South Korean students get exposure to local nursing practice

Seated, from left: Shamala, Magesvary, Liew, Prof Kim, Jagjit Kaur, Ampihavathi and Woo Li Fong with nursing students from Hanyeong University and student helpers

Eighteen nursing students from Hanyeong University, South Korea had a short yet meaningful winter inbound programme at UTAR Sungai Long Campus from 6 to 8 January 2020.

The Korean Winter Programme’s “Nursing Education Training” aimed to expose the inbound nursing students to nursing practice in Malaysia. “For the next few days, the inbound students together with the nursing students from UTAR will participate in various educational activities and lectures here at UTAR. This is a valuable and meaningful experience for the students to gain a deep understanding about nursing in the Malaysian context,” said Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS) Dean Emeritus Prof Dr Cheong Soon Keng as he welcomed the students and staff from Hanyeong University.

Also present during the opening ceremony were Hanyeong University Prof Kim Ju-Hyeoun, FMHS Head of Department of Nursing Liew Siew Fun, Inbound Programme Chairperson Jagjit Kaur Najar Singh, staff from UTAR and Hanyeong University, as well as nursing students from Hanyeong University.

Prof Kim was grateful with the warm welcome that was given by UTAR, “This is our first-ever exchange programme that is held internationally. I am very thankful for the support and we gladly welcome UTAR to visit our university in the future.”

Prof Cheong (left) and Prof Kim sharing their thoughts

Liew (right) urging participants to utilise the opportunity to learn new culture and put their ability to adapt a new environment to test

FMHS academic Magesvary Maruthiah (right) sharing the history of nursing profession in Malaysia which started as early as 1800 when a hospital was established by the East India Company in Penang

Kim Mina (left) and Han Jie Un

Students undergoing nursing practice at the simulation ward

Hanyeong University students having a great time learning and playing local traditional games (clockwise from left: Congkak, Batu Seremban, Sepak Bulu Ayam and Teng-Teng)

Experiencing Malaysian delicacies and fruits

The inbound students performing catchy K-Pop dance routine (top), trivia on celebrities (middle) and games (bottom)

Gaining much insights into UTAR’s Nursing department was Prof Kim. She said, “Normally, the students in our University will be given a situation and they will be required to brainstorm the right procedure to handle it. This would be followed by an evaluation. In UTAR, I see that it is practical-driven where the lecturer will demonstrate once before the students are given the chance to try on their own. Along the process, the lecturers will give direct feedback to them.”

Throughout the two-day of sharing and learning, Prof Kim observed the way classes were conducted at UTAR, its course structure and the teaching methods used in UTAR in hope to utilise and apply it upon returning to Hanyeong University. On the third day, the students were brought to visit Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL) and KPJ Damansara.

Prof Kim also commended on the practice of mock patients at UTAR, “Utilising real people in the simulation provides a real-world experience for the students. The mock patients are able to give feedback on the treatment that they receive, allowing the students to further improve their performance in hospitality.” She wished to preserve the good relationship between Hanyeong University and UTAR and continue to have outbound programmes every year. The two parties also agreed to update each other on the improvement they have adapted in their respective universities.

Liew (right) presenting gifts to Prof Kim