Education and Interests

My Alma Mater

In life and career, we have to continuously upgrade ourselves. My lecturers in International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) always reminds us that once we graduate, the learning continues. 

Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), Kuliyyah of Medicine, Kuantan Campus, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) 

Continuous Learning 

This is either done on the job, informally or formally. To renew our annual licensing certificate to practice, it is a requirement for all doctors to have a minimum number of Continuous Professional Development (CPD) points. At the hospital this was usually through department or hospital level Continuous Medical Education (CME) sessions which we collect towards our CPD points. I was given the chance to attend various conferences at the national level. 

When I moved to HQ, I got the chance pursuit my interest in architecture as my work involved planning and designing MoH Healthcare Facility Projects. I attended the Alliance for Healthy Cities Global Conference in Kuching Sarawak. Here I was exposed to urban planning and design and saw how we can combined the healthcare field with architecture.  

During the Conference I met Datuk Steve Ng, Managing Director of the Waterfront Hotel.

Professional Certification

In 2018, I was already 3 years in the Health Facility Planning Section of the Planning Division, Ministry of Health Malaysia and felt it was time to upgrade myself. Being in a non clinical post (ie I'm no longer seeing patients), there were limited career options. The only recognised non clinical specialty is to be a Public Health Specialist. Public Health is very broad and I wanted to focus on Health Facility Planning and Design. I took the initiative to join Cornell University's online certificate programme. It was quite a struggle for me to complete all my modules as I was still busy handling projects, attending meetings and site visits.

Attending a live session with our instructor Bob. 

I liked the format of the online classroom, only the lecturers can see all students, and only students who speak will appear (video made visible) to other students. We felt less self conscious and didn't mind leaving our camera on the whole session. I had to adjust to time zone differences. The other modules were done at our pace, we had to go through the instructional videos ourselves, complete quizzes and participate in an online forum discussion. Finally in 2020 while I was a concurrently doing my MBA, I complete all my modules and received my certificate. 

Healthcare Facilities Planning and Design Certificate by Cornell University.  

Just before I started my MBA, I was given a chance to complete another certification during a short course in Dubai, UAE. 

 

Healthcare Planning Course Certificate by TAHPI. 

Architecture. 

I love architecture and during my travels, I am always excited when I see building I only read about and see online. This is the CCTV (China Central Television) building I saw on my trip to Beijing, China. As you can see, I took pictures every time our tour bus crossed it. 

Its interesting how the building becomes a different shape from different angles.   

I took pictures of other building during that trip including the Galaxy Soho by the late and renowed architect Zaha Hadid. 

This is me in front of the Birds Nest Stadium designed for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.  

On our trip to Bangkok, Thailand I spotted the Mahanakhon building. 

The Interlace by OMA architects, spotted on my trip to Singapore. 

Combining my interest and work

I have to say that I am lucky to have found the intersect, where my love of architecture can be paired with my line of work in healthcare. I hope I can further strengthen my career and continue to pursuit in this very niche field of Healthcare Architecture. The path is not year clear, but we carve our own way.