Heart in dietetics
IMU alumnus Monisha Mohanan Nair found her interest in dietetics during her school days when she came across the word Dietitian. This has prompted her to research further about the profession as well as universities in Malaysia that were offering this programme.
Upon completion of her Australian Matriculation, she started her degree in Nutrition and Dietetics at IMU in July 2009. Four years later, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science ( Hon) Nutrition and Dietetics degree.
Upon graduation, she joined a private healthcare facility and worked as a dietitian for one year where she gained some experience in setting up a dietetic department. She currently heads the Department of the Dietetic Unit of Negeri Sembilan Chinese Maternity Hospital ( NSCMH Medical Centre), a multidisciplinary hospital currently catering to a wide range of patients – a unit she set up on her own.
As the dietitian in the hospital, she takes on the role of a clinical and food service dietitian.
“I set up the unit here from scratch – Forming Standard Operating Procedures and creating all the dietetic forms and materials to be used during consultation sessions,” she said. “I also work closely with the marketing team to promote the dietetic services of the hospital while increasing awareness of the role of a dietitian to the public. I also give talks and cooking demonstrations during various programmes that are held by the hospital such as antenatal talks, healthy heart programmes, and more. It has been two years now and meeting patients and being a part of improving their health has become a part of me now.”
Monisha believes that IMU prepared her well to face the working life as she found herself able to handle many areas such as management, accounts, marketing and communication skills as the modules in IMU included all these aspects. “The many activities that we were taught to conduct during university days had given me a stepping stone towards the bigger picture I faced upon entering the working life. I am grateful of the choice that I made to obtain my degree from IMU.”
The Nutrition and Dietetics programme at IMU has since been renamed Dietetics with Nutrition programme. Students of this programme can opt to complete their entire four- year degree locally at IMU or transfer to the University of Otago, New Zealand or University of Newcastle, Australia, after two years of study at IMU.
These international partnerships are a clear testament to the fact that IMU’s curriculum is aligned to global standards.
In order to better prepare them for work at the various industries, students will undergo professional training in their fourth year. Students will be placed to work in clinical, food service and community settings, thus providing them with real life experience and greater job opportunities.
The commencement dates for the Dietetics with Nutrition programme are in August and September. If you have a pre- university qualification and possess a strong background in science, have good communication skills, and have a caring personal attitude, apply now for our Dietetics with Nutrition programme for a career that helps to ensure your patients’ diets are on track. 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 direct route for entry into any of the university’s degree programmes.
The next intake for the Foundation in Science is in April.
For details, visit www. imu. edu. my or e- mail start@ imu. edu. my or call 03– 2731 7272.