IMU takes the lead in shaping excellence

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PRECISE ART: A pharmacy researcher conducting a lab experiment.

As nations aspire to achieve first world standards, an important standard of education, especially at tertiary level is that it possesses state-of-the-art facilities and a first-class faculty that drives the institution. The faculty is characterised by excellence in research and innovation which is transferred to students via teaching-learning.

Both the International Medical University (IMU) and University of Strathclyde (UoS) take this obligation very seriously. They aim to educate their students at the highest standards and ensure that their research activity is used positively to support and enhance the quality of their teaching programmes.

Both universities go a long way – they have a 15-year collaboration in the Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) programme. The universities continue to transform the way educators, businesses and industries collaborate to bring global competitive advantage to Scotland and Malaysia respectively.

UoS’ academic standing and recognition attracts more than 14,000 students yearly from over 100 countries while IMU’s medical and health sciences programmes are hugely popular among local and international students.

The research achievements of these two leading universities are well known. Research projects receive top priority and the universities actively encourage that amidst difficulty in obtaining research grants due to the economic downturn. Despite the tough environment, the recognition of the intellectual standing of academics in scientific and medical research has enabled them to receive generous grants to improve the lifespan and treatment of serious illnesses and diseases.

UoS is a university rooted in Scotland and committed to ‘useful learning’ like combining theory with practice and giving instructions based on professional experience.

The university is also currently leading research excellence in the field of medicine. It is managing the new RM25 million Centre for Continuous Manufacturing and Crystallisation within a consortium of universities and industry partners. The centre enables researchers to improve and accelerate the manufacture of medicines, foodstuffs and chemical products.

In the same vein, the Cancer Research UK Formulation Centre within Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science (SIPBS) is now part of the new Cancer Research UK in the development of new treatments tailored for individual cancer patients.

The faculty is also very proactive in sourcing for grants. Professor Simon Mackay from the SIPBS, for example, recently received £600k from Cancer Research UK this year to develop small molecules for the treatment of prostate

cancer.

The SIPBS is a state-of-the-art facility central to the institute’s aim of delivering speedier, more efficient drug discovery in a pioneering world-class centre for research and development.

Prof Mackay said: “Targeting specific proteins to treat prostate cancer is currently a very exciting area of research. We’re delighted to receive this Cancer Research UK grant, and hope it will help us discover drugs that target key signalling proteins and provide more effective treatments for the disease. A key feature of our programme is the multi-disciplinary approach we embody at Strathclyde through collaboration between molecular biologists, pharmacologists, medicinal chemists and pharmacists. Representatives of all these disciplines will be working on the programme.”

Dr Debbi MacMillan, a colleague of Prof Mackay, received funding from the British Heart Foundation for research to improve the treatment of hypertension. Professor Judy Pratt, also from SIPBS, received a £1m grant from drug company, Pfizer, in 2011 to investigate genetic risk factors for mental illness. Prof Pratt is also involved in the Psychiatric Research Institute of Neuroscience (PsyRING) in Glasgow. PsyRING provides a range of translational drug screening, development and clinical services to companies and other collaborators active in the development of drugs in the Psychiatric sector worldwide.

Prof Pratt said: ‘’There is a clear need for translational programmes in psychiatric research if we are to make advances in the treatment of disabling diseases such as schizophrenia. PsyRING offers many collaborative opportunities and services, with a strong clinical interface. We use translational models and biomarkers to speed drug development.”

In addition, Fixed Phage – a spin-out company set up to commercialise technology developed in SIPBS for anti-infection treatments – won the Life Science Innovation Award at the 2010 Nexxus Life Science Awards.

All this directly translates and feeds into teaching which benefits the students by creating an intellectually stimulating and challenging learning environment.

IMU academics also excel in the field of research. Despite current tough economic times, they work hard to secure research grants. Dr Erin Lim for example managed to secure RM140,000 under the MOHE-FRGS (Fundamental Research Grant Scheme)to undertake a two-year project on ‘The Role of Essential Oils and Their Mechanism of Action For Resistance Reversal Capability in Microorganisms Against Antibiotics.’

Dr Senthil Rajan, another pharmacy academic, secured RM94,850 under the MOHE-ERGS (Exploratory Research Grant Scheme) to lead a two-year project titled ‘Development of An Oral Doxorubicin Nanoparticulate Delivery System for Adenocarcinoma.’

Dr Leong Chee Onn was a recipient of a three-year grant amounting to RM329,800 under the MOSTI-NanoMalaysia grant to undertake a project titled Systemic delivery of siRNA-based therapeutics using functionalised single-walled carbon nanotubes.

According to Dr Lim, “The above research achievements also benefit students at IMU whereby findings are translated into teaching and learning. In short, the teaching ethos at both IMU and UoS is founded on the principle of creating an intellectually stimulating and challenging learning environment in which students and faculty work closely together to promote effective learning through discussion and research-integrated teaching.”

Why choose the MPharm programme? In addition to the reasons above, the IMU-UoS partnership not only saves students’ time and cost but also exposes them to innovative teaching, clinical and experiential placements programmes, its clear specification of module aims and objectives employing a range of interesting teaching and learning methods.

At least five UoS lecturers are brought to IMU on teaching secondments every year and the same learning materials are used at IMU and UoS to ensure consistency in standard and quality. and UoS have a team of local and overseas-trained academics with extensive industry experience.

Two options are available for the IMU-UoS MPharm collaborative programme – two and half years of study at IMU followed by 13 months at UoS (2 ½ + 1 option) or two years of study at IMU followed by two years at UoS (2+2 option).

The MPharm qualification (2+2 option) is registrable in the UK for practice since it is accredited by the General Pharmaceutical Council in England, Scotland and Wales, and Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland. Graduates from this 2011 class of MPharm 2+2 option who wish to practise in the UK are now undertaking their pupillage training there.

In Malaysia, the MPharm programme is also accredited by the Malaysian Qualification Agency and graduates are eligible for registration with the Malaysian Pharmacy Board.

Why are IMU-UoS MPharm Pharmacy graduates sought after? They can make a difference in the lives of the people! As the course integrates clinical and scientific knowledge with communication skills, it provides students with the expertise to contribute effectively as a pharmacist in the healthcare system. Its academic programme on the other hand is well -grounded in theory and practicum, delivered using innovative teaching and learning methods, taught by experts, market -driven and most importantly, prepares students to fully and confidently participate in careers in pharmaceutical research and manufacturing.

They gain scientific, clinical and professional skills for a stimulating, challenging and varied career in pharmacy such as in primary care, hospital and industrial pharmacy in Malaysia and worldwide.

These skills will enable graduates to provide an efficient and effective service to patients, applying not only the legal and ethical aspects of pharmacy, but also the clinical knowledge and counselling skills that are crucial in the effective use and advice of medication.

Intake for the course is in January. For more information pertaining to IMU’s Master of Pharmacy (MPharm), visit www.imu.edu.my or call 03 86567228