Boosting healthcare

LIFE expectancy has increased by 10 years longer compared to five years ago all over the world – thanks to better quality of life, continual developments in medicine and greater healthcare accessibility.

To continue, well-trained doctors and biomedical scientists are needed.

This is one reason why the Newcastle University UK established an international branch campus in Johor in 2009 called NUMed Malaysia.

It opened in 2011 and is secure, sustainable and pedestrian-friendly.

The leading medical university provides undergraduate degrees in Medicine (MBBS) and the Biomedical Sciences (BSc), plus opportunities for foundation and postgraduate studies.

The programmes of study delivered in Malaysia are identical to those of Newcastle’s UK-based provision and lead to the award of the same degrees, conferred fully and exclusively by Newcastle University, UK.

Studying in NUMed Malaysia allows students to obtain a reputable UK qualification from an internationally recognised university at a cost much lesser than studying a similar degree in the UK.

NUMed aims to deliver cost-effective yet high-quality medical and biomedical programmes for the benefit of research, development and lifelong education in Malaysia and the greater Asian region.

The programmes are delivered by motivated and well-qualified faculty complemented by carefully considered student support strategies and underpinned by a firm ethic of scholarship.

NUMed Malaysia’s intention is to deliver a range of undergraduate biomedical and medical degree programmes with the standard of those in Newcastle University UK, but contextualised to Malaysian circumstance and cultural diversity.

Many of the programmes offer opportunities for periods of study in the UK.

Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS):

This five-year curriculum is designed to provide a general medical education for all types of doctor, and a foundation for later career specialisation.

NUMed’s integrated approach sweeps away the traditional divide between pre-clinical and clinical training and focuses from the outset on the development of clinical competence and understanding.

Upon completion of the MBBS programme at NUMed, students graduate with a degree that is conferred by Newcastle University, UK, a UK Primary Medical Qualification.

Upon graduation, NUMed graduates become eligible for provisional registration as a doctor with both the UK General Medical Council (GMC) and the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC).

NUMed students who go on to carry out their postgraduate clinical training programme in selected Malaysian hospitals can also apply for full registration as doctors with the GMC as well as the MMC.

The Biomedical Sciences BSc Honours:

This honours programme is split into two: one, which spans the first two years at the state-of-the-art Newcastle campus in Nusajaya, Johor. The second part would be the final year of study, undertaken at the Newcastle UK campus with research-led teaching and an intensive research project in Newcastle University Medical School, UK.

Upon successful completion of the entire programme, students are awarded BSc (Hons) Biomedical Sciences, conferred by Newcastle University UK.

There is a great demand for biomedical and biomolecular sciences graduates within the health services and industry, leading or working as part of research teams and many students choose this career path.

The NUMed programmes are designed to develop skills that students need to become independent self-learners, and to prepare them for postgraduate study and a lifetime of medical and biomedical learning.

The structured learning environment provides students with clearly defined goals and direction. New material is introduced and explained by teachers skilled at delivering and explaining information to large groups of students.

As the students’ experience and confidence develop and the programme progresses, the teaching and learning strategies encourage students to adopt increasing self-reliance and independence in their study and learning, helping them to prepare for their career ahead.

While teaching in lectures, seminars remain important. A variety of other innovative methods are used; the choice of method is carefully chosen to match particular educational objective. The UK model and approach to the provision of both the pastoral and academic support of students are mirrored at NUMed Malaysia.

The overall cost for medical and biomedical degrees in NUMed Malaysia, however, is 40% less than the cost of obtaining the same degrees in the UK.

A single inclusive fee covers tuition, library, laboratory, placements, examination, administration fees, and all other academic-related charges.

For the five-year MBBS, the fee is RM95,000 per year for Malaysian students and RM105,000 per year for international students.

The three-year Biomedical Sciences programme costs RM40,240 per year for Malaysian students and RM44,100 per year for international students and includes studying in NUMed Malaysia and Newcastle UK.

All fees do not include accommodation.

NUMed Malaysia has one intake per year in September for MBBS and Biomedical Sciences, which are now open.

Students are encouraged to apply early.

■ To apply, visit www.newcastle. edu.my.