Empowering Future Doctors: Trisakti Students Dive into Laboratory Animal Handling at AMDI, USM.

The Advanced Medical and Dental Institute (AMDI), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) recently hosted medical students from Universitas Trisakti, Indonesia for a comprehensive 3-day elective course on Laboratory Animal Handling and Management. This specialized training program aimed to equip future doctors with essential skills in animal care, handling, and ethical practices in biomedical research.

Held at AMDI’s preclinical facility, the course combined theoretical knowledge with hands-on practical training to prepare students for real-world applications in preclinical and translational research involving laboratory animals.

Led by Dr. Nor Azlina, and a team of experienced veterinary and technical personnel, the program provided an in-depth overview of:

·         Biosafety and risk management in laboratory settings

·         Animal ethics and relevant regulatory guidelines

·         Basic animal husbandry and health monitoring

·         Handling, restraining, dosing, and blood collection procedures in rodents

·         Rodent necropsy techniques

Throughout the training, students engaged in active learning and received close supervision during practical sessions. The highlight of the course was the intensive hands-on component, where students practiced animal procedures under the guidance of Rodiah Mohd Radzi, Ahmad Aminulhafiz Isa, and Khairil Amri Abd Hadi@Paulus.

The interactive nature of the training not only strengthened technical competencies but also emphasized the importance of animal welfare and ethical responsibility in research. As noted by programme coordinator, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hasni Arsad, “Providing future healthcare professionals with a strong foundation in ethical animal research is vital. This program helps them understand not only the techniques but also the responsibility that comes with working with living subjects.”

This elective course marks another meaningful collaboration between USM and Universitas Trisakti, fostering academic exchange and capacity building among medical students in the ASEAN region.

Prepared by:
Dr. Nor Azlina Khalil
Animal Research Section
Advanced Medical and Dental Institute (AMDI)
Universiti Sains Malaysia
24 July 2025