Mr Khairul’s diagnostic radiography course includes learning how to operate machines for X-rays and other imaging scans. (Photo: Chong Jun Liang)
By PHILIP LEE
He chose Nanyang Polytechnic over Nanyang Technological University.
But Mr Muhammad Khairul Saidi has no regrets. As a SingHealth scholar, the three-year diploma course in diagnostic radiography that he opted for includes a one-year degree conversion programme at the University of Sydney in Australia.
“I am very happy as the scholarship means that my family’s money burdens will be lighter,” says the 24-year-old. He adds that he is deeply grateful to SingHealth for giving him the opportunity to better his future.
Two months ago, the former student of Victoria School and Tampines Junior College topped his batch, earning a Ministry of Health gold award for scholastic excellence.
Upon completing his Australian degree course, he will return home to serve his four-year service commitment at Changi General Hospital, which is near his family home in Simei.
“The SingHealth scholarship at Nanyang gave me the opportunity to work in all the major Singapore hospitals, including those not in the SingHealth cluster,” he says.
“I spent part of my semester breaks, from year one, on attachments at these hospitals. This scheme gave me an educational hands-on start to my degree course.”
He says diagnostic radiography covers disciplines such as operating machines for normal X-rays as well as those that do MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging), CT (computerised tomography) scans and ultra-sound scans.
“Another area is nuclear medicine, which involves imaging techniques using radioactive isotopes in diagnosis and therapy.
“Even the routine X-rays of patients need special skills to carry out, especially in a hospital’s Accident and Emergency wards, where many patients arrive highly distressed or badly hurt,” he explains.
“We have to learn the skills of calming them down and then make them keep very still so that the X-ray negatives would be sharp and useful to the doctor attending to the patient.
“Of course, we have to take such X-rays from different angles. Without this initial X-ray info, the
doctor cannot start his work as effectively.”
About two weeks before the scholarship holders left for Australia, SingHealth organised a one day
camp and workshop to prepare them for study and life overseas.
“SingHealth got experts to talk to our group of about 16 people on things like basic cooking, first aid and self-defence.
“Also, some scholars who have returned from overseas gave talks and helpful tips. It was a thoughtful and useful preparation for all of us.”
On his Australian stint, Mr Khairul says: “I hear that the campus at Sydney University is very
cosmopolitan, and I really look forward to making friends from different countries.
“Also, I am told that the study culture there emphasises independent research and self-reliance and much less book mugging. And the lecturers treat their undergraduates as equals.
“It will be an enriching experience, if all I hear is true.”