiew Men Yee
Mir-302 reprograms human skin cancer cells
into a pluripotent ES-cell-like state. [RNA
(2008) 14, 2115-2124]
A nonviral minicircle vector for deriving human
iPS cells. [Nat Methods (2010) 7, 197–199]
2 Sep 2011
16 Sep 2011
September 2011
No CSCR activities
8 7 Oct 2011 Ms Soon Yuen Loon
October 2011
miR-378* mediates metabolic shift in breast
cancer cells via the PGC-1β/ERRγ
transcriptional pathway. [Cell Metabolism
(2010) 12, 352-361]
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FMHS Annual Report 2011
9 21 Oct 2011 Mr Lim Sheng Jye
Hair morphogenesis in vitro: formation of hair
structures suitable for implantation. [Regen.
Med. (2008) 3, 683-692]
10 4 Nov 2011 Ms Rachel Mok
November 2011
Hair growth stimulated by conditioned medium
of adipose-derived stem cells is enhanced by
hypoxia: evidence of increased growth factor
secretion. [Biomed Res. (2010) 31, 27-34]
11 18 Nov 2011 Ms Liew Lee Chuen
Engineered cell homing. [Blood. 2011 Oct 27.
(Epub ahead of print)]
13
16 Dec 2011
Mr Kaliswaran
14 Mr Mok Shao Feng
December 2011
Increase in circulating
Foxp3+CD4+CD25(high) regulatory T cells in
nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients. [Br J
Cancer (2007) 96, 617-22]
Global diversity in the human salivary
microbiome. [Genome Res. (2009) 19.
636-43]
45

FMHS Annual Report 2011
Centre for Cancer Research (CCR)
Centre for Cancer Research (CCR) was established on 4 th May 2011 at Faculty of
Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman. Associate Professor Dr.
Lim Yang Mooi was appointed as the founding chairperson. CCR is established with the
aim to provide a strong scientific foundation and environment for inter-disciplinary
research in cancer. With state-of-the-art facilities and equipments to cater for advanced
and frontier research, CCR will be a major cancer research hub in Malaysia to attract and
recruit talented local and foreign scientists, and to spur international collaboration for
cancer research.
The are five key areas of research, these include (i) Creation and applications of
cancer models, (ii) Development of molecular strategies for early diagnosis and prognosis
of cancers, (iii) Molecular and cellular biology of cancer cells, (iv) Identification and
application of anti-cancer phytochemicals from herbal plants and (v) Cancer
immunotherapy. In total, there were 10 projects funded by UTAR-Research Fund and
external MOHE-FRGS grants in 2011 as listed in Table 1. These research works were in
collaboration with University and Government agencies such as Universiti Putra Malaysia,
Universiti Malaya, Institute of Medical Reseach (IMR), PPUKM-MAKNA Cancer Centre,
International Medical University, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Monash University,
Nottingham University. In addition, collaboration was also conducted with overseas
universities and research institutions such as Toledo University (USA), Health Protection
Agency (UK), Scheffield-Hallam University (UK), Harvard Medical School (USA), Genome
Institute of Singapore and Hong Kong University (SAR China).
In 2011, members of CCR published 8 international peer-reviewed papers, attended
7 national and international conferences and 16 seminars and talks, and contributed in
one book chapter.
46

FMHS Annual Report 2011
Centre for Research in Traditional Chinese Medicine (CRTCM)
Realising the popularity of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the Centre for
Research in Traditional Chinese Medicine (CRTCM) was established by the Department
of Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UTAR, in August, 2011.
The first chairperson of CRTCM is Prof. Dr Zhai Yachun, assisted by lecturer, Mr. Te Kian
Keong. The Centre is presently composed of 8 members, including two professors and
one associate professor, five scholars with a Ph.D. degree and a Ph.D. candidate. On
establishment of the Centre, members and students of the TCM department were invited
by the Traditional & Complementary Medicine Division, the Ministry of Health, Malaysia to
attend the 2011 Traditional & Complementary Medicine Exhibition (TRACOMEX). The
locally renowned TCM practitioner, Mr. Kamal Kuek Bin Abdullah, and CEO of
www.hewo.com, Ms Ten Li Chin, were invited to speak on research and development of
TCM in Malaysia.
CRTCM aims to initiate research activities focusing on the following key target areas:
1. Research on the Fundamental Principles of TCM
a. Comparative studies of education systems of TCM in Malaysia and abroad
b. Studies of the philosophical core of TCM
c. Studies of teaching methodology in TCM
d. Comparative studies between the physiological basis of the concepts of Indian
Swara yoga and Chinese Yin-Yang
2. Clinical Research
a. Clinical research on intervention of TCM in common tropical diseases (In
cooperation with relevant professional bodies)
b. Database for local medicinal plants
c. Intervention by TCM in evaluating the quality of life in patients with malignant
tumours
3. Experimental-based Research
a. Efficacy of TCM therapy of “Strengthening Healthy Qi and Expelling Evil Sin
(SHQEES)” in the treatment of prostate cancer.
b. Regulatory mechanism of Chinese medicinal herbs in the healing of chronic skin
ulcers
c. Multi-target effects of Chinese herbs on tumour cells in medical treatment of
cancers
On the establishment of the Centre, one of our members successfully obtained a
UTAR research grant on the topic “A comparative study of Chinese herbs originated in
China and found in Malaysian forests”. With the financial support of the grant, lecturers
and students were able to conduct a survey of local herbal environ in the forests.
47

FMHS Annual Report 2011
FMHS Research Projects in 2011
CSCR Research Projects
No. Title Researchers Funding
1 A pilot study on comparative
epigenetic profiling study of human
induced pluripotent (iPS) and
embryonic stem (ES) cells.
2 Development and characterisation
of prostate cancer cell-derived
induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)
for disease modelling and cancer
therapy.
3 Development and characterisation
of glucose-6-phosphate
dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiencyderived
induced pluripotent stem
cell (iPSC).
4 In vitro hair follicle cloning using
induced pluripotent stem cells
derived from hair follicle
keratinocytes of plucked human
hair.
5 In vitro cloning of hair follicles from
dissociated trichogenic cells.
6 A Preliminary study on the effect of
edible bird nest on the neuron stem
cells.
7 3D culture and expansion of human
mesenchymal stem cells with novel
microcarriers.
8 Mesenchymal Stem Cell – Biology
& Application.
Prof. Dr. Choo Kong Bung
(PI)
Prof. Dr. Cheong Soon
Keng
Prof. Shih-Hwa Chiou
(Taiwan)
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Alan Ong
Han Kiat (PI)
Emeritus Prof. Cheong
Soon Keng
Assist. Prof. Dr. Leong
Pooi Pooi (PI)
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gan Seng
Chiew (PI)
Specialist Dr. Tan Kian Lee
(PI)
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lim Yang
Mooi (PI)
Emeritus Prof. Cheong
Soon Keng
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lim Yang
Mooi (PI)
Emeritus Prof. Cheong
Soon Keng
Dr. Caroline Jee
(Nottingham University)
Prof. Dr. Cheong Soon
Keng (PI)
48
UTARRF
UTARRF
UTARRF
UTARRF
UTARRF
UTARRF
UTARRF
Scientex
Foundation

