UTAR collaborates with WMU to organise Virtual Mobility Programme: Medical Exchange Learning

UTAR Department of Soft Skills Competency of Sungai Long Campus collaborated with Wenzhou Medical University (WMU) to organise the Virtual Mobility Programme: Medical Exchange Learning. It was a four-day programme conducted on 4, 5, 11 and 12 December 2021.

 

The poster of the event

The opening ceremony took place on 4 December 2021. The event started with opening speeches by Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS) Deputy Dean for Student Development and Industrial Training Assoc Prof Dr Leong Pooi Pooi and WMU International Affairs Office Deputy Director Lin Geyin.

From left: Dr Leong and Lin

Group photo taken during the opening ceremony

The first sharing session was conducted by FMHS Centre for Research on Non-Communicable Disease Chairperson Prof Dr John Paul Evangel Judson on the topic titled “Anatomy of Pancreas”. He introduced the pancreas as an organ of the digestive system and explained its location, size and shape. He also generally explained the exocrine and endocrine parts of the pancreas. In order to provide participants with a clearer picture,  he also showed a 3D virtual dissection of the pancreas. The second session saw FMHS academic Dr Lee Siew Keah sharing her topic titled “Physiology”. This sharing session provided participants with a better understanding of the biological actions of glucagon and insulin. Participants were also able to identify the stimuli and inhibitors of insulin and glucagon production after the session.

FMHS Deputy Dean for R&D and Postgraduate Programmes-cum-Centre for Stem Cell Research Prof Dr Alan Ong Han Kiat presented on “Genetic & Biochemistry”. Prof Alan talked about Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and gave further explanation on the subtypes of DM as well as their characteristics. He also did a review on the developmental origins of type 2 diabetes from the perspective of China.

The last session of the first day saw FMHS academic Lan Yen Min speaking about “Nutrition”. She shared that hyperglycemia in diabetes occurs due to defects in insulin secretion, insulin action or both. In addition, she also shared the symptoms of insulin resistance and the types of food that can create more insulin in the blood.

 

Clockwise from left: Prof John Paul (top), Dr Lee,  Prof Alan Ong and Lan

Present on the second day to deliver their presentations were WMU academic Assoc Prof Dr Aw Kar Men and FMHS academics Dr Thaw Zin, Dr Leong, Dr Kang Waye Hann and Dr Judick Yap Wei Hoong.

Dr Aw’s presentation was titled “Infection”. She shared chronic complications that can cause infections, the risk factors involved as well as the prevention methods. Dr Thaw, on the other hand, presented on “Pharmacology”. He explained the therapeutic process and the role of pharmacology in the process. Dr Leong shared the topic titled “Laboratory Medicine”. She spoke about effective screening and diagnosis of T2DM among the asymptomatic and high-risk groups in the communities.

Dr Kang began the afternoon session by sharing his topic titled “Endocrine”. He presented different case studies to the participants and discussed the clinical characteristics and effects of intensive glucose lowering on the primary cardiovascular endpoint, total mortality, CV mortality in ACCORD, ADVANCE and VADT. The last sharing of the day was presented by Dr Judick on “Chinese Medicine”. Dr Judick provided an explanation about the common disease— diabetes from the Chinese medicine perspective and its prevention method.

       

Speakers presenting their respective topics on the second day of the programme

The speakers present on the third day were WMU academics Prof Xu Haiyun, Prof Xia Jinglin, Assoc Prof Ye Haige and Assoc Prof Yang Yeqin.

“The Treatment of Schizophrenia: Retrospective and Prospect” was presented by Prof Xu. Prof Xu talked about the outline of pharmacotherapy in treating mental disorders, side effects of antipsychotics and advances in the pharmacotherapy of schizophrenia. It was followed by another presentation by Prof Xia on the topic titled “Clinical Innovation Comes from Breaking through Practical Guidelines”. Besides presenting different case studies, Prof Xia also shared the annual cases of Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) in Zhongshan Hospital in China.

Prof Ye’s presentation was titled “Introduction of Hematopoietic Disease”. He introduced hematopoiesis and explained the classification of blood and hematopoiesis disease. Besides, Prof Ye also shared the medical students’ approach to anaemia. The next topic titled “Hospice Care in China” was presented by Prof Yang. Prof Yang discussed the difference and similarities between palliative care and hospice medical care. She also shared the government’s approach in establishing national pilot hospice and palliative care programmes in big cities in China.

Speakers and participants on the third day of the programme

Present on the last day of the programme were FMHS academic Dr Wong Jun Leong and WMU academics Dr Xiance Jin, Assoc Prof Dr Lin Yuanshao and Assoc Prof Dr Lin Feng.

Dr Jin’s presentation was titled “Brief Introduction Radiation Oncology Physic and Radiation Protection”. Dr Jin shared the development of radiobiology, the research on radiation effect and methods of radiation protection.

The last presentation was conducted by Dr Lin on the topic titled “Reproductive Health”. Her sharing allowed participants to learn about the different types of gynaecological diseases and the development of normal pregnancy. She also shared knowledge about STD and contraception, uterine cavity abnormalities and the abnormality of the fallopian tube and ovary.

A student discussion and exchange session also took place on that day. Dr Wong was in charge of the session and the session saw active participation from both universities.

Speakers and participants on the fourth day of the programme

FMHS Dean Emeritus Prof Dr Cheong Soon Keng and WMU The First Affiliated Hospital Vice President Prof Meihao Wang were invited to give a speech during the closing ceremony. Both of them were glad that the Virtual Mobility Programme ended successfully and expressed their hope to visit each other’s universities after the pandemic. Students from both universities were also invited to share their thoughts regarding the programme. This programme ended with a closing video and group photography.

Prof Cheong (top) and Prof Wang giving their speeches

Student representatives from both universities

Participants of the Virtual Mobility Programme