KUALA SELANGOR, July 3 (Bernama) -- Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) has the
potential to become a Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE) in
optometry and visual sciences, according to Higher Education minister Datuk Seri
Mohamed Khaled Nordin.
He said although the university only started the optometry programme six
years ago, it had adequate facilities, relevant expertise among its academic
staff, and a good link with the optometry industry.
"I am confident that UiTM is capable of setting up a HICoE in optometry and
visual sciences and develop a niche through its research in the field," he told
a media conference after launching UiTM''s mobile optometry clinic, here
today.
He said UiTM''s international-standard, innovative learning and teaching
culture enhanced through the first world''s Hoya Teaching Laboratory set up at
its Health Science Faculty was also an important criterion in the viability of
the HICoE.
"I understand that the lens manufacturing process is a secret, but Hoya
Corporation, which is a leader in optical lenses, has agreed to share its
know-how with UiTM''s optometry students," he said.
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UiTM-OPTOMETRY 2 (LAST) KUALA SELANGOR
Meanwhile, the university''s mobile optometry clinic is similar to the
government mobile clinics and 1Malaysia clinics in providing health services to
the community especially rural folk and people in the lower-income group.
"The clinic which will start operating after Aidilfitri will visit a number
of locations to provide eye tests and free spectacles to the needy," Mohamed
Khaled said.
Earlier, Hoya Lens had presented a RM30,000 cheque to UiTM vice-chancellor
Datuk Prof Dr Sahol Hamid Abu Bakar for the mobile clinic.
-- BERNAMA
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