TCM hosts its first White Coat Ceremony

Front row, from left: Department of Student Affairs of Sungai Long Campus Head Loh Nyuk Leung,  Dr Alan Ong, Dr Te and Barry Fong  

The Chinese Medicine Society hosted its first White Coat Ceremony on 29 October 2018 for its Chinese Medicine students to mark their entry into the medical profession and to remind them of their important duty and obligation in helping patients while upholding high moral and ethical standards.

Dr Te encouraging students to constantly improve themselves

Giving his speech at the ceremony, Centre for Research in Traditional Chinese Medicine Chairperson-cum-Department of Chinese Medicine Head Dr Te Kian Keong explained how the UTAR Chinese Medicine course has expanded in scale since its establishment and its collaborations and activities with other institutions over the years. “UTAR is one of the members for Traditional and Complementary Medicine Division of the Ministry of Health Malaysia. The University has played an active role to assist the Ministry of Health in various activities such as organising training for Chinese Medicine practitioners and participating actively in the discussion on the Traditional and Complementary Blueprint. In addition, in order to encourage knowledge sharing and exchange among the Chinese Medicine students, the society organised a great number of activities such as the inaugural Traditional Chinese Medicine Olympiad,” he said.

Dr Alan Ong highlighting the importance of white coat and the responsibility associated with it

On the other hand, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Student Development and Industrial Training Deputy Dean-cum-Centre for Stem Cell Research Chairperson Prof Dr Alan Ong Han Kiat congratulated the students for their achievements. In his remarks, he said, “The white coat has always been a symbol. When you put it on, you are actually given the privilege to deal with patients with varying difficulties. Bear in mind that the privilege comes with responsibility. You have to be mindful of the people who come to you.” He also gave some guidelines to the students and advised them to be humble and humane when dealing with patients. 

The students received their white coat on the stage with the presence of their parents and family members. The academics who distributed the white coats to the students were Dr Te, Dr Alan Ong, Department of Chinese Medicine Assoc Prof Dr Yang Zao, Senior Prof Dr Wang Xinghua, lecturer Chong Kuen Yen, Susuana Kuek binti Kamal Kuek, Pang Jit Seng, Wang Chaozheng, Judick Yap Wei Hoong, Go Pei Heng, Leu Kim Fey, Dr Choy Wai Chong, and Ooi Ciat Hui.

The students taking an oath to mark their acceptance of the new responsibility

Barry Fong leading the oath

After being coated, the students stood to recite the oath which was led by Chinese Medicine Society Chairperson Barry Fong Zhi Cheng. It was then followed by a video presentation of Dr Ngeow Sze Chan, the Father of Modern Traditional Chinese Medicine in Malaysia before the ceremony ended.