FBF student and academic win Silver award at SUSED 2024

In an era marked by ever-evolving technological and societal needs, research innovation and sustainability in various fields stand as a crucial beacon guiding the future advancement of our society.

In exploring the pressing issue of medical officer shortages in Malaysia, UTAR Faculty of Business and Finance (FBF) Master of Philosophy student Shanthi Isparan and academic Dr Seow Ai Na secured the Silver Award in Category D: Innovation in Educational Research (Student) of the Third International Competition on Sustainable Education 2024 (SUSED 2024), earning themselves a silver medal and a certificate.

Supervised by Dr Seow, Shanthi’s award-winning research project was titled “The influence of perceived benefits and facilitating conditions on motivating learning intentions for Postgraduate Medical Education (PGME)”. It explored the motivation level of 303 medical officers from Malaysian healthcare clinics and hospitals to pursue PGME by examining how perceived benefits and facilitating conditions influence medical officers’ career motivation and learning intention for PGME.

“The project was inspired by the need to ensure that medical officers in Malaysia have the motivation and resources necessary to continue their education, which is essential for their professional growth and the overall improvement of healthcare services. By addressing perceived benefits and facilitating conditions in postgraduate medical education, my research contributes to the global goal of ensuring inclusive and equitable education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all,” explained Shanthi regarding the inspiration behind her research project.

In line with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: Good Health and Well-being and SDG 4: Quality Education, the research also aimed to provide insights on ways to increase the number of medical specialists, eventually elevating the quality of healthcare services. “The shortage of medical specialists is a significant challenge in ensuring good health and well-being in Malaysia. More specialisation can be triggered by focusing on PGME to enhance clinical skills, professional advancement, and patient care quality. In addition, the research provides insights to health organisations to foster a culture of continuous learning and development, where programme recognition and peer support initiatives enhance learning intentions,” said Dr Seow.

When asked about Shanthi’s thoughts on the achievement, she thanked Dr Seow for encouraging her to join the competition. She enthused, “As I engaged in the competition, I realised how closely it aligned with my research on sustainable education. It further fuelled my motivation to apply my knowledge in this area. I never anticipated winning, as my primary goal was to share my research and contribute to the advancement of sustainable education. Winning the silver award for an outstanding presentation was a complete surprise, but it reassured me that the effort I put in while juggling my research and industrial work was worth it. Furthermore, working in a sustainable multinational industry contributed meaningfully to this competition because the innovative presentation skills and knowledge I gained from my workplace played a significant role in this achievement.”

Shanthi added, “My experience at UTAR is instrumental in achieving this award. The strong emphasis on research and innovation at UTAR has equipped me with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in this competition. UTAR’s supportive environment was essential in shaping my research journey, as my research skills were lacking back then. I immensely thank my mentor, Dr Seow Ai Na, for how far I have come. Moreover, the university’s focus on sustainability and continuous learning resonated deeply with my project, allowing me to integrate real-world applications with academic theory. Winning this award is a testament to the solid foundation and opportunities that UTAR has provided me, enabling me to contribute meaningfully to sustainable education.”

SUSED 2024
Themed Nurturing Minds, Empowering Futures, and Cultivating Resilient World, SUSED 2024 aimed to empower the future of the world by nurturing minds and cultivating resilience and by providing a platform for talented individuals from around the world to showcase their skills and connect with opportunities that can shape their future.

With multiple categories, SUSED 2024 was open to academics and students from all institutions worldwide. The judging period for the submitted video was held from 18 to 26 July 2024 via an online platform. It was organised by the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), Kulliyyah of Education (KOED), KOED Flagship Project, and the Council of Islamic Education (CIES), in collaboration with Universiti Teknologi Mara (UITM), Flinders University of Australia, and Universitas Syiah Kuala of Indonesia.