People passion: Behind the success of an international university

Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia (NUMed) is committed to providing a holistic approach to education.

At its core is a dedicated professional services team that is instrumental in nurturing a forward-thinking campus environment to enable students to cultivate the values and skills required to navigate the complexities of the healthcare landscape as well as their individual development.

“In making our campus a thriving home for future healthcare leaders, our professional services team takes centre stage in ensuring a supportive environment for all our students throughout their university journey and beyond,” said NUMed chief operating officer Premila Nair.

Its senior accommodation manager Subhashini Ganatharan concurs, sharing that a significant role of the operations team is to ensure that all students are taken care of and their needs met. This includes allocating rooms and communicating effectively with the students to manage expectations.

According to its senior admissions manager Hani Shuhaimi, creating a safe space for students is of paramount importance.

“It is crucial to address the concerns and expectations of students, particularly those who may face challenges in adjusting to an environment away from their families.

“I feel that sharing personal experiences and offering insights on how to adapt and build resilience can be highly beneficial for prospective students,” she shared.

In nurturing an enriching learning environment, its senior curriculum manager (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) Thanaletchumi Perumal highlighted that innovation is key.

“Simulation-based learning helps students develop practical skills and decision-making abilities.

“Community-based learning allows them to engage with patients and healthcare providers in diverse settings.

“Global health initiatives offer opportunities for them to broaden their perspectives. Methods like flipped classrooms encourage active learning, critical thinking and collaboration. These examples demonstrate that medical schools are continuously adapting to prepare students for the complex and evolving world of healthcare.”

The amount of knowledge needed for medical school can be daunting. Its library manager Norasikin Darsono attempts to facilitate this process for students by providing a myriad of resources under one roof.

“Our collections reflect the diverse needs of our community, which includes not only books, but also updated electronic resources such as e-books, e-journals, and online databases,” she elaborated.

Beyond that, the laboratory is also an essential component for the students. Teaching technician Nurul Nadia Selamat explained that good maintenance of the equipment and machines is instrumental to enable a seamless workflow for academics and students at NUMed.

“Our team is dedicated to ensuring that students have access to a continuous supply of consumables, chemicals, and reagents for practicals, examinations, and teaching sessions,” she added.

The success of a university is not solely determined by its infrastructure or academic programmes; rather, it resonates in the collective passion of the people who contribute to its growth and vibrancy. The operations team is, undeniably, the heartbeat of NUMed, tirelessly nurturing an environment that facilitates growth and vibrancy.

Find out more about the university’s pre-undergraduate and undergraduate programmes at www.ncl.ac.uk/numed or register for its on-campus Open Day on March 16 at https://forms.office.com/e/BSuA1Ctmxn.