Page 13 - Pulse@UM Issue 1/2020

Complete Genome Sequences of SARS-CoV-2 Strains Detected RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT
in Malaysia
Generating Solutions for
Chan Yoke Fun, Department of Medical Microbiology
Problem-Based Learning

(PBL) Beginners

WONG KAH HUI FOONG CHAN CHOONG
(Department of Anatomy) (Faculty of Medicine Dean’s Office)

AMIRAH BINTI AMIR
(Department of Parasitology)

roblem-based learning, more solve problems in secondary schools.
commonly known as PBL, is a Furthermore, some students may resent
Plearning method in which students the idea of self-directed learning, especially
learn a subject by collaboratively solving since they might have been spoon-fed
an open-ended real world problem. Its all their school life in an exam-oriented
nature of self-directed learning is in line culture. Similarly, PBL tutors (i.e. lecturers)
with Malaysian Higher Education 4.0 also need training. Tutors and students are
Figures adapated from: Chong et al., 2020 (MyHE 4.0) which focuses on learners as trained before conducting their first PBL

A team of researchers led by Assoc. Prof. evolution. Circulating Malaysian strains teachers/connection makers and educators session, but it is usually during the actual PBL
Dr. Chan Yoke Fun and Prof Jamal Sam represent introductions from different as resource guides. Although PBL was first sessions where the challenges are practically
sequenced four severe acute respiratory countries, particularly during the first wave introduced in medical education more than seen. Dr. Wong Kah Hui, Dr. Foong Chan
syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) of infection. Our data showed that current five decades ago, it has only been 21 years Choong and Dr. Amirah Amir were novice
genomes during the second wave of circulating strains in Malaysia represent since the University of Malaya adopted tutors who faced challenges in conducting
infection from Malaysia. It is the first introductions from different countries and it into its medical curriculum. PBL in the PBL sessions among novice students.
publication that reported the full genome local evolution. More genomic data will University of Malaya medical curriculum
sequences of Malaysian SARS-CoV-2 clarify virus spread in Malaysia, particularly started out as a hybrid traditional-PBL as
a part of the New Integrated Curriculum
strains. This is made possible by the team with respect to the role played by the mass throughout the Year 1 and Year 2 studies “
effort of the University Malaya COVID-19 gathering. Genome sequencing of virus has (NIC), with just 14 PBL cases. Currently,
Research Group, which includes the become a useful tool for epidemiological there are 62 PBL cases conducted PBL was introduced in
healthcare workers involved in the care of surveillance.
COVID-19 patients in the University of within the new University of Malaya Medical
Malaya Medical Centre. Programme (UMMP). On average, medical than five decades ago
Article source: students work on one PBL case weekly.
Chong YM, Sam I-C, Ponnampalavanar S, Syed Omar SF, medical education more “
Compared to reference strain Wuhan-Hu-1, Kamarulzaman A, Munusamy V, Wong CK, Jamaluddin
the Malaysian sequences have 16 nucleotide FH, Gan HM, Chong J, Teh CSJ, Chan YF. 2020. Complete There are challenges in conducting PBL
substitutions. Four substitutions are unique genome sequences of SARS-CoV-2 strains detected in among novice medical students since they
Malaysia. Microbiol Resour Announc 9:e0038-20. https://
to Malaysia, suggesting a degree of local doi.org/10.1128/MRA.00383-20. are usually untrained to collaboratively

12 Cover Story 13 Research Spotlight