FMHS Annual Report 2011
CCR Research Projects
No. Title Researchers Funding
1. Molecular analysis of
microbial communities
associated with precancerous
and cancerous lesions of the
oral cavity
2. Analysis of epigenetic
dysregulation of the model
SPOP gene in human
cancers
3. Molecular Investigation of
Traditional Chinese Medicine
on a selected cancerous cell
via 2D-gel electrophoresis
4. Evaluation of maslinic acid in
inducing phase II
detoxifying/anti-oxidant
enzymes via activation of
nuclear factor erythroid-2
related factor (Nrf2) signaling
pathway in HepG2 cells
5. 2-methoxy-1, 4
Naphthoquinone (MNQ) in
regulating Protein Kinase C
and its downstream signaling
pathway
6. Gene Expression Study On
Tumour-Derived Inducible
Regulatory T cells
7. Investigation of HPV-induced
susceptibility to
chemotherapeutic agents
using the cervical cell system
model
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Alan Ong Han
Kiat (PI)
Senior Prof. Dr. Yap Sook Fan
Prof. Choo Kong Bung (PI)
Senior Prof. Yap Sook Fan
Assoc. Prof. Huang Chiu-Jung
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lim Yang Mooi
(PI)
Emeritus Prof. Dr. Geoffrey Alan
Cordell
Assoc. Prof. Dr.Lim Yang Mooi
(PI)
Dr. Anthony Ho Siong Hock
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gan Seng
Chiew (PI)
Assoc. Professor. Dr. Lim Yang
Mooi
Dr. Anthony Ho Siong Hock
Asst. Prof. Dr. Leong Pooi Pooi
(PI)
Senior Prof. Dr. Yap Sook Fan
(PI)
Asst. Prof. Dr. Leong Pooi Pooi
Prof. Dr. Choo Kong Bung
Dr. Kenneth Raj
Prof. Dr. Ngeow Yun Fong
UTARRF
UTARRF
UTARRF
FRGS
FRGS
UTARRF
UTARRF
8. Targeted Screening of Bio- Senior Prof. Dr. Yap Sook Fan UTARRF
49

FMHS Annual Report 2011
Active Compounds using a
Multi-Purpose Cell-Based
System
9. Cell-Based Gene Therapy for
Cancer Treatment
10. A Phase II study with
intratumoral injection of
autologous immature dendritic
cells & activated T-cell
infusion combined with
radiotherapy for the treatment
of refractory / relapsed diffuse
large B-cell lymphoma .
11. Identification of unique gene
signatures in
myeloproliferative neoplasms
using RNA microaarays ans
interference studies:
Association with clinical
outcomes and JAK2 V617F
mutational status
12. Mesenchymal stromal cells as
cellular vehicles for vectorbased
siRNA gene
sequencing in multiple
myleoma
13. Growth Inhibitory and
Apoptosis Signaling Pathways
Studies of Potential Xanthone
Derivatives Towards HeLa
Cancer Cell Line
(PI)
Asst. Prof. Dr. Leong Pooi Pooi
Dr. Kenneth Raj
Prof. Ngeow Yun Fong
Prof. Chung LY
Dr. Kiew LV
Prof Dr Cheong Soon Keng (PI)
Prof Dr S Fadilah Abdul Wahid
(UKM)
Assoc Prof Dr Leong Chooi Fun
(UKM)
Prof Dr Ammu Radhakrishnan
(IMU)
Prof Dr S Fadilah Abdul Wahid (PI,
UKM)
Prof Dr Cheong Soon Keng
Clinical Assoc Professor Dato’ Dr
Fuad Ismail (UKM)
Assoc Prof Dr Leong Chooi Fun
(UKM)
Dr Rozman Zakaria (UKM)
Dr Nor Rafeah Tumian (UKM)
Assoc Prof Dr Wong Chieh Lee
(PI, UKM)
Prof Dr Cheong Soon Keng
Assoc Prof Dr Roslan Harun
(UKM)
Professor Dr Mike Laffan (Imperial
College of London)
Assoc Prof Dr Leong Chooi Fun
(UKM),
Dr Jameela Sathar (MOH)
Professor Dr Gan Gin Gin (UMMC)
Assoc Prof Dr Leong Chooi Fun
(PI, UKM)
Prof. Dr Cheong Soon Keng
Ms Teoh Hoon Koon (MAKNA
Research Institute)
Dr. Lim Chang Kiang (PI)
Dr Lim Yang Mooi
TopDown
National
Cancer
Council
(MAKNA)
HITV Sdn Bhd
ERGS, MOHE
MAKNA
Cancer
Research
Award,
Academy of
Sciences of
Malaysia
UTARRF
14. Elucidating the Mechanisms Dr. Anthony Ho SH (PI,Taylors’ FRGS
50

