MoU to provide courses for working students
SANDAKAN: Malaysian Society of Medical Laboratory Technologists Sabah, (MSMLT Sabah) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mahsa University to provide more flexible education courses for working students.
The collaboration between the two parties will provide opportunities to more medical laboratory technologists (MLT) to further their studies up to degree level while working.
MSMLT Sabah head of profession, Bendaman Benjamin Yanggau, said that through the MoU, Mahsa University had made changes to its Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Science to facilitate MLT who wish to pursue their studies.
“They wish to add on to their knowledge by taking a degree; now they can do it through Mahsa University online learning. Students who could not attend lectures online can record the lectures and attend to it when they have the time.
“For laboratory practical sessions, they only need to go to the campus for five days in a semester (six months). Hence, for a year, they only need to go to the campus twice. This method is seen as not interrupting with their daily job as MLT.
“I understand that this is one of the issues that are faced by heads of departments. Therefore, we are collaborating with Mahsa University in the hope of making it easier for MLT personnel who wish to further their education level,” he said.
He said this when met at the launching ceremony of the Annual Laboratory Medical Convention 2018 held at Four Points by Sheraton Hotel here, recently.
Bendaman said that through the education programme, those who passed will get two certificates that are acknowledged by MQA and Anglia Ruskin University, which is the franchise holder of the programme offered at Mahsa University.
He also thanked the Health Department director, Datuk Dr. Christina Rundi, who was present at the convention, for supporting the collaboration between MSMLT Sabah and Mahsa University.
A total of 756 MLTs are working throughout the State.
Earlier, Minister of Health and People’s Well-being, Stephen Wong Tien Fatt, said that he welcomes programmes such as the convention, especially as the convention is held for the first time in Sandakan.
Wong said he hopes it will provide opportunity to the participants to visit Sandakan, which is filled with beauty of nature, and at the same time build stronger friendship ties amongst the participants.
“I hope that the medical laboratory technologists here will always be alert in their role to help the Health Ministry achieve its vision towards better health in Malaysia, in line with the convention’s theme this year.
“I will always give my full support to programmes such as this which would impact the wellness of the Rakyat as a whole,” he added.