Health bent on women.

WE all have defining moments that help us make life-changing decisions.

For a 22-year-old undergraduate from Universiti Sains Malaysia, it was afternoon tea with her Vice-Chancellor, the late Tan Sri Hamzah Sendut, that steered her towards an academic path.

Today, Associate Professor Datin Dr Rashidah Shuib smiles as she recalls that fateful day years ago.

"Being called upon by him was a pleasant surprise. He asked me whether I would like to come back as a lecturer and I said yes."

It was a decision she has never regretted. "I've always liked teaching, I enjoy imparting new ideas."

As coordinator of the Women's Health Development Unit under the School of Medical Sciences at USM, she not only gets to bring in new ideas but also a whole new field of study.

The first in the country, the unit was set up last year and is in search of a definite direction in terms of moving forward. However, the Unit does have its vision, which is, to be the centre of excellence in the development and promotion of gender and health issues based on a holistic approach.

The unit's main focus areas are research, education and curriculum development in women's health and gender, training, advocacy, dissemination and information.

Explaining that women's health and …