TUPSS 2014/2015 Organizational Chart.

In case you don't know who is the new committee members of TUPSS ~

Here is the brand new organizational chart :

TuPSS election day

On the 18th of September 2014, TUPSS held its annual election in which the old committee would step down and be replaced by the newly elected committee.

This year, instead of being held in a small classroom, it was held in a lecture theater as a classroom would've been too small due to the large turn up for the elections this year. Many turned up to play their part in determining the voices that would represent them in the council for the next term.

The event started with speeches being delivered by nominees who have gone through an interview process by the previous board members. There, nominees were given a chance to woo the crowd with their respective speeches and to hopefully earn votes.

After the votes were collected, the previous president, JenningYeong, gave his final and tearful speech while a few members of the previous committee were counting the votes.

The results are as follows:

President: Alene Yong
Vice President: Ong Qi Jun
Secretary 1: Yee Wey
Secretary 2: Kelly Chan
Treasurer: Ng Kar Weng
Head of Project Management: Loke Ren Zhang
Head of Editorial Board: Chan Jing Er
Head of TEMP: Bong Zhang Min

TUPSS as a whole would like to give thanks to the previous committee under the leadership of Jenning for all their services to the student body, and would like to wish the new committee all the best in their new reign.

When Leaders are Shaped - 13th IPSF APRO LIT

13th IPSF APRO Leaders in Training (LIT) was held on 19/8/14 to 22/8/14 at Taylor's University Lakeside Campus. A training program which prepare the participants in leadership skills in addition to various soft skills which would be relevant in their practice as a pharmacy students leader. A total of 14 participants from Thailand, Indonesia, Taiwan, Republic of Korea and Malaysia participated this event.

The distinguished trainers are David Cechlovsky, Chairman of Professional Development from International Pharmaceutical Students' Federation (IPSF) and James White, Secretary from Asia Pacific Regional Office Regional Working Group (APRO-RWG).

David Cechlovsky, facilitating ice breaker during the welcoming party.

James White, photo taken during APPS Gala Night.

Various topics including communication, project management, email writing, and pitching were discussed and tips to improve these aspects were also shared on order to allow the participants to become a better leader who can perform more effectively.

A highlighted session of this program was the "Impromptu Theatre" where the participants were required to act and speak spontaneously on the stage. It acts as a perfect platform for participants to overcome the fear of speaking in front of crowd and learn to convert ideas generated spontaneously into verbal expression. Aside of that, some of the participants were able to enhance their act with humor, making it a night full of laughter.

Another unforgettable and fruitful experience was when the participants had to "endure" a simulated pitching session. They were required to pitch their project for sponsorship to the "sponsors" acted by the trainers and APRO-RWG. Not only that, they were also be questioned by the "sponsors" with provocative and critical questions.

Reception Committee (Jenning, Hui En) serving the food diligently.

All in all, it is definitely a rewarding experience not only for the participants but also the Reception Committee.

Group Photo during the last day!
(Credits to Edberg Andreas)

LIT Participants, Trainers, APRO-RWG and RC reunited in APPS Gala Night.

~TOGETHER WE GROW~

Editor's Notes:
A big thanks to the trainers and ARPO-RWG for being helpful and cooperative throughout the program. Thumbs up for the participants as well, your performance throughout the training was really impressive and inspiring! We glad to be a host for you all.
Lastly, I appreciate the generosity of Edberg Andreas in providing the group photo. 

Click to read on "I hear, I forget; I see, I remember; I do, I understand” - Sharing from LIT Participants"
Click to read on "A Whole New Experience - 13th IPSF APPS"

A Whole New Experience - 13th IPSF APPS

The 13th IPSF Asia Pacific Pharmaceutical Symposium (APPS) was held in Malaysia on 22/8/14 to 28/8/14. The 7 days 6 nights event comprised of informative symposiums, inspiring workshops, entertaining social nights would have made it an unforgettable memories for participants across Asia Pacific including Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan, Republic of Korea, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Sudan and Algeria.

