Educational trip to Guangxi Medical University

The medical students from M. Kandiah Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences embarked on a cultural and educational trip to Guangxi Medical University as part of a cultural exchange programme from 16 to 23 October 2023. The trip, which saw a total participation of twenty-one students, was co-organised by the Department of Soft Skills Competency (DSSC) along with Guangxi Medical University’s Office of International Education and Cooperation. The aim of the programme was to foster intercultural understanding among the students and provide them with an opportunity to experience medical education at Guangxi Medical University.

Guangxi Medical Hospital, also known as GXMU, is a well-established medical educational institution in Nanning, the capital city of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in Southern China. Founded in 1934, it has successfully established itself as a centre of excellence in the research and treatment of liver cancer, thalassemia, and various other medical conditions. Furthermore, it is one of the leading medical institutions in China that offers a medical degree to international students.

The week-long programme included visits to various facilities and establishments, such as the medical learning centre and the advanced clinical skills laboratory at the university. The participants were also treated to an extraordinary feat of basic medical resuscitation skills demonstration by the GXMU medical students. The medical students from UTAR were also thrilled to try their hands at the laparoscopic teaching set.

Furthermore, the participants visited the GXMU First Affiliated Hospital and were given a tour of the haematology-oncology unit, where they were given a first-class view of the stem cell transplant unit, the nuclear medical unit, the radiotherapy unit and their surgical day-care ward. Each visit was accompanied by the person-in-charge who provided an explanation of the operational details at the hospital. In addition to that, the hospital also organised a special visit to the endocrinology ward where students were given a brief bedside-learning experience with a patient diagnosed with Cushing’s Syndrome.

Besides participating in academic-related activities, the students also had ample opportunities to enrich themselves with the local Chinese cultural activities. They had one whole morning to learn tai-chi; one whole afternoon to indulge themselves in making Chinese lanterns and moon-cakes, and a whole long weekend to visit the local tourist sites, such as the QingXiu Mountain Scenic Area, GuangXi Ethnic Minority Museums, et cetera. They also had their gastronomic curiosities fulfilled while dining at two famous local Nanning restaurants for lunch and dinner.

The students also had the opportunity to try out local delicacies, such as luo-shi fen. Other than that, they were amazed by the ubiquity of milk-tea, which came in various flavours, colours and sizes, from different shops. The easy accessibility of public transport allowed them to explore several interesting sites in Nanning, such as the “3 Street 2 Alley” commercial area.

Year Three student Eugene Foo commented, “The study tour did not only include a physical exploration of GXMU but also equipped us with a journey of discovery, understanding, and personal growth.” On the other hand, Year Two student Teh Yu Hao hoped that the duration of the study tour could be extended.