Occupational therapy career opens doors to opportunities overseas

Dr Tanya Packer, associate professor and the programme leader of the bachelor programme in occupational therapy, said people often confused occupational therapy with physiotherapy.

The word 'occupation' means goal-directed activities that occupational therapists want to help people of all ages to deal with.

The activities may be as basic as bathing, dressing or eating, or as complex as operating complicated machinery.

'Our goal is to help individuals achieve their optimum level of functioning. Everybody has the right to live their life to fullest, despite disabilities or obstacles,' Dr Packer said.

In addition, occupational therapists often work as a team. Each case is unique because people have different lifestyles and needs, and things have to specially designed for them, she said.

Aside from year one foundation courses, students study theoretical and practical applications of occupational therapy in medical and the community.