NURUL AQILAH BINTI SHAMSULKAMAR (MIC190040)

GIG 1005 SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT

REFLECTIVE WRITING 

NURUL AQILAH BINTI SHAMSULKAMAR (MIC190040) DATE: 18th April 2020

         In the second semester, we, the first year Biomedical Science students, got an opportunity to apply for Social Engagement (SE) course. For me, I thought this is my chance to improve my communication skills as well as engage with other students in my batch and the people out there.

         On 5th December 2019, our instructor, Dr Puah, called us for our first SE meeting. I was very excited. Then, Dr Puah introduced and gave the rough ideas on what will we going to do in this course. For the Year 1 student, we were divided into 2 groups and I was in Group 2. During the semester break, Dr Puah kept on updating us through email so that we have a clearer idea on what is happening next. We were divided into several small groups which responsible for the transportation, multimedia and gifts. The other 2 friends and I volunteered to prepare for the gifts which we will give to the students who involved in the activities in the SMK Sri Pantai later. Then, on the next weekend, 23rd February 2020, I as Group 2 representative and the other group representatives went to NSK hypermarket near UM to buy necessary items for the gift preparation.

        Next, on 13th March 2020, we had our first internal workshop together with Dr Puah and Dr Kee. We were handling Microbes and Hygiene Module. Dr Puah arranged many interesting activities that we will conduct in the school later. I was very excited as Dr Puah briefed all the activities. During the workshop, we were able to do a folded microscope, called Foldscope. I really amazed that we can see the microbes using that simple Foldscope. I thought that it will be fun if we conduct that activity with the SMK Sri Pantai students later. Then on the next session, we were divided into several groups for several microbes such as Streptococcus, E. coli, Salmonella, etc. We were given balloons according to the shapes of the microbes. The next activity is how sneezing spread the microorganisms. We arranged the tables with mah-jong papers on it. Then, we sprayed water with food colouring on the papers. We observed the distance of the water sprayed when we covered the spray bottle and vice versa. From here, we stimulated the effectiveness of covering the nose with tissue during sneezing. The last activity is the effect of handshake using powder and UV light. We also have the chance to see which is the best way to wash our hands and the cleanest under the UV light. From the workshop l learned many new things as well as developed the bonds between my team members.

        However, on 18th March 2020, the government encouraged us to stay at home and not involve in any mass gathering due to outbreak of COVID-19 which has identified as pandemic since February by World Health Organization (WHO). Sadly, the hands-on activities in SMK Sri Pantai will have to be cancelled. I was very upset and disappointed because we cannot conduct all the interesting activities in the school. This is for the sake of everyone’s health and safety.

       Dr Puah instructed us that the field work has converted to alternative methods which can be conducted during the Movement Controlled Order (MCO). The alternative methods include the video about proper handwashing, 2 infographic posters about how to wash hands in effective ways and awareness of COVID-19. We also prepared a questionnaire to access knowledge, attitude and handwashing among Biomedical Science students, which includes students from Year 1 to Year 4. The electronic survey was conducted using Google Forms. I was responsible for the handwashing poster. We divided the work among us to make it easier as we all worked from home. So, we only took 2 days to finish the poster. We made 3 posters for the handwashing topic and then we make a poll to other Group 2 team members to pick the best poster to be posted into the blog later.

        I realized these alternative methods help us to conduct the activities as well as create awareness about the pandemic COVID-19 among us and the students at the school. I hope that all Biomedical Science students and the school community get the messages that we want to convey. Thank you to all Biomedical Science students for helping us to fill in the survey. For the SMK Sri Pantai students, I hope they used this opportunity to increase their knowledge and awareness regarding the COVID-19 outbreak.

       As we all know, during MCO, the cases are increased day by day. As a concerned people, we must take initiatives to break the chain of COVID-19. There are several preventive measures that can be done such as social distancing, wearing the facial mask, keep a good hygiene and always wash our hands. For those who have symptoms such as fever and coughing, they are advised to go to the hospital to do the health screening. For the others, we also need to keep a good hygiene and always stay at home. We must listen to the instruction from the government and take this seriously in order to break this chain of COVID-19. We can fight this together if everyone plays their roles. We hope the information we prepared help us to improve our health. Thank you.

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