Ng Li-Shen
Full name: Ng Li-Shen
Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) (2015)
Where are you working/ studying presently?
Community pharmacy whilst completing my Intern Training Program with Monash University.
Describe your general work scope and experience.
My day-to-day work revolves around the workflow in a dispensary under close supervision of my preceptor (while I work towards passing my pharmacy board exams to be registered as a pharmacist). My work scope includes dispensing and counselling patients with the aim of ensuring safe and effective use of pharmaceuticals. My work also heavily involves providing dose administration aid services to affiliated nursing homes. I am also required to extemporaneously make up creams, ointments, pastes and other formulations when prescriptions have been presented at the pharmacy. These are only a few responsibilities I have whilst working. It has been a very rewarding 7 months thus far as I get to serve the local community while simultaneously enhancing both my soft skills and multitasking ability.
Why did you decide to study at Monash University Malaysia?
Renowned for its highly employable graduates and its perpetual investment in research and development, Monash University has definitely grasped my attention and was shortlisted for universities to complete my pharmacy degree. Upon further research into Monash’s background, I found out that it offers the exact same pharmacy course as Monash Parkville that has a long-standing history since 1881 where it used to be called Victorian College of Pharmacy. This altogether has reassured my decision that I would be receiving first-class tertiary education if I were to choose to study at Monash University Malaysia.
Furthermore, I personally highly align with Monash’s motto: Ancora Imparo. Continual leaning is essential and I trusted Monash to deliver its promise in supporting individuals to achieve their goals and mould them into highly adaptable individuals that are ready to enter global workforce upon graduation.
How has your degree at Monash prepared to be where you are today?
My pharmacy degree at Monash has given me a solid foundation on therapeutics, disease states and pharmacology. As part of my undergraduate studies, there was also a strong focus on communication skills. Reflecting on the four-year studies, I believe the integration of both aspects has shaped my into a people’s person which is crucial as a healthcare professional that engages with the community on a daily basis.
Describe your student experience/ journey:
a. What did you love most about your student life at Monash Malaysia?
The friends that I made and the plethora of clubs and society activities that were offered on-campus at Monash Sunway: it was the best recipe for a great and memorable university life.
b. What did you love most about your student life at Monash Parkville?
I loved both the life on-campus and off-campus. Lecturers were passionate and never have they failed to inform us on the latest undertakings in the pharmacy and pharmaceutical industry. It felt like we were always ahead of others as the faculty was highly involved in research. My life off-campus was exciting and it included travelling and exploring food places.
c. What was most challenging?
The most challenging part was to juggle between studies, part-time work, university commitments and still maintaining a social life.
d. What was most memorable?
My 4th semester of university life where I did a student exchange to Monash Parkville, Australia: It was an amazing experience where I studied whilst exploring Melbourne with great friends. It was an abundance of joy and fun.
e. What would be the one word to sum it all up?
Self-discovery
What is your advice to current Monash Malaysia students?
My strongest advice is to choose wisely before deciding on your pathway. The best way to do so is to get work experience or speak to alumni in the respective industry. Most importantly, enjoy your university life and make the most out of your time: it’s a time to learn and fail, in a safe environment.