Rizal Faisal

Since the March 2020 outset of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brunei Darussalam, the entire learning process has been acutely disrupted, making it necessary for institutions to invest in online learning. It is important for students and lecturers to utilise digital technology to their benefit and advantage.

This was also observed by Pengiran Anak Puteri Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah Institute of Health Sciences (PAPRSB IHS), Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), according to PAPRSB IHS, UBD Programme Leader of Pharmacy Dr Nurolaini binti Kifli.

She said that in pharmacy education, the practical needs of the scientific curriculum – such as clinical internship, industrial internship, lab work and physical research projects – has to be taken into account.

To address this, e-learning strategies covering the practical aspects and simulation of laboratory settings were prepared thoroughly to implement the delivery of practical pharmacy skills.

At UBD, the Pharmacy Programme of the PAPRSB IHS collaborated with the School of Pharmacy from San Pedro College (SPC), Davao City in, the Philippines, to design a virtual dispensing classroom via the Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) Global Virtual Classroom to foster a digitally and globally ready learning environment.

The programme ran for six weeks from January 24 to February 28. The collaboration was initiated by Dr Nurolaini and Director of Internationalization and Linkages Office from the SPC Professor Erwin Faller. Dr Nurolaini was assisted by her team of lecturers from UBD – Associate Professor Dr Long Ming and Dr Goh Poh Hui.

A total of 38 students participated in the programme, 26 of whom were from partner institutions and 12 from UBD. Students were divided into six groups, with a good mix of international and UBD students. Each group was facilitated by a lecturer who would contribute to one dispensing case.

The platforms used during the programme included Zoom, ImmerseU Class2Class, Padlet and MyDispense Platform. MyDispense is an online pharmacy simulation that allows students to develop and practice their dispensing skills while the Class2Class platform can respond to complicated questions on connecting with people and managing collaborations.

The COIL programme’s objectives were to introduce UBD students to cultural immersion and exchange global perspective on pharmacy education and pharmacy practice using MyDispense. Students were given various dispensing cases such as ‘Responding to Symptoms: Skin’, ‘Medicines Management during Fasting,’ ‘Responding to Symptoms: Paediatric Case’ and ‘Respond to Lactation Enquiry.’

In sharing faculty member experiences, Dr Nurolaini expressed gratitude to be involved in coordination and running of the UBD-SPC COIL programme together with her supportive team members. She also appreciated the efforts made by Professor Faller in coordinating the cases in her feedback.

In a statement, she said, “I am really excited to know that UBD students as well as the pharmacy students from across the Philippines learnt a lot from the case especially on managing medicines counselling during Ramadhan. I do hope such a programme could be extended further to other cohorts.”

Dr Nurolaini was also impressed with the way the UBD students managed the smooth running of the programme and how they had performed. “The students were very creative during the final presentation via the video-making competition.”

Second year UBD pharmacy student Nurizzati binti Sudarmaji expressed excitement and appreciation for being a part of the programme, affording her the unique opportunity to interact with students from many nations and collaborate on activities of common interest in groups, consisting of students from each partner institution.

“Working with students from various cultural and religious backgrounds has allowed us to gain insight into our differences and, as a result, improve our understanding of the existence of diverse societies and ways of life in other countries, and as part of our communication.

This also allowed me to focus not only on verbal communication, but also the use of body language.

“Our major task in this programme encouraged us to apply what we have learnt in class to solve a series of case studies using the simulation software MyDispense, and this tested our ability to think critically and work in a team.”

Meanwhile, Qlaementine Ng, another second year Pharmacy student, said, “I was able to work quite well with my teammates because everyone was friendly and helpful. Throughout the programme, we worked together to tackle different cases in MyDispense, and we were able to share our diverse knowledge and perspectives regarding the cases. I found it quite interesting to see the different ideas from every student on the various cases provided by the lecturers. “One particular case that I enjoyed the most was the case where we had to counsel a diabetic patient on her medications during the fasting month of Ramadhan.

