A milestone for biomedical scientists in the making

A 5-hour long exhibition of the biomedical science field took place with a theme: ‘Working Together to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance’ on the International Biomedical Laboratory Science (IBLS) Day at the IMU Bukit Jalil campus. The activity covered areas of Haematology, Biochemistry, Histology, Microbiology and Forensic Science. These topics form the main backbone of this profession.

The event itself was a huge success as it managed to attract approximately 190 students to take part in the activities. The first eye-catching attraction of the event was obviously an outlined corpse spread on the Atrium floor.

Equipped with many visual aids (blood, urine, bacteria and a severed arm) that lead to the respective booths, this display aided in getting looks and glimpses from hastening students/staff as well as curious onlookers from different floors.

The field responsible for such a display belonged to the Forensic Science booth, filled with activities like iodine crystal fingerprinting and well loading for electrophoresis. Other activities like venipuncture and blood group testing obviously revolves around Haematology.

Venipuncture is the art of withdrawing a blood sample. Participants were demonstrated this process and furthermore, allowed to have a hands-on experience of withdrawing blood from a simulated arm model. And since blood is on the topic of matter, blood glucose testing was also conducted in retrospect to the Biochemistry booth.

Following that, Histology and Microbiology booths not only allowed students to view stained specimens but also to stain them and view them under the microscope. Different gram-stained bacteria as well as sealed sample of an organ fixative were up for viewing.

Last but certainly not the least, the main theme of the event, Antimicrobial Resistance. An antibiotic quiz and demonstration about disk diffusion assays and Elek test was part of this informative booth.

A separate booth was put up in an attempt to raise awareness on antimicrobial resistance followed by poster based quizzes. At the same event, a talk on Antimicrobial Resistance was given by Prof Victor Lim on this topic which is close to his heart and of importance in today’s medical profession.

Well prepared with well known facts and statistical data, he spoke with passion about the modern era of antimicrobial resistance and possible future shortcomings. Soon later, the president and vice president of the ISBS society, Hossein Jahedi and Alyssa Fonseka respectively, gave their closing speeches and expressed their absolute gratitude to the team and staff who made this event a triumphant milestone for Biomedical Science committee.

Henceforth, the IMU Society of Biomedical Science (ISBS) was established on April 19, 2017 as the first profession related society in IMU. This will also be the first biomedical science society in South-East Asia to be affiliated with Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS).

At IMU, the curriculum of the biomedical science programme is developed to meet international standards and is accepted by renowned international Partner Universities (University of Newcastle, Australia, University of Otago, New Zealand, University of Strathclyde, Scotland and St George’s University of London, England) for credit transfer into relevant programmes. Graduates of these degrees can undertake postgraduate degrees in any related disciplines. The next commencement dates for this programme are in July and September. If you have pre-university qualifications and have an interest in Biomedical Science, apply online now and join the University in your pursuit of a promising and rewarding career.

If you have just completed your SPM and do not have pre-university qualification, consider enrolling in the one-year IMU Foundation in Science, the preferred foundation and direct route for entry into any of the University’s local degree programmes.

For more information, please refer to www.imu.edu.my or email: start@imu. edu.my or call IMU at 03 – 2731 7272.