NST Online: StreetsJohor
NST Online: StreetsJohor |
| Posted: 10 Oct 2011 11:38 AM PDT 2011/10/11 Patients, families and friends of The Johor Baru Alzheimer's Disease Support Association celebrated its annual event a little differently this year ALZHEIMER'S disease is the most common form of dementia. It is marked by symptoms such as memory loss, foggy thinking and unpredictable behaviour. The disease is named after Dr Alois Alzheimer who first conducted research on the disease in 1901, and later identified the damaged parts of the brain which caused the disease.
It was only after Deter's death, and further research by Alzheimer and his colleagues on Deter's brain, that the disease was discovered. The disease may be caused by various factors such as hereditary, environmental or bodily changes.
World Alzheimer's Day falls on Sept 21, and many organisations nationwide hold programmes to raise awareness about the disease. The Johor Baru Alzheimer's Disease Support Association (Jobada), which has been holding awareness forums for several years to mark the international awareness day, decided to go about it differently this time around.
Among the activities held were sales of items to raise funds for Jobada, handing out of pamplets on Alzheimer's disease, line dance, tai chi, exercise and laughter yoga demonstrations. Tanjung Puteri state assemblyman Adam Sumiru, who was guest-of-honour at the event, urged members of the public to promote awareness of the disease to inculcate a better understanding of sufferers, who are often misunderstood and overlooked. "I hope this event will help us understand the disease better and help rid some of the stigma associated with it," said Adam. Adam proposed to Jobada that the clients (the term for Alzheimer's sufferers under the association's care) be given name tags displaying information such as telephone numbers and house addresses. "This would help when such information is needed urgently. A sufferer needs care and it is important that they not be regarded as a burden." Meanwhile, Jobada chairman Ong Siok Choon said this year's event to mark World Alzheimer's Day was done differently to add some colour to its annual itinerary. "Every year, we would organise a forum to mark the day, but this year we went for a celebration involving friends, family and volunteers," said Ong. Meanwhile, Sandy Lim, 35, who sends her grandparents Han Ah Noah, 90, and Lim Joo Liang, 91, to Jobada's day care centre a few times a week, said the celebration allowed her to spend some time with other families of Alzheimer's sufferers. "Since it is a Sunday and I am not working, I can have fun while making new friends with the other families. "It gives me a chance to spend time with my grandparents," said Lim, who is a client relationship manager from Singapore. She said her grandmother was still alert and likes to accompany her whenever she goes shopping. Her grandfather keeps himself busy by taking part in four-digit gambling as he enjoys playing with numbers. A private sector sales manager, Titan Ho, 31, expressed his gratitude to Jobada for taking care of his father during the day. He is unable to take care of his father due to work commitments. "My father Ho Teik Kim is displaying symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, but he is still able to drive 10km to Jobada's day care centre twice a week. "Though the care given by Jobada is basic, I appreciate it very much as my father is able to socialise with others and he receives proper food and care," said Ho, adding that her mother died last year, leaving his father alone most of the time. Zulaika Abu Bakar, 67, said taking care of her husband Yusof Mohd Zain, who is an Alzheimer's sufferer is challenging but she does it out of love. "I must ensure my husband takes his medicine on time, and eats his meals. It is a constant struggle," said Zulaika. Full content generated by Get Full RSS. |
| Producing world-class graduates Posted: 10 Oct 2011 09:29 AM PDT 2011/10/11 THE 47th Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) Convocation Festival, which has become a platform to showcase the university's research, should motivate undergraduates to reinforce UTM's reputation as a world-class entrepreneurial research university. UTM chancellor Raja Zarith Sofiah Sultan Idris Shah said the involvement of graduates in organising the festival held recently had also indirectly proven that they were also good in non-academic fields. "This also helps them become well-rounded and innovative in all that they do," she said in her speech at the festival at UTM in Skudai.
"Without a doubt, the job market today is challenging. Graduates today do not only have to compete locally, but globally as well," she said. At the convocation festival themed "Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship", stalls were set up to display research in engineering and handicrafts, among others.
There was also a fireworks display. Local and foreign students thronged the festival looking out for interesting research exhibits.
At the engineering booth, a vehicle which resembled a mini Grand Prix racing car was put on show. According to one of the students, the car had recently won a fuel-saving competition for race cars at the national level. Several stalls selling colourful fabrics, tudung and accessories such as belts and pendants were up for sale at discounted prices. UTM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Ir Dr Zaini Ujang congratulated the festival's organising committee for an impressive exhibition. He said the festival proved that UTM graduates were creative and progressive. "The festival aims to produce graduates with the right attitudes and entrepreneurial values. "It is an opportunity to showcase their skills in various fields," said Zaini in his speech. He said time management skills to balance academic studies and co-curricular activities would better prepare graduates for the marketplace. "The excellence of an educational institute is reflected by its graduates -- on how much they contribute to national and global productivity," said Zaini. Full content generated by Get Full RSS. |
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