16 APRIL 2025
Kota Samarahan – Tutorial Room 10 at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) came alive on 16 April 2025 as postgraduate students and researchers gathered for the FMHS Research Cluster Series Workshop 2025. Jointly organised by the Postgraduate Education Committee (PGMED) and FMHS UNIMAS, the event welcomed 30 participants for a full-day workshop aimed at strengthening competencies in qualitative research, scientific writing, and medical research ethics.
The workshop began with a compelling session by Professor Dr. Mohammad Zulkarnain bin Ahmad Narihan, who explored fundamental concepts in research ethics. He emphasised core ethical principles and international benchmarks including the Declaration of Helsinki, CIOMS, and Good Clinical Practice (GCP). Participants were also introduced to key documents required for ethical submission processes.
In the second session, Dr. Melissa Lim Siaw Han delivered an informative overview of the National Medical Research Register (NMRR) and the Medical Research and Ethics Committee (MREC) process. Her clear and structured presentation provided essential guidance on the registration of studies, ethical submission procedures, and navigating the regulatory landscape.
This was followed by a sharing session on scientific writing and publishing conducted by Professor Dr. Cheah Whye Lian. Drawing from her publishing experience, she shared insights on the purpose of writing, strategies for journal selection, and key elements of a well-crafted manuscript. Her session offered valuable takeaways for participants looking to enhance their academic writing.
The final presentation was delivered by Dr. Rosalia bt Saimon, who introduced participants to the foundations and practical aspects of qualitative research. Her engaging session served as a helpful guide for those interested in applying qualitative approaches within interdisciplinary research contexts.
Throughout the day, participants actively took part in discussions, exchanged perspectives, and sought guidance during interactive Q&A sessions. The workshop concluded with a feedback session, leaving attendees equipped with practical knowledge and renewed motivation to pursue research excellence.
As research demands continue to evolve, initiatives like this serve as crucial platforms to nurture academic rigour, ethical awareness, and writing proficiency among UNIMAS postgraduate researchers.
For updates on future events, kindly reach out to the organising committee at pgmedunimas@gmail.com
