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AResearchBuletinbytheFacultyofMedicine,UniversityOfMalaya

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YEAR2017|ISSUE1 

INSIDE 

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CAMPUS 

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MESSAGEFROM THEDEAN 

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htps:/resfom.um.edu.my 

Isue1Year2017

MESSAGEFROM THEDEPUTYDEAN(RESEARCH) 

Mywarmestgreetingstoal! 

Itakeimmensepleasurein 

unveilingbeforeyouthe2018issue 

oftheFOM ResearchBuletinwhich 

isapublicationoftheResearch 

ManagementCentre,Facultyof 

Medicine,UniversityofMalaya. 

Thisissueunfoldstoyousomeresearchhighlights 

from ourexperts,various thrustareas and research 

centres. Ourfacultyhasidentifiedfourresearchthrust 

areas(namelyInfectiousDiseasesandImmunity;Public 

Health and Non-Communicable Diseases;Cancerand 

DrugDiscovery;AgingandRegenerativeMedicine)and 

therearenineresearchcentreswithinthefaculty. 

Iam extremelygratefultoProfessorDrSarinahLow 

WahYunwhomootedthisideaandtotheeditor-in-chief, 

AssociateProfDrClaireChooWanYuenandhereditorial 

team forsuccessfulybringingthisintofruition.Iam elated 

toacknowledgetheinvaluablecontributionsofthevarious 

contributors.Ialsowouldliketoexpressmyprofound 

gratitudefortheguidanceandcontinuoussupportofour 

dean,ProfessorDato’DrAdeebaKamarulzaman. 

CONTRIBUTORS 

Ihopewiththepublicationofthisresearchbuletin 

anditssubsequentissues,wewilbeabletoprovideyou 

snapshotsofourresearchoutputsandachievements,not 

juston publicationsbutmore importantlyon how our 

researchhasimprovedhealthcare,touchedcommunities 

andhaspropeledmedicalknowledgeandpracticewithin 

the country and beyond.Through sharing ofthese 

researchexperiences,Ihopeitwilmotivateotherstogo 

on a research journey which is both enriching and 

chalenging.Letustogetherplayamoredefiningrolein 

ourquesttoimprovehealthcare. 

Withthat,alowmetowelcomeyouintothesphereof 

FOM Research. 

Bestregards, 

EDITORIALBOARD 

ProfessorDrYvonneLim AiLian 

4 

Pulse@ UM :AresearchbuletinfromFacultyofMedicine,UniversityofMalaya

OURPEOPLEOURSTORIES 

30 TH ANNIVERSARYCELEBRATIONS 

AWalkDownMemoryLane: 

DepartmentofPrimaryCareMedicine 

NikSherinaHanafi(DepartmentofPrimaryCare,FacultyofMedicine,UniversityofMalaya) 

On30thSeptember2017,theDepartmentofPrimaryCareMedicinecelebratedits30thyear 

ofestablishmentwithananniversarydinner.Itwasanighttocelebratethreedecadesofcaringfor 

patients,trainingfuturedoctorsandspecialistsinprimarycareaswelasachievingresearch 

milestones.Itwasacelebrationofcare,friendshipandprogress. 

Goingbackinhistory,theDepartmentofPrimaryCareMedicinewasestablishedinFebruary 

1987,drivenbytheneedforageneralclinictocatertothegrowingpatientpopulationinthehospital. 

ThishistoricprogresswasmadeunderthedeanshipofProfessorDato’Dr.AnuarZainiMdZain, 

withenormoussupportfrom theUniversityHospitalmanagement.YangAmatBerbahagiaTohPuan 

Dato’SeriHajahDrAishahOngwastheChairmanthen,whileDato’Dr.GurmukhSinghand 

BrigadierGeneralDatukDrSamsudinHussainweretheHospitalDirectorspriorandduringthe 

Department’sestablishment.Initialy,thedepartmentwasknownastheDepartmentofPrimary 

MedicalCarebutthiswaslaterchangedtoitspresentnametobeterreflectthediscipline. 

