Wang Bingfei - 10th Anniversary Book - Temasek Foundation International

Having a heart for the elderly

In her free time, Wang Bingfei, 30, likes hiking in the mountains. As a nurse and teaching assistant in geriatrics at Hebei Medical University’s Nursing College, China, she confronts a different uphill task: the number of elderly is climbing rapidly worldwide. Geriatrics specialists like Ms Wang will be at the heart of this challenge.

But if there is one thing that she has learnt from the Programme in Nursing, it is this: there ain’t no mountain too high – with teamwork.

“Nursing schools and hospitals in Singapore are well connected. The teachers and the practitioners work together to educate,” she says. “When the students are in the hospitals to learn from the practitioners, the teachers continue to observe them. The teachers and practitioners then provide feedback to one another. This sort of integrated training is the key for students to connect theory and practice – and it’s what I’m most interested in to carry out in China.”

Ms Wang can’t wait to energise her students and colleagues with the ideas she has gathered. She is also hoping that together, they can explore how hospice, home and elderly day care are vital in geriatrics, even though these aren’t medical treatments. “Geriatrics is multifaceted,” she says. “Apart from medication, providing companionship and understanding to the elderly is important too.” An integrated approach to health means the individual’s entire well-being is considered.

Ms Wang is already thinking ahead. Palliative care has been on her mind. “It’s common to talk about birth, ageing and sickness, but not death,” she says. As she discusses these health care issues with the network of friends gained from the Programme, she feels assured: the future of health care is not in one but many good hands.

Participant from Hebei Medical University’s Nursing College, China, in: Programme in Nursing by Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore, and Temasek Foundation International

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Text by Wong Shu Yun.

*More of such stories can be found in Temasek Foundation International's 10th anniversary commemorative book 'Leading Journeys: Inspirations for Asia and Beyond".

Tjhin Wiguna - 10th Anniversary Book - Temasek Foundation International

Dispelling myths, changing lives

Fresh off graduation from medical school more than 25 years ago, Tjhin Wiguna was part of a medical team that carried out immunisation jabs and health checkups for an aboriginal community residing near West Kalimantan, Borneo. There, he witnessed several health care issues plaguing the community – due to rumour mongering and a lack of education.

Despite the high prevalence of diseases like malaria and typhoid, parents refused to immunise their kids: there was a strong misconception that exposing children to needles caused fever, seizures and even death. Dr Tjhin, 56, decided to pursue child and adolescent psychiatry to better address such issues affecting children.

“The best part about being a child and adolescent psychiatrist is that I get to liaise with both the hospital and the general public,” he says. “It’s a middleman role, where I interact with the people from both sides and understand their perspectives to serve them better.”

Home to over 260 million people speaking more than 700 different languages, Indonesia with its diverse cultures also mean challenges, says Dr Tjhin. “Getting across a message to someone in Aceh is completely different from talking to someone in Lombok or Central Java,” he explains.“We must understand and respect the different cultures, and then reach out to people in the best way possible.”

The Programme in Post-Disaster Mental Health for Communities in Asia for China, Indonesia and Thailand has helped to create awareness among people – mainly on the fact that better mental health are in their hands. Originally focused on five provinces in Indonesia, the Programme was so successful that several other provinces were also roped in over time. “The effectiveness of the Programme in helping to address post-disaster recovery was so impactful that our trainers were invited to other parts of Indonesia to share their experiences,” Dr Tjhin says. “This is what medicine is about: caring and sharing for each other unconditionally.”

Participant from the Fakultas Kedokteran Universitas Indonesia in: Programme in Post-Disaster Mental Health for Communities in Asia by the Institute of Mental Health, Singapore, and Temasek Foundation International

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Text by Prabhu Silvam

*More of such stories can be found in Temasek Foundation International's 10th anniversary commemorative book 'Leading Journeys: Inspirations for Asia and Beyond".

Schools of Opportunity - 10th Anniversary Book - Temasek Foundation International

The Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) schools have improved the lives of many around the world. TVET trains people in the skills and knowledge highly sought after by industries. In 2010, Temasek Foundation International started its first Programme in TVET in Cambodia. Today, many TVET graduates are employed in the automotive and hospitality industries. We take a look at some of the participants in a recent TVET course on information technology.

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Text by Prabhu Silvam.

*More of such stories can be found in Temasek Foundation International's 10th anniversary commemorative book 'Leading Journeys: Inspirations for Asia and Beyond".

Iskandar & Faridah - 10th Anniversary Book - Temasek Foundation International

Good teachers are good learners

To teach is to learn. This is what Noor Iskandar bin Salleh, 42, a lecturer in mechanical engineering at Ibrahim Sultan Polytechnic, Malaysia, believes in. “Technology and the world are changing very fast,” he says. “It’s not just our students having to face these changes. Teachers must face them too. If we grasp these changes and learn quickly, we can guide our students better.”

Mr Noor Iskandar has just emerged from a class on computer-aided manufacturing, which is part of the Programme in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). “I keep myself updated through such courses,” he says. In this TVET session, Malaysian engineering educators get to explore multi-axis technology, which uses a computer numerical control to move a part or cutting tool along five different axes simultaneously, so that complex products can be created.

Faridah binti Tajuddin, 36, finds multi-axis technology exciting for intricate creations. She was a drafter and designer before deciding to give back to society through teaching. She now lectures at the Johor Skills Development Centre. Often on her mind are the ways to improve the quality of education for her students.

“I want my students to be updated on the latest practices in the industry,” she says. “By being aware of what is out there, they feel less afraid and more empowered.” Apart from skills and technical know-how, Ms Faridah reminds her students that self-directed research and a great attitude are also invaluable.

For Mr Noor Iskandar, employability is just one of his hopes for his students. He wants them to also stay passionate about learning – even after entering the job market. “When you keep learning, you’ll find it easier to pick up new things,” he says. “This way, you won’t fall behind.”

Participants from Ibrahim Sultan Polytechnic and the Johor Skills Development Centre, Johor, Malaysia, in: Programme in Technical and Vocational Education and Training by ITE Education Services, Singapore, and Temasek Foundation International

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Text by Wong Shu Yun.

*More of such stories can be found in Temasek Foundation International's 10th anniversary commemorative book 'Leading Journeys: Inspirations for Asia and Beyond".