Category Archives: Ponderings & Personal Development

MREC – Applying ethical approval for my FYP (OUM) research study

Posted in Adult Learning, Ponderings & Personal Development by

I am currently in the final year of my psychology studies. Initially, I wanted to complete my degree in 4 years but I underestimated the challenges that ensued when you’re a part-time learner. Studying while working is no easy feat. The stress gets to you. A fellow learner was even admitted to the hospital because of hypertensive urgency. I guess this is what happens when your students are in the slightly older group population. Sometimes I took only two subjects in a semester because I anticipated that my work burden would be massive in the upcoming months. Hence, the delay in completing my degree. Nevertheless, this is not a race. There is no rush as there are students who studied for up to 7 years to complete their journey. I am only up against myself to ensure I reach the end with a scroll.

An important component of this degree is to do the Final Year Project (FYP). Open University Malaysia (OUM) would provide the list of supervisors to choose from and I was so glad when I saw Dr Juliana’s name on the list. I have been eyeing her since the second year of my studies when she taught us Social Psychology. If her name wasn’t there, my next option was the HOD himself, Dr Wong.

I contacted her through email. There were a few forms to fill and I managed to submit my topic to OUM’s research unit. Next came the stressful part.

All research studies conducted at any KKM facility must have approval from the Medical Research Ethics Committee (MREC). I had a look at the requirements through the National Medical Research Registry (NMRR) website and was astounded by the amount of documents I have to submit for the approval process. What happened next was a race against time.

Thankfully the Clinical Research Centre at Melaka Hospital was of great assistance. They guided me when I had to amend my study protocol and patient consent form. I was relieved when my study was approved after 1 major and 1 minor revision. This is because, by the time Dr Juliana gave her clearance for me to collect my data, the MREC approval had come through. It was a 3 month process. At the same time, I also had to complete the Chapters as required by the FYP assessment scheme. That means preparing 2 sets of different things for the respective bodies.

Once MREC gave me my letters, I submitted a site approval form to the district health office for further action. Hence, here we are now. In my data collection stage. I am trying not to get myself too overwhelmed by taking it one step at a time. Thinking too far ahead would be distressing. Furthermore, I have my supervisor to advise and guide me accordingly. My aim is to send a weekly update so that I remain motivated and on track with my project.

Glorified beings

Posted in Current Events by

Recently a senior physician kicked up a storm with the fraternity of Family Medicine Specialist and Public Health Specialist. She said the earlier was a ‘glorified MO’ whereas the latter was a gone case. I knew immediately based on this comment that he/she is probably one of those doctors who say they can sleep only 2 hours a day and have seen millions of patients in their lifetime. Her words were basically an insult to the experience and expertise the FMS and Public Health Specialists have regarding to their realm of knowledge.

Perhaps she did not weigh in on the patient factor when saying that FMS failed to manage their patients early. Here’s the thing. In Klinik Kesihatan, we deal with patients with a disease that is well. This means they do not experience symptoms of system failure or complications from a disease. Despite the advice, they’d be saying ‘I feel well, I do not agree with the treatment plan’. Or ‘If it gets worse, I would go to the hospital’. In case the physician forgets, there is something called autonomy and consent. Hence, no matter how well the intention is to make the patient better, if they refuse, they have the right to do so.

Till now, the FMS and Public Health fraternity have yet to receive their public apology but I heard that the physician’s comrades have taken note of her conduct formally and seriously. There will be repercussions although I have no idea as to what it will be.

Altercations between disciplines are inevitable. However, to take it to social media may not be the wisest channel to vent and rant. Often there are times I’d feel the same about my counterparts in the hospital but experience and professionalism as a senior MO (or is it glorified HO now?) refrained me from doing that.

The fall to the ground is more painful when you are at your peak. So, be careful.

Kolej Permata@Pintar Negara – SPM

Posted in Current Events by

SPM is just a beginning

SPM is not a true measure of a student’s intelligence

These words are often used to reassure our students who didn’t do well in their SPM. Especially when they are faced with high expectations. In some cases, perhaps these words are meant for parents who have high hopes for their children’s success. These parents end up being devastated as they wish their child had more A’s to guarantee a bright future. Indeed, their arguments are valid because scholarship opportunities are only considered for top scorers. Similarly, placements for competitive programmes like medicine are also offered to those with high academic performances. Even for those less adept in logical-mathematical intelligence, sitting for SPM is still important as employers still want that certificate as a sign of commitment to mental vocation. Thus, it’s clear why parents still want their children to score in SPM – that is to grab the best academic chances that use SPM as its benchmark.

