Get a Life (in Science) at KDU
KDU College’s Diploma in Science teaches life science and provides entry to courses in biotechnology, nutrition and biomedicine.
YOU can use life science qualifications to develop a life-saving treatment or build a sustainable environment to live in.
In Malaysia, the field is growing in the academic and industrial sectors owing to the biodiversity and strength in human resources.
KDU College has offered the Diploma of Science since 2004.
With this qualification, students can do a degree in biotechnology, pharmacology, food science, nutrition, marine studies, environmental science, biochemistry, molecular biology, forensic biology, toxicology and biomedical science in universities in Australia, United Kingdom and Ireland.
Carmen Chong Jia Wen, the 2006 Book Prize recipient for Diploma of Science, furthered her study in a biotechnology degree course at the University of Tasmania (UTAS).
With the diploma, she was admitted to the second year at the university, besides receiving UTAS’ international student scholarship.
Another diploma holder, Tham Hong Wai, was accepted into the second year of a degree in biotechnology at the University of Queensland.
He received the UQ Biological and Chemical Sciences scholarship, given to outstanding KDU students who further their studies at the university.
He has been corresponding with KDU lecturers and shares his experience on his blog.
He feels grateful for being trained to perform good laboratory practice at KDU and consequently he did not feel helpless when he joined the rest of his classmates during practical sessions at the university.
Other students enrolled in Murdoch University to study biomedical science and biotechnology.
They obtained entry into the second semester of the second year at the university.
KDU urges students to acquire knowledge and make discoveries through learning and discussions.
The college set up an e-learning platform to boost such education.
KDU improves students’ soft skills by organising sports carnivals and charity drives, providing help to student clubs and societies’ activities.
The Department of Science has invited lecturers and researchers from partner universities to deliver lectures.
The guests were impressed with the way KDU creates interest among students.
For every discussion after a talk, students had an understanding of the topics being discussed.
The events inspire students to become scientists besides showcasing the researches carried out at partner universities.
The diploma students visited research centres at Malaysian Palm Oil Board in Bangi, Chemistry Department in Petaling Jaya and healthcare service provider Gribbles Pathology Lab.
The international experience offered by this study path prepares graduates for advanced research.
In Malaysia, there has been an increasing emphasis on biotechnology, agro-technology and life sciences, which has resulted in a growth of public funding and private investments.
With the establishment of BioValley, the demand for life science graduates is expected to rise.
The qualification from partner universities offers graduates chances for employment or career advancement abroad.
KDU College offers the KDU-University of Tasmania twinning programme for the Bachelor of Biomedical Science (1 + 21/2; years), which gives graduates a foundation in biomedical science subjects.
The UTAS Biomedical Science graduates are recognised as medical scientists by the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists.
Registration is open for the next month’s intake.
For details, call 03-77288123, email best@kdu.edu.my or best@kdupg.edu.my (Penang campus) or visit www.kdu.edu.my, www.kdupg.edu.my (Penang campus)
(c) 2007 New Straits Times. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.