FMHS Annual Report 2011
of Action of 2-methoxy-1,4-
naphthoquinone (MNQ) in
Mediating Cell Cycle Arrest,
Apoptosis and Antimetastasis
in Human Cancer
Cell Lines
University)
Dr Lim Yang Mooi
CRTCM Research Projects
No. Title Researchers Funding
1 A Comparative Study of Prof. Dr Zhai Yachun (PI) UTARRF
Chinese Herbs Originated in
China and Found in Malaysia
Rainforest
Ms Tham Hui Saan,Mr Te Kian
Keong, Ms Susuana Kwek, Dr
Tiong Ching Yu, Dr Yang Zao
Other Research Projects
No
.
Title Researchers Funding
1. Molecular Epidemiology of
Tuberculosis in Malaysia and
M tuberculosis Genotypes
form SE Asia
2. Whole Genome Sequence
Analysis of HBV for Mutations
in Hepatitis B associated Liver
Cirrhosis
3. Systems Analysis of Adiposity
in Obesity
Prof Ngeow YF (PI, UM)
Senior Prof. Dr. Yap Sook Fan
Dr Wah-Wah (DMR – Yangon)
Prof Ngeow YF (PI, UM)
Senior Prof. Dr. Yap Sook Fan
Chook JB (UM), Prof R Mohamad
(UM)
Prof Ngeow YF (PI, UM)
Senior Prof. Dr. Yap Sook Fan
Prof KV Chin (Univ Toledo, USA),
Dr LV Kiew (UM), Dr Raja Elina
(UM)
University
Malaya HIR
Grant
University
Malaya
Research
Grant
University
Malaya HIR
Grant
(UM.C/625/1/
HIR/003/2)
4. Prevalence of Vitamin D
Deficiency and its Association
with Metabolic Syndrome
amongst the Malay
Overweight/Obese
Adolescents in Klang Valley
Ms. Chew Wai Fong (PI)
Senior Prof Dr Boo Nem Yun
Asst. Prof. Dr Leong Pooi Pooi
Dr Goh Yann Ling
Ms Fong Ka Ling
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Winnie Chee
5. The Effect of Standardised Dr. Gan Seng Chiew NIH
51
UTARRF

FMHS Annual Report 2011
Extracts from Local Plants
[Nephelium lappaceum rind
(rambutan) and Syzygium
aquem leaves (Jambu merah)]
on Arthritis in Animal Model.
6. Effect of an Agro-based
Carbohydrate-protein
Combined Supplementation
on Exercise Performance in
Hot Environment.
7. Effect of Sago-soy
Supplementation on
Endurance Performance in
The Heat.
8. The Effects of Exerciseinduced
Dehydration on
Psychomotor
and
Physiological Variables in
Relaxation-trained Army
Reserved Personnels during
Prolonged Walking in the
Heat.
Uma Palanisamy
Ammu K. Radhakrishnan
Dr. Asok Kumar Ghosh (PI)
Dr. C.K. Chen (USM)
Dr. Asok Kumar Ghosh (PI)
Dr. C.K. Chen (USM)
Dr. Hairul Anwar Hasim (PI, USM)
Dr. Asok Kumar Ghosh
FRGS
eScienceFund
Research
University
Grant, USM
52

FMHS Annual Report 2011
ACADEMIC PERFORMANCES OF STAFF
CONFERENCE PRESENTATION (ORAL/POSTER)
Cheong SK. Stem cell therapy and the use of mesenchymal stem cell. 2 nd Annual Health
Conference 2011, 25-26 February 2011. Kuala Lumpur
Cheong SK. Immunocompromised host and infection control in BMT wards. 9 th APSIC
Basic Training Course in Infection Control, 11-22 April 2011, Kuala Lumpur
Cheong SK. Non-haemopoieic Stem Cell Transplantation – Are we ready for prime time?
The IXth Malaysian National Haematology Scientific Meeting, 29 th Aril – 1 st May 2011,
Kuching, Sarawak.
Mok PL, Cheong SK, Leong CF, Chua KH, Ainoon O. Delivery of erythropoietin in a
murine model by neucleofected human adult marrow stromal cells using MIDGE vector.
The IXth Malaysian National Haematology Scientific Meeting, 29 th Aril – 1 st May 2011,
Kuching, Sarawak. [Won Best Post Award – First Prize]
Teoh HK, Azizi JF, Chong PP, Maha A, Zambeli S, Leong CF,Cheong SK. Suppression
of interleukin-6 in human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells adenovirusbased
short hairpin RNA. The IXth Malaysian National Haematology Scientific Meeting,
29 th Aril – 1 st May 2011, Kuching, Sarawak. [Won Best Poster Award – 2 nd Prize]
Wong RSY, Chin SP, Wong CY, Tengku Azmi, Cheong SK. Comparing insulin release
by insulin-producing cells generated from human diabetic & non-diabetic bone-marrow
derived mesenchymal stem cells in vitro. Asian Congress on Biotechnology, 11-15 May
2011, Shanghai,China. [Won Best Oral Presentation Award]
Cheong SK. Preparing manuscript and coping with rejection. Scientific Writing Workshop.
23-24 June 2011. Kota Bharu, Kelantan
Cheong SK. Update on mesenchymal stem cell for cancer management. Translational
Science Seminar, 12-13 December 2011, Penang.
Boo Nem Yun. Respiratory support to reduce lung injuries: continuous positive airway
pressure. Invited Speaker at: 18 th Annual Congress of the Perinatal Society of Malaysia;
2011; Malaysia.
Boo Nem Yun. A case of double complications (pleural and pericardial effusion) occurring
from one umbilical venous catheterisatin. Poster at: 18 th Annual Congress of the Perinatal
Society of Malaysia; 2011 March 17-20; Malaysia.
53

FMHS Annual Report 2011
Boo Nem Yun. Necrotisingenterocolitis post screening for retinopathy of prematurity: a
reminder. Poster at: 18 th Annual Congress of the Perinatal Society of Malaysia; 2011
March 17-20; Malaysia.
Boo Nem Yun. Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the newborn: an update on
management. Invited Speaker at: 14 th AseanPaediatric Congress and the 3 rd Asian
Paediatric Otolaryngology meeting Singapore Paediatric Association and the College of
Paediatrics and Child Health. 2011 April 14 -17; Singapore.
Boo Nem Yun. Ventilating the premature lungs: Current practice and outcomes. Invited
Speaker at: 33 rd Annual Congress of the Malaysian Paediatric Association; 2011 31 May
to 3 June; Malaysia.
Boo Nem Yun. Role of Simulation in Paediatrics. Invited Speaker at: 1 st
Simulation User Network, Laerdal; 2011 September 29-30: Malaysia.
ASEAN
Boo Nem Yun. Quality Improvement in Infection Control in the NICU. Invited Speaker at:
5 th Safe Motherhood Congress MAMANEH 2000; 2011 December 2-4; Malaysia.
Boo Nem Yun. Optimal facilities for resuscitation and care of newborns in the labour
rooms. Invited Speaker at: 5th Safe Motherhood Congress MAMANEH 2000; 2011
December 2-4; Malaysia.
Chook JB, Ngeow YF, Tan TC, Yap Sook Fan, Mohamed R. Better prediction of the
development of liver cirrhosis in chronic hepatitis B infection using both HBV genetic and
serum iron biomarkers. Paper presented at: 46th Malaysian Society of Parasitology and
Tropical Medicine (MSPTM) Annual Scientific Conference, Malaysian Society of
Parasitology and Tropical Medicine; 2011 March; Malaysia.
Chook JB, Ngeow YF, , Yap Sook Fan, Tan TC, Mohamed R. Novel combination
biomarker in Hepatitis B-related cirrhosis. Paper presented at. The 21st Conference of
the Asian Pacific Association for the Study of Liver (APASL); 2011; Bangkok, Thailand.
Rosmawati M, Chook JB, , Yap Sook Fan, Tan TC, Ngeow YF. Hepatitis B Precore Wild-
Type together with Serum Ferritin for the Better Prediction of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.
Paper presented at: BIT 2nd Annual Congress of Biomarkers; 2011 November 7-9;
Beijing, China.
Zhai Yachun.
Forum on Traditional Medicine
China.
来 马 马 马 马 来 来 来 来 Invited speaker at: 2011 China – ASEAN Summit
2011 December 8-9; Nanning, 盟
Zhai Yachun.
Forum; 2011 November 26; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
冬
. Invited speaker at: The 5 th Global Bio-Herbs Economic 经
54
.
Choo Kong Bung. MicroRNA regulation of gene expression
马
in cancer cells. Invited
speaker at: 36th annual conference of the Malaysian society for biochemistry & molecular
biology; 2011 July 27; Malaysia.
经 冬 来 冬 冬 冬
- ; 盟 东 东 马 东 来 中

