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Toa Payoh
Vets Clinical Research
Making veterinary surgery alive
to a veterinary student studying in Australia
using real case studies and pictures |
No knowledge, skill
and discipline
Dr
Sing Kong Yuen, BVMS (Glasgow), MRCVS
24 March, 2011 |
 Toa
Payoh Vets
Be Kind To Pets
Veterinary Education
Project 2010-0005 |
I note that the younger generation doing their 2nd year Junior
College and who applies for a veterinary internship has no
knowledge, skills and discipline. The applicants are mainly
ladies. Many of them have straight As and can get into any
undergraduate studies they choose.
However, these Singaporean academic stars don't have hands-on
experience nor interests in animal welfare and medicine.
Straight As without passion in veterinary medicine. An
unwillingness to work diligently and put in the hours.
I am thinking of terminating sponsorship of internship for
Junior College students as my staff feels that they are a
burden and they are. My assistant Mr Saw actually dislike them
according to one of my feedback as they hinder his work. He
has to teach them how to take temperature etc and why should
he do that? I don't know what Dr Vanessa Lin and Dr Jason Teo
think of them.
Many of these young interns and even veterinary undergraduates
don't have simple social skills. They come for interviews
silently. They don't know simple courtesies which will gain
them brownie points, like greeting "Good morning, Dr Sing,
Good afternoon Dr Vanessa or Good evening Dr Teo." Some
fathers or mothers drive them to the Surgery and wait for them
for the interview! They give me the impression that they can't
be independent and are tied to the apron's strings.
Does the top school principals NOT impart such skills to their
bright students? It is not that I am desperate to be greeted.
Not being punctual, disappearing without letting me know.
These are what some past interns do.
Therefore, I am thinking of terminating this program for such
young people as they have been brought up in abundance and
know no hardship. They don't want to work hard and seem to
think that the world should suit their lifestyle and way of
working late in the day (being night owls). Turning up late
for work is a common trait too.
There are 3rd party injury liabilities too. What if the intern
gets bitten or scratched by the dog and cat respectively? The
parents will sue me to bankruptcy.
For the above reasons, it is wise for me not to accept interns
unless they are highly passionate about veterinary medicine,
rather than thinking of using the program to pad their resume. |
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Happy Retirement?
Dr
Sing Kong Yuen, BVMS (Glasgow), MRCVS
24 March, 2011 |
Toa
Payoh Vets
Be Kind To Pets
Veterinary Education
Project 2010-0005 |
E-MAIL TO DR SING DATED MARCH 23, 2011
Dr Sing Kong Yuen
Dear Sir,
I am involved with recruitment for the Freeman Scholarship
Program at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut in
the US. We did a recruitment session recently for our
finalists. One is a lady with a strong interest in becoming a
veterinarian.
I believe we are badly-positioned to help her realize her
dreams. Specifically, vet schools in the US are graduate
programs, requiring the applicant first complete four years of
undergraduate study …. Then take the MCAT exams and go through
the entire school admissions process again!
I suggested to her school systems that work on the British
system, such as Glasgow. I also suggested the AVA scholarship
program. I noted from your website that you attended Glasgow
on the Colombo Plan, served with the SAF Provost Dog Unit,
tended race horses for the Bukit Timah Club, started your own
clinic, and are now headed into happy retirement.
You have walked the path that she is considering. Might you
have a moment to take a call from her and give her the wisdom
that comes from real experience?
I am an ex-infantry officer who spent his life as a civil
engineer building prisons, police compounds and the coastal
barrier for the Singapore government. My ability to guide her
is terribly limited.
Thank you so much for any help you can give.
With best regards,
Name given
REPLY FROM DR SING
DATED MARCH 24, 2011
Hi
Thank you for your email. I can always spare more than a
few minutes to meet one-on-one to the young lady who
wants to be a veterinarian. Phone calls are a waste of
time if the persons are sincerely interested in knowing
more about veterinary medicine and surgery. During the
meeting, I can assess whether the young lady is really
passionate about veterinary medicine and surgery. Phone
calls and text messages and emails are preferred by the
younger generation who don't have the real interests or
passion and merely wants to go fishing.
Let me know as soon as possible. I don't know where you
get the impression that I am into "happy retirement". I
have an associate veterinarian who is younger and takes
care of many of my old clientele as there is
insufficient rooms for 2 vets at any one time. I still
consult and yesterday I spayed a Fox Terrier as the
owner wanted me to do it. I am even busier than before
in veterinary medicine, travel and real estate.
I hope we can meet one day and not just e-mail. Best
wishes. |
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Be Kind To Pets
Veterinary Education
Project 2010-0005 |
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