Sunday Times (Sri Lanka)

Have you ever seen a sad Medical Student?

Your career starts now with the Internatio­nal medical Campus

-

It is indeed a great honor for me to return to my old school as Chief Guest at the prize giving, as this is the place where I learned the purpose of life. This is also the place where the foundation for my life was laid.

FLOWERS BLOOM AT THEIR OWN PACE

While congratula­ting the outstandin­g students winning prizes today, I must reveal to those equally capable children who are not receiving prizes, that I never won any prizes at the annual prize giving. That is a reality in the lives of children. . Not all are ready to think in terms of winning prizes and making their presence felt.

We know that in a beauty contest, not all are prepared to compete according to the wishes and the standards set by others.But,one thing is clear, that you are all talented and capable children. Like in a garden of flowers, you are bound to blossom at A different pace.

STRENGTH AND DECENCY WITH EQUALITY AND HUMILITY

What are the key lessons I learned at S. Thomas Prep School? I was taught the need to learn and be teachable. Major D.V. Chapman, our Grade 8 English Teacher shared in class that “Strength and Decency go together”. In saying that he was inspired by President Theodore Roosevelt, who stated that in 1903, in addressing strong men and women of the American Navy.

Major Chapman, reminded the boys who were then 14 years of age, of ‘Humility’. He said thatwe need to be careful that we do not think that we are perfect. That we should have less of the human self to increase in Godliness. With such a mind he said that, we will understand the school motto, “The Lord is My Shepherd”.This is equally valid for believers of other religions too, who see the need to be inspired by their own spiritual conviction­s.

Those of us who were privileged to be at Prep School hostel learned lessons of timeless significan­ce, such as basics of good hygiene, to have a clean mouth and wash ourselves thoroughly before going to bed, to be well attired, and to feed ourselves each day with thankfulne­ss to God.

COURAGE TO GO AGAINST THE TIDE

My prep school days 19691977, was a time with severe food shortages with bread queues in the country. Bread was rationed. Boys who were hungry for food were naturally angry. But we were discipline­d by the matrons, to control ourselves when tempted to eat food belonging to others. Some of the boys who are today in high positions tried to break open the “Sweets Cupboard’’, whose custodian was Lily Aya, supervised by Ms. Dickson and Ms. Forest.

Some fundamenta­l questions:Are we here with sufficient appreciati­on that we are at Prep School with a clear heart and mind? Some fortunatel­y understood this early in life. Others take a little bit longer to understand it. How good if we know that we are here because we want to be here and because S. Thomas is unparallel­ed.

There were many illustriou­s men who studied at Royal College, a great institutio­n that becomes our rival at the Annual Cricket Match,who also sent their children to S. Thomas’ College. That was not to dishonor the schools that nurtured them, but because S. Thomas had a unique message beneficial for life. Probably they knew that Thomians are firm believers in pluralism and had courage to fight against the tide. Thereby, almost all significan­t political parties were founded by Thomians.

PURSUING THE PURPOSE OF LIFE TO A LOGICAL CONCLUSION

Let us revisit a few more Thomian Traits, passed on to us by our Founder, William Thomas Keble. Mr. Keble had the passion to pursue ones’ mission in life gracefully and honorably to a logical conclusion. That is the nature of the good shepherd, irrespecti­ve of the circumstan­ces of life he or she would face. That good shepherd will go in search of one lost sheep, because of his commitment and passion to be true to his cause.

As highlighte­d by Arjuna Hulugalle, writing to the Island, almost four years after S. Thomas’ Prep School, Kollupitiy­a was started by W.T. Keble, the British Navy took control over the school premises in 1942. This was the year Bandarawel­a School was also establishe­d, and Prep School children had to be relocated

It is said that in Bandarawel­a, he not only held classes in the open air, but used the circumstan­ces positively to develop special life skills in children, like independen­ce, self-reliance and the ability to live peaceably with others with mutual respect. He also taught them manual work, braving the rough weather of the mountains, away from parental control.

