THE STAR, TUESDAY 18 JULY 2023
Immersive experiential learning
THERE is no doubt that 21st-century
economic dynamics have changed the
landscape of business at home and abroad.
All levels of management in global
organisations and establishments, be it in
corporate and industrial sectors, seek cost-
effective ways to stay afloat in the red ocean.
One vital question remains: are the current
human capital or talent resources able to
adopt and adapt to the megatrends of
disruptive changes?
The combined approaches of Management
and Science University (MSU) to 21st-century
learning and industry-driven education have
built strong traditions that enhance current
and future pools of human capital assets to
address the challenges of the 21st-century
Knowledge Economy. Global companies in
Malaysia, the ASEAN Economic Community
and the Asia-Pacific are constantly on the
lookout for innovative approaches to talent
enhancement in sustaining business
leadership beyond national boundaries.
The MSU Master of Business
Administration (MBA), centred at its
Graduate School of Management (GSM), is
geared towards providing only the most
critical skills in talent creation at the
business and management marketplace. The
MSU MBA remains high on the priority list of
21st-century education for professionals and
leaders in generating business-centric skills
to meet human capital demands for new
business perspectives around the globe.
Adopting the global standards of the best
industry practices, the MSU MBA modules
pioneer new directions in building capacity
and enhancing key abilities for all levels
across the management spectrum; in
business innovation, strategy and decision-
making skills, across the entrepreneurial,
managerial, financial, ICT technology,
governance and human resource spectra.
The MSU MBA seeks to transform real-
world practice into classrooms for an
immersive 360-degree experiential learning
that excites. Advocating the United Nations
Sustainability Goals, the MSU MBA
MSU’s MBA offers essential skills in creating industry professionals catered to 21st-century
demands.
POSTGRADUATE
incorporates practical dimensions in
developing top-tier management skills
encompassing entrepreneurial leadership,
strategic management, Islamic finance,
project management, and key business and
management knowledge for the 21st-century
market.
The MSU MBA’s combination of affordable
fees, world-class teaching and leading
industry collaborations have enabled the
creation of a sustainable network of
graduates and managers who are well-
prepared to meet the demands of
21st-century business. The MSU series of CEO
Talks and Entrepreneur Talks provide MBA
students with the opportunity to be up close
and personal with global chief executive
officers on cross-sectional approaches across
the business and management spectrum.
Besides the MBA programme, GSM also
offers PhD and Master programmes in
Management/Business, Accounting/Finance,
Management, Educational Management and
Leadership, Education (TESL), International
Business, Counselling and Guidance, Fashion
Business, International Hospitality and
Tourism Management, International Event
Management, Counselling and Guidance as
well as Early Childhood Education.
n For more information on postgraduate
programmes offered at MSU, call 03-5521
6868, email enquiry@msu.edu.my, or visit
www.msu.edu.my.
MSU gives
students
the
opportunity
to interact
and connect
with
industry
leaders.
THE STAR, TUESDAY 18 JULY 2023
MY name is Yap Huey Ling. I am an
anaesthesiologist, currently practising in
a private hospital in Sandakan, Sabah.
Apart from giving anaesthesia in the
operating theatre and seeing patients in
the intensive care unit, treating patients
with acute post-surgical and nonsurgical
pain, chronic non-cancer and cancer
pain is always part of our day-to-day
work.
I would say treating patients with
chronic pain is one of the most
challenging tasks, especially attending to
patients with multiple medical
comorbidities and those with a long list
of medications. To minimise damaging
their organ functions and to avoid drug
interaction, the choices for pain
medications are very limited.
Thus, acupuncture is increasingly seen
as an alternative option as a non-
pharmacological method for pain relief.
This is the reason even government
hospitals have also opened Traditional
and Complementary Medicine (TCM)
units within their premises.
I was fortunate to work in a
government hospital with a TCM unit. I
also had a chance to participate in one of
its acupuncture workshops during which
I was exposed to the successful usage of
acupuncture for surgical removal of a
breast lump and thyroid cyst.
It was truly amazing and I was
inspired to learn more about
acupuncture for pain relief. At the
workshop, I met Prof Zhou, a Chinese
medicine practitioner from International
Medical University (IMU), who
introduced me to an acupuncture master
programme offered by IMU.
Finding a balance
I am glad that I can have the
opportunity to pursue a Master of
Science in Acupuncture (MSc
Acupuncture) at IMU, which is a part-
Relieving chronic pain
time programme. The timetable is such
that I can continue working and take a
few days off in between work to attend
classes.
As someone coming from Sabah, this
helps me a lot. The programme is well
structured and easy to understand for
someone naive about acupuncture and
traditional medicine.
The professors and lecturers were very
helpful and approachable which eased
me in my study journey. In addition, I
have adequate practical training in
acupuncture at IMU Healthcare’s Chinese
Medicine Centre and other hospitals as
well to broaden my exposure.
Benefits of flexibility
Additionally, IMU has displayed great
flexibility in managing lessons during the
Covid-19 pandemic. Our physical classes
were quickly switched to online classes
so that our timetable would not be
disrupted. Once the pandemic had eased
up, arrangements were made for us to
have practical training, with all the
necessary precautions taken. Thus, I was
able to learn well, it didn’t disappoint me
and it opened my eyes to the world of
acupuncture.
As any other working adult would
experience, finding a balance between
work, study and family can be very
challenging and stressful at times. Time
management is paramount, especially for
me who needed to travel from Sabah to
Peninsular Malaysia to attend classes at
times and for clinical attachment. With
good support from the lecturers and
most importantly my family members, I
successfully completed the programme.
Postgraduate 2
“Treating patients
with chronic pain
is one of the most
challenging tasks,
especially attending to
patients with multiple
medical comorbidities
and those with a long
list of medications. To
minimise damaging
Yap Huey Ling.
their organ functions
Study acupuncture at IMU and to avoid drug
At IMU, the MSc Acupuncture
programme provides a comprehensive
interaction, the choices
understanding of the classical and
theoretical foundations of the field of
for pain medications
acupuncture from an integrative and are very limited.”
holistic perspective. The programme is
approved by the Ministry of Higher Yap Huey Ling
Education and the Malaysian
Qualifications Agency.
IMU MSc in Acupuncture course is the
first and only postgraduate acupuncture The next commencement of this
programme available in Malaysia. The programme is in September. If you are
programme curriculum is aligned with interested to join this programme, make
international standards and it caters to
students from various backgrounds. It
an online application today.
will meet the needs of students who are n For more information on this or IMU’s
keen on the development and other postgraduate programmes, call
standardisation of the application of 03-2731 7272, email postgraduate@imu.
acupuncture. edu.my or visit www.imu.edu.my.