NUMed’s Health and Information Week Returns!
NUMed Malaysia celebrated World Mental Health Day and Breast Cancer Awareness Month as well as introducing the university's library services to new students during Health and Information Week.
25 October 2023
Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia’s (NUMed) Health and Information Week marked its post-pandemic return on 9 - 13 October 2023. Hosted by NUMed Learning Resource Centre in collaboration with its Student Support, Environment and Sustainable Campus Committee (ESCC), and Student Association, the event was aimed at introducing the university’s library services to new students in particular to encourage to use the library facilities provided as well as celebrating World Mental Health Day and Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It also provided an opportunity for network building with students, other NUMed stakeholders, and external organisations.
“This was the Learning Resources Centre’s ‘comeback event’ after the pandemic. We got to welcome students and staff members for the new academic year with fun yet educational activities where they could learn more about our library services and facilities, and campus while also spreading awareness about mental health and breast cancer,” explained the event Chairperson, Norasikin Repan.
Some crowd-pullers include the Fishing Activity by the Student Support Team, a fun stress-relief activity; Spin the Wheel and Book Stack (Jenga) games by the Learning Resources Centre, which provided exciting avenues for students to learn more about the library’s offerings; Medical Equipment Sale by Apex; and Mini Book Fair by Elsevier.
Besides that, there were infographic exhibitions on four topics: mental health awareness (anxiety), breast cancer awareness (prevention), sustainable environment (composting), and the library’s digital resources.
Additionally, a Zumba dance activity was organised by AIA Vitality and a Body Mass Health Screening by Anytime Fitness.
To further shine the spotlight on the importance of wellness, the Student Association set up a Wellness Board, allowing students to share encouraging words with others while spreading positive energy; as well as a Take a Break Cabinet/Organizer filled with activities such as board games, puzzles, colouring books and easy crafts for them to try. They also organised a Chari-Tea, selling tea bags with various tea flavours associated with mental health, with the proceeds being channelled to charitable organisations. Furthermore, everybody was encouraged to wear something green on 10 October as a show of support and encouragement for people struggling with mental health conditions.
NUMed Learning Resource Centre conducted an “Introduction to Medline/Embase Database” a few days later.
Norasikin felt encouraged by the positive response the event received and expressed her gratitude to all its collaborators.
“A special thanks to the Student Support Team, Student Association, Environment and Sustainable Campus Committee, Anytime Fitness Sunway Big Box, Apex, Areesh Education Sdn Bhd (Elsevier), and AIA Vitality as well as the Learning Resource team and other sections, who have helped us directly and indirectly to make this event a success. We were happy to see the happy faces and eagerness of the students and staff members participating in our activities!” she declared.
