Written by Clarisse Lim Xin Qi, a Year 1 Bachelors of Biomedical Science student.

Being part of the TMAB summer program as a participant and volunteer has been such an incredible experience! I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to learn more about neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and traditional remedies from various guest lecturers, from which I was able to gain a holistic comprehension on the unique medical challenges and practices in tropical environments. We also had engaging sessions that facilitated discussions on critical issues in the region, such as healthcare access for indigenous tribes, the refugee crisis, and the complexities of human-animal conflicts. These discussions highlighted the importance of an integrated approach in developmental and medical aid. I believe it’s valuable for future medical professionals to be aware of and knowledgeable about tropical diseases as these ailments and issues are prevalent in areas where healthcare is most needed, and I found their motivation to learn and pursue knowledge beyond the relevance of their geographical barriers truly inspiring!

It was also great fun connecting with friends from the UK campus, and their company has definitely made this module all the more enjoyable! They are such fun-loving, curious and ambitious people enriched by diverse cultural backgrounds who bring such a unique blend of perspectives not just to the academic discussions and activities but also to our social interactions, which made the program so much more enjoyable and educational! This is definitely an experience I will cherish for a lifetime.

Chuah Khang Shin graduated with BSc (Hons) Biomedical Sciences in 2021. He recently completed his Masters degree at the University of Machester and is currently job hunting.

Do you remember what it was like during the pandemic? The government announcing 4 different types of MCOs that extended every other week? Or the blurry online lessons while stuck at home, unable to live the life of a student fully? Waking up to another 20,000 confirmed Covid-19 cases today? Most memories I had of university are a blur now; all the 4 a.m. supper/breakfast at McDonald’s, random trips to Malacca, the extracurriculars I took part in, they all feel like a lifetime away.

All I remember is that weeks after I graduated, I found employment at BP Healthcare. During COVID, I processed the literal ocean of Covid samples, calmed desperate and aggressive patients demanding their results. It certainly became worse when I pioneered the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL), adding the stress of travelling on top of the pandemic. The opening borders attracted Umrah pilgrims by the thousands, stretching the workload of the paper-thin frontlines further. Thankfully, with the cooperation of my hardworking and dedicated colleagues, we managed to pull through the months of hell and floods of passengers desperate for the promise of normalcy.

Morning shift sample delivery. Each tray holds 92 samples and must be processed within 24 hours.

Desperate to work towards public health initiatives, working in a wet lab wouldn’t help me towards that career. While the knowledge of laboratory techniques was certainly, the public health sector demanded more – knowledge of public health policies, a strong foundation in statistical analysis, and the ability to convey abstract concepts to the public. I therefore sought to further my studies in the UK, eventually securing a fulltime MSc position at the University of Manchester.

As one of the leading universities in research excellence, I had the opportunity to work under experts in various domains, studying the application of machine learning and data science to healthcare. Furthermore, as a country with a leading public health system, I studied the techniques set in place that maintain their high standards. From the proposal and pitching of a project, to the planning and execution of a trial, and the resulting statistical analysis and presentation, I studied under the very best Manchester had to offer, and these are individuals who have produced groundbreaking research.

It is common for international students to feel lonely when they are abroad. Away from their family and friends, isolation and insecurity are feelings that we all struggle with sometimes. Thankfully, Manchester is among the most diverse cities in the UK, and I had the opportunity to befriend not just British students, but other international students from India, China, Japan, Germany, and even with other Malaysians.

If you ever decide to study in the UK, understand that it will not be an easy transition.

