Page 11 - YLC Newsletter

6. ASM International Student Chapters

2. In your opinion, what were the main benefits and experiences acquired by you and the ISC members
through these events? What was the feedback regarding the impact and relevance of these activities?

Héctor Mauricio Araujo Murcia (President of ISC El Salvador): The members of our ISC have benefited
particularly in the realization and management of activities/projects, which are skills that are acquired throughout
the career, but it is important to see them from early stages of this; Also, teaching is something important that we
are learning, because we study a career focused on health, we must be able to teach others about medical
techniques and also important issues such as microbiology.

Likewise, the experience we’ve learned out of the activities is invaluable, because we can remember important
topics, as well as see how this activity can be very useful for new minds. As for the feedback received, the
students were very happy to be able to take these small activities, as for the workshop on clinical microbiology
and laboratory types, levels and biosecurity measures, they were able to learn the basics and were very excited to
be able to grow their own bacteria, as well as observe them under the microscope after the gram staining, always
taking care for the guidance and the hygiene procedures for them. The students thought that the activity was very
useful, since it will help them throughout their career in order to diagnose diseases, knowing what and why they
cause them. As a team we were very happy with the results of the students, since they learned a lot in a short
time, we can’t wait to make more activities like this.

Abdul Maalik (President of ISC Pakistan): In my opinion, our executive board members and rest of other students
from University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Ravi campus Pattoki, Pakistan learned a lot from these
activities like: our student got a standard laboratory biosafety and biosecurity hands-on training from well-
renowned biosafety professionals of Pakistan. We also drive membership campaigns among undergraduate
students they were very excited to learn about ASM and its activities.

The local community appreciated our effort to start public awareness campaign among animal holders across the
country. We also organized a joint event with Micro ES student chapter El Salvador under the name “ASM Microbe
sketching competition” the students from both countries participated in this event and got special cash prizes that
were funded by ASM.

3. Would you have any suggestions or ideas to improve the ISC Program?

Maria Letícia Bonatelli (President of ISC USP, Brazil): ASM could offer a mentorship program to the ISC that are
being formed. It could be a simple program, 1 or 2 weeks, just to show all the ASM resources and maybe give the
news chapters ideas. Also, ASM should focus on bringing the people of the chapters around the world together.

Héctor Mauricio Araujo Murcia (President of ISC El Salvador): one of the ideas we have to propose is the
realization of a congress only for ISC, since we can learn from other activities that other countries are doing, also,
conduct a workshop between countries to interact with different cultures and other ideas as well. Also making
and programing videoconferences for the students of our own countries, with specific topics that as ISC we have
experience, in that way we can get closer to the students through other countries and people who have more
experiences in some areas, because we never stop learning and have to continue growing our knowledge.

Abdul Maalik (President of ISC Pakistan): 1- ASM must include the participation of ASM International student
chapter representatives on the occasion of ASM microbe; 2- Invite ASM ISC members to perform various task
regarding microbiology and get special prizes from ASM.

If you have questions, concerns or suggestions regarding ASM ISC, send an email to Laura

Maria Oliveira, the Student Chapter representative in the Young Leaders Circle:

lauramaria.andrade@yahoo.com.br