An interview with Nur Najwa Athirah Noor Zari, a student of Management and Science University (MSU) International Medical School (IMS) and President of the MSU Students Representative Council (SRC) ...

Nur Najwa Athirah Noor Zari tells us how she balances life as a medical student and a council president, especially during the festive season of Hari Raya …

By Angelique F. Parungao 
EasyUni Issue 15 | June 2017 

It is hard to track down Athirah these days. With her academic calendar full with classes, plus attending to her Student Representative Council (SRC) duties, we can just imagine how packed her schedule is. 

Upon meeting her, however, Athirah’s calm demeanour tells us that she’s got everything taken care of. With the Hari Raya celebration fast approaching, Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery third-year student shares with us her plans on making this year’s festivities a special one for the entire MSU student body, and gives us a glimpse into how she juggles her responsibilities. 

What makes this year’s Hari Raya celebration special?
This would be my first Raya as President of the SRC, so I look forward to engaging more with fellow students. At MSU, we have a tradition of multi-cultural Raya, where international students from 37 countries share their traditional customs. We usually set up a cultural village, with all these students representing their country, and let everyone join in on the celebration. From the food to the national traditional costumes, the variety of international flavours just add to the merriness. That, essentially, is what makes the MSU Raya special. 

For something new this year, my team and I hope to engage other universities, collaborate with other schools, and present a bigger celebration. It would be a good chance for all the students to mingle and enjoy the combined festivities. 

That sounds exciting! Any special Raya celebration with your family and friends this year? 
My family always does the special things first – gather for prayer, visit our relatives, and get together over food! Raya has always been a great time to bond over cooking and eating together. 

With friends, sometimes we go travel. Given our hectic schedules, this would be the time for us to relax and unwind. We have been to Pahang and mostly somewhere far. This year I think we’ll stay and explore the city. 

Do you cook? What’s your favourite food?
Haha, no – I just help around. My favourite food is rendang! 

Any memorable Raya moments?
Raya is always a celebration with the family. I always look forward to my relatives coming home to celebrate with us. Those are always my favourite moments – to see my aunts, uncles, and cousins whom I haven’t seen for a long time. My entire family coming back to Malaysia to celebrate with us makes my Raya memorable every time. 

As a busy medical student, how do you prepare for the big day during Ramadan? Care to share with us your usual routine? 
During Ramadan, I wake up earlier than usual, around five am. While others may think this is a big sacrifice, I find this time very beneficial for me. I will have a bit of food soon after. Then I proceed to my school work – reviewing and studying for the lesson of the day – and plan my day ahead. Doing things before the day gets busy helps me focus on what I have to do. 

Ramadan at MSU is a really happening month. We have an Iftar tradition with the entire University breaking fast together every single day! It’s a huge feast with a long guest list that has included the King and Queen as well as the poor and orphans. 

Speaking of studies, what is it like to be a medical student? What about it do you enjoy the most?
Studying medicine involves working with different kinds of people with whom we spend a lot of time together. While this is something I enjoy the most as a medical student, there will be hiccups and misunderstanding along the way. However, there is a special bond between the lecturers and the class, and I am glad that when these things happen, we get through them together. 

I had not been sure if I should run for the SRC Presidency but I was surprised by the all-round support. My classmates and lecturers said I have the abilities and qualities. They encouraged me to give it a try, pushed me to go for it. My classmates even promised they would help me with my studies. 

What is your favourite subject or course? 
I love children, so at first I liked paediatrics. But after ten weeks, I realised it’s a tough posting. Children cannot tell what’s wrong with them so parents are our only source of information. Now I look forward to dermatology, which will be in my fifth year. 

What do you want to specialise in, eventually?
Dermatology – because the benefits are excellent and the demand is quite high. Another reason is that I am interested in reconstructive surgery for accident victims. I am very detail-oriented, so I feel my skills would be put to good use when working on teeny-tiny details. 

Studying medicine, a lot of people has said, is gruelling. How has MSU helped you and your course mates? 
I can say that my school is very well-equipped, and I believe we have been exposed to actual samples (cadavers) right from the first year. The University provides us with all the equipment we need and makes sure all facilities are available to us. The lecturers and method of teaching are very hands-on – not just videos or long lectures. The professors are always available, approachable, and very thoughtful. 

Medicine and healthcare at MSU forms a cluster, made up of the International Medical School (IMS), the School of Pharmacy (SPH), and the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences (FHLS). This is huge help in terms of facilities for interdisciplinary studies or research, all in one compact campus compound. Very soon, the University will have its own teaching hospital, right next door to the existing on-campus facilities; again, very convenient access. Add to that, the International Medical School (IMS) has two campuses – one in the MSU main campus in Shah Alam, the other an offshore campus in Bangalore, India. My course mates and I may opt to transfer to the offshore campus during our studies on the MBBS programme. 

Were you scared of the cadavers?
At first I was – it's a human being! But as time went by, and by going to classes, I got over it. 

What would you like to tell other students who are considering medicine, too? 
If this is your dream, go for it. But be ready because your schedule will be so packed, you’ll be busy all the time and you might not have time for other activities. It might be easy to pass, because all the facilities and materials are available to you. However, becoming a good doctor is not as easy. To survive the course and to make it in the field eventually, you must learn to use your time wisely. Try to balance your time. Make sure you do other things you enjoy. Get involved in hobbies and your other interests, too. 