Attitsinception,therewereonlythreeacademicstafmembers,namelyDr.TanHengSoon, 

whowasthefirstHeadofDepartment,DrChiaYookChinandDr.RobinTeoh.TheDepartment 

providedclinicalservicestopatientsandteachingsessionstothemedicalstudentsoftheFacultyof 

Medicine.Theoficewasthenlocatedonthe10thfloorwhiletheclinicalservicesoperatedfrom the 

Clinic‘C’onthefirstfloorofthemaintowerblock.Twodistinctclinicswereestablished,whichwere 

thePrimaryCareClinic(RawatanUtamaKlinikAm,alsofondlyknownasRUKA)andtheFamily 

PracticeClinic(RawatanUtamaKlinikKeluargaorRUKK).RUKAprovidedshort-term diagnostic 

andcurativeservicesforwalk-inadultandpaediatricpatientswhiletheFamilyPracticeClinic 

providedlongterm care.Fiveyearslater,athree-storybuildingdedicatedtoPrimaryCarewas 

oficialyopenedtoaccommodatethedepartment’sgrowingactivities.Itislocated 

5 



andstrategicalyattheentranceof 

thehospitalcomplex.In2016,the 

clinicprovidedcaretoover140,000 

patientvisits. 

Teachingremainsacoreactivity 

withinthedepartment,withastrong 

empahsistopromoteprimarycare 

educationatbothundergraduateand 

postgraduate levels.In 1987,the 

departmentstartedprovidingprimary 

careteachingtofinalyearmedical 

students.In1989,thepostgraduate 

training for Master in Family 

Medicinewaslaunched.Universityof 

Malaya was the firstuniversity in 

thecountrytooferthisprogramme.Thefirstintakecomprisedonlytwopostgraduatestudents. 

Inadditiontoclinicalpostgraduateeducation,thedepartmentoferspostgraduateresearch 

programmes.WeproducedthefirstMastersinMedicalSciencegraduateandthefirstdoctoral 

graduatein2012and2013respectively.Theinterestandenthusiasm inpostgraduateprimarycare 

educationcontinuestoflourish.UptoNovember2017,thedepartmenthasproduced148Family 

MedicineSpecialists,fourPhdandfourMMScgraduates. 

Researchinthedepartmenthasstrengthenedandprogressedovertheyears.Thenumberof 

academicstafwithMDandPhDpostgraduatequalificationsisincreasing.TheUniversityofMalaya 

PrimaryCareResearchGroup,createdin2011,pushestowardsastrongerresearchcultureinthe 

departmentandbeyond.Researchactivitiesfocustowardsthreemainthrustsnamelychronic 

diseases,patientempowermentandmen’shealth.Thedepartmentconductsregularresearch 

workshopsandcontinuestochampionteachingandtrainingusingtheMOOCplatform. 

Functionaly, the 

department continues to 

grow in the areas of 

teaching, research and 

health care delivery. 

Drawing on years of 

professional experience 

and a strong sense of 

camaraderie,itcontinues 

tostrivetowardsbeingthe 

centre ofexcelence for 

primarycaremedicine. 

6 


CONNECTTHEWORLD 

UNLOCKING THEPOTENTIALOFmHealth 

TO IMPROVEGLOBALHEALTHCARE 

NgKwanHoong(DepartmentofBiomedicalImaging,FacultyofMedicine,UniversityofMalaya), 

GohPik-Pin(ClinicalResearchCentre,MinistryofHealth,Malaysia),LeeKengYee(Clinical 

ResearchCentre,MinistryofHealth,Malaysia) 

Theincreasinglywidespreaduseofmobiletechnologiesandthedevelopmentofinnovative 

mobileapplicationsforhealthserviceshasspawnedanewcomponentofeHealth,caled“mHealth”, 

takingtheuseofInformationandCommunicationTechnologies(ICT)forhealthagiantstepforward. 

AccordingtotheWHO GlobalObservatoryforeHealth(GOe),mHealthormobilehealthisdefinedas 

medicalandpublichealthpracticesupportedbymobiledevices,suchasmobilephones,patient 

monitoring devices,and otherwireless device thatutilises mHealth applications forcolecting 

communityandclinicalhealthdata;deliveringhealthcareinformationtopractitioners,researchersand 

patients;providereal-timemonitoringofpatientvitalsigns;aswelasdirectprovisionofpatientcare. 

