Shaping the Future of Transfusion Medicine: Inside the Selection of Tomorrow’s Specialists

January 27, 2025, Sains@Bertam, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute (IPPT) USM. The student selection interview sessions have been organized from January 27th to 28th, 2025, at Sains@Bertam, IPPT, USM. The Master of Medicine—MMed (Transfusion Medicine) program is a specialized program that has been producing specialist doctors in the field of transfusion medicine since 2006. It aims to produce transfusion medicine specialists who will handle clinical problems related to transfusion and be skilled in the field of transfusion medicine. This program is also the result of collaboration between IPPT, USM, and the National Blood Centre (PDN), Ministry of Health of Malaysia. IPPT, USM is the only "host" in Malaysia that organizes this program. The program produced its first graduates in 2010.

Among the admission requirements for the program are
1) Candidates must possess a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) or Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree from a local university or a foreign university recognized by the Malaysian Medical Council.
2) Having at least 1 year of experience serving as a medical officer in public hospitals in clinical or clinical laboratory fields, along with other equivalent qualifications, is a prerequisite.
3) Pass the interview and course entrance exam.

The candidate selection interview process is one of the critical components in assessing the suitability of candidates to join this postgraduate program. Among the criteria evaluated are the components of communication, commitment, and the candidate's motivation to specialize in the field of transfusion medicine. The judging panel this time is chaired by Associate Professor Dr. Intan Juliana Abd Hamid, Head of the Clinical Medical Department, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute (IPPT), USM. Also present as panellists were Dr. Mohammad Masrin Bin Md Zahrin, director of the National Blood Centre (PDN), Ministry of Health of Malaysia; Professor Dr. Narazah Mohd Yusoff; Dr. Idaleswati Nor Mohamed; and Dr. Siti Salmah Noordin.

A comprehensive assessment, taking into account structured evaluation scores and the strengths of the candidates, is important to maintain fairness and transparency in the selection process. It is to ensure that the best candidates are selected to join this postgraduate program. However, the competition among candidates is very fierce. 

To learn more about the Master of Medicine (Transfusion Medicine) program.

Please visit our website at https://academic.amdi.usm.my/mmedtm

Written by 
Dr. Nur Arzuar Bin Abdul Rahim
Department of Clinical Medicine
IPPT, USM