FMHS Annual Report 2011
Choo Kong Bung. DNA methylation &hydroxymethylation in cancer and stem cells.
Research Centre lecture. Centre for Stem Cell Research Seminar. 1 July, 2011. Centre for
Stem Cell Research, UTAR.
Choo Kong Bung. Epigenetic Regulation of Gene Expression. Faculty seminar. 27 April,
2011. FMHS.
Alan Ong Han Kiat. Partial Sequence Analysis of Cytochrome C Oxidase I (CO1) Gene
of Mitochondrial DNA in Hirudinaria species. Poster at: 36th Annual Conference of the
Malaysia Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; 2011 July 27-29, Malaysia.
Alan Ong Han Kiat. Genetic Variation of Hirudinaria Species Using Inter Simple
Sequence Repeat (ISSR) Technique: Paper presented at: 36th Annual Conference of the
Malaysia Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; 2011 July 27-29; Malaysia.
Lim Yang Mooi. An evaluation on the effects of 2-methoxy-1,4- Napthoquinone (MNQ)
towards the invasion and migration of human metastatic breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB-
231. Poster at: 36 th Annual Conference of the Malaysian Society for Biochemistry &
Molecular Biology. 2011 July 27-28; Malaysia.
Lim Yang Mooi. 2-methoxy-1,4- Napthoquinone (MNQ) cytotoxicity on non-small lung
carcinoma (NSCLC) cell line A549. Poster at: 37 th Annual Conference of the Malaysian
Society for Biochemistry & Molecular Biology; 2011 July 27-28; Malaysia.
Lim Yang Mooi. Investigation of Cell Cycle Disrupting Activity in Malaysian Plant
Extracts. Poster at: The 5th Regional Conference of APOCP: Towards “Cancer Prevention
for All’ in the Asia-Pacific Region, Asia Pacific Organization for Cancer Prevention; 2011
Nov 2-3; Malaysia.
Lim Yang Mooi. Maslinic Acid Induces HO-1 and NQO1 Expression in HepG2 Cells.
Poster at. The 5th Regional Conference of APOCP: Towards “Cancer Prevention for All’ in
the Asia-Pacific Region, Asia Pacific Organization for Cancer Prevention; 2011 Nov 2-3;
Malaysia.
Lim Yang Mooi. Chemopreventive Phytochemicals in Regulating Cell Signaling
Pathways. Presented at: The 2 nd NRCT-IFS Workshop; 2011 March 15; Bangkok,
Thailand.
Lim Yang Mooi. Herbal Medicine: The Answer to Cancer. invited speaker at: Hewo
Health Seminar, Hewo Health Seminar, Masterskills University College of Health
Sciences; 2011 May 11; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Lim Yang Mooi. Herbal Medicine: The Answer to Cancer. Invited speaker at: Herbal
Medicine: The Answer to Cancer. Hewo Health Seminar, SEGi College Seri Kembangan;
2011 May 26, Malaysia.
Chandrashekhar T.Sreeramareddy. Medical students’ choice of subject for
specialization and factors determining their choice: a cross-sectional, questionnaire
survey in Melaka-Manipal Medical College, Malaysia. Oral presentation at: 6th Asia-
Pacific Action Alliance on Human Resources for Health Conference. 2011 Nov 9-11,
Phillipines.
55

FMHS Annual Report 2011
E Zunaina, K Bashkaran, S Siti-Amrah, KNS Sirajudeen, N Venkatesh. Anti-inflammatory
and antioxidant effects of Tualang honey in alkali injury on the eyes of rabbits. Paper
presented at Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology Congress, Sydney, Australia, 20 –
24 March 2011.
Masyita Mamot, Karen Roome, Norlaila Mustaffa The weight loss practice, perceived
body image and healthy eating beliefs among Malay adults with Diabetes Mellitus Type II
(DM II). Poster at: (a) 2nd National Health Promotion Conference: Bridging the Gap,
Malaysia Health Education Organisation; Octoebr 2011, Malaysia; (b) AYRCX 3 –
AKEPT’S First Annual Young researchers International Conference & exhibition, 19-20
December 2011, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
[Won Best Research Paper Award]
56

