PENANG, 26 October 2018 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Advanced Medical and Dental Institute (IPPT) has successfully produced eight 'Inaugural Graduates' in Master of Science (Clinical Exercise Science).

They were among the 593 graduands who received their academic scrolls from the USM Chancellor, HRH Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin ibni Al-Marhum Tuanku Syed Putra Jamalullail in the First Session of the 56^th USM Convocation Ceremony at the university main campus here recently.

The Master Programme in Clinical Exercise Science is the first programme offered in Malaysia that aims to produce trained professionals in implementing a healthy lifestyle intervention programme involving exercise, nutrition and psychology.

This programme is similar to overseas programme such as the Master of Clinical Exercise Science or also known as Master of Clinical Training Physiology offered in the United States and Europe.

In addition, graduates from the Master of Science (Clinical Exercise Science) programme meet the requirements of health related professionals as required by both public and private sectors in Malaysia.

The need for these professionals to be in the health care-related workforce is in line with Malaysia's desire to reduce the rate of Non-Communicable Diseases and improve the quality of health services.

The course content in this Master’s programme fulfils the accreditation features set by the Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA), with emphasis given on the combination of theoretical and practical aspects.

This approach is taken to ensure that students will apply the theory to practical elements to help them carry out their duties more effectively.

Implementation of Master’s Programme in Clinical Exercise Science also requires the students to undergo clinical placement for 10 weeks at Pantai Integrated Rehab Sdn Bhd, Kuala Lumpur. This clinical placement is implemented through a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signed earlier aimed at enhancing their clinical knowledge and skills in interprofessional training.

Original text: IPPT/Editing: Tan Ewe Hoe