Day 0

The event marked its start with the inaugural welcoming party in the ballroom of Seri Pacific 5 Stars Hotel, providing the warmest hospitality to the participants and the most amazing experience to the participants taste buds with an international cuisine buffet. It was followed by a gimmicks and a few ice breakers.

One of the ice breakers when they have to stand on a very smal piece of card board.

Day 1

It was officially started with an opening ceremony attended by honorable guests including Datuk Nancy Ho, President of Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society, Deans from School of Pharmacy from different Universities in Malaysia and other guests. A flag ceremony was held to welcome participants from different countries.

Professor Dr P. T. Thomas and Reception Committee from Taylor's University

After the symposium given by various speakers expertise in fields such as personalized medicine and pharmacy practice, the day marked its end with an enriching "International Night". It was a social event where participants from different countries brought food and tit bits representing their culture and also had performances which were really an eye-opener for the audience.

Participants from Malaysia!
(Credits to Nash Rahman)

Traditional Dance from Korean.
(Credits to Tan Zhi Shan)

Performance from Japan eventually became the champion of the night.
(Credits to Tan Zhi Shan)

Day 2

The highlighted sessions of the Day 2 were the variety of workshop prepared such as Scientific Poster Exhibition, Patient Counselling Event, Suppository Workshop, Medical Apps Workshop, Halal Pharmaceutics Workshop, workshop about Pfizer and Innovation. In addition, all participants were able to enjoy and witness the cultural diversity of Malaysia through a specially prepared Malaysia Cultural Workshop where the participants had chances to play traditional games, try traditional cloth from different ethnics in Malaysia and most importantly make traditional food such as curry puff on their own!

Cultural Workshop featuring traditional Malay musical instrument.
(Credits to Nash Rahman)

Day 3

The first of its kind "Pharmazing Race" was no doubt one of the best feature in APPS where participants had the chance to wander through the streets and lanes of Kuala Lumpur as well as experience of using Malaysia integrated railway system to travel around. They have left their footsteps across Batu Caves, Central Market, National Mosque, Botanic Garden and Independence Square. After the race, they prepared the materials and visual aids needed for Public Health Campaign awaiting them in the next day.

Batu Caves station, 272 steps conquered!

Central Market, a collection of arts.

Volunteer from national mosque giving the participants a guided tour.
(Credits to Shaeh Cai Ying)

Orchid Garden, where future pharmacists meet nature!
(Credits to Shaeh Cai Ying)

Race ended! Independence!
(Credits to Brian Wong)

Day 4

Another challenging and meaningful moment for the participants as well as the reception committees was the Public Health Campaign, spreading anti-tobacco messages in form of street parade across Kuala Lumpur Golden Triangle Area. They collected car honks from the motorists as a sign of support, played Truth or Myth game with smokers, showing placard and giant cigarette. A booth was also set up at Plaza Sungai Wang as a follow up point for those who need further consultation. The most interesting part was a flash mob in front of Lot 10 was performed by the participants, to further attract the audience and promote awareness on the risks of smoking.

Ready to go!

Participants promoting anti-tobacco awareness.
(Credits to Nash Rahman)

A group photo after the flash mob.

Although there were some disgruntled and provocative responses from certain smokers due to perceived threat on their rights on smoking, but generally the campaign was really a success. One of the reception committee (Jenning Yeong) witnessed a heart warming moment where a young-ling insisted his father to stop smoking. When being asked whether he knew about the danger of smoking, the young-ling said he didn't know about it, but insisted his father to stop smoking simply because "I know it is not good."

After the campaign, participants were dispersed to enjoy their free night.

Day 5

After the enlightening symposium and Regional Assembly, it finally came to an end of the event. The Gala Night together with closing ceremony was held at Saloma Bistro. During the closing ceremony, awards were given to the winners of various competition held during APPS such as Best Scientific Poster Competition, Clinical Skill Event, Patient Counselling Event and Pharmazing Race. It was also announced that the 14th IPSF APPS will be held at Pattaya, Thailand. 