FMHS Annual Report 2011
PUBLICATIONS
Wong SW, Tiong KH, Kong WY, Yue YC, Chua CH, Lim JY, Lee CY, Quah SI, Fow C,
Chung C, So I, Tan BS, Choo HL, Rosli R, Cheong SK, Leong CO. Rapamycin
synergizes cisplastin sensitivity in basal-like breast cancer cells through up-regulation of
p73. Breast Cancer Res Treat, 2011; 128(2): 301-13.
Leong PP, Rohaizak M, Naqiyah I, Cheong SK, Seow HF. HLA-A and breast cancer in
West Malaysia. Med Oncol, 2011; 28(1): 51-6.
Chin SP, Poey AC, Wong CY, Chang SK, Tan CS, Ng MT, Chew KH, Lam KH, Cheong
SK. Intramyocardial and intracoronary autologous bone marrow-derived mesenchymal
stromal cell treatment in chronic sever dilated cardiomyopathy. Cytotherapy, 2011;
13:814-21.
Lian QZ, Wong CY, Cheong SK, et al. Improved cell survival and paracrine capacity of
human embryonic stem cells-derived mesenchymal stem cells promote therapeutic
potential for pulmonary arterial hypertension. Cell Transplantation: The Regenerative
Medicine Journal (Accepted September 2011)
Kiew, L.V., Cheong, S.K., Ramli,E., Sidik, K., Lim, T.M., Chung, L.Y. Efficacy of a poly-lglutamic
acid-gemcitabine conjugate in tumor-bearing mice. Drug Development Research
(Accepted October 2011)
Mok PL, Cheong SK, Leong CF, Chua KH, Ainoon O. Extended and Stable Gene
Expression via Nucleofection of MIDGE Construct Into Adult Human Marrow
Mesenchymal Stromal Cells. Cytotechnology (Accepted November 2011)
Boo NY, Cheah IG-S. For Malaysian National Neonatal Registry. Risk factors associated
with pneumothorax in Malaysian neonatal intensive care units. Journal of Paediatrics and
Child Health 2011; 47 (4): 183-190.
Rohana J, Wan Khairina WN, Boo NY, Shareena I. Reducing hypothermia in preterm
infants with polyethylene wrap. Pediatric International 2011; 53: 468-474.
Rohana J, Boo NY,Chandran V, Sarvananthan R. Neurodevelopmental outcome of
newborns with persistent pulmonary hypertension. Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences
2011; 18: 57-61.
Boo NY, Gan C.Y, Gian Y.W, Lim K.S.L, Lim M.W, H Krishna-Kumar. Malaysian mothers’
knowledge and practices on care of neonatal jaundice. Medical Journal of Malaysia 2011;
66:239-243.
57

FMHS Annual Report 2011
Chook JB, Ngeow YF, Yap SF, Tan TC, Mohamad R. Combined use of wild-type HBV
precore and high serum iron marker as a potential tool for the prediction of liver cirrhosis
in chronic hepatitis B infection. J Med Virol, 2011; 83: 594-601.
Zhai Yachun. 来
. 2011; 12(1): 42. 社 来 社 )
社 ( 药 马
Choo KB, Hsu MC, Tsai YH, Lin WY, Huang CJ. Nuclear factor kappa B and tumor
necrosis factor-alpha modulation of transcription of the mouse testis- and pre-implantation
development-specific Rnf33⁄Trim60 gene. FEBS J 2011; 278:837–50.
来 来 来 来 来 来 马 马 马 马 南 来 来 来 来
Choo KB. Epigenetics in disease and cancer (review). Mal J Path 2011; 33: 61-70.
Mohamad I, Abdullah B, Idris Z, Naik VR, Bhavaraju VMK. A parapharyngeal meningioma
presenting as a neck mass and multiple cranial nerve palsies. Ceylon Medical Journal
2011; 56:73-74.
Abd-Rashid R, Hussein A, Yunus R, Naik VR, Shatriah I. Recurrent bilateral orbital
myositis: case report and review of the literature. Ann Tropical Paediatric 2011; 31:173-80.
Nizam ZM, Gurjeet K, Radzi AHM, Harjinder S, Venkatesh RN, Ravindran A. Germline
mutation and epimutation analysis of human mismatch repair genes, MLH1 and MSH2 in
Malaysia Lynch syndrome patients (abstract). HUGO J 2011; 5:243.
Ashazila MJJ, Kannan TP, Venkatesh RN, Hoh BP. Microsatellite instability and loss of
heterozygosity in oral squamous cell carcinoma in Malaysian population. Oral Oncology
2011; 47:358–364.
Uma P, Muniswaran , Ammu K. Radhakrishnan, Nagaraja H.S. Thavamanithevi S, Gan
SC. An effective ostrich oil bleaching technique using peroxide value as an indicator.
Molecules 2011; 16:5709-5719.
Uma P, Muniswaran , Ammu K. Radhakrishnan, Nagaraja H.S. Thavamanithevi S, and
Gan SC. Method of preparing refined ostrich oil and stabilizing it with plant bioactive
compounds and extracts, Bioresource Technology 2011 (Submitted).
Fong KL. Bailliere's Nurses' Dictionary For Nurses and Health Care Workers.Malaysian.
1 ST ed. Malaysia :Bailliere Tindall Elsevier; 2011/2012.Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation;
p.876-881.
Yap WH, Wong TY, Lim PVH, Khoo KS, Lim SH, Yeo CC, Lim YM. Cancer
chemopreventive activity of Maslinic acid: suppression of COX-2 expression and inhibition
of NF-κB and AP-1 activation in Raji cells. Planta Medica 2011; 77:152-157.
Ee GCL, Teo SH, Rahmani M, Lim CK, Lim YM, Artomandin RG. A new xanthone from
Artocarpuskemando (Moraceae). Natural Product Research 2011; 25: 995–1003.
Lim CK, Tho LY, Lim CH, Lim YM, Ali Shah SA, Weber J-FF. Synthesis and SAR study of
prenylatedxanthone analogues as HeLa and MDA-MB-231 Cancer cell Inhibitors. Letters
in Drug Design and Discovery 2011; 8:528-528.
Yap WH, Khoo KS, Lim SH, Yeo CC, Lim YM. Proteomic analysis of the molecular
response of raji cells to maslinic acid treatment. (accepted to Phytomedicine Journal for
Publication 2011:10.1016/j.phymed.2011.08.058).
58