 



An interview with Nur Najwa Athirah Noor Zari, a student of Management and Science University (MSU) International Medical School (IMS) and President of the MSU Students Representative Council (SRC) ...

Nur Najwa Athirah Noor Zari tells us how she balances life as a medical student and a council president, especially during the festive season of Hari Raya …

By Angelique F. Parungao 
EasyUni Issue 15 | June 2017 

It is hard to track down Athirah these days. With her academic calendar full with classes, plus attending to her Student Representative Council (SRC) duties, we can just imagine how packed her schedule is. 

Upon meeting her, however, Athirah’s calm demeanour tells us that she’s got everything taken care of. With the Hari Raya celebration fast approaching, Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery third-year student shares with us her plans on making this year’s festivities a special one for the entire MSU student body, and gives us a glimpse into how she juggles her responsibilities. 

What makes this year’s Hari Raya celebration special?
This would be my first Raya as President of the SRC, so I look forward to engaging more with fellow students. At MSU, we have a tradition of multi-cultural Raya, where international students from 37 countries share their traditional customs. We usually set up a cultural village, with all these students representing their country, and let everyone join in on the celebration. From the food to the national traditional costumes, the variety of international flavours just add to the merriness. That, essentially, is what makes the MSU Raya special. 

For something new this year, my team and I hope to engage other universities, collaborate with other schools, and present a bigger celebration. It would be a good chance for all the students to mingle and enjoy the combined festivities. 

That sounds exciting! Any special Raya celebration with your family and friends this year? 
My family always does the special things first – gather for prayer, visit our relatives, and get together over food! Raya has always been a great time to bond over cooking and eating together. 

With friends, sometimes we go travel. Given our hectic schedules, this would be the time for us to relax and unwind. We have been to Pahang and mostly somewhere far. This year I think we’ll stay and explore the city. 

Do you cook? What’s your favourite food?
Haha, no – I just help around. My favourite food is rendang! 

Any memorable Raya moments?
Raya is always a celebration with the family. I always look forward to my relatives coming home to celebrate with us. Those are always my favourite moments – to see my aunts, uncles, and cousins whom I haven’t seen for a long time. My entire family coming back to Malaysia to celebrate with us makes my Raya memorable every time. 

As a busy medical student, how do you prepare for the big day during Ramadan? Care to share with us your usual routine? 
During Ramadan, I wake up earlier than usual, around five am. While others may think this is a big sacrifice, I find this time very beneficial for me. I will have a bit of food soon after. Then I proceed to my school work – reviewing and studying for the lesson of the day – and plan my day ahead. Doing things before the day gets busy helps me focus on what I have to do. 

Ramadan at MSU is a really happening month. We have an Iftar tradition with the entire University breaking fast together every single day! It’s a huge feast with a long guest list that has included the King and Queen as well as the poor and orphans. 

Speaking of studies, what is it like to be a medical student? What about it do you enjoy the most?
Studying medicine involves working with different kinds of people with whom we spend a lot of time together. While this is something I enjoy the most as a medical student, there will be hiccups and misunderstanding along the way. However, there is a special bond between the lecturers and the class, and I am glad that when these things happen, we get through them together. 

I had not been sure if I should run for the SRC Presidency but I was surprised by the all-round support. My classmates and lecturers said I have the abilities and qualities. They encouraged me to give it a try, pushed me to go for it. My classmates even promised they would help me with my studies. 

What is your favourite subject or course? 
I love children, so at first I liked paediatrics. But after ten weeks, I realised it’s a tough posting. Children cannot tell what’s wrong with them so parents are our only source of information. Now I look forward to dermatology, which will be in my fifth year. 

What do you want to specialise in, eventually?
Dermatology – because the benefits are excellent and the demand is quite high. Another reason is that I am interested in reconstructive surgery for accident victims. I am very detail-oriented, so I feel my skills would be put to good use when working on teeny-tiny details. 

Studying medicine, a lot of people has said, is gruelling. How has MSU helped you and your course mates? 
I can say that my school is very well-equipped, and I believe we have been exposed to actual samples (cadavers) right from the first year. The University provides us with all the equipment we need and makes sure all facilities are available to us. The lecturers and method of teaching are very hands-on – not just videos or long lectures. The professors are always available, approachable, and very thoughtful. 

Medicine and healthcare at MSU forms a cluster, made up of the International Medical School (IMS), the School of Pharmacy (SPH), and the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences (FHLS). This is huge help in terms of facilities for interdisciplinary studies or research, all in one compact campus compound. Very soon, the University will have its own teaching hospital, right next door to the existing on-campus facilities; again, very convenient access. Add to that, the International Medical School (IMS) has two campuses – one in the MSU main campus in Shah Alam, the other an offshore campus in Bangalore, India. My course mates and I may opt to transfer to the offshore campus during our studies on the MBBS programme. 

Were you scared of the cadavers?
At first I was – it's a human being! But as time went by, and by going to classes, I got over it. 

What would you like to tell other students who are considering medicine, too? 
If this is your dream, go for it. But be ready because your schedule will be so packed, you’ll be busy all the time and you might not have time for other activities. It might be easy to pass, because all the facilities and materials are available to you. However, becoming a good doctor is not as easy. To survive the course and to make it in the field eventually, you must learn to use your time wisely. Try to balance your time. Make sure you do other things you enjoy. Get involved in hobbies and your other interests, too.