The Way Of The Sword

       People generally have the misconception that once your university or college years have whizzed by, you will no longer have that privilege to indulge in competitive sports. In other words, people (and most employers) would expect you to hang up your racquet or shoes and put that fateful baseball mitt of yours in a glass display box. In my case, many people expected me to hang up my “swords” and turn my armour into another dust collecting ornament in the middle of my living room. Retiring from “fighting for the honor of my country” has yet to cross my mind.

      Now that I have gotten you folks all interested and curious, wondering what kind of crazy cosplaying, Japanese animation or game fanatic I am, allow me to share with you my passion.

   “Kendo, 剣道” or literally translated as “The Way of the Sword”.

       Kendo, is an ancient art that was derived for Kenjutsu (or also known the Japanese swordsmanship that we have all come to know) that has existed since the feudal ages of Japan. Back in the days, the Japanese warriors have created the armour, that resembles that being used in modern Kendo, as a protective gear that allows then to train amongst themselves safely. Their deadly katana were replaced with a sturdy bamboo sword known as a shinai. Modern day Kendo has since evolved from there to a full combat sport that has been successfully able in retaining its essence, culture and values without turning it into a ruthless brawl in the bar on the competition court.

 

Olden days swordsmen training using armour and bamboo sword that shaped the modern day Kendo equipment.

        I am a proud practitioner of Kendo with over five years under my belt. With a rank of 2-dan (or more commonly known as a 'black belt'), I am now playing my role in honouring my country by fighting alongside with four other of my comrades in Malaysia's National Kendo Women's Team. Representing the nation in countless tournaments across the globe, we have survived through hardship laced with blood, sweat and tears. Perseverance, diligence and determination... these are the words that we have hung on to our passion. These are the few values that have been ingrained into our minds by our relentless Japanese senseis (instructors) ever since the first day. To date, I have been selected to represent Malaysia in the following competitions:

• 9th ASEAN Kendo Tournament in 2010, Singapore
• Malaysia-Singapore Goodwill Tournament in 2011, Malaysia.
• 11th Asian Open Kendo Tournament in 2011, Hong Kong
• 15th World Kendo Championships in 2012, Italy
• 10th ASEAN Kendo Tournament in 2013, Malaysia
• Malaysia-Singapore Goodwill Tournament in 2013, Malaysia.
  
  

       Our latest stint in the 10th ASEAN Kendo Tournament in Penang, Malaysia has been our greatest achievement with our women's team bagging the champion title for the first time! In the individual's category, we have also managed to snatch the champion and runner-up title from our neighbouring countries. I, myself, was awarded the “Best Fighting Spirit Award” for being one of the Top 8 female players in ASEAN region! 

Facing off the tough opponent from Singapore.
Me, second from right.

Me in action.
“A score to the head!! Point goes to Malaysia!”

 

“Best Fighting Spirit Award” medalists.
Me, on the right.

 

Malaysia Women's Kendo Team with the Champion trophy! The ladies coach, Miho Iwamoto, holding the cup.
Me, first on the right.

Taking this opportunity, I would like to extend my appreciation to my colleagues and also my students who have been encouraging and supporting me. Should there be a chance, I would very much love to share this unique sport and art to the younger blood in Vision College. 

By Looi Yeen May
Tutor
Postgraduate DIploma of Medical Ultrasonography (Asia)

Mammogram Screening In Vision College

           Vision COLLEGE. I bet all of you are wondering what MAMMOGRAM has got to do with a college. We are not a clinic, nor a hospital, but we are a Diagnostic Centre. Yes, interestingly, we are also a Diagnostic Centre!

Thus, that explains the mammogram screening in our college.

      This year Vision Diagnostic Centre is a proud panel for Mammogram screening under Social Security Organisation (SOCSO) and Lembaga Penduduk Dan Penbangunan Keluarga Negara (LPPKN). In this programme, we collaborate with SOCSO and LPPKN to provide FREE mammogram service for women 40 years old and above. Interested to know more? Keep on scrolling. Will guide you more on the service!

      SOCSO commonly known in the Malay term as PERKESO or Pertubuhan Keselamatan Sosial provides social security protection by social insurance including medical and cash benefits, provision of artificial aids and rehabilitation to employees to reduce the sufferings and to provide financial guarantees and protection to the family. 

