Mr.Buhary Shajahan>Yes I graduated from NUS last year with a first class. My area of focus was on tissue engineering for the treatment of back pain and spinal fusion. Over the last year, I have been employed by the university to further my research and also to assist the professors with teaching.

The achievement was a token of the amount of hard work that i put in during the 4 year programme. It is very easy to be distracted in university, especially in cosmopolitan environments. However, Allah has kept me focused and on the right track. I always wanted to study further. While working, I was able to meet researchers/professors who assisted in my applications to prestigious universities such as Cambridge, Oxford and Imperial college, London. I was accepted at all 3 universities to pursue a PhD but with limited funding. However I chose Duke-NUS as according to my professors’ opinions, the MD program would give me more flexibility whereby I may practice clinical medicine, medical research or pursue an academic track.

Mr.Buhary Shajahan>At NUS, during my first year, all engineering students had to do a common engineering year before they chose the major. Initially, I was planning on majoring in Electrical engineering (as it was seen as the 'in thing'). However, during the course of the first year, I realised that my personality and interest are better suited for Bio-engineering. They were only selecting 45 students for Bio-engineering from the first year batch whereas there were 400 vacancies for EE, so for me it was a challenge to see if I was good enough to make it to the 45. Furthermore, Bio-engineering integrates engineering, medicine and lifesciences. Since I had an inclination towards all 3 of these fields of science, I chose Bio-engineering.

Bio-engineering to me is as noble a profession as medicine or teaching as you have the power to change a person's life. The research that is done today in the field of Bio-engineering is truly incredible. Quite honestly, unless you intend to study further a Bio-engineering degree may not be suffice as the topic is so vast. With a masters or a PhD, you can scale new heights in Bio-engineering. You may also specialise in Bio-imaging and land top jobs at Seimens, GE etc. Bio-engineering is for students who have the interest for research as everyday new discoveries are made and you need to be open to the idea of studying new things.

Mr.Buhary Shajahan>So many people keep asking me this question - ‘Arent you an engineer? Why are you going to medical school?’. I only have one answer to all of them. What ever qualification you have, should never be seen as an end but only as a means of achieving your goals in life.

True, I did graduate as an engineer but the nature of my degree is Bio-engineering, a field that integrates engineering, medicine and life sciences. I have a very solid foundation in engineering - be it fluid mechanics, mathematics etc. Now it is about linking what I know to the field of medicine and medical research. For example, when treating a laceration (wound), a traditional MBBS doctor would simply relate it to blood loss, clot formation whereas I would relate it to fluid flow, shear rate and Bernoulli’s equation. Hence bringing an engineering perspective to medicine.

This is exactly what Graduate medicine is all about. Graduates from different backgrounds (engineering, science, computing etc) are trained to be clinician scientists. We will be equipped not only to treat patients but to study the disease and to come up with cutting edge treatments. This would not be possible if we did not have a foundation in diverse backgrounds.

Of late, people (especially in our community) think that doing MBBS is a waste of time as you will be studying all your life. This is a fallacy. It is about time that we open up to the idea that there should never be limit as to what you can learn. Just because a person is doing further studies (e.g. a PhD) does not mean that he/she can't meet other family commitments. I would encourage people to drop by NUS and meet most of the PhD students who are married and are happily living with their spouses and kids.

The total course fee is US $ 400,000 +. With the grace of Almighty Allah, I am fortunate to receive a scholarship where the Singapore Government is paying the entire cost of education. They also provide financial assistance in the form of bursaries and interest free loans for the tenure of the course.

The class size is 50. So far I have heard that my fellow classmates will be from Singapore, Malaysia, the United States (more than 10 students), Germany, Australia, Jamaica and one student from India (University of Mumbai). As you may know, Singapore is an anti-corruption society, so they do not have quotas etc where you can pay your way into university. Their assessment is merit based. I would encourage anyone interested to apply provided they have completed their undergrad and have a very good academic and extra-curricular track record. I am indeed privileged to be accepted into the program.

Mr.Buhary Shajahan>Duke NUS Medical School is a unique collaboration between two top universities: Duke University in the United States (one of the top 5 medical schools in the US) and the National University of Singapore (NUS). Their mission is to bring the American style of medical education to Singapore in order to prepare the next generation of physician scientists and leaders. The students receive clinical, leadership and research training preparing them to advance medicine through new scientific discoveries and compassionate clinical care.

