Inspiring studies in Ireland
THOUGH Ireland has a population of only around 4.5 million, its people have had a major and longlasting impact on the world in terms of politics, literature, arts and sciences, including medicine and dentistry.
While the reasons for this outsized influence are many, most people attribute Ireland’s success to the high quality of its education system.
For a small country, Ireland has produced a remarkable number of world-ranking scientists and scholars and by joining the Irish education system, it is hoped that students will be inspired to develop systems and products that will change the world.
George Boole (1816-1864) was a professor of mathematics at University College Cork when he developed Boolean Algebra, the basis for all computing languages and in fact, the foundation of the digital age.
Dr Francis Rynd (1801-1861), the inventor of the hypodermic needle, worked as a doctor at Dublin’s Meath Hospital (which is still in operation to this day, since its founding in 1753).
John Joly (1857-1933) was a pioneer in using radiotherapy as a treatment for cancer. As a geologist, he devised instruments to determine the unique melting point of each mineral, which ultimately led him to the discovery of the importance of radioactivity.
Professor James Francis “Frank” Pantridge (1916-2004), the inventor of the portable defibrillator, was born in Hillsborough, County Down. The portable defibrillator has single-handedly transformed the practice of emergency paramedic services and has saved the lives of countless cardiac patients since its introduction.
It was in 1957 that Pantridge and his colleague Dr John Geddes introduced the first version of the portable defibrillator, which was installed in a Belfast ambulance in 1965.
With such inspirational figures woven into the history of the Irish Universities, there is no doubt that studying medical sciences in Ireland, through the Irish Universities and Medical Schools Consortium (IUMC), is a move in the right direction.
As the only English-speaking country in the Eurozone (and soon to be the only English speaking country in the European Union), Ireland is an easy, friendly and safe country to settle in.
In 2010, Lonely Planet named Ireland the friendliest country in the world. The Global Peace Index ranks Ireland as the 13th most peaceful place out of 158 nations.
Needless to say, around every University in Ireland there is a vibrant Malaysian community that new students can depend on. Aside from the support of the Universities and the community, the Malaysian Embassy in Dublin, the Irish Embassy in Kuala Lumpur and Irish Government agencies are all supportive of new students travelling to Ireland.
The IUMC represents four of Ireland’s top universities: NUI Galway, Trinity College Dublin, University College Cork and University College Dublin and enrols up to 100 students from Malaysia and the Asean region each year, to embark on their pursuit of a truly inspiring medical and dentistry education.
■ For further information, queries and application forms for the September 2019 intake, contact the IUMC office in Kuala Lumpur at 03-2615 7987 or email info@iumc. com.my.
You can also visit the Facebook and YouTube page at IUMC Malaysia.