NUMed’s Prof Vishna Devi is first Malaysian to win Ian Hart award
NUMed provost and chief executive officer Prof Dr Vishna Devi Nadarajah (second from left) receiving her Ian Hart Ottawa Award for Innovation in Medical Education at the Ottawa 2024 Conference in Melbourne, Australia on Feb 27, in the presence of (first from left) Prof Ian Baumer, Prof Dave Prideaux, Clare McNally and ⁠Brook Fle.

ISKANDAR PUTERI: Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia (NUMed) announced that the varsity’s provost and chief executive officer Prof Dr Vishna Devi Nadarajah received the prestigious Ian Hart Ottawa award for Innovation in Medical Education at the Ottawa 2024 Conference in Melbourne, Australia, on Feb 27.

The Ian Hart Award celebrates individuals who have made remarkable contributions to medical education through their outstanding creativity, diligence, adaptability, leadership, and effective communication, demonstrating significant advancements in curriculum development, teaching methodologies, assessment practices, and educational administration at national, regional, or international levels.

Prof Vishna Devi expressed her gratitude for the Ian Hart Award, stating, "For me, it's the recognition of the significant work my colleagues and I have done for health professions assessments from the national to international level.

“This includes contextualising assessment best practices based on sociocultural, educational, and healthcare needs, harnessing technology as an enabler for enhancing assessment outcomes, and bringing medical education scholarship from our part of the world to others.

“For NUMed, I hope this award is seen as an endorsement in the expertise and commitment of the senior leadership and that it will motivate both our staff and students to pursue health professions education as part of their professional career,” she shared.

“We are training the clinicians and medical educators of tomorrow.”

With over 24 years of experience, Prof Vishna Devi is an accomplished educator and administrator, making significant contributions to biomedical sciences, medical, and health professions education, including faculty development, assessment, and innovative teaching methods.

Reflecting on her journey, Prof Vishna Devi remarked, "I wouldn't change anything; the journey has included some high points as well as lots of mistakes.

“I don't think I'd be here today if I didn't go through that journey. If anything, I would say spend more time with your family because they make you who you are."

When asked for advice, Prof Vishna Devi emphasised the importance of maintaining a professional identity within the healthcare team.

She stated, "I believe every profession in a healthcare team has their own identity, so don't stray from that path. Keep to your identity, bring your work and unique value forward, and your voice will be heard."

She further added that she is especially proud of the multiprofessional team that she has built and the global teams that she works with.

“We truly respect each other and understand the importance of respecting contextual differences in practice.”

She also highlighted the evolving landscape of medical education research, encouraging researchers to tackle problems with practical solutions.

"In a research setting, more and more journal editors are opening their minds, so it's not just medical education for research in medicine; it is research across the professions. Keep doing things that have value for the professions, institutions, and healthcare.

“I think the most important thing is to solve the problem that you have at hand, because that problem that you have, others also have it. Do it in the right way, and others will want to hear about it,” she advised.

Prof Vishna Devi’s dedication and contributions have been previously recognised with awards such as the Malaysian Women’s Weekly Great Women of Our Time award in 2012 and the National Private Educator Award in 2018. Most recently, she was honoured with the Association for the Study of Medical Education (ASME) Gold Medal 2023 for her outstanding contributions to medical education. She is currently a trustee at the International Association for Health Professions Education (AMEE) and deputy editor of the impactful journal Medical Education.

With a First Class Honours degree in Biochemistry from the University of Malaya, a PhD in biochemistry from the University of Cambridge, and a Masters in Health Professions Education from Maastricht University, Prof Vishna’ Devi’s remarkable academic journey, coupled with her significant contributions to biomedical sciences and medical education, exemplifies her dedication and expertise in her field.

Her receipt of the Ian Hart Ottawa Award for Innovation in Medical Education further solidifies her position as a leader in advancing healthcare education.
ISKANDAR PUTERI: Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia (NUMed) announced that the varsity’s provost and chief executive officer Prof Dr Vishna Devi Nadarajah received the prestigious Ian Hart Ottawa award for Innovation in Medical Education at the Ottawa 2024 Conference in Melbourne, Australia, on Feb 27.