June 30, 2025

by Muhammad Farhan Mahmud & Dr. Siti Nur Illiani Jaafar

Location:  Kulliyyah of Nursing, IIUM

The Kulliyyah of Nursing, IIUM, proudly hosted two undergraduate nursing students from the School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong (HKU), as part of an inbound student mobility programme held from 3 to 20 June 2025. The programme commenced with an official opening and welcoming ceremony on 4 June 2025 at Kulliyyah of Nursing, where the students – Mr Pang Tsz Yin (Ivan) and Ms Chau Chui Ying (Candy) – were warmly received by members of the KON academic staff and student body. The session introduced them to IIUM’s vision and mission, its multicultural academic setting, and the integral role of nursing in delivering holistic and compassionate care within Malaysia’s healthcare system.

Media Engagement through KON’s ODL Studio

Over the course of two weeks, the exchange programme offered the students an enriching blend of clinical immersion, academic exploration, and cultural learning. Their journey began with a clinical visit to the Hemodialysis Unit at SASMEC @IIUM and the IIUM Dialysis Centre, Kulliyyah of Medicine, IIUM; followed by structured rotations through key hospital departments, including ICU, CCU, Paediatric Ward, Emergency Deaprtment, Endoscopy Unit, and medical-surgical wards. The students were also exposed to specialised services in maternal and child health through visits to the Halimatussaadia Mother’s Milk Centre, Fertility Clinic, and Mobile Clinic. 

The visit took place during the clinical posting period of the Kulliyyah of Nursing students, providing an opportunity for meaningful interaction. The students were able to meet on-site, exchange ideas, and foster new friendships throughout the programme. Meanwhile, academic activities at KON included an in-depth tour of the Clinical Skill Centre (CSC) and several interactive sharing sessions with IIUM students and lecturers.

Outside the clinical and academic settings, the students enjoyed a cultural excursion which included celebrating Eiduladha with local students at the renowned Sate Zul restaurant in Kuantan. They also participated in a community blood donation campaign in Gambang, and visited Klinik Kesihatan Beserah, a local school, and centres serving the elderly and persons with disabilities (PAWE and PDK).

A Holistic Programme of Clinical, Academic, and Community Exposure

A particularly memorable highlight of the programme was the students’ visit to the KON Open and Distance Learning (ODL) Studio, where they took part in a special podcast recording session entitled “Nursing Without Borders.” The session was hosted by Sr. Nurul Balqis, a Year 2 nursing student from Kulliyyah of Nursing, IIUM and provided a platform for intercultural dialogue. What made this engagement especially meaningful was that both Ivan and Candy were interviewed in their native language, Mandarin, allowing them to express their thoughts and reflections with depth and authenticity. They shared their views on the nursing profession, their experiences of student life in both Hong Kong and Malaysia, and the value of cultural diversity in healthcare. The session fostered a sense of solidarity and nursing unity across borders, underlining the universal values that connect the profession globally.

Cultural Immersion and Service Learning

The programme concluded with a formal closing ceremony on 20 June 2025, marking the successful completion of the exchange. Words of appreciation and reflections were shared, encapsulating the spirit of mutual learning and friendship that had blossomed throughout the visit. The programme achieved its core objectives by providing real-world clinical experience, fostering academic dialogue, promoting cultural understanding, and strengthening ties between IIUM and HKU. The inclusion of the “Nursing Without Borders” podcast served as a testament to the power of student-led initiatives in bridging global perspectives through digital platforms.Reflecting on the success of the programme, Asst. Prof. Dr Abdul Alif Abdul Hamid, Deputy Dean (Student Development & Community Engagement), remarked:

Dr. Alif presented the certificate of recognition to both Mr. Ivan and Ms. Candy.

“This exchange reflects our dedication to fostering globally competent and culturally sensitive nursing professionals. It not only enriched the academic journey of our guests but also broadened the perspectives of our own students.”

With the success of this initiative, both IIUM and HKU are optimistic about strengthening their collaborative ties in the near future. This fruitful engagement has not only enhanced mutual understanding but also highlighted the shared commitment of both institutions to advancing nursing education through global partnerships. Moving forward, IIUM and HKU aim to further expand their student mobility programmes, offering more opportunities for academic exchange, cross-cultural learning, and professional development. Such efforts are expected to contribute meaningfully to the promotion of excellence in nursing education across borders and to the cultivation of future nursing leaders with a global perspective.