USING CADAVERS FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING - KEY COMPONENT IN USM-KLE MEDICAL STUDIES

Teaching and learning using real corpses (cadavers) is a key component in the USM International Medical Doctor Programme carried out in collaboration with KLE University in Belgaum, Bangalore, India (USM-KLE).

KLE, otherwise known as Karnataka Lingayat Education (KLE), was basically established to carry out teaching and learning activities in various fields in Karnataka and South Maharashtra, India.

USM-KLE which has five-star learning and accommodation facilities is regarded as the best alternative and significant location for Malaysian students interested in pursuing a medical degree overseas.

The Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Prof. Tan Sri Dato’ Dzulkifli Abdul Razak said that in order to obtain much better and effective learning experiences, students must take full advantage of the fact that cadavers are used in their studies.

He said that so far there are no universities in the world that are prepared to provide cadavers to meet the needs in the teaching and learning process because of the difficulty in obtaining them. It is different in India, where they are donated for learning purposes.

“We have to take this opportunity to get the best education and the time has come to change our perceptions about India because not everything is bad,” he said in a media conference here today.

At the media conference, Prof. Tan Sri Dato’ Dzulkifli emphasized the various advantages of studying in India under the collaborative programme between USM and JHN, India, including learning and accommodation facilities that are far better than that provided by USM.

“Students have the option of choosing their own accommodation whether it is single or twin-sharing with facilities like attached bathrooms, refrigerators and other facilities in each room. There is also a gymnasium in their hostel where they can carry out activities during their free time,” he said.

He added that apart from providing an opportunity for students to study overseas, KLE has the potential to become a centre for students to gain added value and strengthen their communication skills because English is the medium of instruction.

“Students will also be exposed to the local language and based on the experiences of the first batch of students who have been here for half a year, they are now able to communicate with patients in the local dialect, that is, Kannada.

“Everything is impressive, from the learning aspect to the comfortable accommodation and this shows that KLE is committed in championing the discipline of education, not unlike USM,” he said.

He added that USM sent its first group of 43 students starting September last year and the dental and nursing field are expected to be added into the USM-KLE medical programme.

“We will also be increasing the number of students till about 100 to120 for the next intake this year,” he said while explaining that the effectiveness of the integrated medical curriculum used by USM was the reason it was selected for adaptation in KLE.

Prof. Tan Sri Dato’ Dzulkifli urged the second batch of students who can register until May 2011 to make USM-KLE their first choice because the facilities provided there will be able to create a better learning environment

“Forget our negative perceptions about India such as it is backward, poor and dirty because the environment at USM-KLE is far better than expected,” he said.

Meanwhile, the USM-KLE international programme is being conducted in a new and sophisticated academic complex and it comes complete with lecture halls, labs, tutorial rooms, a modern library and also 40 qualified lecturers.

Other than using cadavers, teaching and learning through the use of state-of-the-art equipment including plasma televisions, latest lab equipment, conference rooms for international teleconferencing and other facilities that benefit students.

This complex not only has its own 500-bed teaching hospital but also provides students with ‘hands-on’ learning experience in nearby hospitals.

For further information regarding application and qualifications to pursue this study programme, please visit the website, pohon@usm or go directly to www.usm.my.

Published: 11 Feb 2011

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Universiti Sains Malaysia 11800 Minden Penang

++604-6533888 (Main Campus), ++609-7651704/00/11(Health Campus), ++604-5937788 (Engineering Campus)
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