 

      For the current year, SOCSO has provide FREE health screening for employees that are 40 years old and above. The health screening includes the physical examination, blood & urine tests, mammogram & pap smear. Employees will be given a voucher that is valid for one year through their employers. They will then proceed to Vision Diagnostic Centre to do the tests. 

Voucher must be verified to be original using this film provided by SOCSO.

             Here's a sample of the voucher!

      Unlike SOCSO, LPPKN focus mainly on housewives and high risk women. The mammogram is free for women between 40- 70 years old with household income less than RM5000. For those with income of more than RM5000, RM50 subsidy is given with each mammogram. Oh! Did I mention that this include a free breast ultrasound examination as well? Yes, it is included. FREE! Who doesn't like free stuffs right? 

Visit LPPKN for more info!

         Being a Diagnostic Centre with a difference, we go the extra miles in promoting this free screening programme. The government has allocated a generous amount of $$$ for this screening program and it is just right for us to grab the opportunity and create the awareness regarding breast cancer, leading to a healthier nation. So proud to say that women are pillars of the nation. So lets stay healthy ladies!

      Our first step in promoting awareness is to advertise our LPPKN mammogram service in HERO market Kelana Jaya. Take a peek at the brochure! The response is tremendously great, where we got calls from patients almost everyday asking for an appointment. Phewww!

 

        Up to date for the year 2013, we had so far attended to a total of 138 patients where 103 are from SOCSO, 33 from LPPKN and 2 paying patients. As a radiographer, I do look forward to provide the best service to my patients. When they walk out of the door after the mammogram, their warm smile and handshake really made my day. I hope that they had a wonderful and memorable experience here in Vision Diagnostic Centre.

“Early Detection Saves Lives”

By,
Murni Binti Reyaz Ahmad
Lecturer DMI 

Trip To Pusat Jagaan Rumah Kesayangan

         I have been working at Vision College since May 2012 and thus far, I have enjoyed my time here very much. My key duties include coordinating all matters related to student accommodation. As I have never worked in the education industry before, my initial experience in this organization was tough and challenging. Nevertheless, I am ever grateful to my friendly colleagues as they have been very helpful in alleviating my doubts and problems.

     At Vision College, there is a pleasant balance between work and play. Although we can be very focused at times, we never fail to find the time to have some fun with each other and our dear students. A great example would be our recent visit to the orphanage, Pusat Jagaan Rumah Kesayangan in July.

     During our time there, we had many activities with the children. We played games, shared stories and even help to prepare their meals. Finally, we also made a small contribution of daily food necessities such as rice, cooking oil and sugar. 

Before I end my blog post, here are some pictures from that event:

Photo with other student participants

Playing games with the children

Group photo

The children enjoying their meals

      Me presenting a small contribution to the home

 

By,

Norsyazwani Abd Karim

Admin Exec.

Computed Radiography System Experience In Vision Diagnostic Centre

         Almost a year has passed since we upgraded our X-ray department to state-of-the-art Computed Radiography (CR) system from darkroom processor. Since then, more than 1000 patients has undergone X-ray examinations of various parts (mainly chest X-rays), and close to 100 patients has done their mammography examination here.

CR image

        Back in the days where darkroom is our only means for film processing, the maximum number of patients that we can receive a day is around 20 patients. This is because of the time taken for the film to be developed, not to mention if additional views are required or repeated examinations due to errors. Waiting time is quite long, especially when patients came in groups.

      

      However, with the installation of a completely computerized imaging solution, the time taken for an examination to finish has decreased significantly. This is because the image processing time has been reduced to mere seconds, compared to almost 3-5 minutes on darkroom processing. Hence, we are able to reduce waiting time and cater more patients, and the department can be run more efficiently. Radiation safety aspect is also improved, where we are able to implement the high kV technique which essentially reduces exposure time and amount. This results in reduced radiation dose but with images that are on par, if not superior, with diagnostic quality as done previously.

PACS image

        We are also equipped with a PACS system, which facilitates film viewing for our radiologists. By using PACS, X-ray images, especially mammogram, can be viewed without printing the films. This is advantageous because a soft copy image can be manipulated for optimal contrast and details. In addition, the image can be zoomed and enlarged at the part which shows suspicious mass or nodules, a characteristic not found on conventional X-ray film.

