I was also privileged to lead as president of the IMU Surgical Society. In 2023, we successfully hosted the National Global Surgery Symposium on our Seremban campus, bringing together over 200 medical students and doctors from across Malaysia. This event was not just a personal milestone but a collective achievement that I am sure will remain a treasured memory for everyone involved.
Currently, I am engaged in medical research and co-authoring papers with my professors while preparing for the MRCS Part A exam, scheduled for 15 January, 2025. These pursuits not only support my career progression but allow me to work remotely, giving me more time to spend with family in Ipoh. I’m also using this period to reconnect with old friends and travel with my batchmates, making the most of this well-earned break.
Looking forward, I intend to join the first batch of housemanship starting in March 2025. After completing four years of government service, I aspire to specialise in surgery, with a particular interest in trauma and cardiothoracic surgery. I also plan to remain active in research, as I see it as a crucial pathway for medical innovation that paves the way for groundbreaking advancements in healthcare.
To future students, I offer this advice: respect your lecturers. I’ve had immense admiration for my teachers throughout my journey in both the FIS and MBBS programmes, recognising the unseen efforts they put in to help us succeed. Building close connections with them helped me appreciate their dedication and was the foundation of my learning experience.
Another practical tip is to establish a daily study checklist. From Semester 6 to 10, I maintained a virtual checklist every single day, which played a big part in helping me achieve distinctions in my exams.
Additionally, I encourage students to be active in extracurricular activities and take pride in representing IMU—continue the legacy. IMU University is indeed a place where great doctors are made!
Written by Shivadeva Selvamani, first place winner of the Dr Tan See Leng Award of Leadership at the 9 November 2024 convocation.