A talent for every child – Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligence

Kolej Permata@Pintar Negara is not the place for parents and students who think this place is solely to grill kids to get straight A’s and fly overseas. This is because it is evident that many years ago KPPN never scored high on the SPM ranking charts as opposed to the more familiar names in the arena of Premiere MRSM and Elite SBP schools. Personally, I have never seen KPPN scoring higher GPS than my alma mater, STF. Yet, when my son chose to go KPPN, I have reserved a thought that if he wanted to score in his SPM, it will be gruelling as he is also preparing for his High School Diploma at the centre.

As expected, when the recent SPM results came out recently – drama unfolded in the group message where a lot of parents were seeking justification as to how the geniuses were not getting their A’s. Honestly, it was interesting to see the many perspectives coming from the parents. From the limited conversations that my husband showed me, since I am not in the group – there were some points that I agree and some that I disagree.

Disagree : Intensive academic sessions. The concern was that student’s were not studying enough, not trained enough to answer SPM questions in the answer scheme. Some even said because of this, KPPN should hire tutors with SPM experience. Some even intend to send their kids for tuition during the school breaks.

If you can train villagers in China to make replica paintings for sale, you could also train any child to become high achievers. First of all, there is nothing wrong in being a high achiever as it showcases abilities and increases motivation for the individual to always do their best in life. However, parents of KPPN should be prepared to accept that their child might not score in their SPM because their type of intelligence, as per Gardner is not measured by SPM. It is a difficult pill to swallow, I know. As difficult as it was for Pauline Einstein when the teachers back then told her they were unable to teach her son because of his ‘mental deficits’. In a way, Einstein did not fit into the standard features of a ‘good student’ at the time.

Genius kids are not meant to fit into general education standards. When I was in STF, we had workshops where we practically memorized the steps and answers to the problem. Did we understand everything though? I believe if you ask back, the answer is probably a no. Especially in Add Maths hahaha. So yes, you can train someone to answer it like the scheme but later as they venture into the outside world, not many will thrive because they do not have the ability to think for themselves. They were spoonfed. They were standardized.

KPPN comes into the picture to nurture extraordinary intelligence. Unfortunately, it is at the expense of not getting a good SPM result that dismays parents. Thus, refraining these gifted children to stay earnest, competitive and excel in their field of choice! It’s no wonder than desperate parents are pushing for extra classes or tuition just so they could score in their exams. I on the other hand, is not a fan of ‘study all the time’. I have confidence in my child’s ability to process his learning even in a short time and I would prefer that he explored other things like language, religious studies, sports and just being a kid at KPPN. It is a plus point if his emotional intelligence is also nurtured throughout his interaction with the tutors and friends.

Agree : What makes KPPN special then if the students, despite taking on so many subjects in their early secondary schooling, still have to go through the same selection process into tertiary educational centre as other high-achievers after SPM?

As much as I believe that KPPN always have their student’s best interest in mind, I also believe that when highly intelligent people do something – they always lack in communication and direction. Ever heard of statements where people say ‘pandai tapi berat mulut’, ‘pandai tapi tak pandai bercampur dengan orang’. When these traits are brought into adulthood that’s where communication breakdown happens and other people are not able to see the vision that KPPN has.

Parents being human beings, they seek for acknowledgement that what they are doing is right for their children. Which means they need to see what the plan is in the future. I anticipate that since KPPN is a well established centre that nurtures genius individuals, I would expect that the alternative path set for them must be designed to fit their abilities.

I once read an article about a professor lamenting that he has yet to see the products of KPPN participating in ventures of pure science. I thought it was an interesting point. After all, any high achiever enrolled in medical school can still graduate and become a doctor. You don’t have to become a genius to do that. So where do genius fit in the society? In areas that encourage the birth of new knowledge or basic application of it. I am thinking of scientists, philosophers, academicians, technologists, creators etcs. I am thinking of those who proposed the Human Genome project, who created Facebook and Microsoft, who builds planes and electrical appliances. This is the direction I think the children should be exposed to.

Since KPPN does not communicate on the programmes they have for SPM leavers – it is justified for parents to think that these kids will undergo the same selection process into Uni after SPM.