Saloma Bistro

Jenning and his group became the 1st runner up of "Pharmazing Race"

All good thing must come to an end.
(Credits to Mae and William Photography)

Finally, Viva La Pharmacie! 

May all the memory of the friendship formed in this encounter will be everlasting.

Editor's Notes:
A great congratulation and thanks to Malaysian Pharmacy Students' Society (MyPsa) and the Reception Committee for organizing this event. It is definitely a successful event, making it possible for pharmacy students from different countries to cross each other path. I am really grateful to have all these incredibly amazing encounter in these period. These people are really wonderful and I shall keep the memories everlasting deep in my heart.

I would like also like to express my gratitude to Nash Rahman, Tan Zhi Shan, Shaeh Cai Ying, Brian Wong as well as Mae and William Photography. for generously contributing the mentioned photos in this post.

Click to read on "When Leaders are Shaped - 13th IPSF APRO LIT"
Click to read on ""I hear, I forget; I see, I remember; I do, I understand” - Sharing from LIT Participants"

"I hear, I forget; I see, I remember; I do, I understand” - Sharing from LIT Participants

Lin Chia-Ying, Taipei Medical University, Taiwan: 

There were two main reasons why I wanted to join LIT: First, since I participated the LIT held in Taiwan, hence I wish like to experience what would be the difference between the LIT in foreign country and Taiwan; Another reason was because I saw the photos of my senior Dora Lee (APRO-RWG Chairperson Term 2013-2014) attending LIT before, hence inspiring me to move out of my comfort zone. 
It had really proven that the 4 days 3 nights of LIT even though busy and exhausting, it was the most enriching experience of my journey. Under the instruction of the excellent trainer, David and James, we slowly grasp the gist of leadership characteristics through various simulated activities.

• From the activity “Story Charade”, I realised the importance of attending to vital details in communication, the ways of providing and accepting feedback while putting myself in others’ shoes as well as to be able to consider the vision of overall situation. 
• The “Detective Game” and “Build the Bridge” activities allowed me to utilize communication skills, note taking skills and body language that I learned in the morning, learning to let go the perception of self to be able to listen to others, completing the task part by part. 
• In the “Simulated Graduation Tour Discussion”, I gained insights of necessary attribution of a competent facilitator. When facing dissenting views within a group, there must be some ground rules for purposeful discussion, then the messages shared must be precise and accurate, the facilitator should also be able to comprehend and be in control of the flow of the discussion. 
• In thinking the preparation of a project, I realised that being meticulous is one of the most important key for a successful event. For instance, preparing for a LIT needs classrooms, dormitories, staffs, meals and transportation. However, each part requires being thoughtful on details, such as the distance from dorms to university, the facilities of the classroom, the proper appetite for the members from different countries, and so on. As the adage goes, "The devil is in the details.” 
• Finally, when facing the challenge of preparing a proposal in 1 hour, we were able to apply and integrate what we learned about communication, facilitation and concepts on project management. 
• In reflection, I realized my lacking of comprehensive mode of thinking and narrow breadth of mind. 

In fact, I noticed that I had actually learned some of the concepts mentioned before participating LIT, for example to formulate SMART objective in proposing a project. However, due to the lack of applying such concepts into practical setting, it merely appeared as insubstantial understanding in my mind; but given the opportunity to apply these knowledge in LIT, I gained deeper and more comprehensive insights, able to share it with others comfortably.
As quoted by Maria Montessori,

“I hear, I forget; I see, I remember; I do, I understand”. 