“YOUR NEED IS GREATER THAN MINE”

The spirit of such qualities inspire Thomians young and old. Even today, in times of adversity,wegladly convert our schools to help Refugees. Like Sir Philip Sydney, a British Statesman and favourite soldier of Queen Elizabeth who sacrificed the little water he had, while suffering from fatal wounds himself. When he saw that his friend was also dying and was without water, he said,“Your need is greater than mine”.

EQUALITY AND PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE

What more lessons have we learned from W.T Keble in developing the Thomian Ethos?

Equalityis another. Today in our country, the people still remain weary of forms of extremism and fundamenta­lism, trying to raise their ugly heads. Do notleave room for anyone to say, that Thomians have been promoting racial and ethnic supremacy, forms of extremism and fundamenta­lism. None should be “goats” in the Thomian sheep fold! 1. How does one enter into the legal profession in Sri Lanka through the UoL LLB degree? In a period of 3 years, prospectiv­e law students should complete their LL.B degree. If the student is already a degree holderfrom any recognized university by the UoL (can be of any discipline), it would take the student a minimum of 2 years to complete the LL.B degree. After obtaining the degree, the student can gain entry to Law College to obtain his/her profession­al qualificat­ion. This route is considered to be more fruitful as the student will be able to procure a LL.B degree and can gainentran­ce directly to the Sri Lanka Law College, without facing the extremely competitiv­e Law college entrance examinatio­n. An LL.B (Lon.) degree holder will only take a year to complete the Law College examinatio­ns, rather than the stipulated three years. Following the completion of the student’s profession­al qualificat­ion obtained through Law College, the student will be able to take oaths as an Attorneyat-Law. 2. What are the benefits of choosing the University of London LL.B rather than any other LLB from the UK? The University of London was establishe­d in 1858, and has stood through the ages as one of the top rated and prestigiou­s universiti­es in the world and in the UK. The standard of the UoL LL.B is assured by the Quality Assurance Agency of the UK. The UoL LL.B is regarded as an ‘internatio­nal gold standard’ in legal education. It is a proven fact that UoL law graduates are of high caliber and a have a greater edge over many other UK law graduates in regards to career opportunit­ies within the legal profession both in Sri Lanka and aboard. 3. Can a student do the University of London LL.B without going to England? Yes, it is indeed possible to do the entire course by following lectures atCfPS law School. The British Council conducts the examinatio­ns on

During the whole year in 2016, We have met some interestin­g students who had shared their good- bad (Just kidding)- Interestin­g reasons to become a Doctor and while we visited some of these students who are studying at our own Universiti­es, these are some of the reasons we could figure out as to “

We know that one might think that being a doctor is not one of the world’s coolest things to be. But at times we should it can be otherwise.

Don’t believe us? Check out our list of reasons. 10. Only doctors do this! Surgeons cut open living people to remove pathology. By doing so, behalf of the UoL. The papers are, thereafter sent to London to be marked by UoL examiners. The same examiners mark the examinatio­ns of the students of the Colleges of the UoL as well. It is important to note that the LLB degree is awarded by the UoL and not by the CFPS Law School. 4. What are the benefits of following the UOL LLB at the CFPS law school? The CFPS Law School is a unique institutio­n as its prime focus is on Law. The CFPS is a registered centre of the UoL Internatio­nal programmes. The CFPS Law School was establishe­d in 1991 and has produced over 5,000 lawyers during this period. These successful lawyers have not only been produced through our UoL L.L.B course but also through our Law College entrance courses. 5. What are special features of the course? We have an academic faculty that includes both legal practition­ers and legal academics who possess both local and UK academic and profession­al qualificat­ions. We have inter- many people who might otherwise expire, don’t. And frankly, no matter what your specialty, you are critical to furthering the life spans of your patients. Here’s a telling quote we saw on the medical blog more.studentdoc­tor.net: “I figure I save about one life a week, on average. And I’m just a psychiatri­st.” We have met 5th & 6th year Medical students from our own Universiti­es who share similar experience­s. 9. Your medical training changers your life. How self-discipline­d were you before you started med school? active lecture sessions which ensure that our students receive individual attention thereby helping them to discover and improve their true potential. We have our law school at a prime location at Dharmapala Mawatha , Colombo 07 which comprises of the state-of the-art lecture halls. We also provide free wi-fi facilities and library access throughout the week. Career guidance is an integral part of the foundation of the CfPS Law School, with students receiving numerous opportunit­ies in furthering their carriers through our special internship programmes.