FMHS Annual Report 2011
Ee CCL, Mah SH, Rahmani M, Taufiq-Yap YH, The SS , Lim YM: A new furanoxanthone
from the stem bark of Calophylluminophyllum, Journal of Asian Natural Products
Research 2011; 13:956-960.
Ong HKA, Chinna K, Khoo SK, Ng W.L, Wong BY, Chow KL, Chong L., Pillai K, Vellayan
S. Morphometric Sex Determination of Milky and Painted Storks in Captivity. Zoo Biology.
2011 Apr 7. doi: 10.1002/zoo.20387.
Loh JY, Ong HKA, Hii YS, Smith TJ, Lock MW, Khoo G. Highly Unsaturated Fatty Acid
(HUFA) Retention Quality in Freshwater Cladoceran,,MoinaMacrocopa, Enriched with
Lipid Emulsions. Israeli Journal of Aquaculture 2011 – Bamidgeh. (Accepted 2011).
Reddy SC Mohan SM. Intraocular pressure as indicator of sympathetic asymmetry in the
eyes. Int J Ophthalmol 2011Oct; 3(4):326-327.
Yu WC, Sudeash R, Chin AL, Prakash KJ, Chandrashekhar T., Sreeramareddy. Medical
students' choice of specialty and factors determining their choice: A cross-sectional
questionnaire survey in Melaka-Manipal Medical College, Malaysia. BioScience Trends.
2011; 5:69-76.
Sreeramareddy CT, Ramakrishnareddy N, Harsha Kumar HN, Sathian B, Arokiasamy JT.
Prevalence, distribution and predictors of tobacco smoking and chewing in Nepal: a
secondary data analysis of Nepal Demographic and Health Survey-2006. Subst Abuse
Treat Prev Policy. 2011; 6:33.
Manisha P, Ganesh B, Ravi S.R. Effect of Neural Mobilization on Altered Vibration
Perception Threshold (VPT). Indian Journal of Physiotherapy & Occupational Therapy
2011; 5: 85-88.
Redhwan AA, Low WY, Mustafa FM, Robert C, Ali A. Perceptions about food allergy
among medical science students in a university in Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.
International Food Research Journal 2011; 18: 59-65.
Shaharudin S, Ghosh AK, Ismail AA. Anaerobic capacity of physically active
eumenorrheic females at mid-luteal and mid-follicular phases of ovarian cycle. Journal of
Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness (Italy). 2011; 51:576-582..
59

FMHS Annual Report 2011
EXTERNAL APPOINTMENTS
Adjunct Professors
Prof. Dr. Wong Twee Juat
Senior Consultant Surgeon & Chief of Surgery
Island Hospital
Penang
Prof. Dr. Khew-Voon Chin
Vice Director
Program in Bioinformatics & Proteomics/Genomics
Department of Medicine
Medical University of Ohio,Toledo, Ohio
USA
Prof. Dr. Ngeow Yun Fong
Senior Research Fellow
Department of Medical Microbiology
Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya
Kuala Lumpur
Prof. Dr. Charlie Loke Yung Wai
Professor of Reproductive Immunology
King's College, Cambridge, England
United Kingdom
Prof. Deng Tietao
Tenured Professor
Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou
China
60

FMHS Annual Report 2011
Dr. Oh Kim Soon
Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
Spine Solutions Pte Ltd
Island Hospital
Penang
Industry Advisors
Prof. Dr. Ainoon Othman,
Consultant Haematologist
UKM Medical Centre,
Kuala Lumpur
Mr. Tan Kee Huat
Head of TCM Practitioner Council
Federation of Chinese Physicians and Medicines Dealers Associations of Malaysia
(FCPMDAM)
Mr. Ng Po Kok
President
Federation of Chinese Physicians and Acupunturists Associations Malaysia
(FCPAAM),
Kuala Lumpur
Mr. Cheah Kok Kay
President
Malaysian Chinese Medical Association (MCMA)
Kuala Lumpur
Ms Yew Su Fen
Medical Rehabilitation Officer
Hospital Pulau Pinang
Penang
Ms Lee Pei Lee
Assistant Director of Nursing
Inpatient Department
Prince Court Medical Centre
Kuala Lumpur
61

FMHS Annual Report 2011
External examiners
Professor Dr Chan Li Chong
Department of Pathology
The University of Hong Kong
Hong Kong SAR.
Prof. Dr. Beverly Olivia O'Connell
Associate Dean (Research), Faculty of Health, Medicine, Nursing and Behavioural
Science
Deakin University, Queensland
Australia
Ms. Bernadette Pua Lay Hoon
Assistant Director, Nursing, Nursing Service
(Training and Education)
Tan Tock Seng Hospital
Singapore
Professor Tong Yao
Chair Professor and Director
School of Chinese Medicine
The University of Hong Kong
Hong Kong, SAR, China
Dr. Zhu Xiaoshu
Head of Chinese Medicine Program
School of Biomedical and HealthSciences
University of Western Sydney (UWS)
Australia
Dr. Celia Ia Choo TAN
Senior Principal Physiotherapist
Director, Postgraduate Allied Health Institute
Deputy Director, Allied Health Division
Singapore General Hospital
Singapore
Global Research Network
Emeritus Professor Dr. Geoffrey A. Cordell
Department of medicinal chemistry and Pharmacology
University of Illinois at Chicago, Illinois
USA
62

FMHS Annual Report 2011
STUDENT’S ACTIVITIES
The year of 2011 has truly been eventful for the Faculty of Medicine and
Health Sciences (FMHS) students. Staying true to the UTAR vision of a
holistic development, FMHS students actively involved themselves in various
activities, medical and non-medical alike.
Launch of MCA education fund
The Medical and Health Sciences Society (MHSS) kicked off the academic year of
2011/2012 by organising a fun and informational orientation for the newly enrolled juniors,
namely the second intakes of the MBBS course and the first batch of students of the
Physiotherapy, Chinese Medicine and Nursing Programmes. Through a race much akin to
the show ‘Amazing Race’, the juniors were introduced to the facilities, staffs and the
mission and visions of UTAR.
Three months later in August, in line with the faculty’s objective to carry out
community and social responsibilities,
the second-year MBBS students, led
by their lecturers, gave back to the
community and had a taste of
conducting an epidemiological
research when they ran a free healthcheck
project for the residents of Seri
Kembangan New Village in Selangor.
The students were involved in every
aspect of the event which spanned a
month, from recruiting the participants
to taking various clinical
measurements to setting up the
63

FMHS Annual Report 2011
venue. They also analysed the
data collected and produced
reports and scientific posters.
On the last day of the project,
the students gave a health talk
based on the results of the data
analysis and contributed to the
healthcare of the community.
Besides faculty-wide
events, FMHS students also
took part in external events representing UTAR. In September, a student from the faculty
(Chieng Dih Ting) represented UTAR in the IPTS RUSH 2011 in Tioman Island which was
a race that put to test not only the physical and mental endurance of each participant from
various private institutions of higher education, but also teamwork and game strategising
in encountering obstacles.
October saw the FMHS students taking to the tracks and courts, participating in
various events in the Intervarsity Games, a sports event involving medical students from
universities all over Malaysia. UTAR did not come home empty-handed; with a bronze
medal won by the basketball team, all with only 1 month of preparation.
In the same month, students put their first-aid skills to use when they joined the
First-Aider Team for Clash of UTARians, a sports carnival that pitted athletes from Klang
Valley campuses against students from the Perak campus.
64