What I really grateful about is being able to make so many new friends which I believe our friendship will last forever. Even though we come from different country and cultural background, communicating not using our mother tongue was a challenging effort, but in these few days of learning together, we slowly gained deeper understanding on each other and became interdependent and indispensable members of a family. 10 days are really a short period for us, I really don’t want to leave these wonderful people. We grow together, we accomplish together, and we cherish each other. I believe our friendship would be just like what we said in the last day of LIT, “Check in and never check out”.

Maprang Chanakan, Burapha University, Thailand:

LIT was a really great experience to me. Everything that I have learned is so new to me. It makes me understand more about how to be the good leader, especially on the aspect of work distribution and being a good speaker as well as a good listener. I enjoyed LIT so much especially the part of being able to meet new friends from different countries. We had spend a lot fun time together. Finally, I really like Taylor’s University. It’s so beautiful,has many interesting place.

Now, I am still prefer to be a follower than a leader because I'm very shy. But LIT gave me more courage and confident to be a leader or a volunteer if I have to.

Nisa Mastiyah, Universitas Padjadjaran, Indonesia:

For me, being LIT participant this year was the best experience I've ever had. I met new people from different places and background at one place and shared the same happy thoughts together. The RC made a magnificent job and I would like to thank them for comfortable accommodation and nice meal during my stay. Taylor's Uni was the perfect place for LIT, a very great campus indeed. Our trainers, David & James and previous RWG were awesome. I was lucky and grateful to have them there. For the other LIT participants, they were kind and I always felt warm around them. We all are a team and a team sticks together forever. Hope to meet everyone again someday as we ever said, we checked in and will never check out.

My favorite part was the communication training by James. It's important to deliver feedback on someone's work, Do not use the word but, do not critisize, give some compliments and encouraging them. I also like Project Management by David. We learned about phases of project, how to set up goal and specific objectives to accomplish the goal using the method SMART. Also, when you're dealing with sponsor for your project, make sure you set the budget clear. I found these very useful.

Editor's Notes:
With the hope to inspire and reveal the beneficial impact of Leaders in Training (LIT) on personal development, these participants were invited to share their testimonies after LIT. For those who strive to be a better leader, your opportunities lie around you.*

I salute the contributors for being brave enough to move out of comfort zone and share their thoughts here. I sincerely appreciate your kind effort in providing the testimonies. Thanks Chia-Ying, Prang and Nisa, let us get started and strive for the best.

*TuPSS Election is coming soon! Grab a role.

Click to read on "When Leaders are Shaped - 13th IPSF APRO LIT"
Click to read on "A Whole New Experience - 13th IPSF APPS"

NPSC 2014!

On the 11^th of april 2014, a group of brave souls set forth from the comforts of Lakeside on a 4 hour journey to IIUM in Kuantan for the 7^th annual National Pharmacy Sports Carnival (NPSC). The contingent from Lakeside consists of 29 men and women who decided that studying alone would not make them good pharmacists in the future and that fitness and camaraderie were important factors as well.

The contingent, led by the eminent Ng Yew Keong form year 2, were competing in the track and field events, futsal, badminton and ping pong.

When we arrived at the International Islamic University of Malaysia, we were welcomed by the organizing committee with dinner as well as news that we were the first to arrive amongst all the other unis. Shortly after dinner, our president, Jenning Yeong, decided that it was a good opportunity to discuss tactical matters before the other unis could arrive and eavesdrop. About after an hour later, the rest of the university’s arrived and the opening ceremony of the event started. There were speeches by VIPs who encouraged us to be “on the look out” for our potential spouse at the event because it has happened before (ironically, one of the rules of the event was that men and women were not to mingle to prevent “unwanted” incidences). When the event was officiated, we finally got to check in into our apartment (which was really nice!) and could finally sleep, but by the time we settled down, it was 12am already.