1. The way we learn. Whereas in Malaysia we are comfortable with a traditional way of working (rote memorization, teacher-centric learning, etc.), the UK promotes a student-centric way of learning. Simply attending the classes and following the learning objectives will never suffice; you must always take the initiative and self-study to deepen your knowledge of a certain subject.
2. Extracurriculars have a massive impact. While Nottingham has diverse extracurriculars (and I have been very active), UK extracurriculars are infinitely more impactful. Imagine ten times more societies that have thrice the body of Enactus and secures bigger sponsorships than the AMAC! Imagine literally building a race car and competing in Formula Student! The only leg up we have is that our Gaming Society has our own room, and they don’t.
3. Of course, as Malaysians we have incredibly high standards for food. Spoilt for choice wherever you go, it won’t be a privilege you have in the UK. Pubs and restaurants serving the same cuisines with standouts costing a pretty penny, and subpar Asian cooking dropping your jaw when Brits call it delicious. My advice? Cook, especially Asian dishes. The ingredients to cook four meals will cost you a burger and a pint at a pub alone. Sharing your cooking is also a great way to connect with people, and I have made many friends where we cook every Saturday. Never forget, we Malaysians speak through our stomachs!

After studying here, I realize we aren’t so different after all. Just as we strive to foster a Malaysian community wherever we go, so too must we appreciate theirs. Football, a nice pint, going for a hike; whatever it is, do what you love with passion, and you’ll soon find yourself surrounded by friendly people.

On September 12th, 2023, the University of Nottingham Malaysia (UNM) and Srinakharinwirot University (SWU) came together for the third time in a symposium that promised to push the boundaries of health sciences. The theme, “Exploring the Frontiers of Health Sciences: From Fundamental to Translational,” set the stage for an enlightening day of presentations and discussions.

With eight compelling oral presentations and nine thought-provoking poster presentations, the event showcased the breadth of research endeavors undertaken by UNM and SWU postgraduate students. These presentations were more than displays of knowledge; they were passionate inquiries into the world of health sciences.

Prof. Dr. Nor Fadilah Hj Rajab and Dr. Atthaboon Watthammawut, our esteemed keynote and plenary speakers, illuminated the way forward in health sciences. Their insights, shared during the plenary and keynote sessions, left a lasting impression on all in attendance.

Nathaniel Chan of UNM bagged the first place in the oral presentation category, demonstrating exceptional knowledge and communication skills. Booi Han Ni from UNM and Benyaporn Kangseng from SWU secured the first and second runner-up positions, respectively, reflecting the high caliber of presentations.

In the poster presentation category, Chin Man Yee and Sayed Mohamadhossein Modaresi from UNM, along with Sunantha Yang-en from SWU, were recognized for their outstanding contributions.

The UNM-SWU Symposium 2023 was not just an event; it was a celebration of collaboration, innovation, and the boundless potential of health sciences. The symposium serves as a springboard for future breakthroughs and collaborations between UNM and SWU, setting the stage for even greater advancements. Our heartfelt thanks go out to all participants, speakers, organizers, and attendees for making this event a resounding success. Here’s to the future of health sciences and the endless possibilities it holds.

SMJK Hwa Lian, Mentakab is my alma mater, a place where fond memories and dreams are formed. Many things changed, some of my beloved teachers left, some classrooms and offices relocated due to the flood early this year, but my love towards this place will never change.

5 years after graduating from the school, I returned to SMJK Hwa Lian as a super-senior to introduce the School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham Malaysia to science stream students there. Our audience consisted of form 3 students, and all form 4 and 5 students (about 300-400 students). The topic I presented was “Welcome to the World of Science and Discovery”. I introduced, discussed and compared courses available under the School of Pharmacy to the students as well as briefly mentioned other courses offered in UNM which they may be interested in.

Figure 1. The start of my talk.

