Chor Ee (4th from left)with BIDP participants
The great thing about
reflection, especially when trying to remember an event from 6 months ago, is
that the memories that come flooding back are the ones that are tied to the
strongest emotions. I was asked at the end of 2012 to give feedback on my time
with the BIDP students in June covering the topic of DNA detection
technologies, more specifically QPCR.
Leading up to the training
itself, I remember being really nervous, maybe with a little stress and anxiety
thrown in for good measure. I was coming to train a group of people I had never
met, on a brand of instruments that I had never used and in a laboratory I had
never seen. Thankfully, Melanie and Nurul from HAT were willing to give up
their Saturday to walk me through the lab and the instrumentation, giving me a
little more confidence in what I was doing. So, as I reflect on my time with
the BIDP, the first mention I would like to make is to appreciate the amazing,
professional and dedicated staff at HAT who organised and oversaw the BIDP
training programme and who always went the extra mile to make my job as the
trainer an easy one.
Chocolates, who does not love
chocolates? Figuring that most people like chocolates, I brought some with me
from New Zealand to use as an incentive for class participation. However, on
the first day of lectures, I was in for a surprise. Not even the tastiest,
creamiest chocolate was enough to entice the students to participate in class
voluntarily. Thankfully they all had their names on cards in front of them, so
encouraging a little class participation was not too hard. Maybe it was the
topic being covered, or that a few of the more brave ones had to get the ball
rolling, but soon I was being impressed by the calibre of the students, their
friendliness, and even their sense of humour, that was present in the lecture
room. On a personal note, hearing each team present a QPCR platform and
application as a group activity, gave me a sense of pride in them. Their
intelligence, ability to communicate effectively and team work was great to
watch. I believe they will go far in the careers and Malaysia will be a better
place because of their excellence.
Finally, it would be a miss
for me not to mention the kind hospitality that was extended to me while in
Penang. Having grown up in Penang, it was a real treat to be taken out for
lunch and being well fed. My appreciation goes out to Encik Azhar, Mr Choo,
Nurul, Mel, Khairul, Eunice and others from HAT and Agilent. It was also an
honour to have visits from Talentcorp officials (Puan Norliza Sahar -Senior Manager and Hj Wan Amizan -Manager), who took a personal
interest in the BIDP students and the programme, giving time out of their busy
schedules to interact with them and to ask some really great questions. It
gives me hope to know that there are leaders like these who have the vision to
see our nation succeed and who are willing to invest resources into building
our future.
Thank you for taking the time
to read these simple thoughts. I look forward to the second phase of the BIDP
training in February 2013. Drop by for a visit if you are interested, but ask
the HAT staff first..."
With Mel (Class monitor)
By: Chor Ee
(Instructor for qPCR and DNA Detection technology)
Chor Ee is a molecular scientist in Wellington Hospital Laboratory Services, New Zealand and a registered scientist with the
NZ Medical Laboratory Science Board . Experienced in various
industries including molecular diagnostics, genetic research, dairy processing,
medical laboratory testing and environmental analysis . An expert in real time PCR assay
for the detection of pandemic influenza (H1N1) 2009 virus having adapted the
CDC protocol for routine diagnostics
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