An internship to remember
INTERNATIONAL Medical University (IMU) Medical Biotechnology (MB) alumni Aw Yong Poi Yi and Mak Siew Thong both did their internship at the Institute of Biomedical Science, Academia Sinica, Taiwan.
However, they had different supervisors as they worked on different internship projects.
Aw Yong’s internship focused on protozoan model-based molecular studies, while Mak’s internship focused on the molecular biology, virology and pathogenesis of re-emerging flaviviruses, including Zika (ZIKV).
Both agreed that their soft skills improved, especially in terms of communication, due to the opportunity to work with other researchers.
“I learnt several new lab skills, including microscopy techniques, immunofluorescence assay and the maintenance of protozoan culture. My internship experience also broadened my mind and confirmed my decision to further my studies,” said Aw Yong.
She faced several challenges such as communicating with her supervisor and handling confocal fluorescence microscopes. But she was able to overcome those challenges, thanks to her patience and optimism.
By the end of the internship, Aw Yong was able to gain her supervisor’s trust to let her handle small projects individually, and she could capture high-resolution images using confocal fluorescence microscopes.
According to Mak, she was fortunate to have the opportunity to handle a small project on the construction of the NS5 plasmid of ZIKV and its mutant strains.
Throughout the three-month internship, she learnt new lab skills such as molecular cloning, protein expression, western blot and immunofluorescence assay.
For Mak, the most challenging task was data analysis using new software. She managed to overcome issues such as data presentation during lab meetings and slow adaptation to the new lab environment, thanks to the guidance of her supervisor and lab members.
Both Aw Yong and Mak agreed that the MB programme modules prepared them well for their internship.
The earlier semesters mainly focused on fundamental knowledge, which equipped them for the next part, application.
The packed MB schedule also trained them to work better under the stress of heavy workloads and tight deadlines.
They also described their experience in Taiwan as a wonderful opportunity that allowed them to apply what they learnt in IMU to a real-life working environment.
IMU’s medical biotechnology degree curriculum is designed to meet international standards and is accepted by renowned international partner universities – the University of Newcastle in Australia and the University of Strathclyde in the UK – for credit transfer to relevant programmes.
Students can also complete the entire degree at IMU. Graduates of these degrees can undertake postgraduate degrees in any related discipline.
The programme commences in July and September.
Those who have pre-university qualifications and are interested in medical biotechnology can apply online.
Those who have just completed their SPM and do not have pre-university qualifications can consider enrolling in the oneyear IMU Foundation in Science, the direct route for entry into any of the university’s degree programmes.