As such, traditional models of education no longer suffice: hands-on experience, real-world exposure, and the confidence to step directly into a clinical setting are what the healthcare professionals of tomorrow need today.
This is the core philosophy that drives Institut Jantung Negara University College (IJNUC), an establishment uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between classroom learning and professional practice.
Offering a graduate certificate programme in cardiovascular and thoracic sciences in 2008, IJNUC has since expanded its range of diplomas.
According to vice chancellor and chief executive Durrishah Idrus, the premier institution upgraded from IJN College on May 13 to offer bachelor’s degree courses starting this month, with postgraduate programmes to follow suit.
Its secret lies not just in its curriculum but in its unparalleled partnership with the National Heart Institute (IJN), placing the heart of healthcare education directly within a leading medical centre.
“Our students are not just studying in a classroom, their campus is closely tied to a leading medical institution. Naturally, they will receive adequate exposure to learn, experience and improve their skills in their respective fields,” she said.
This unique opportunity is not only limited to IJN: Durrishah added that IJNUC is closely affiliated with other hospitals and healthcare institutions – government and private alike – to ensure students can integrate their learning and prep new skills for a sturdier career path.
To produce graduates that are “industry-ready” requires not only academic proficiency, but also practical skills and clinical confidence.
Allied health sciences faculty dean Noreen Ang Azlan shared that IJNUC’s curriculum emphasises interactive teaching, besides compulsory placement and training in other hospitals.
She also shared how the courses offered include an early introduction to practical knowledge as early as the second or third semester, depending on the courses.
In an effort to prepare students to be workforce-ready, the campus is equipped with facilities such as mock-up wards, an occupational safety and health (OSH) lab, a mock-up pharmaceutical dispensary, physiotherapy lab and more.
Final-year student Muhammad Rafiq, 20, who is pursuing a diploma in healthcare management, said he is grateful that IJNUC provided him not just with the opportunity to sharpen his knowledge but to intern in the emergency department.
“I was able to pick up a lot of skills and learn how to manage an emergency triage during my course, under proper guidance from my lecturers,” he said.
Ryza Lyn A Ofrecina, 20, an international student studying for a diploma in pharmacy, travelled from the Philippines to join IJNUC because of the institution’s reputation and accreditation, which are well known across borders.
Indeed, IJNUC’s curriculum model is a powerful blend of academic rigour and practical application. Leveraging both expertise and resources that go beyond IJN, the university college is setting a new standard for healthcare education.
IJNUC’s first intake is open until Sept 30. For more information, visit their website.