Interview with Samim Akhtar, Resident of Internal Medicine

Interviewer (Emmanuel Adutwum): Good morning Dr. Samim. Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Mr. Samim Akhtar:  Salam (hello). I am Samim Akhtar, a resident in the Department of Internal Medicine at Tehran University of Medical Sciences from Nepal. I am a simple person, reasonable, friendly, courteous, humble and down to earth. I am married to my wife Shabnam Bano.  We have a little son named Farhad Akhtar.  I belong to a moderate Muslim family from Kathmandu, Nepal.

- Can you describe your feelings on your first day in Iran?

- I arrived on the night of October 1^st_­, 2014. The following day, I was in the heart of Tehran. I knew I must get used to things soon and discover my locality. I felt secure and comfortable because Tehran is the safest place on earth. I have faith in the Iranian people; they are true and hard-working, as well as being peaceful and progressive.

- Who has had the most significant influence on you in your early life?

- The most influential person in my early life was my mother. She taught me to be patient, kind, thoughtful, and also differentiate between right and wrong; and she encouraged me to keep working.

- Why did you choose to study at TUMS?

- I choose to study at Tehran University of Medical Sciences since it is the premier medical sciences university of Iran. It has the history of Dar-ol Fonoon and the influence of physicians like Avicenna, the pioneer of medicine. Medical education is a tradition, a dignity, a legacy, and it has been the birthplace of intellectual minds in Tehran University of Medical Sciences for centuries.

- What was your feeling when you were admitted at TUMS?

- I received admission for TUMS School of Medicine. I felt I was rewarded with the best opportunity in my entire life, of being a student at the School of Medicine.  Most of the people in my country, Nepal, do not know about higher education, culture and people of Iran. I was very happy because I felt I am going to the best place where I belong. I feel it is the best decision to come to and study in Iran.

- What would you most like to learn at TUMS that would help you in your future career?

-  I love to learn everything in Specialty Medicine including innovative trends, various discoveries, use of modern and traditional tools, combat with diseases, decision making, excessive responsibilities, life-saving procedures, and research. I hope to make contributions to my department and TUMS. I want to make people’s lives easier.

- What are some of the challenges of being a medical professional?

- Challenges are that one should be ready for everything at any given time. Medical professionals or doctors do not live for themselves. They should be able to identify the true cause of a person’s suffering and come up with a practical cure. They may not have sufficient time and attention for their own family. One needs to sacrifice everything.

- What are some of your fondest memories of your undergraduate study?

- I did my undergraduate study at XinXiang Medical University in People’s Republic of China. The fondest moments were during practical classes in basic and clinical sciences. The teachers were very helpful, and every day, I came across new things which proved to be valuable lessons in my career.

- How do you think you can contribute to the health system of your country after your graduation from TUMS?

- I am looking for newer trends in the practice of medicine.  Iranian universities are very efficient in research and innovation in medicine in almost every field because here, the education is excellent from the root. I can experiment with my new learnt knowledge, I can evaluate my true efficiency and capability, and learn about the Iranian life and the fields in which I need to improve myself.

- Who, in your opinion, are successful doctors?

- I think doctors who are working for the betterment of human societies, saving people from death and disabilities, working to bring good trends and practices to our human communities are successful doctors.

- I hope you enjoy the rest of your stay in Iran.

- It was a pleasure to be here with you today.