MDD with IMU N&D Student Association
EACH year, the Malaysian Dietitians’ Association (MDA) selects a theme to promote health nationwide through Malaysian Dietitians’ Day (MDD).
In September 2023, IMU Nutrition and Dietetic Student Association (INDSA) celebrated MDD, an annual event filled with exciting dietetic related activities for the community.
For the 2023 event, our focus homed in on a crucial mission: addressing nutritional challenges facing our elderly citizens.
Under the banner of ‘Dietitians Combating Disease-Related Malnutrition in Aged Care with Medical Nutrition Therapy: Screen, Support, Sustain,’ INDSA formed an organising committee and enlisted 54 student volunteers to create a series of engaging activities where 292 participants joined in celebrating this meaningful day.
The opening ceremony of MDD 2023 was filled with esteemed guests from the Nutrition & Dietetics (N & D) Department, IMU University’s Senior Management Team and the IMU community.
Cheah Kia Ning, the president of MDD 2023, delivered a warm welcome address, followed by speeches from Prof Dr Winnie Chee, the Pro-Vice Chancellor, Academic at IMU, and Dr Yang Wai Yew, the Organising Chairperson of MDD 2023.
The opening ceremony culminated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring honourable guests, including Prof Dr Abdul Aziz Baba, Prof Dr Ian Martin Symonds, Prof Dr Winnie Chee, Prof Dr Anna Ling, Dr Yang Wai Yew, Dr Kanimolli Arasu, and Dr Megan Chong.
Following a group photo session, the dignitaries inaugurated the Student-led Dietetics Clinic (SDC) on the Lower Ground Floor of the IMU campus in Bukit Jalil.
This unique clinic was entirely led by final-year Dietetic students, from planning the layout to offering services, under the guidance of registered dietitians from the faculty.
It provides an invaluable platform for experiential learning and community engagement for these students.
“I’ve long pursued a balanced life, where extracurricular pursuits sculpt soft skills beyond textbooks’ confines. With the inauguration of the SDC at IMU coinciding with MDD, we seized a golden opportunity to both absorb and radiate the wisdom of Medical Nutrition Therapy. SDC became a platform where I could refine and shape dietary interventions with clinical precision. I felt that SDC has enriched my learning and practice skills, fuelling my passion for excellence. I believe that SDC will be a beacon, guiding and nurturing the future cohorts of the Dietetics programme to become better dietitians,” said Cheah.
On the event day, registered participants received complimentary door gifts and lucky draw tickets.
Engaging in activities at designated booths also made them eligible for the lucky draw.
The educational booth offered insights into deciphering nutrition labels, understanding nutrient functions and the Malaysian food pyramid, as well as knowledge about medical nutrition therapy for common elderly conditions like anaemia, malnutrition, and cardiovascular diseases.
Professional booths were also provided, showcasing nutrition assessment tools used by dietitians, providing general nutrition recommendations, giving opportunity to undergo a test on the muscle strength using equipment from Alpro Pharmacy and blood glucose tests by Premier Diagnostic Sdn. Bhd.
Throughout the day, mouthwatering treats from the IMU Nutrition and Dietetic Lab were available at the food booths in IMU Driveway, alongside attractive INDSA merchandise such as lanyards and t-shirts. Sponsors from EcoBrown, Homey Nutrition, and Hyphens Pharma also set up physical booths.
To commemorate our success, we held group photo sessions with committee members, dedicated student volunteers, INDSA club advisor Charmaine Lavinia, and co-club advisor Dr Wong Ting Xuan.
It was a resounding success, a testament to the unwavering dedication and hard work of our committee members, as well as the overwhelming support from participants, sponsors, honourable guests, and our university.
Witnessing the radiant smiles on the faces of each participant, knowing they thoroughly enjoyed the event, filled all with immense gratitude.
At IMU, the BSc (Hons) Dietetics with Nutrition degree is a four-year programme integrated with dietetics practicum in food service management, community dietetics and clinical dietetics as well as an opportunity to embark on a mobility experience abroad or locally.
The programme also offers credit transfer options to bachelor’s degree in the University of Newcastle or Griffith University in Australia.
Eligible graduates who would like to become a Registered Dietitian in the United States can enrol into the master’s degree in Clinical Nutrition at the Rutgers School of Health Professions. Graduates from the IMU programme can enter the workforce and begin their career as dietitians across a variety of clinical as well as non-clinical settings.
The next commencement dates for this programme are in July and September. If you have pre-university qualifications and have an interest in Dietetics with Nutrition, apply online now and join the University in your pursuit of a promising and rewarding career.
If you have just completed your SPM and do not have preuniversity qualification, consider enrolling in the one-year IMU Foundation in Science, the preferred foundation and direct route for entry into any of the University’s degree programmes.
For more information, please refer to www.imu.edu.my or email: start@imu.edu.my or call IMU at 03 – 2731 7272.*