We woke up at 6am the next day for the main event; It would be a full day of sports all the way until late at night. The morning started out with the futsal, ping pong and badminton events. Our futsal team was dwarfed by stronger and larger opponents at first, but our captain, Aqil, made an inspiring speech to encourage us. However, we did not manage to make it out of the group stage. Thankfully, we managed to NOT get thrashed thanks to our captain Aqil. In ping pong, our sole representative Vincent Ngu managed to defeat all his opponents in the group stages, qualifying him for the semi-finals. He prevailed even then and all the way into the finals, where he went head to head with a previous opponent that he beat in his group. It was a close game, with Vincent nearly clinching the winning point but his opponent managed to overpower him. Nevertheless, Vincent won our first medal for the day and we were proud of him. For badminton, we managed to win a few games in our men’s single and doubles division, but were slightly short of points to qualify into the semi finals. However, for the women’s double event, Hui Qi and Bong managed to win enough games in the group stages to qualify for the semi-finals. They were matched with Nottingham and was given quite a run for their money with one team catching up with the next team in points very quickly. Thankfully, Hui Qi managed to make use of her height advantage and score the winning point with a smash. In the finals however, the enemy team from CUCMS was just too strong, but despite their best efforts, they lost to a powerful team. But that was the second silver medal of the day for us and we were overjoyed!

As the daylight faded, many of us were worn out and tired. Yet we were not allowed to return to our apartment to rest or shower. Instead, we were told that we could only go back later in the night right after the track and field events. Despite being terribly worn out and sticky, our athletes persevered throughout the day by relying on energy drinks and impromptu public naps. Then it was time for the track and field events as the sun was setting. We took part in a few track events for both the male and female categories. The women’s 4x400m was one of the track events that we participated in and were represented by Hui Qi, Hui Wei, Rachel and Ivy Kong, in which they managed to be the third fastest, clinching the bronze medal.

After that we immediately headed back to our apartment to get some good night’s rest as we were told that we would have to be up early (6 AM) the next day again.

Many of our athletes were tired and injured, and without sufficient rest, many of us could barely wake ourselves up. Yet again, our athlete’s displayed sheer determination and willpower to make it for the traditional games session. However, many of us sat out for the traditional games because of our injuries. Nevertheless, the traditional games session was a fun time for many of us where we played fun games like “angry bird” where we used a large piece of cloth to pass water balloons along. It was fun seeing our teammates being hit in the face by a water balloon too!

Then came the long awaited closing ceremony; Where we finally could hide from the suns heat in a grand, air-conditioned, hall. We were served delicious food and given a display of capoeira artists. It was then the awards session, where our winners were presented their medals and the final inter-university score was presented. We ranked 9^th out of 13 this year (compared to second last in the previous year!)! We improved and that was great. But above all, the lot of us had fun working with each others, seniors and juniors alike, for…fun. The event also reminded us that academics is not anything, and that the pride of our University is also very important; Therefore, fellow pharmacy students of Taylor’s, what are you waiting for? Start training now for the next NPSC!

HIV/ AIDS: what you should know

HIV is acronym for Human Immunodeficiency Virus, while AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.

To date, there are 35.3 million people living with HIV worldwide; where 2.1 million are adolescents, and 9.7 million sufferer are from low and middle-income countries.

DID YOU KNOW? 
There is World AIDS Day since 1988, which unite the people worldwide to fight against HIV, show support for people living with HIV and also commemorate people who have died of AIDS. It falls on 1st of December every year.

The World AIDS Day is important as it also raise public and government awareness, to improve public education as well as raise money for future research: the cure for HIV and AIDS.

In conjunction with world AIDS day, TuPSS will be sharing some knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS to increase public awareness and knowledge about the disease.


What HIV does? 

HIV is a retrovirus that targets the CD4 (a protein strain on T-cells) and macrophages in body. Both CD4 and macrophages are responsible for body's immune system. By destroying CD4, patient affected with the virus will have depressed immune system, vulnerable to diseases. Often, self-limiting diseases may cause death for AIDS patient.

Stages of HIV infections. 

