The Star
University gets interactive with human specimens
21 Sep 2023

(From left) USM School of Medical Sciences Prof Dr Abdul Razak Sulaiman, Prof Abdul Rahman and Assoc Prof Dr Sharifah Emilia Tuan Sharif holding up preserved human specimens. — Bernama

A MEDICAL science interactive gallery has been developed by Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) to house over 200 human specimens valued at RM2.4mil.

USM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Mohamed said the gallery known as SPICES, the first of its kind in Malaysia, was also equipped with three-dimensional (3D), virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) teaching and learning methods.

It is situated at USM’s School of Medical Sciences (PPSP) in Kubang Kerian, Kota Baru in Kelantan.

“Natural organs and specimens were obtained through tissue biopsy or by taking tissue from patients’ body parts. These were then preserved and exhibited.

“Included in the gallery are cancer cells and tumours to be used as teaching aids.

“These organs and specimens were taken from patients who received treatment at Universiti Sains Malaysia Hospital (HUSM) Kubang Kerian, which has been operating for over 40 years,” he said at the gallery’s launch.

Prof Abdul Rahman said the gallery was equipped with QR code scanners for visitors to access displays, interactive panels, audio systems, VR and AR as well as 3D-mapping of human organs.

“This interactive gallery is also an interesting teaching and learning space at PPSP,” he said.

Access to the gallery is not restricted to USM’s medical degree programme students as it can be used as a learning space for students of other fields as well as foster public interest in science, especially in the medical field.

Prof Abdul Rahman told Bernama that SPICES was developed based on an idea to establish a pathology museum.