There seems to be a misconception among young students these days. Most of the students believed that by studying Biology or biology-related subjects, the only career path was to become a medical practitioner (medical doctor/dentist). This is one of the reasons why I was invited to give a talk, shedding light on what a scientist (biologist, chemist …) do as a career. I also played 3 videos during the talk. The first video was an introductory video of UNM, the second video which was planned, designed and directed by me (obviously, with the help of staff from block C) was a video about what is life like as a researcher and the third video was about student’s life in UNM. The students enjoyed the videos very much, especially the second and third videos. Moreover, we actively engaged the audience throughout the presentation. Gifts were given to students that provide an answer or a well-thought-out response to the questions that was asked to the audience. It was a good strategy for me to interact with the students by inserting Q & A sessions (with gifts as reward) into my talk. Most students were involved as there were some healthy competition going on among the audience. Surprisingly, I noticed there are certain students who possess great potentials. For example, one of the form 3 students could actually speak out about what cancer is and outline the hallmarks of cancer. This was something really beyond my expectation. I was really glad that a few students approached me and told me about how they wish to become a researcher or scientist like me in the future.

Realistically, I realised that students paid more attention to the video when the actor or actress is a young and beautiful/ handsome person. Perhaps this is how we can attract young students to join the sciences and should be considered as one of the most important element for marketing the not-so-sexy science as well.

Overall, I will conclude this talk with a few adjectives: successful, interactive, interesting, inspiring and memorable.

Figure 2. Students looking attentively at the LED screen when the second video was played.

On the 5^th of September 2022, an entourage consisting of 7 academics and 12 post-graduate students from the School of Pharmacy, UNM boarded a plane to Bangkok, Thailand for the 2^nd SWU-UNM Annual Post-graduate Symposium. The symposium was hosted by Srinakharinwirot University (SWU) and was a result of a long-standing collaboration between SWU and UNM. Due to the constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 1st annual SWU-UNM postgraduate symposium in 2021 hosted by UNM had to be delivered online. Therefore, it was exciting to see our Thai counterparts face-to-face for the first time!

Postgraduate students from the left : Wong Zheng Wei, Wong En Tong, Sou Yong Ling, Kok Yee Zhen, Paulina Tan, Masyitah Zulkifli, Low Hui Ching, Ungku Maryam Jamilah, Pang Li Yin, Booi Han Ni

Academics from the left : Dr Pung Yuh Fen, Dr Jim Chai, Dr Pan Yan, Prof Ting Kang Nee, Dr Georgina Marsh, Dr Then Sue Mian, Azrina Ely, Dr Khoo Teng Jin

The symposium was held at Radisson Blu Plaza, Bangkok on the 6^th of September. A total of 24 presenters, including UNM and SWU students presented their research topics in a mix of oral and poster presentation. From UNM, Wong Zheng Wei, Pang Li Yin, Paulina, Masyitah and Azrina Ely which are 3^rd year students competed for oral presentation whereas Booi Han Ni, Wong En Tong, Sou Yong Ling, Kok Yee Zhen, Low Hui Ching, Mehdi Samad and Ungku Maryam Jamilah which are 1^st to 2^nd year students presented their research in the form of a digital poster. There were judges assigned for each category and Drs Georgina Marsh, Then Sue Mian, Pan Yan, and Khoo Teng Jin from UNM were invited to be the panel judges.

Highlights:  Prof Ting Kang Nee from UNM who was invited as the keynote speaker gave a wonderful talk about her research regarding Schwarzinicine A. Aside from that, Prof Ramida Watanapokasin who is the head of Biochemistry department, Faculty of Medicine SWU gave an in-depth presentation about fundamental medical research, focusing on autophagy and its association with aging.

The event was closed with a prize giving ceremony to award the hard-working students for their effort in the presentation. A total of three prizes were given for each category. Due to an outstanding presentation, Paulina Tan and Pang Li Yin managed to bag the 1st and 3^rd place for the oral presentation award respectively. Meanwhile Booi Han Ni, Ungku Maryam Jamilah and Sou Yong Ling managed to win the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place for the poster presentation respectively.

Overall, the symposium was a successful event with a lot of exciting research being presented. Aside from the main goal which is to train young and upcoming scientists to communicate their research, we had also managed to strike a beautiful friendship amongst UNM and SWU representatives.

