06 APRIL <strong>15</strong>, <strong>2020</strong> Educationlink Oceania University medical graduates shine in Melbourne Venkat Raman Fifteen students of the Oceania University of Medicine (OUM) qualified to enter the medical profession following their recent graduation in Australia. The ceremony, held in Melbourne on March 7, <strong>2020</strong>, was attended among others, by OUM Founder-Chairman Taffy Gould, Vice-Chancellor Dr Viali Lameko, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Dr Randell Brown, Dean (Asia Pacific) Dr Chellaraj Benjamin, Dean (Australia) Dr Meshach Kirubakaran, Director of Faculty Affairs Dr Paula Diamante, BBJ Marketing Owner Joe Korac, members of the faculty, members of the families of graduates and students from the region. New Stars of OUM Julian Lai, Adefunke Liz Nnadigwe and Peyman Zarkandi received the Dean’s Medal for Academic Excellence. Graduates from Australia included Dr Adefunke Nnadigwe, Dr Colin Marriott, Dr Daliya Sari, Dr Duc Nguyen, Dr Esther Oluyide, Dr Julian Lai, Dr Kevin Reid, Dr Matthew Stewart, Dr Mikaiel Yosouf Mohmand, Dr Mohamad Yosouf Mohmand and Dr Tri Ngo. Dr Neghabian and Dr Zarkandi received their degrees in absentia. Dr Noor Al Rawe and Dr Martin Stonehouse were graduates from New Zealand and South Africa. Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Ms Gould said that Distance Learning in the field of medicine is yet a largely untested enterprise but was pleased that OUM has been able to evince the interests of doctors in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The graduates lauded the vision of Ms Gould and express their gratitude to Mr Korac and academic advisers for their support. Excellence and flexibility In an earlier interview with Indian Newslink, Ms Gould said that OUM has a record of <strong>15</strong>0 medical graduates who are now rendering medical services around the world. “There are no restrictions on the number of students that the University can take but we follow a strict entry procedure since we aim to ensure that doctors of high calibre and expertise go out to serve the world. The ability to manage and cater to varied time zones, the success of the graduation programme and the comparative cost advantage are factors that work in favour of OUM,” she said. A Samoan-Chartered Medical School, it is a partnership between the Samoan Government and e-Medical Education, a Florida-based company. The OUM curriculum is divided into two phases, namely Preclinical and Clinical, offered respectively as Distance Learning and hands-on learning in a clinical setting at regional teaching hospitals. Because of its remote location and to encourage students from other parts of the world to pursue medicine, the University developed an online curriculum and began to receive applications from all over the world. About Taffy Gould A philanthropist, Ms Gould established OUM in 2002 to address primarily the problem of shortage of qualified medical professionals in the South Pacific and later extended it other countries where paucity of human capital eludes timely healthcare service delivery. Speaking to a hall full of family, friends, faculty, and students, each graduate expressed thanks to OUM currently has 239 students from 10 countries and 122 graduates undergoing post-graduate training or practicing medicine in six countries. Seven OUM graduates are practicing medicine at Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital (TTM), the University’s primary teaching facility located in Apia, Samoa. Many OUM students continue to work and earn an income during the two years of preclinical studies. During this time, students will spend an average of 40-50 hours per week on their studies. OUM essentially becomes a second full-time job, and some students seek flexible work schedules during this time. An alumni’s impressions Jennifer Allen of the Class of 2012 said, “ A few Priyanca Radhakrishnan Labour List MP based in Maungakiekie Maungakiekie Office 09 622 2660 priyanca@parliament.govt.nz Level 1 Crighton House, 100 Neilson St, Onehunga (entrance via Galway St) | | priyancanzlp OUM Founder-Chairman Taffy Gould Taffy Gould and Dr Chellaraj Benjamin with Noor Al Rawe, a graduate from New Zealand things got me through the rough patches at OUM: recognising quality time with children over quantity, learning that laundry and dirty dishes could wait, New mental health initiative to reduce Covid-19 stress Mental Health Support to fight Coronavirus begins Supplied Content The New Zealand government has rolled out a new mental health initiative to help people look after their mental health during COVID-19 crisis. Health Minister Dr David Clark said that COVID-19 has brought a lot of uncertainty into the lives of people ant that many will be feeling some level of distress or worry about the future. The following is a Statement issued by him. We want people to know that they are not alone, and many Kiwis will be feeling this way. This is completely normal and the messages in the campaign launched today tell us that it is okay not to feel all right, all of the time. One initiative launched today was the Getting through together campaign which shares ways to help Kiwis cope with the stress of COVID-19. All Right? Campaign The campaign has been developed by ‘All Right?’ who produced the world-leading disaster-recovery programme following the Canterbury earthquakes, in partnership with the Mental Health Foundation. Getting through together also includes tools for parents, dubbed Sparklers at Home, which provides support for parents to talk with their primary-school aged children about their own mental health and wellbeing. The original Sparklers initiative has been hugely successful at supporting and promoting OUM Asia Pacific Dean Dr Chellaraj Benjamin that asking for help was OK, and that being at one sporting event could be just as rewarding as being at all of them…If becoming a doctor is something you have always wanted to do, then enrol at OUM and do it. The faculty and staff will support you and do everything they can to make sure you become a doctor.” Comparative benefits Dr Benjamin, a Radiation Oncologist and President of Auckland Indian Medical Society, said that the total cost of the five-course course would be US$ 140,000, far less compared to the fees charged by Universities in Australia (about US$ 255,000). In the US, the cost per year for a non-resident student could be about US$ <strong>15</strong>0,000. He said that Science graduates would be eligible to apply for admission to OUM, which is a fully accredited Medical School worldwide. “It is recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Indian Medical Council. Students from this University are eligible to take AMC Part I and II and NZREX examination after they complete their medical course,” Dr Benjamin said. Students interested in enrolment from India and any part of the world can email him at chelleraj.benjamin@oum.edu.ws (Pictures Supplied) George Scott (94) Video Shot the wellbeing of young Cantabrians following the Canterbury earthquakes, so I am pleased to see that this has been extended to help all Kiwi parents with their Tamariki. It is important to remember that a lot of the usual places people might go to for support, like your doctor, are still available. It might just be a phone call or an online video link instead. Impact on health workers I am also critically aware of the impact that COVID-19 is having on our frontline health workers. Many of the employers provide mental health support for their staff, and the Government is looking at what additional support is needed for our health workforce. Further supports are being finalised and will be announced this week. This includes telephone support as well as app and online resources and supports. Specific information and mental health support campaigns are also being designed for Māori, Pacific, older people, people with chronic health conditions or compromised immunity and new mothers. Choose New Zealand’s most trusted paint brand! For quality paint, colour and advice, come in to your local Resene ColorShop today! Authorised by Priyanca Radhakrishnan Labour List MP, 100 Neilson St, Onehunga 0800 RESENE (737 363) www.resene.co.nz
APRIL <strong>15</strong>, <strong>2020</strong> Businesslink 07 Living at Alert Level 4 Thank you for sticking to the rules and staying home It will save lives in your community It’s important that you stay in your local area. You can only drive to the supermarket nearest to you If you do leave your house, keep a 2-metre distance from people who are not part of your household. If an area is crowded, go home. Don’t stop and chat. Why those aged 70+ need to stay home The 70+, and those with pre-existing conditions, are the most at-risk of developing serious complications after contracting the virus. Staying home could literally save lives. Make sure you shop safe Be kind to others. Only touch what you want to buy. Keep a 2-metre distance, and use EFTPOS or a debit or credit card if you can, not cash. When you get home, wipe down goods with a soapy clean towel, then dry. Wash your hands Washing with soap for 20 seconds, then drying, kills the virus. Stay home At Alert Level 4 you can only go out for exercise or to access essential services. Cough or sneeze into your elbow This catches the droplets and stops the virus being spread by your hands. Be kind Check-in on the 70+ living alone. Got questions? Find the answers faster at Covid19.govt.nz
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