White Coat Ceremony

The VIPs and students

Intended for the Physiotherapy students, the White Coat Ceremony was conducted at Sungai Long Campus on 3 August 2017. It featured the presentation of traditional white coats to the students and marked the entry into their noble profession.

From left: Pramod, Prof Cheong, and Mohamad Fazli at the opening ceremony

The ceremony began with two songs—“Try everything” and “fight song” which were performed by Ooi Sze Ting and Toh Poh Lee. It was then followed by the opening ceremony and an address speech by the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS) Dean Emeritus Prof Dr Cheong Soon Keng, Department of Physiotherapy Head Pramod Divakara Shenoy and Physiotherapy Unit-Hospital Kajang Head Mohamad Fazli Bin Dani.

Prof Cheong delivering his motivational speech

During his speech, Prof Cheong briefly talked about the history of the White Coat Ceremony and spoke of the six specific actions that the students need to pay attention to, which includes loyalty to profession, respect for well-being and humanity, aid, cooperation, resist as well as practice with conscious and ethic.

“As you don your white coat for the first time, you should take seconds to think about the first step you are about to take other than placing your white coat. It will be the most fantastic journey you’ll ever take and you are in the process of achieving another milestone in your life,” said Prof Cheong. He also encouraged the students to remember the significance of the white coat and the oath they’ve pledged for their profession.

Pramod addressing the students

On the other hand, Pramod spoke poignantly about what it means to wear a white coat and he said, “When you finish your study and look back, the white coat will tell you the story of your fight and remind you of the frustrating time and the exciting journey that you had gone through.” He highlighted the significance of wearing the medical white coat and the responsibility associated with it.

Mohamad Fazli giving his advice to students

In addition, the invited guest Mohamad Fazli shared his thought and view in his encouraging speech. He emphasised on what kind of ethic and professional value that students should have in order to develop professionalism in the working place. He said, “You should always prepare yourself with sufficient source and get ready for the optional plan. You also have to be responsible in the critical practice and be effective in communication and time management.” He then gave a good piece of advice to the students, saying, “Be ready to listen and record the patient’s problems by using an appropriate measure. Other than that, you can also discuss with your colleague and other experts in identifying a suitable approach.”

Pinned with the students’ name, the white coats were handed to the students and donned by Prof Cheong, Pramod, and Mohamad Fazli. The white coat, which was placed on the student’s shoulders, acted as a symbol of trust that is being bestowed upon them to carry on their professional responsibility. After being coated, the students stood to recite the oath which was led by the student representative Tang Eng Chuan, in order to acknowledge their acceptance of the obligations of their profession.

When asked, the Physiotherapy student Matthew Liau Pei Sheng said, “To me, the white coat ceremony signifies the first step of my profession. I was excited by all that was going on but it was also a little heavy on me. The meaning of putting on my white coat is my acceptance to learn more and be responsible towards my profession. Yet, my current target at the moment is to complete my studies.”

The event then ended with the presentation of the token of appreciation to Mohamad Fazli and Prof Cheong, followed by photo taking session.

Pramod (right) presenting a token of appreciation to Mohamad Fazli (left)

Pramod (right) presenting a token of appreciation to Prof Cheong (left)