FMHS Annual Report 2011
Staying true to their compassionate nature, the FMHS students returned to
community service in December and held a visit to a home for disadvantaged children
called the House of Joy. Organised by the MHSS, the event received positive feedbacks
from those participated and brought warmth to hearts of the children there, along with a
small donation raised by the organising committee.
Also in the month of October, a student from the faculty (Tan Loong Hui) took part
in the IPTS Mount Kinabalu Quest and conquered the highest peak in South East Asia.
Judging from the spectrum of activities and participations, FMHS students seems to
be breaking the stereotype of whitecoat donning, book-worming medical students and
took the campus by their enthusiasm. The future is not for us to know but it is safe to
expect a much busier scene in student activities in the time to come.
.
65

FMHS Annual Report 2011
COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL ACTIVITY
Emeritus Professor Dr Cheong Soon Keng
Involvement in Professional Organisations
1. Current President of the College of Pathologist, Academy of Medicine of Malaysia,
in the process of establishing an external quality assurance programme for the
pathology laboratories and 2 guidelines on laboratory practices (Flow cytometry
and Molecular Haematology).
2. Current Council Member of the Malaysian Society of Haematology, serving as the
Chairman of the Exit Examination Committee. A total of 4 subspecialty trainees in
clinical haematology passed the subspecialty examination held in November 2011.
3. Current Regional Councillor of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia
(RCPA) - attended the Council Meetings twice, representing Malaysia.
4. As a Fellow of the Academy of Sciences of Malaysia, served as Chairperson of the
Task Force on “Stem Cells: Ageing & Regenerative Medicine”. The Task Force
aims to produce an advisory report on stem cells for the stake holders which
include the various ministries of the Government of Malaysia.
5. Elected as a Founding Fellow of the newly established Faculty of Sciences of
RCPA of Australia, setup in 2011 to promote research in sciences.
6. Elected as Honorary Fellow of the Academy of Medicine of Singapore.
Participation in Community Activities, National Level
1. Associate Editor of “Malaysian Journal of Pathology” (Academy of Medicine,
Malaysia) - independently reviewed and accepted articles for publication.
2. Technical Assessor of ISO15189 (Department of Standards) - conducted several
accreditation visits to pathology laboratories applying for accreditation.
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FMHS Annual Report 2011
3. Vice-President of National Cancer Council (MAKNA) – A Charity NGO. Served as
Chairman of Review Committee for Collaborative Research, facilitated operation of
PPUKM-MAKNA Cancer Centre, and reviewed bursary applications from cancer
patients.
4. Chairman of Credentialing Committees (Pathology/Haematology) and Member of
the Credentialing Committee (Clinical Haematology) of the Malaysian Medical
Council -vetting of applicants to be included in the National Specialist Register of
Malaysia
5. Chairman of Expert Working Group (EWG) for Medical/Health Sciences, National
Research & Science Council, MOSTI. In 2011, the EWG identified prioritised areas
for medical/health science research under the 10 th Malaysian Plan.
6. Reviewer of “Medical Journal of Malaysia” (Malaysian Medical Association) –
reviewed several manuscripts for publication.
7. Member of the Board of Editors of “Medicine & Health” (UKM) - reviewed several
manuscripts for publication.
8. Reviewer of High Impact Research (HIR) Grant, Universiti Malaya - reviewed
several proposals for funding by the HIR Committee.
9. As Chairman of Technical Working Group 43, Malaysia Laboratory Accreditation
Scheme, Department of Standards of Malaysia, several meetings were held to
review the specific technical requirements for accreditation of Haematology
laboratories under ISO15189 scheme.
Participation in Community Activities, International Level
1. Associate Editor of “Hematology”(Maney Publishing, UK) - reviewer of manuscripts.
2. Member of Editorial Board of “Pathology” (Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, USA) -
reviewer of manuscripts.
3. Reviewer of Biomed Central: The Open Access Publisher - reviewed several
manuscripts submitted to journals listed under Biomed Central.
4. As invigilator for the Fellowship Examination (FRCPA) of the Royal College of
Pathologists of Australasia conducted in Kuala Lumpur.
Invitation as External Examiner
Examination Candidates Institution
PhD thesis – Antocoagulant activity and
toxicity profile of Melastoma malabathriucm
linn. Leave extract.
Caroline A/P
Manicam
PhD thesis – Molecular mechanism of
immune regulation with tocotrienol
supplementation.
Phase 2 MBBS, 26-30 September 2011,
Royal College of Medicine, Perak
B Med Sc Dissertation – The isolation and
characterization of stem cells from human
exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED)
Kanga Rani A/P
Selvaduray
Universiti Putra
Malaysia (UPM)
International Medical
University (IMU)
105 candidates Universiti Kuala
Lumpur (UniKL)
Kristal Lau Ying International Medical
Qing
University (IMU)
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FMHS Annual Report 2011
Senior Professor Dr Boo Nem Yun
1. Member of the Gita Bayu Resident Committee for the first aid services during the
Merdeka Run of Bukit Gita Bayu community 2011.
2. Member of the Bukit Gita Bayu Resident Committee attended regular meetings to
overlook the smooth management of the community 2011.
3. Life member of Malaysian Medical Association and reviewed manuscripts for
Medical Journal of Malaysia 2011.
4. Member of organising committee for 2013 Annual Conference of the Asian Society
for Paediatric Research to be held in Malaysia, has visited the potential conference
sites and attended meeting to prepare for the forthcoming Conference 2011.
5. Representative of Malaysia in the council of Asian Society for Paediatric Research
in May 2011.
6. Member of the Steering Committee for Malaysian National Neonatal Registry,
attended quarterly meetings and provided advice on the improvement of data
collection and analysis of data collected in the registry 2011
7. Chaired the Subcommittee of Credentialing of Neonatologists for the Malaysian
National Specialty Registry four times a year in the Academy of Medicine of
Malaysia to review all applicants 2011
8. Member of the Expert Working Group of the National Science and Research
Council of MOSTI , participated in the preparation of document for prioritization of
research areas for the Tenth Malaysian Plan 2011
9. As Chairperson for the Malaysian Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP, weekly
oversaw the running of the secretariat of the NRP, signing all the certificates of
successful providers and preparing for the launching of the new version, 2011.
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FMHS Annual Report 2011
Professor Dr Zhai Yachun
1. Vice President of The 5 th GBHEF Councils (2011), The 5 th Global Bio-Herbs
Economic Forum held on 2011 November 26 at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
2. Medical Advisor of
2011.
坡
improve the quality of medical services
3. Speaker of “ ” in 2011 Traditional & Complementary
Medicine Exhibition (TRACOMEX) held on 2011 November 12-13 at PWTC,
Malaysia.
马 马 马 来
来 来 来 来 来 4. Speaker of “
December 17-18 at PWTC, Malaysia.
来 中 来 马 课 课 中 中 来 来 ” in 14th Nanyang Education Fair held on 2011 课
to 坡 坡 来 坡 马 坡
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FMHS Annual Report 2011
Associate Professor Dr Lim Yang Mooi
1. Chairman for Conference dinner, the 36 th MSBMB conference by Malaysian
Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, July 2011.
2. Co-opt Member of Malaysian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology,
2009-2011.
3. Member of editorial board of Malaysian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular
Biology, 2009-2011.
4. Honorary Secretary of Malaysian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology,
2011-2013.
5. Honorary Secretary of Organization for Women in Science for the Developing
World, Malaysia Chapter (OWSD), 2011-2013.
6. Peer Reviewer for Studies on Ethno-Medicine (EM), 2011.
7. Peer Reviewer for Romanian Biotechnological Letters, 2011.
8. Peer Reviewer for Sains Malaysian, 2011.
9. Sponsorship and Publicity Committee for Centre for Biodiversity, the 3 rd and 4 th
AgriTech Seminar Series, May and Nov 2011.
10. HEWO Panel for HEWO.com, 2010 to current.
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FMHS Annual Report 2011
Associate Professor Dr Robert Chen
1. Workshop Trainer on PBL Facilitation Skills, Nilai School of Nursing and Multimedia
University on March and July 2011.
2. Workshop Trainer for UKM (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia), Department of
Family Medicine on Communication Skills in Family Medicine, July 2011.
3. Chairing of Panel Discussion for Health Equity Initiatives on National Consultation
on the Health Dimension of Human Trafficking and Forced Labour, July 2011.
4. Workshop Trainer for Health Equity Initiatives on Workshop on the Effects of
Forced Labour, August 2011.
5. Workshop Trainer for Ministry of Health, Malaysia- Department of Health, Wilayah
and Putrajaya on Difficult conversations in Clinical Practice, Sept 2011.
6. Speaker of Divine Life Society of Petaling Jaya on Healthy Living Symposium- Talk
on Mental Health, Nov 2011.
7. Chair person, Conference Planning Committee of Tools for Change on Planning for
2012 T4C conference in Kuala Lumpur, June-Dec 2011.
8. Conference Planning Committee Member for MAFa (Malaysian Association of
Facilitators) on Planning for 2012 MAFa conference in March 2012, Nov 2011-
present.
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FMHS Annual Report 2011
Dr Myint Aung
1. External Examiner for University of Medicine (2), Yangon, 7th Nov- 11th Nov 2011.
Lecturer Mr. Muhammad Fahad Siddique
1. Member Board of Director of Pakistan Physical Therapy Association for Election
and Annual Conference, Aug 2011.
2. Participated in Road Safety Walk for Jabatan Keselamatan Jalan Raya Pulau
Penang, April 2011
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FMHS Annual Report 2011
Lecturer Ms Tham Hui Saan
1. Academic Director for Malaysian Chinese Medical Association (MCMA), April 2011.
2. Committee Member for Chinese Medical Aid Department, April 2011.
3. Committee Member for Federation of Chinese Physicians and Medicine Dealers
Association of Malaysian (FCPMDAM), May 2011.
4. Vice President for 3 rd Long’s Spine Therapy Seminar, July 2011.
5. Panel Pembangun National Occupational Skills Standard (NOSS) for Department
of Skill Development, Ministry of Human Resource, July 2011.
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Moving forward
FMHS Annual Report 2011
74

