Eye Carnival advances cause for sight
Focus on the importance of vision health and future eye-care professional for real world skills
POOR eyesight seems an unlikely contender on the scale of world health problems but uncorrected vision affects almost a third of the world population.
This translates to billions impaired from achieving their true potential, and the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimating a US$200 billion yearly loss of productivity.
Management and Science University (MSU) teams up with industry to advance its cause for blindness prevention.
MSU Eye Carnival 2018 not only brought vision health’s importance into focus but also real-world skills to the university’s future eye-care professionals.
The annual event jointly organised by MSU Eye Centre (MEC), MSU Optometry Students Club (OSC), and the Department of Optometry and Vision Science (DOVS) of the MSU Faculty of Health and Life Sciences (FHLS) had students in charge of the week’s activities todevelop their personal as well as professional competencies.
“Leadership, organising skills, and soft skills will develop holistic, balanced, well-rounded students,“said Management and Science University (MSU) President, Professor Tan Sri Dato’ Wira Dr Mohd Shukri Ab Yajid, at his launch of MSU Eye Carnival 2018, “and the industry exposure will sharpen entrepreneurial skills, producing graduate job seekers aware and capable of job creating opportunities,” he added.
MSU Eye Carnival 2018 presented eye-screening facilities, product booths, a poster competition, a personality grooming workshop, professional development short courses, and the Junior Optometrist Challenge (JOC).
A highlight of the launch was the Contact Lens Fashion Runway competition, where students and their lecturers paraded the Black Illusion and Lavendar Iris colour contact lenses supplied by event partner Alcon Vision Care (M) Sdn Bhd.
This was followed by a special guest performance of the traditional Kuda Kepang dance by students of Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Jalan U3 Subang Perdana, one of the many schools receiving vision aid through the community engagement work of Management and Science University (MSU).
Blindness prevention is one of MSU’s core research areas.
With many children across the world belonging to families who can’t even afford an eye examination, such an aid reduces the statistics while helping children see better, achieve more, and excelin school.
A contribution to the university’s cause for sight was received by Tan Sri Dr Shukri from Hoya (M) SdnBhd, presented by the company’s Senior Commercial Development Manager K S Tan.
In attendance at the launch were Alcon Business Development Manager Ranukka Singham and Affin Islamic Bank Berhad Branch Manager FadlanZainuddin.
Other industry sponsors of MSU Eye Carnival 2018 were Alcon Pharmaceutical (M) SdnBhd, Essilor (M) SdnBhd, Frames and Lenses SdnBhd, Optimax SdnBhd, Malaya Optical Group, Optic Eyecom (M) SdnBhd, ST Eyewear SdnBhd, Ramsay Sime Darby, and the Selangor State Secretary.
Management and Science University (MSU) offers a 4-year Bachelor in Optometry (Honours) programme and a 3-year Diploma in Ophthalmic Dispensing programme.
The Faculty of Health and Life Sciences (FHLS) Department of Optometry and Vision Science (DOVS) organises the biennial Optometry and Vision Science Exhibition and Seminar (MOVES) in collaboration with MSU Eye Centre (MEC), the well-equipped on-campus facility offering a wide range of clinical and commercial services in optometry and vision science, and promoting blindness prevention through community engagement activities.