They are committed to educating superbly skilled physicians who will take their place alongside the many fine doctors who populate the hospitals and clinics of Singapore today. The graduates of the Duke-NUS GMS have an additional obligation - to be pioneers in basic biomedical research, in clinical and translational investigation, in health services research and health policy, and in the biomedical industries. Under the agreement, the Singapore government is making a significant investment over seven years to establish the new school as part of its national strategy to become a leading center for medical research and education. The school's curriculum is patterned after that of the Duke University School of Medicine. The school is part of the National University of Singapore system, but unique in that it is overseen by a Governing Board including a Duke representative who has veto power over any academic decision made by the Board.

They are seeking outstanding students who have completed their undergraduate (or Master's or Ph.D.'s) training in the life sciences, engineering, pharmacology, chemistry, physics, computer science, or similar fields.

For more information on the program, visit www.gms.edu.sg. Applications for 2009 intake is already open. Details of the admission process can be obtained online.

Mr.Buhary Shajahan>I did my schooling at Alethea International School, Colombo, Sri Lanka until my 12th before coming to Singapore for university. Even though I never studied in India. I was always academically influenced by my grandfather, late Haji Ismeth, who has played a very active role in encouraging youngsters to study. It was indeed saddening that he passed away just 6 months before my graduation. Am sure there would have been no other person more proud of my achievements than he would have been.

Mr.Buhary Shajahan>I am 25 this year. However I do not see this as a restriction or an obstacle to my ambition. I have immense confidence in myself and believe that I should be able to balance family life with career/studies. I would like to prove to society that education is never an obstacle to family life and vice versa. In fact, there is a student in last year's batch who is 31, married and has a son, however he is still pursuing this program. It all comes down to how well you manage your time and how to prioritize.

Definitely to me family comes first (that’s how I have been raised) but that does not mean I need to give up on ambition. In today’s society, a successful individual is seen as one who goes to college, gets a first class, then works in a ‘Big’ company, gets married and finally gets an MBA. This is one career pathway but not necessarily the ideal. As educated youth of this generation, it is our responsibility to break this stereotype. I urge all fellow Kayalpatnam youth to pursue their passion and never to give up on their ambition in life. Allah will show us a way in whatever endeavor we may take up, Inshaallah.

Inshaallah, eventually I would like to open up a Medical school either in India, Sri Lanka, Laos or Cambodia; a school that would teach the brightest of students from not so well off backgrounds, the science and art of medical research and enable bringing breakthroughs in medicine for the common man. So I believe, that this MD program will give me the necessary background and knowledge to achieve success and be recognized as one of the World’s best Clinician Scientists.

To all the readers, please include me in your duas and please encourage me in this endeavor - as I am sure I will need all the support I can get. The programme starts towards the end of July 2008. Inshaallah I hope to make our community proud.

Mr.Buhary Shajahan>Definitely I owe all my success to Almighty Allah. He has given me so many opportunities which very few people get. Second to that would be hard work. Nothing in my life would have been possible without hard work and certain small sacrifices in life. Of course it always helps to have a supportive family.

My parents have- throughout my life - given me the independence to choose what I do in life. Firstly to come to Singapore to study, to major in Bio-engineering and now to follow an MD. Not just my parents but my uncles and aunts have always encouraged me to aim higher and bring honor to my family. I have very close friends circle both in Singapore and Sri Lanka who have been supportive. I am also grateful to all my teachers from school and university, I must attribute my knowledge to them.

Mr.Buhary Shajahan>I urge all Kayal students to always have goals in life and always plan your future. Your life may or may not work according to the plan but having a goal in sight will always encourage you. Another important thing to do is together with studies to juggle sports and other extra curricular activities. In today’s work environment, not only do you need an exceptional academic record but you need to have a good extra-curricular track record. Don't let one take precedence over the other. Manage your time carefully and always have time for prayers and family. Humility is important for every successful person because only then can you achieve greater success.

Mr.Buhary Shajahan>My loving parents Haji Kizher Shajahan and Hajiani Thajunisa have been exceptional pillars in my success. I am from a family of 3 boys and I am the second born. All three of us were never treated differently regardless of what we achieved in school. This I think is very important - as humility can never be taught to children and parents should realise that each child is different and should be loved unconditionally.

My older brother K.S.M. Ismeth is an accountant, he is married and has a daughter. I am very fortunate to be staying with them now as he moved to Singapore 6 months ago. My younger brother K.S.M. Wazeer is currently doing his A levels (12th standard) and will be inshaallah joining an external degree program in Singapore coming August. Am sure my parents will be rest assured that all 3 sons are together.