FMHS Annual Report 2011
MOVING FORWARD TO 2012
In May 2011, the first batch of MBBS students entered the second year. The year
has gone on well in the implementation of the second year program. Based on
the feedback, the majority of the students enjoyed their course and found it
interesting and meaningful. In May 2012, they will begin their first full-time clinical postings
in the Ampang Hospital. Detailed preparations are underway to ensure their postings will
meet the learning outcomes planned. We hope more clinical staff will join the Faculty by
then to help us to fulfil these objectives.
With the furnishing of the Physiotherapy Center and the intake of more lecturers,
the Physiotherapy Unit is ready to facilitate the teaching-learning activities of their
students into the second and subsequent years. The Unit is also ready to accept students
with Diploma of Physiotherapy into the course.
Besides starting the undergraduate programme in 2011, the Department of
Tranditional & Complementary Medicine (TCM) has also drawn up programmes for parttime
studies and diploma-level studies. We look forward to see the launching of these
programmes in 2012.
The Nursing Program has also been started in 2011, albeit in a smaller scale when
compared to the other three programmes. The Simulated Ward in the Faculty is now very
well equipped. Apart from Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Hospital Tung Shin has been approved
by the Malaysian Nursing Board for students to carry out their clinical training. Effort will
be made in the coming year to increase public awareness of the availability of this
degree-level nursing course in UTAR so that more students will enrol into this meaningful
course.
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FMHS Annual Report 2011
Besides ensuring the smooth implementation of the four undergraduate
programmes, the FMHS also encourages its lecturers to develop their respective
professional skills and educational skills. All clinical lecturers in the FMHS are encouraged
to practise at least two clinical sessions a week to maintain their clinical competence.
They are also encouraged to be involved in some research projects, initiated by
themselves or in collaboration with others. In 2012, the faculty will continue to organise
educational workshops in areas where the staff feel deficient to help equip them better.
Finally, the FMHS has adopted the outcome-based curricula for all their courses. In the
coming years, effort will be made to develop outcomes for all the teaching-learning
activities, a direction promoted by the Malaysian Qualification Agency. We will also
encourage our staff to use the e-learning platform (MOODLE) to conduct their teachinglearning
activities.
Professor Dr Boo Nem Yun,
Deputy Dean of Academic Development and Undergraduate Programmes
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FMHS Annual Report 2011
ANNUAL REPORT COMMITTEE
Ms Manisha Parai (Chairperson)
Prof. Dr. Choo Kong Bung (Advisor)
Members
Ms. Liew Siew Fun
Dr. Mohammed Abdulrazzaq Jabbar
Ms. Susuana Kuek binti Kamal Kuek
Ms. Tham Hui Saan
Ms. Chi Suh Yenn
Ms. Woo Li Yee
Cik Siti Nurbahjan Binti Ibrahim
Mr. Wong Teck Yew
77