       In a nutshell,computerized system has increased the efficiency of the X-ray department to a level that is not possible by the previous system. Moreover, reduction in patient's radiation dose is a part of our responsibility as a radiographer, thus by this CR system, we are able to fulfill that responsibility.

By,
Muhammad Riddha
Lecturer DMI

ISUOG/ASUM Conference

         23^rd World Congress on Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology (ISUOG) and joint ASUM Annual Scientific Meeting. Sydney October 2013. DMU(asia) Board of Examiners meeting.

            As part of the Vision College/ Gideons contingent, I was fortunate enough to go back to my home town of Sydney for the 23rd World Congress on my Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology (ISUOG) and joint ASUM Annual Scientific Meeting. 

            With a strong background in Obgyn. I knew I was going to be treated to some world class lectures by very familiar faces. I was also looking forward to catching up with some of Vision’s valued international lecturers (Dr. Sue Campbell Westerway) and DMU (Asia) examiners (Carol Bagnall). First thing: get on the plane. Unlike a lot of people, I always love flying from the LCCT. I love walking along the air side tarmac to climb the stairs to the plane. I know it’s not the biggest plane there is, but the size and scale always exhilarates me. 

 

              This time I couldn’t help but draw a comparison between the progress of commercial passenger flight and ultrasound. Initially there were the passionate few, who had a vision and the engineering skill to build a machine that few people could see a large scale use for. Next came the skeptics, the non-visionaries- the ones who worry about the safety and dismiss the benefits. Eventually there was wide spread acceptance of the machine and everyone was finding a use for it, but those uses were limited by physics and engineering of the time. Every operator had to be an expert. Then computer technology came riding along as the knight in shining armour to remove most of the limitations and provide even the novice operator the ability to use the machine. Power and quality improved. More choice was added. Specialist machines came on the market. Many companies started making different brands. The people started demanding choice and themselves became able to understand the technology and the ways it can improve the quality of their life. 

             

         So now, I can use a plane to take me to a conference where all the world experts on Obsgyn have joined together for 4 days of exchanging ideas and expanding their horizons.

          Here is the trade hall, where all the various ultrasound machine companies can display their wares, and demonstrate their advancements into the field.

          

          Of course, with hundreds of qualified sonographers graduating from Vision College over the years, you’re bound to bump into a few. Here I am with Li-Anne Leong. Since graduating from Vision with her Grad Dip DMU(asia), she has moved to Queensland, where she upgraded her professional qualification to DMU(general), and now works as a general sonographer by day, and lives the beach lifestyle on weekends. 

Li Anne Leong and me

Of course, this isn’t sunny Queensland, but Sydney is not bad either.

 

 

Darling Harbour

I’m sure this is just an example of the quirky Aussie sense of humour right?

            After 4 full days of lectures and seminars, hands-on sessions and Q&A time, I was off to Sydney Adventist Hospital where Dr. Sue Campbell Westerway had kindly organised a few days of professional observation in an echocardiography department. Vision College is working towards its first intake of the DMU(cardiac) specialty course, and this means our already highly qualified tutors and lecturers need to learn what makes echocardiography such an exciting and rewarding career choice.

 

 

          To help me understand the unique requirements and demands of the cardiac sonographer, I had to ‘live it’. 5min apple on the lawn anyone? With cardiac sonographers in extremely high demand, patients are flowing through the department, but a dedicated echocardiographer knows that urgent cases come in through A&E and from theaters and need to be slotted into the daily work list. Often, tea break will be the first casualty.

            Do any of the potential sonographers out there see what’s different about this picture? Some of you may have noticed that the ultrasound machine and the scanning bed are opposite sides to general imaging. No, all the echocardiographers are not a ‘lefties’- they are often taught to scan using their left hands as this position can be the best ergonomically. That’s a fancy word for most compatible with the human anatomy. All sonographers at Vision College are instructed on how to minimise the strains on their body that arise in any workplace. After all that dedication to study, we want you to have a long and successful career.

