PNC Nursing College Into 2nd Phase Of Development

NILAI, May 16 (Bernama) -- The PNC International College of Nursing and Health Sciences (PNC) is into its second phase of development on a 3.8ha adjacent land and expected to be completed by 2008.
PNC is a subsidiary of KPJ Healthcare Bhd, one of Malaysia's largest healthcare service providers listed on the main board of Bursa Malaysia. The third phase covering 10ha will be completed by 2010.
KPJ Healthcare Bhd managing director Datin Paduka Siti Sa'diah Sheikh Bakir said by that time, PNC expected to train more than 8,000 students at any one time in various healthcare-related disciplines, from throughout the country and the region.
"With this sound growth and having applied to the Ministry of Higher Education, PNC also aspires to be upgraded to university college status and be named KPJ Healthcare University College before the year-end," she said after the launching of its new campus by Higher Education Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed in Kota Seriemas here.
Also present was Johor Corporation chief executive and KPJ Healthcare Bhd chairman Tan Sri Muhammad Ali Hashim.
PNC's purpose-built new campus, is a fruition of the smart partnership between Island & Peninsula and PNC to provide quality nursing and allied health training in line with the government's aspiration to make Malaysia a hub for healthcare and educational excellence.
The college has 30 experienced teaching staff and is equipped with lecture theatres and auditoriums, tutorial rooms ,laboratories, a spacious library, cafeteria and full student residential facilities on a 2.6ha site. It can now accommodate more than 1,000 students.
Siti Sa'diah said with expansion, PNC hoped to have at least 20 per cent of its student population comprising international students by 2011.
She said this year, PNC also planned to open its branch campus in Johor Baharu to meet the increasing demand for nurses and allied health professionals in the rapidly developing southern region.
"With the commitment and support of KPJ's 17 local hospitals with more than 500 medical consultants and over 5,500 staff, PNC has a strong competitive edge in providing comprehensive clinical education and practical experience to students," she added.
To date, PNC has produced more than 1,800 graduates in both basic and post-basic programmes, while 1,100 students are undergoing its courses at the moment.