We have much gratitude for Prof Dr Ramida Watanapokasin, Dr Amarin Narkwichean,  SWU academics and students involved, for their great hospitality throughout our stay in Bangkok. A special thanks to Dr Amarin Narkwichean from SWU and Dr Pung Yuh Fen from UNM for overseeing the event planning smoothly. Not to forget the UNM Student Committee which aided and contributed to the success of the event. We are looking forward to the next annual SWU-UNM post-graduate symposium which will be hosted by UNM in mid August 2023.

This article is written by Ungku Maryam Jamilah binti Ungku Mohsin (Pharmacy PG student)

On the 18^th of August 2022, the Faculty of Science and Engineering successfully completed our session on “The Luck of (Genetic) Draw”. The session was part of the University of Nottingham Malaysia’s first Hybrid Interactive Lecture series, also known as Merdeka Lectures. It was jointly presented by Dr. Then Sue Mian, Dr. Ho Weang Kee and Dr. Eunice Ngai Siew Ching on campus, which was also live streamed to students who participated online. We were joined on campus by a total of about 70 students from Rafflesia Puchong and Frontier Learning Center, while another 10 students were connected with us online. Through the session, we hope to be able to encourage students to be part of STEAM fields and inspire them to be future scientists.

The 2-hour session began with a short video to welcome students to the session, followed by an icebreaker activity. Students were given word search puzzles with vocabulary that they would come across throughout the session. The ice breaker was also a mini competition, rewarding the fastest students to complete the word puzzle. There was also a pop quiz related to the word puzzle. The students with us were extremely enthusiastic about the competition and raced to the stage to submit their answers! We are delighted that our students today are motivated and eager to participate in learning activities.

The ice breaker was led into Dr. Then’s session, where she introduced students to some basics of DNA, genes, and mutations. She explained and provided tips on memorising the structure and nitrogenous pairs in DNA, and moved onto the more complex topic of genetic mutations and cancer, bringing up real-life examples such as Angelina Jolie’s battle with breast cancer. To provide students with a hands-on learning experience, Dr. Then conducted a DNA extraction experiment using bananas. Students followed the steps with Dr. Then’s live demonstration and were able to successfully extract DNA. The cloudy, slimy material from the experiment was actually the DNA of the banana!

Extracting DNA from bananas!

Dr. Then introducing the steps of banana DNA extraction

Diving deeper into the topic of genetic mutation and cancer, Dr. Ho explained the risk for colorectal cancer from a mathematician’s point of view. Using this example, Dr. Ho highlighted the genetic risk prediction tool as a method to predict the likeliness of developing a disease. However, it was noted that lifestyle choices also play a role in diseases. To further illustrate the role of statistics in risk calculation, Dr. Ho presented the “My Baby 8.0” machine that has an 80% accuracy. A volunteer used the machine to detect the grand prize in a pile of 100 gifts. Unfortunately, they left with a consolation prize, which Dr. Ho used to explain, “DNA is not your destiny”.

Elaborating on the effect of lifestyle choices on genes, Dr. Eunice introduced the students to the concept of epigenetics. She explained that environmental factors and lifestyle choices (for example, pollutants, food, and physical activities) can affect epigenetics and control disease predisposition. A good versus bad game between two students from each school was played, with a possibility of both students walking away with a prize. However, depending on their choices, they could both walk away empty-handed, or with only one person getting a prize. Dr. Eunice concluded her talk noting that by making good lifestyle choices, the risk of disease could become a choice instead of a chance.

The speakers wrapped up the session with a message to the students: science needs you. With more innovation and discoveries emerging as the nation develops, it is important for us to have young budding scientists to join STEAM fields. We would like to sincerely thank all the students, speakers and organising team for this highly successful event. We hope that the students were able to learn about DNA and genes, and that the session would be one of the inspirations for them to pursue further education or a career in a STEAM field in the future.

From the left: Dr Then, Dr Eunice and Dr Ho

Gabrielle Jessica Robby

Darshni Suresh Bid (at Sunway Velocity Mall!)

