KUALA LUMPUR, April 17 — Marking a decade of impact, Making An Informed Decision (MAID) 2026 returned for its tenth instalment on March 7, bringing together over 100 pre-university students at the Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).
What began as a student-led initiative has since evolved into a nationally recognised platform, empowering aspiring medical students across Malaysia to make informed decisions about pursuing a career in medicine.
Organised jointly by Malaysian Medics International Young Medics (MMIYM) — the national student-led branch of Malaysian Medics International (MMI) — and Persatuan Mahasiswa/i Fakulti Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (PERSIAP UKM), MAID has, over the past ten years, served as a vital bridge between aspiration and reality in medical education.
The programme addresses a persistent gap among pre-university students, many of whom begin their journey with limited understanding of the academic, emotional, and professional demands of a medical career.
In a commendable effort to encourage participation among pre-university students in East Malaysia, MAID 2026 was held in a hybrid format, with Day 1 held online and Day 2 held in person at the Faculty of Medicine, UKM.
On Day 1 (February 28, 2026), the programme commenced with a panel talk show featuring two doctors, themed “Behind the White Coat: A Decade of Purpose”. The two speakers, doctors themselves, offered first-hand insights into the realities of medical practice, sharing stories that revealed both the challenges and fulfillment found along their journeys in medicine.
Another highlight of Day 1 was the Medical Students’ Panel, where current medical students in different medical schools were invited to share about the life of a medical student. From the panel, participants were able to gain a realistic understanding of medical school and make more informed decisions about entering medical school.
MAID 2026 continued on Day 2 (March 7, 2026) at the Faculty of Medicine, UKM. Guided by medical students studying at UKM, participants were first brought on a tour of the Faculty of Medicine, where they were able to observe the environment of one of the most prominent medical schools in Malaysia.
Saving the best for last, the day concluded with a favourite among participants — the hands-on Clinical Skills Session. With the 4 stations being Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Lung Auscultation, Tendon Reflex Examination and Sterile Handwashing Technique, participants were exposed to medical techniques which prompted their interest towards the medical field.
“MAID exists to give you the space to explore, to question, and to sit with uncertainty, so that you can emerge with understanding and confidence,” said Favian Pang Lai Ern, co-chairperson of the event. “I hope that by the end of MAID, you not only see medicine more clearly, but also see yourself more clearly, stronger, wiser, and ready to take your next step forward.”
Organised by a dedicated joint committee from MMIYM and PERSIAP UKM, MAID 2026 successfully reflected the core pillars of MMIYM — Connect, Educate, Cultivate — by fostering meaningful connections between pre-medical students, current medical students and health care professionals.
More than just an event, MAID 2026 was a platform for medical students and health care professionals, those who have “made it” in this journey, to nurture the next generation of frontliners.
While MAID 2026 may have ended on March 7, its impact on the participants shall live on. For many participants, the event was not simply a sharing session, nor a field trip. It was a turning point, one which reaffirmed and empowered them to Make An Informed Decision regarding the future that lies ahead.
As for the organisers, it served as the exemplification of the power possessed by youth, united under the common goal of shaping a better future for health care in Malaysia.
With its continued commitment to outreach and education, Malaysian Medics International Young Medics solidifies its role in the health care landscape, shaping the next generation of informed, inspired, and compassionate health care professionals.
This press release was provided by MAID 2026 organisers.