1. Acute HIV Syndrome 
Usually 2-4 weeks after HIV infection. There are some signs and symptoms of the acute HIV infection, that most people mistreated it as normal cold and flu.
Fever, chills, fatigue, muscle aches and weight loss are the few signs and symptoms of HIV infection.

sign and symptoms of acute HIV syndrome.
photo acquired from health boss 

2. Clinical latency
HIV virus at this stage, is considered as hibernated. Very low level of virus count makes it undetectable. Patients will seemingly maintain a healthy CD4 cell count. This stage can be maintained up to 8 years. This is one of the reason why 6 out of 10 young people will not realise that they are infected.

3. AIDS
Patient at this stage is diagnosed when the CD4 cell count fall below 200 cells per cubic millimeter of blood (< 200 cells/ mm3). This is a stage where the infected patient has a badly damaged immune system, vulnerable to opportunistic infections. Patient may suffer from diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, chills and fever.
Whitish coating on tongue, throat or vagina, purple spots in mouth and anus, unexplained shortness of breath are the symptoms to look up for too.

Opportunistic infections
photo adapted from womenshealth.org

Risk Groups 
In Malaysia, injecting drug users have higher risk of HIV as they have tendency to share needles and reuse needles. In 2000, 70-80% of reported HIV patients are injecting drug users. Although HIV is mainly transmitted through sex, but surprisingly, in about 81000 people who live with HIV in Malaysia, there is only 0.6% of them are sex workers.

Gays (men who have sexual activity with men) are more prone to HIV infection, because they often have anal sex, and do not use condom.

Adolescences below 19 years old contributed 3.5% of HIV positive patients in Malaysia. 54% of them got infected by vertical transmission, which is transmitted directly from mother to embryo during delivery or lactation.

Myths about HIV/AIDS 
* HIV cannot spread by touch, tears, sweet or saliva.
* You can't get HIV by mosquito bites.
* You can't get HIV by using public facilities such as swimming pool and toilet.
* You can get HIV via oral sex.
* There is treatment for HIV patient (antiretroviral treatment) to reduce viral count in body and boost immune system, but NOT cure it.
* A person with negative HIV result might not be 100% correct: as there might be not enough antibodies for detection. A person must go through another screening after 3 months to validate the result.

HIV Screening 
There are a few choices to screen for HIV infection.
If you are Malaysian, you can go to government hospital to get HIV screening for free.

1. antibody screening test 
Our body will produce antibody to act against HIV. Through detection of the antibody, it can deflect whether a person is infected by HIV or not.
However, it needs 6-12 weeks for the body to produce the antibodies. Thus, a screening done before 6 weeks might not be accurate.

2. polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test
It detects genetic material of HIV. Using this method, HIV can be detected as early as 2-3 weeks after infection. However, this is way more costly as compared to antibody screening.

3. Oral HIV screening 
Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), United States recently approve the sales of oral HIV screening test to public. It is able to detect both strain of HIV: HIV-1 and HIV-2 in saliva, and get the result within minutes. It is a small device mimics pregnancy test, has a high sensitivity of 92%. However it might show false negative test (8 in 100).

It is recommended to screen for HIV once a year, or every 6 months for those who are sexually active. 

Prevention is better than cure! 

Stigma and Discriminations 

People living with HIV always faced the problem where they are discriminated and isolated from the public. This is because most people believe that HIV is highly contagious and it is better to avoid any possible contacts. Some people even thinks that it is due to their irresponsibility that they get HIV infection. 

It may seems not important to most people, but it greatly affected HIV positive patient. They might lose jobs (which they are able to do just like anyone else), lose reputation, and feeling hopeless. They lose the right to receive a fair treatment. 

Lets listen to what HIV patient have to say, you might have a deeper insight. 

This is Kamaria, a HIV positive patient. 

Last but not least, take this QUIZ to test your understanding!
And share it, spread the awareness!

references: 

World Health Organisation 

WebMD

Malaysian AIDS Council 

worldsaidsday.org 

aids.org


written by Ng Shu Hui