Kasiban Muniandy, who had been representing Malaysia at the International Disaster Nursing Camp 2023 in Padang, Indonesia, has been awarded the noble title of Mr. Congeniality. This inspiring young nursing student, who is currently in his final year of completing his Bachelor of Nursing Sciences at Universiti Malaya, had initially been hesitant about joining the medical field. His main anxieties were rooted in the issues faced by contract doctors, but after attending a career fair conducted by the Ministry of Higher Education at Universiti Malaysia Pahang, he discovered the fascinating field of nursing, which offered him many amazing opportunities, including the prospect of working abroad.
Kasiban is not only academically brilliant but has also taken on many leadership responsibilities at his university. He is currently serving as the President of the Nursing Society at UM, along with Jawatankuasa Tindakan Kolej Ibnu Sina, among others. He has also previously been the Assistant Director of the Geriatric Masterclass program, and a along with that, he has held important positions in the UM Student Union’s Academic Bureau. Kasiban had also been the head of the Department of Registration and Competition Bureau for the Tamil Peravai Vizha. Presently, he is the auditor for the Tamil Language Society of UM for the session 2022-2023. It must also be stated here that he is also currently the Vice Chairman of the Student Interest Group of the Malaysian Nurses Association. The list of his leadership contributions to the societies in his university is endless, revealing just how much of a dedicated and invested student Kasiban is.
International Disaster Nursing Camp 2023, which occurred in Padang, Indonesia, saw the attendance of many nursing students from countries such as Malaysia, the Philippines, Egypt, Germany, Pakistan, Nigeria, and Indonesia. The space shared by so many people from different nations was an enriching and exhilarating experience for Kasiban. The camp itself was focused on trends, issues, and policies in disaster management, post-emergency and rehab management, and community and virtual reality disaster simulations. It educated the participating students on how ethical nursing management must not only be rooted in addressing physical health but also the mental health of disaster victims.
The ambitious Kasiban views Florence Nightingale, known as the Lady with the Lamp, a social reformer, statistician, and founder of the intensive care unit (ICU), as his inspiration. In terms of leadership, Kasiban greatly admires the liberal Canadian PM Justin Trudeau for his inclusive policies. As for Kasiban’s future, this ambitious young nurse has already secured himself a job in Singapore. He shares that after graduation there will be a six-month period for document clearance, during which he plans to work in Malaysia after gaining his license. In the long run, he aspires to be involved in specialising in emergency nursing and becoming a lecturer.
Source: Concerned UM Indian Graduates – CUMIG