Mohammad Rahim

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1. What are the biggest differences between attending classes in your home country and Malaysia for a BMS student?

Darshni: While attending classes online, the time zone difference was the biggest difference I faced, I’m not specifically a night owl or a morning person as long as I get 8-10 hours of sleep, I am able to focus for the day. During the time I was back home in Kenya, when there were lectures early morning at 4am or 5am then I would offset waking up early with afternoon naps. I loved those naps during that time while it lasted.

Rahim: The biggest difference for me was the time zones. Back in my home country, classes at 9am would be at 6am for me meaning all of my submission, work or anything related to the university would be have to be done 3 hours earlier. It did take some time to get used to, but eventually adapted to it. Other than that, being in Malaysia, we got to use the facilities such as the lab, printers, library, so I would say that it made a lot of difference in terms of studies and lifestyle.

Gabrielle: I think the biggest challenge in studying abroad would be being away from my family. I never perceived myself as a family person before university or Foundation, but since the pandemic and returning to my hometown, I’ve realized that I took quality time with my family for granted. Despite this, I think living independently definitely has its advantages: living on my own means that there is a lower risk of me transmitting COVID-19 to my family, especially with the number of face-to-face labs / workshops in BMS and my upcoming internship during the summer break.

Apart from that, I would occasionally miss speaking in my mother tongue as I speak in full English when I’m in Malaysia. I usually overcome this by contacting my family and friends from back home and checking up on what they’re up to. Thankfully, I rarely feel like an outsider considering how Malaysia and Indonesia share similar cultures, language, and food, but whenever I do, I try to lean into it and treat myself like a tourist by going to places I’ve never been. This also reminds me of how blessed I am to be able to explore a different country on my own.

2. Tell us a little about your daily life: accommodation and food.

Darshni: Now that I am back in Malaysia, I live off campus and since I am a vegetarian I have been cooking often, albeit my cooking skills are elementary but at least my eye balling skills have become great. This is why my calls back home are a minimum of 1 hour almost daily, because with most of the calls come much appreciated cooking tips as well.

Rahim: So currently I’m staying off campus in an accommodation nearby called Tetris apartment. It’s a bit far away on walk, but I share a car with a friend so life is easier. In terms of food, I would either eat outside or cook, so depending on how busy I am. Lunch would most likely be outside due to classes or other tasks but for dinner I would cook because I’m already in my room. It does get confusing in the beginning, but its honestly not that difficult to live by yourself once you get the hang of things like cooking, cleaning, financing etc.

Some beautiful pictures of Darshni’s home country, Kenya.

Naivasha view point of The Great Rift Valley during a day trip

Lake Naivasha day trip lunch at Fisherman’s camp restaurant

On the way to Nazareth town

3. How are you enjoying the student life in UNM?

Darshni: I am enjoying living alone and in Malaysia, part of the reason why my family agreed to let me come here in Malaysia is for me to experience individuation. Going into this can seem daunting but the more time you spend the easier it gets as you get to know yourself better. It also helps having friends to go through this experience with as you grow along through university, more likely than not they may be experiencing or have experienced similar aspects as you. so, reaching out to people is great even though as an introvert I felt a bit out of my comfort zone first few times, but it was great because this is how I ended up making many friends like my grocery shopping buddies, or the many people I have interacted within the university with course mates, during events, clubs and societies and outside randomly meeting people as well.

Rahim: It is a bit stressful due to our university’s 3-year plan, but it is very manageable and fun. You get to explore a lot of different concepts and cultures due to the diversity in the university and the country itself.

4. Tell us about the best thing you like about Malaysia.

Rahim: The best thing would be the food, I’ve always wanted to try different Asian cuisine, and even though my local food is not available here as much, it is not a bad trade-off. Because well, I do get to have Arabic food, but along with that Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Malaysian, Indonesia, there’s a whole variety of it.

