Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) is excited to explore new avenues of collaboration with the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and King’s College Hospital especially in the field of remote humanitarian healthcare, with the hope of leveraging on each other’s expertise and resources in order to make a meaningful impact to the health and well-being of people around the world.
One of the world’s leading health science institutions, founded in 1784; the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland (RCSI) is a renowned surgical and medical education institution as well as a research centre equipped with world-class lecture theatres, research labs, simulation suites and a well-stocked library.
On arrival at RCSI, the UNIMAS delegation was greeted by Judith Gilroy, Associate Director of Academic Affairs and Professor Arnold Hill, Head of the School of Medicine. The visit proved fruitful as the delegates learnt of the college’s innovative teaching methods and their commitment to producing the best healthcare professionals. UNIMAS will be collaborating with RCSI, especially in the areas of surgical based postgraduate training and development.
The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd), founded in 1505; is the oldest surgical college in the world and is a professional body dedicated to the advancement of surgery. The delegation was met by Professor Rowan W. Parks, the President of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and Clare McNaught, the Vice President and taken for a tour of the Surgeon’s Hall Museum, which houses an extensive collection of surgical instruments and artifacts from the college’s research facilities.
The history of collaborative engagements between UNIMAS and RCSEd is a long one, with the last decade seeing UNIMAS as one of the centres for the Membership of Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS) exam. Recently, RCSEd organised along with The Academy for Silent Mentor and UNIMAS, the Academy for Silent Mentor Conference 2022. At this visit, a LOI was signed by UNIMAS and RCSEd.
The delegation continued its working visit by visiting King’s College Hospital, one of the leading teaching hospitals in London; founded in 1840. King’s College Hospital has been in the forefront of medical research and innovation, playing a role as a major academic medical and trauma centre. The UNIMAS delegation was welcomed by Dr Zainab Kassim, Neonatologist and Mr Ash Vasireddy, Consultant in Prehospital Care, Essex and Herts Air Ambulance Trust of King’s College Hospital, who were happy to share insights on the hospital operations, trauma centre and air ambulance services.
Forging ties with renowned medical establishments is pertinent to the strategising and delivery of sustainable healthcare services in UNIMAS be it through the training of medical students, postgraduate research or healthcare services available at Pusat Kesihatan Prima and UNIMAS Teaching Hospital in Kota Samarahan, where construction is currently underway and slated for completion by 2025. Overall, this points towards the commitment UNIMAS has towards the betterment of healthcare within the region.
Situated in Borneo, one of the richest sites for biodiversity and indigenous knowledge, UNIMAS is positioning itself as a prominent global player in empowering communities, nurturing creativity and pioneering innovation for the explicit goal of creating a sustainable world. The working visit by UNIMAS to these three prestigious institutions would further extend and expand the university’s capabilities in addressing the needs of the people of Sarawak, Malaysia and the region; at large.
The delegation from UNIMAS comprised of Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Sulong Matjeraie, Chairman Board of Directors UNIMAS, Dato’ Seri Dr Syed Hussian Al Junid, Group Chairman of Media Prima Berhad who is also a member of the Board of Directors UNIMAS, Professor Datuk Dr Mohamad Kadim Suaidi, Vice Chancellor of UNIMAS and Professor Dr. Ehfa Bujang Safawi, Director of UNIMAS Teaching Hospital. The working visit to the three prestigious establishments began on 27 February and concluded on 13 March 2023.
By: Professor Dr. Ehfa binti Bujang Safawi (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences)
