Offer letter, fees for Universiti Sains (HUSM) Master programme

Many International Students get confused with the offer letter sent from Universiti Sain Malaysia - USM (this means Malaysian University science in Malaysian Language) to them.
The last 2 years that I spent here I have noticed that the locals find it difficult to put their feet in a foreigner's shoe. It may be because of over guarding their own language. I am not sure how much it is reserved.
When Postgraduate office sent you offer letter they usually sent you the fees list (the pic) as well. But the list does not explain much. It usually confuse you. Let me explain it for you.
The fees (total RM 800, usually 1 US dollar is about RM 3.6 ) for attachment is explained as mentioned. The attachment is a 3-6 month period where you just have to observe what ever is going on in the Masters programme that you applied. This period a 2 way probation period where you your self can choose whether to start your programme here or not. Same is for the department as well. They can choose not to enroll you as a master student. Usually USM (do not get confused with HUSM, it means Hospital of USM). That 800 you have to pay when you land here in HUSM. Again HUSM. The main campus of USM is in Penang Island. It is 8 hours from HUSM in a separate island called Penang. Alright? now you paid that 800, completed your 3 -6 month attachment period. the period depends on the head of department.
lets see the second part. If you actually think a little bit it may explain it self. like registration, making the identity card, is to be done once in the master programme. when you are in the Master programme Semester means 12 months. This means you have the recurring fee of RM 5000 every 6 months. Exam is once a year or once in 2 years. Of course if some one fails they need to repeat the exam in 6 months time. every time exam is sit they need to pay this. So study hard and pass the exam. so session means simple an exam first time or a resit.

Again to make it more confusing let me tell another secret. when you are enrolled in the masters programme you need to renew registration at the end of 6 months. if you forget you will be charged with RM 200. Do not worry, you can ask Mr. Aziz (Pendaftar, means registration- office) when you pass 5 months of you Masters period.

Attachment is for all the masters students. there is no responsibility.it is illegal if you are given one. only observe,.Including nonclinical things like Masters in hematology. so do not try to escape this. it is quite nice period. Try to learn Malay in this 3 month period. you can get a basic book from the language office (Pusat Bahasa , just below the post graduate office). before you actually touch a patient or perform a procedure you need to get a medical licence from Malaysian association. aah, again that reminds me some thing else. When you go and meet staff ( now it is Marina in post graduate office), they will ask you to get RM 200 worth post order. just buy it and give it to them. you can buy it from post office inside the hospital. it is near Orang Cafe in the ground floor. When you handover this RM 200 worth post order you will be given the tear off part on the left corner part (see pic). Please please keep this small part with you until you get the licence. Once i lost this part awaiting for the licence. after 4 months they sent me the postel order. by the time i got this it was already expired. so refunding is only if you can show that small teared off part with this bigger slip to the post office , you have to go to a bigger branch, not the small one inside hospital. (you can buy from Small post office branch, you can not refund from small post office, have to go to bigger one like near KFC, few minutes from HUSM). so if you loose this small teared off part you will loose the RM 200. Plus you do not get the licence as well. again you have to buy one and send. Now it is for 1 year , before we used to renew this licence every 3 months for RM 50.

The cost of living here? let me tell some average.
Rent per month. 300 - 600. depending on flat, or house, some are half furnished.
for one person i think RM 800 is ok. It is almost same as Maldives.

let me tell some for paediatrics as well. there is no specific exam for taking over. it is your attitude. not the knowledge mostly. but before you come here i recommend you to learn all the procedures. this is what matters for seniors. get practice of IV line insertion. umbilical artery / vein catheter, endotracheal intubation. femoral line, bone marrow, lumbar puncture, what ever you can. it does not matter even you have no experience in that, but if you have it is going to be the one whom they are looking for.

you can alse get more information from my previouse post; http://naifarey.blogspot.com/2008/12/from-maldives-to-universiti-sains.html