5. What is your learning experience in face-to-face classes?

Rahim: It is honestly not that different compared to face-to-face classes back then, but it is very different to online. Not only do you feel more motivated and actually are able to pay attention, but the interaction between the lecturer and the students just makes the experience all the better.

Gabrielle: I love getting hands-on experience after only learning it in theory! I appreciated the virtual labs the school provided when physical labs / workshops weren’t viable, but virtual labs can only replace so much of physical labs. To tell the truth, I felt that I was running behind my peers as I wasn’t able to experience physical labs during my first year, but this imposter syndrome (mainly) disappeared when I had my first physical lab in UG! Our lecturers and teaching assistants were so helpful that I now feel much more confident about my lab skills and the theories behind our practical classes.

6. What is your advice to students who hesitate to study abroad?

Rahim: Well, it’s going to be scary to think about it, maybe you’re afraid to leave your parents, or you’re afraid you won’t be able to live by yourself or won’t have any friends. But the fact is, things work out, you fall, you get up, you learn. Eventually things become easier and you tend to find your way through it all.

Gabrielle: Studying abroad really is a wonderful experience, as I believe it pushes you to be independent and have a more open mind by interacting with various people. Being away from home was a turning point in my life, as it led me to improving my mental health by appreciating more in life, having a more ‘big picture’ mindset, and not caring too much on what others think of me. I genuinely believe this experience allowed me to grow tremendously as a person. I recognize the amount of privilege and sacrifice required for me to even consider studying abroad, so I wholeheartedly recommend it if you have the means to. Best wishes to everyone going to university soon! If you have further questions, you can contact me on my LinkedIn ( https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielle-j-r/ )! Stay safe people

Breathtaking beach view from Bali, Indonesia – Gabrielle’s home country.

STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education is largely considered to be the key to meet the demands of constantly evolving job markets, as well as the challenges that emerge with the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR 4.0). As part of an effort to nurture students’ interests and provide students a platform to explore STEM-related subjects, the University of Nottingham Malaysia’s Faculty of Science & Engineering (FOSE) hosted it’s the Virtual STEM Carnival 2022.

Due to the ongoing pandemic, the event was hosted online from the 14^th to 20^th of February 2022. The STEM Carnival featured virtual workshops, STEM exploration talks, as well as virtual booths featuring student projects and staff research. One of the notable events, the STEM Exploration talk series, “aims to help students with the question “What should I study after high school?” by sharing possible career choices and highlighting how popular courses may be similar or different,” shared Dr Marina, the organiser of the event.

A total of 514 students from various schools, including secondary school and pre-University students were registered for the event, where they were introduced to a variety of fields in STEM, such as manufacturing, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cloud-Based Virtual Computer-Aided Engineering, vertical vegetable farming and genetics.

Dr Then Sue-Mian from the Department of Biomedical Sciences was one of the presenters during the STEM Carnival for a workshop called the Gene Detective. “I was excited to host the Gene Detective workshop for the STEM Carnival as our team didn’t have the chance to roll out our e-learning activities to actual students,” shared Dr Then.

The Gene Detective workshop brought participants through a short introduction to DNA, genes, DNA extraction, as well as the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). The participants were given an opportunity to learn through some short videos, quizzes, and an online e-learning module which involved interactive activities such as a virtual DNA extraction experiment.

Dr Then raised concerns regarding the responses to the virtual workshop, as she was not able to see the participants’ responses through Zoom because most participants kept their cameras switched off. However, she shared that she was glad that the session went well, as feedback from the participants were positive, and they enjoyed the virtual experiment in the Gene Detective session.

The participants showed an interest in the topic of DNA and genes, and many enjoyed the interactive activities included in the session. “I didn’t have that many expectations going into it (wanted to keep an open mind) and it was definitely enjoyable. I loved the engaging quizzes and games. They made it more fun along with helping convey information,” one of the participants commented.