Perhaps if there is an internship programme in the intelligence team of the police force or the military, in a research lab, in an established art gallery, a prominent university, an environmental organisation, an archeological venture, and even in the national library that recognises gifted children and their abilities and is able to support them – parents would be more reassured of their children’s future.

I was asking my son the other day, what does he want to be? He said a policeman. I asked what kind? He said he doesn’t know yet.

At the mention of being a policeman, some would automatically think about those who do their rounds in the car on the road. Or those who take your report of an accident at the police station. To me however, I think of Bukit Aman and it’s intelligence team. Surely, there must be some smart ass cop hiding somewhere who is really good in investigating crimes – studying patterns of heinous activities and profiles of suspects. Surely, there is a role for geniuses in the police force to not only go after villains but put in an effort to protect the integrity and safety of the police force. Perhaps there are brains that create items or systems to enhance police safety, task speed and maintain the country’s secrecy from hackers and stuff. Is that not an area that geniuses could contribute to as well? Boleh kan…

So I feel KPPN needs to explore this. Or if it already being explored – make it known to the parents. ‘kita ada program has dengan PDRM bla bla bla.. setelah SPM akan dapat biasiswa bla bla bla.. selain meneruskan pengajian di UKM.. mereka juga diberi latihan khas di bawah seliaan PDRM bla bla bla… sekiranya berjaya .. akan diserap terus ke dalam unit intelligence PDRM bla bla bla… ‘. If KPPN does this, trust me, the parents will kembang hidung and badan for the next decade at the prospect of their child being able to thrive differently than high-achievers. Takdelah terkilan if the child is not able to study overseas.

The Genocide

Posted in Current Events by

At the mention of the word WAR – most people would have an image from what we see in Hollywood movies where everything gets destroyed instantly. Maybe a scene from Saving Private Ryan or Dunkirk. At least that is how war was described during those years. Which is why when the Russian-Ukraine war happened, not many really understand how war ‘works’ in modern times. Because it doesn’t fit the picture in their heads.

At the mention of the word GENOCIDE – perhaps what people have in mind is what they see in the movie Hotel Rwanda. Where the offenders would roam around the city and kill whoever it is at the end of their knife or gun. There is this imagination that the offenders need to be on the ground, wearing civilian clothing, shouting profanity and hatred, announcing their greatness and killing the repressed in groups. That probably explains why some people do not understand that what is happening to Palestine is a genocide. Because it doesn’t fit the picture in their heads.

It gets even more confusing when they see Palestinians still living and ‘selling’ things on social media – because if this is war or genocide, shouldn’t everyone be living in fear, without food or water, dying slowly. Where do they spend their money? How do the sellers get their supplies? It puzzles international audiences as to why there are still houses being bombed and Palestinians still evacuating to – Rafah? But that place is still bombed by the offenders because – they want to? Or is it another reason to find Hamas hiding among civilians?

This goes to show that war and genocide in modern times are more complex than what we know based on what we read in books or seen in the movies. But we do know that there are millions of people suffering from the effects of ‘self-defence’ – because a country with great international power decides not to use it SEBAB BOLEH.

Choosing a leader

Posted in Everyday Life, Ponderings & Personal Development by

I went for a 2-day course recently, as part of my certification to become a coach for the Prostar programme. Prostar is a programme designed to raise awareness and impart knowledge to teenagers/youths about HIV. We would go into schools and universities to organise activities pertaining to that.

This particular course involved a lot of group work. Thus, it is natural to select someone as a group leader with a snap of the finger based on only a few hours of knowing each other. Looking around the room, it is always the loudest or the most energetic ones who are easily selected. Once these individuals are chosen to lead – then the members will have to make do for the next 2 days.

And this is what I realised.

If you have the means to select the leader of your organisation in a non-hurried way – choose them well. For these reasons

  • They are the face of your group. They represent the mission and vision of the group. A person with a presence would command respect and attention from other groups for the things they want to say. If a leader is meek in the presence of other leaders, the group may not look as good.
  • They will be the first person in line to receive messages from other superiors. If this leader is unable to understand, process and share important points with the group members, the group will miss out on important points. This was a profound discovery I stumbled upon while completing our tasks for the day.

I personally do not enjoy being a leader. However, having followed several disturbing commands from dubious individuals, sometimes it is better to take on the reigns than to just sit at the back of the carriage. The pain of not doing anything and watching everything crumble is palpable.