IT’S NOT the destination, but the journey that matters. I am Cheah Kher Huey and I have always had this strong inclination from a young age to pursue healthcare. Initially, I had my heart set on pursuing a career in medicine.
However, my perspective shifted after completing my A Levels, when I decided to shadow both a dentist and a medical doctor to gain better insights into both fields.
This opportunity granted me valuable insights into both fields, which ultimately played a pivotal role in shaping my final decision. With that, a new chapter in life unfolds – the exciting journey into dental school began!
My life in dental school has been nothing short of remarkable. Five unforgettable years of blood sweat and tears honestly! It’s been a rollercoaster ride of highs and lows, a journey of grit, grins, and personal growth.
Navigating through dental school was no easy feat. From countless nights of relentless studying to hours upon hours spent in the dental lab, honing our skills, to clinical hands-on training and developing essential soft skills for our patient interactions, it demands one’s unwavering determination, hard work, a resilient mindset and a supportive community.
Fortunately, I’ve been deeply blessed with an incredible support system of like-minded peers, who have kept me accountable and challenged me academically.
Just like how “an iron sharpens iron”, together, we motivated and encouraged one another, pushing ourselves to excel beyond our limits while still having fun in the process.
I’ll forever be grateful to friendships like these that have added a touch of brightness to my time in dental school and made it more enjoyable.
Amidst the positive experiences that have shaped my dentistry journey thus far, I also faced many challenging moments that were an integral part of the process. In 2020, a global pandemic hit our country.
The world was forced to take a pause.
We were isolated and had “TEAMS University” online. I was a third-year student then, and personally, I struggled to adapt to a different lifestyle.
I found it really challenging to focus on a “virtual school” set up when the lecture hall was literally my bedroom. This taught me the importance of self-discipline and independent learning, a concept of learning that IMU prioritises and strives to instil into their students.
Another particularly demanding phase occurred during Semesters 6 to 8, when research became an essential component of the curriculum.
I can still vividly remember the weekends spent in the lab, working late into the night to conduct intricate experiments, while still juggling clinical sessions and studies.
The pressure was overwhelming. From time management dilemmas to constant critical thinking and even having my patience tested, each challenge tested my resolve.
Looking back, every obstacle and challenge I encountered were essential to my growth. It was an incredible learning experience for me, and I owe it all to the unwavering support of my teammates and patient guidance from my mentors – Dr Spoorthi and Dr Prashanti.
In addition, I strive to be involved in community service work whenever possible, to broaden my perspective beyond the confines of the dental clinic and reconnect with my calling.
During her studies and upon completion of her studies, Kher Huey was the recipient of several awards including Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr Sulaiman Daud Merit Award and the Distinguished Performance in Phase II Award sponsored by Q&M Dental Group.
She also won First Prize in Best Oral Presentation at IIDC and IDSC 2022.
At IMU, students who are studying dentistry have the option to complete the entire degree in IMU or study the first two and a half years of the degree in IMU and transfer to one of its 5 partner universities in Australia, New Zealand, UK, or Canada for completion of the dentistry programme.
These international partnerships mean that the IMU curriculum has been developed to meet these universities’ high international standards.
The Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) programme aims to produce exemplary clinicians capable of delivering patient-centered oral healthcare to the highest standard with compassion and responsiveness using contemporary technology.
Our graduates will be resilient and agile in adapting to diverse and changing environments, and to advocate for better oral health and healthcare through leadership, entrepreneurship, and inter-professional collaboration.
Intake for this programme is in February of each year. If you are interested in this dentistry programme, make an online application today!
If you have just completed your SPM and do not have pre-university qualification, consider enrolling in the one-year IMU Foundation in Science (FiS), the direct route for entry into any of the University’s degree programmes.
For more information, please refer to www.imu.edu.my or email: [email protected] or call IMU at 03 - 2731 7272.