“I hope to conduct similar workshop in future events to promote sciences, especially in relation to DNA, genes and DNA extraction through our virtual experiments,” said Dr Then. Similarly, Dr Marina mentioned that the organizing team was pleased with the outcome, as the responses and feedback on all events were positive. “We might do a physical carnival next year if situation permits,” added Dr Marina. So, for students who missed the event this year, do keep an eye out to participate in the next event!

Article written by Celeste Kok Yee Zhen, Biomedical Sciences Postgraduate Student

The global nature of The University of Nottingham provides a unique opportunity for students to experience life as a student at the UK campus as part of the inter-campus exchange programme. The Biomedical Sciences exchange programme students gave some insight into exchange student experience in the UK campus:

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Chong Zhi Yee

What motivates you to apply for an exchange programme? Any tips for those who are planning to apply?

It’s always a dream for me to study abroad. The reason I chose to pursue my studies in Nottingham is because of the chance to exchange and transfer to the UK campus. So, it was actually one of my targets from the moment I joined foundation. The only advice I could give is to try to score well in your exams. As from what I acknowledged,the exchange program is highly competent with limited slots and good results will be prioritised.

What is the biggest difference between studying in the UK campus and Malaysia campus?

The UK campus is incredibly big. Other than that, it is pretty much the same as in Malaysia. So do not be discouraged if you can’t make it into the exchange program ?.

How much do you spend on living costs and travelling?

To save up money for travelling, I cook and do meal preparations most of the time. The average meal cost for dining in would be around 15 pounds whereas with 15 pounds you are able to survive for at least a week on groceries.

What is your best experience in the UK so far?

The best thing about being here in the UK is travelling. Stepping outside of your comfort zone actually introduces me to new cultures, food, people and much more. I had been travelling throughout the UK and had broadened my horizon. During my trip to Edinburgh, Scotland, I got to experience Scottish breakfast with black pudding (blood sausage) and haggis (pudding with sheep’s heart, liver and lungs). Knowing that I wouldn’t be travelling there again, made me try them out. If you want to know how it tastes like, try it for yourself ?.

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Anissha A/P S Thayaparan

What are the benefits of being an exchange student?

So benefits of being an exchange student? There’s loads. First of all, I learnt a lot of new culture. I live with three lovely locals and they taught me so much about the British culture. Secondly, I realised how pampered I was back at home. Now that I have to do everything on my own in a different country, I became more independent. I started cooking (something I never did back at home) cause it’s cheaper to make food that buy outside. Personally, studying abroad has widened my horizon on what the world can offer. I was surprised to see the opportunities one can have if you go looking for it.

I would definitely recommend studying abroad to others because of the experience it offers. Truly amazing.

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Teo Yi Xuan

Tell us a little about your daily life: How organized was your accommodation? Did you cook for yourselves or did you eat out? Was it hard for you to live on your own?

There isn’t much difference between my life here in the UK and back in Malaysia, except that I have to do everything on my own now, such as grocery shopping, cooking, doing the laundry, and cleaning. I have never lived so far away from home and for such a long time, so it is quite new and challenging for me, but thankfully, my flatmates help me out a lot. It has been only one semester, and I already feel at home. I cook most of the time, as eating out is quite expensive and it’s difficult to find Malaysian cuisine. I am not a person that likes to go shopping, but surprisingly, I love to shop for groceries when I am here, as it is kind of relaxing.

What would you recommend to those who hesitate to study abroad?

It must be difficult to step out of the first step and leave a familiar place, wandering into a new place, with a new environment and culture. However, we should always be adventurous, especially when we are still young! There’s nothing much to worry about, as long as your visas and accommodation are sorted out, it won’t be a big problem. I would suggest that you ask the seniors that have been to the UK what to bring, especially on attire and food. I would say that waterproof clothing and Maggi are a must to bring. Just keep calm and enjoy life here!

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Finally, some pictures shared by Zhi Yee and Yi Xuan!