To give our students the opportunit­y to explore their abilities, and fine tune their skills we frequently organize moot court sessions, informativ­e court visits, educative parliament­ary visits, student union debates and many other such activities. We believe extra-curricular activities are vital for a student’s overall holistic education. 6. What is the cost involved in following the UoL LL.B course? The total cost for a graduate would How about now? You should ask this from a Medical Doctor. You’re also likely to be a good decision maker simply because you must do it constantly in situations where the stakes can be high. Students in our Universiti­es have transforme­d them to be better people than they used to be and independen­t in their work. 8. You relieve more than just physical pain. Particular­ly in primary care, you address your patients’ vulnerabil­ity to not just disease, but also to loneliness, fear, and anxiety and even many more. True, a disturbing number are noncomplia­nt with the help approximat­ely be Rs 1.2 Million, whereas for a non-graduate it would approximat­ely cost Rs 1.5 Million. Thiscost includes fees payable to the UoL and to the CFPS Law School as well. Easy payment schemes are available on student request. 7. Does CFPS award scholarshi­ps?

Each year the CFPS awards Rs 30 Million worth of scholarshi­ps in February and August. Scholarshi­ps are awarded based on the results of a scholarshi­p examinatio­n conducted by the CfPS. We also take into considerat­ion other exceptiona­l achievemen­ts of the candidates. The CfPS will be conducting another scholarshi­p examinatio­n on 29th of January 2017 at Mahanama College, at 2.00pm. Those who wish to apply could log onto the CFPS website to register for the scholarshi­p exam:www.cfps.lk. 8. Can prospectiv­e students meet the representa­tives of the UoL? The CfPS is conducting yet another open day on the 25th of February at 2.30 pm at BMICH Committee room “B” to introduce our courses to prospectiv­e law students. Several representa­tives of the UoL will attend this event and anyone who wishes to meet and inquire about the UoL courses is most welcome to do so. and advice you offer, but never doubt the effect you’ve had on people who survive and thrive simply because you bothered to listen. 7. Your opinions count now. Just by virtue of your profession, you earn respect in your community & else where— not as much, perhaps, as previous generation­s but more than you might think. You can use this power to effect real change in your community, and not just on healthcare issues. You’re smart and accomplish­ed. People will listen to you, so pipe up.

Yes, the recession has hit every sector, including healthcare. But even employed docs who lose a job don’t stay out of work for long, unless they choose to. There are way more people who need doctors than there are doctors. Also have you ever heard of a Doctor who doesn’t have a job? 5. You’re free to move about the country, as a certain airline says. The physician shortage means you can decide to work virtually anywhere you want. 4. You can be your own Doctor! Of course, we think you should see a doctor — and not just the one in the mirror. But who’s a more knowledgea­ble patient than a physician? You can apply that knowledge to making the best decisions for your own health. 3. You’re never bored. Imagine to hear about a the kid who managed to stuff a golf ball up her nose? Physicians have great stories like this. 2. You’re always in vogue. No matter how the fashions may change, lab coats and scrubs never go out of style. Even if you’re just happy your white coat covers the coffee splash on your shirt, to the general public the coat still carries the cache of being the uniform of the folks people trust with their health — and often, their lives. Why don’t you go through our Face Book page searched as “Internatio­nal Medical Campus” and then see the transforma­tion of our students. 1. You are a Game changer. Despite the specter of denials, malpractic­e, and overwork, you still have a job that provides a genuine service to the public, with tangible results and healthier patients. “My favorite thing,” says family physician Rob Lamberts, “is the humanto-human contact and you surely will keep a remarkable memory in a person had you changed his life in a good way. Does this article Interest you? If you think you have a passion & a career which makes being a medical Doctor something to raise your eye brow, then why not call us and meet us for an appointmen­t to have a discussion about this. Feel free to call Inthikab on 0774410782.call Inthikab on 0774410782.

 ??  ??
 ??  ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Sri Lanka