NEWS: Virtually engaged

FIRST-year biomedical science undergrads studying at Taylor’s University College in Selangor recently participated in a two-hour video-conferencing lecture series organised by the school’s twinning partner, the University of Queensland (UQ) in Australia.

UQ researcher and head of Neural Stem Cells and Aging Laboratory at its Queensland Brain Institute, Dr Rod Rietze, conducted the lecture.

The objective of the live session, attended by 550 students from both institutions, was to introduce students to a different mode of communication via technology. What transpired was an engaging session of sharing and exchanging information for both students and lecturers as they listened to Dr Rietze talk on the Therapeutic Applications of Neural Stem Cells.

The biomedical science students at Taylor’s University College listening intently during the video-conferencing lecture.

“Through plenary lecture series like these, students will be able to not just listen to top class researchers but also question the speaker and engage in active discussion,” said Taylor’s School of Biomedical Sciences programme director Dr Malini Eliatamby.

“As the undergrads will be engaging in research on a topic of their choice soon, they must be exposed to ways of conducting research as well as understand the importance of expressing research outcomes in different formats that are more relevant in today’s information age,” she added.

“Once they complete their assignments, these will be posted online for feedback and discussion.”

The students will be graded based on the quality of questions they post on the website as well as the quality of their responses to the questions posted by the other groups.

“Besides improving their research and scientific discussion skills, the students of both countries are also able to interact virtually and strengthen ties,” continued Dr Malini.