University of Nottingham Canadian geese

Mathematical Bridge, Cambridge

University Park Campus view in December

The view from Edinburgh Castle, Scotland

Muhammad Shahrizal Bin Shaharudin graduated with BSc (Hons) Biomedical Sciences in 2016. He is currently working as Senior Formulation Executive in Pharmaniaga Research Center.

What is your job scope and responsibilities?

As a Senior Formulation Executive in Pharmaniaga Research Center, my responsibility revolves around two main focus; lab-scale trials and commercial-scale manufacturing. Working in an R&D department allows me to be in charge of all drug manufacturing process ranging from upstream to downstream processes of oral solid dosages and liquid formulations. This becomes apparent when a new generic drug is to be introduced to the market or there is a need for drug reformulation. Once a drug has passed its lab trials, a bigger batch will be conducted in a commercial manufacturing plant in order to further investigate the product’s performance via stability studies.

To be honest, working with a research organization is not as tedious and mundane as some people might think. Each formulator is in charge of multiple projects (over-the-counter medicines and prescription drugs) which has the potential to be marketed locally and internationally provided that it has successfully gone through the necessary laboratory testing and clinical studies. As a project coordinator, I have to plan, delegate and liaise with multiple stakeholders and benefactors, ranging from the commercial manufacturing plant to the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA).

What was your career path that led you to your current position? How has your degree prepared you for your career?

In truth, I had no specific career path when I started my degree in Biomedical Sciences but I was determined to land a career in the research field. Initially I had the intention to branch out towards molecular biology and pharmacogenetics since I was intrigued towards molecular cloning during my final year project. Although my current work has no relation to molecular biology whatsoever, my lab experience throughout my undergraduate years on the other hand proved to be very advantageous.

The journey I went through University of Nottingham Malaysia (UNM) has prepared me in various ways. It has equipped me with the necessary knowledge and practical skills that any undergraduate needs when they are looking for a position in any relevant research field. For example, the Molecular Basis of Medicine and Physiology and Pharmacology classes helped to me to understand the mechanism of action of a particular drug and how it affects the specific receptors in our body. In addition, the lab skills I gathered during the Final Year Project allowed me to familiarize with common lab ethics and practices especially during my early days of joining the pharmaceutical industry. Even the Journal Review classes assisted me to properly extract important information from research articles to generate a thorough formulation report. Ultimately, my work here allows me to practice what I learned from my undergraduate years almost on a daily basis.

What did you love most about your student life?

Student life mostly taught me how to prioritize between work and life. I was lucky to have met amazing individuals that emanate strong sense of leadership, positivity and team work which proved to be an anchor for me and made it much more bearable. There were never any shortage of friends during my time at UNM. Be it for casual hang-outs or late night study sessions, I have made acquaintance from people all over the world and we still keep in contact until today. The lecturers and teaching staffs were very supportive of our endeavors as they have immensely eased my journey throughout my degree. They have never turned me down when I asked for assistance and for that I will forever be grateful.

Do you have any advice for the future graduates?

There are a lot of qualities that make a perfect graduate but what we need today are the kind of graduates that are ready for the real world. With google at the tip of our fingers, some graduates tend to forget that it is not always the reliable source. What I would advise today’s graduate is that they have to be mentally strong. I have no doubt that they could endure 8 hours of daily working schedule but is it possible to go through that for an indefinite amount of time? To be mentally strong, one needs to have the correct mindset. As in we don’t work for the money, instead we do it for the sake of fulfilling our passion. That is why choosing the right career is important. Otherwise we would end up doing the same routine without giving our best performance. Future graduates should understand that we shouldn’t only just work for our sake but also for the betterment of the community.

Also a side note, future graduates should sharpen their soft skills. Most of them have the brains but unable to sell them. They have to express themselves proactively in order to break the barrier of self-confinement. Even an introvert has the need to express their feelings from time to time. Hence, try to be more vocal voicing out your opinion because one day, you may just find your inner confidence. Sometimes, all we need is just to sit down, have a cup of coffee and think about what we are striving for in life.