 

            Being an honorary SE Asian for 4 years now, I have forgotten about the familiar critters that share your house in Australia. This (big) fella was greeting me when I climbed the stairs to my bedroom at Dr Sue’s house. He just wanted to let me know that no mosquitoes would get past him, and I was in his safe hands for the wonderful 3 nights I got to stay with Sue and experience her generosity.

 

 

Of course, I was less comfortable with his playful version of hide and seek.

 

               To finish, no souvenir from Australia is complete if it doesn’t have a dual purpose of opening a bottle. Thank goodness the good folk at ASUM understood this unspoken rule. Just remember not to place it in your hand luggage!

Happy scanning. 

By,

Geraldene Carruthers Beirne  

Head Of Programme 

Postgraduate DIploma of Medical Ultrasonography (Asia)

 

Vietnam Trip

            Vietnam has always held a certain allure to me being a culture that has some elements of the Chinese culture I was from. I took my trip there as an opportunity to understand the rich culture of the Vietnamese.

I reached Vietnam on a cold rainy Friday. Not much different from Malaysia. Though so, the buildings were definitely different. It had elements of French influence and the architecture especially the older buildings definitely reflected a colonialist heritage.

When I reached the hotel, I was feeling peckish and decided to sample the food that Vietnam was famous for, Vietnamese Coffee and Pho Bo.

            The Vietnamese Coffee came with it’s own drip mechanism and it was definitely a brew you can’t drink anxiously. While waiting for the coffee to finish dripping, I tucked into the Pho Bo and it was superb. Vietnamese dishes that I know of absolutely try not to overcook the vegetables and Pho Bo is an example of a dish that the vegetables are best served raw. Mixing the raw vegetables in the soup broth brought around a new appreciation of the crunchiness of the vegetables mixed with the heartiness of the soup. The coffee kicked like a mule. Vietnamese like their coffee strong and this was a monster. It immediately awoken me and prepared me for the adventure ahead. 

           Next I went for a briefing by the Malaysian Education Attache, En. Helmy Sulaiman, he talked about the characteristics of the Vietnamese student and urge us to expand this market.

 

            The education fair began the next day at the hotel itself and we are deeply honoured to be graced by the presence of Tun Jeanne Abdullah, the wife of the former Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. She was here on an official visit with her husband and decided to visit the Education Fair also.

I presented her with a souvenir from Vision College

 

         Then the students came in and they were in all manner of people. From High schoolers to University Graduates, they were there to find out what Malaysian education had to offer.

          We also had visitors from a very interesting clan from Vietnam, Malay Muslims who have set up they own enclave and heritage in Vietnam generations ago. They spoke very little Malay but were absolutely fluent in Vietnamese.

 

Then the next day, we did a visit to Education Malaysia’s office in the heart of Ho Chi Minh to visit En Helmy.

          Taking a break before the next meeting, I went and had coffee again, I saw allot of the chain shops of Trung Nguyen Coffee, definitely more than the Starbucks chain in Vietnam, and decided to have a look. 

 

They served many types of coffee but the one that caught my eye was their concoction called Legendee Coffee.

After reading further, I realize it was made from the Weasel’s droppings after they consume coffee beans similar to the concept of Kopi Luwak from Indonesia. Having tried Kopi Luwak before, I was not at all squeamish about drinking animal droppings and promptly ordered it.

        I was quite surprised. It didn’t taste at all like Luwak. Very strong and acidic. It had a hint of ammonia that made me think the beans they used to make mine wasn’t washed properly. Oh well, I still finished it.

I visited a few agents then went back to get ready to explore the nightlife of Ho Chi Minh.

One thing I notice while walking in Ho Chi Minh, the citizens love to sit in low slung chairs with tables facing the road. Their enjoyment is watching the world go by while enjoying sweet mixed fruit juices.

 

Also the Vietnamese were mad about phones like we are. This mega phone shop was still opened at 11pm.

 

Visited their night markets and sampled their foods.

The next day, I met up with Alex and Kevin, NGO partners in Vietnam, and they took me to sample some rice wraps.

 

So Vietnam definitely was interesting. The food was amazing. Very diverse but with taste that were familiar to my palate. 

Will definitely come visit again.

By,

Hoh Wing Onn

Director Admission