“I enjoyed this case the most because I learnt interesting new facts about the Ramadhan culture.

“One key takeaway from this case is that it is essential to provide necessary dose adjustments to a diabetic patient during Ramadhan to prevent dehydration or hypoglycaemia.”

Fellow classmate Ummul Fathima Shaik Mohamed Sayed said, “Taking part in the COIL programme helped me to apply the knowledge gained during my two years of pharmacy course. I was also able to use the MyDispense tool to polish my dispensing and patient counselling skills. Other than that, I had a great experience sharing my culture and knowledge with SPC students as I could empathise with them in many ways being pharmacy students despite coming from different countries. I would like thank my lecturers and SPC for giving us the opportunity to be a part of such great initiative.”

Meanwhile, Dr Nurolaini said that the UBD-SPC Global Virtual Classroom, based on the COIL methodology, aims to promote global learning, internationalisation and to connect students around the globe.

“This initiative not only generates advanced and diverse learning experiences but enables international linkages that will lead to collaboration on making the world a better place,” she said.

BANGKOK (AFP) – The crowd roars in the tightly packed room as the broad-shouldered, tattooed men stop pummelling a young recruit and smother him with hugs – completing his initiation into one of Thailand’s ‘Chicano’ gangs.

For the tight-knit group of friends, the ritual embodies a concept of a Mexican-American Chicano culture increasingly embraced in Asia, with sounds, styles and swagger from the United States (US) finding a home first in Japan, and now Thailand.

Dressed in baggy T-shirts and jeans, with bandanas and wraparound sunglasses only partially obscuring their intricate tattoos, Thais can now be seen on Bangkok’s sweaty streets celebrating a fusion of their own and Chicano culture each weekend.

But while the Chicano movement in the US began as a political and social force aimed at battling oppression, its Thai interpretation is focussed more on its aesthetics.

“I just want to combine a Thai touch with the Chicano style to make this lifestyle simple and accessible,” explained gang leader Chalakorn ‘Leng’ Arttanasiri, dismounting from his Harley Davidson.

The 40-year-old – who has images of much of The Godfather cast tattooed across his body – said his “Barbarian Has a Gun 13” group celebrates Chicano clothing and tattoos.

Its members say they are drawing on shared blue-collar values to create a blended ‘Thaino’ culture, leaving their Chicano selves behind during the working week.

“On normal days, we dress like normal people,” Leng said, “but on the day of the gathering like this, we need to have options for our clothing so that we could look sharp and rock the same style as the others.”

A former drug-dealer, he grew up in a slum and served time but turned his life around running a business importing Chicano clothes, which prompted him to create a group to celebrate the culture.

But he has no time for the violence often associated with Chicanos by Hollywood – despite the tough initiation.

“It’s just a way to test their will,” he explained of the 13-second ordeal recruits endure to join his group.

“We can’t go around beating up other gangs to show our superiority,” he said. “We live in peace because we’re in a Buddhist-based city. We’re in Thailand.”

“We’re law-abiding citizens who just love the Chicano subculture,” said a lowrider car aficionado Pongtep Singto.

The 32-year-old was drawn to the scene’s low-slung, streamlined cars, collecting and customising the vehicles, and eventually building his own.

“Everybody has an honest career. Some of them may have tattoos all over their bodies but they’re all good people,” he added.

At a recent gathering, heavily tattooed men happily chatted as their children played in the background.

Among them was new recruit Chaiya Nob, who explained how gang “seniors” – only 13 of whom are permitted to have the group’s name dramatically emblazoned across their bellies – assessed him before he was allowed to join.

“Dressing like this doesn’t mean we have to act all macho, act like gangsters, and do illegal stuff,” the 31-year-old said.

“We have to do good and be respectable citizens. Our clothing choices may not be appropriate but our attitude is approachable,” he added with a grin.

Ultimately, the gang is about celebrating Chicano subculture together.

As Leng puts it: “We’re family”.