AccordingtotheInternationalTelecommunicationUnion(ITU),3.2bilionpeoplearenow online, 

representing43.4% oftheglobalpopulation,whilemobile-celularsubscriptionshavereachedalmost 

7.1bilionworldwide,withover95% oftheglobalpopulationnowcoveredbyamobile-celularsignal. 

Inmanydevelopedcountries,mobilenetworkcoverageisalmostubiquitous.However,developing 

countriesarenotfarbehind,wherethemobileinfrastructureprovidessignificantlyhigherpenetrationof 

the population compared to fixed telecommunication networks,enabling betercommunication 

services,eveninremoteareas.Inmanylow-andmiddle-incomecountries,thepenetrationrateof 

mobilenetworkssurpassesotherinfrastructuressuchaspavedroadsandelectricitywhilein some 

developingcountries,mobilenetworksaretheonlyICTinfrastructureandmobilehandsetsaretheonly 

general-purposecomputersavailable. 

Theincreasingdevelopmentofthesenetworksofershigherdatatransmissionspeedalongside 

cheaperandmorepowerfulhandsets,thustransformingthewayhealthservicesandinformationare 

accessed,delivered,andmanaged.Thelowcostofmobilephonesmeansthatmobiletechnologyis 

abletoreachfurtherintotheremotestcornersthananyothertechnology.Asthedigitaldividehasbeen 

recognisedasoneofthefactorsleadingtounequaldistributionandprovisionofhealthcare,thegrowth 

ofmobiletechnologiescanpotentialyreducethisdisparity. 

Figure1Internetuserperpopulation(2016)worldwide. Figure2.Penetrationratesofmobilecommunication 

deviceworldwide(2016). 

7 



Theabilityofmobilehealthapplications 

to addressthe diverse needsofhealthcare 

userspresentsgreatpromiseforthegrowthof 

mHealth.However,successfulimplementation 

ofICT,particularly mobile usage,into the 

healthcaresystem dependsonanumberof 

factors ranging from user and physicians’ 

acceptance to capacity development and 

network coverage. Most importantly, the 

success of mHealth is dependent on a 

strategicalyplanned,systematicalyconducted 

implementation that is fuly coordinated, 

managing work culture changes associated 

withtechnologyimplementationandsupporting 

end–users. 

While mHealth is stilin its infancy in 

developing countries, it has tremendous 

potential to grow if public and private 

organisationshavethevisiontoimplementthe 

rightpolicies.Developedwithinasustainable 

framework, mHealth can transform health 

systems, extending the reach of health 

informationandservicestoremoteareasand 

promoting a shifttoward citizen-empowered 

healthcaresystem. 

Fortechnology to provide solutions,it 

cannotbetheprivilegeofafew,butshould 

belonginthehandsofmany.mHealthcanhelp 

countries to transcend the knowledge, 

economic, and technological gaps by 

eliminating physical and geographical 

boundariesinthedeliveryofhealthcare,and 

reducing the costs ofdelivering services. 

Ultimately,theobjectiveofmHealthistogive 

everycitizenofacountryaccesstoqualitycare, 

timely and accurate information, and 

appropriate services thatcan change their 

lives. 

References: 

1.WHO.GlobaldifusionofeHealth:makinguniversalhealthcoverage 

achievable.ReportofthethirdglobalsurveyoneHealth.2016 

htp:/apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/252529/1/9789241511780-eng.pdf 

2.mHealth:New horizonsforhealth through mobile technologies. 

second globalsurveyon eHealth (GlobalObservatoryforeHealth 

series-Volume3).WorldHealthOrganization2011 

htp:/www.who.int/goe/publications/ehealth_series_vol3/en/index.html 

3.htp:/www.itu.int/net/pressofice/press_releases/2015/57.aspx#.WdIYeuGPIU 

4.VitalWaveConsulting.mHealthfordevelopment:Theopportunityof 

mobiletechnologyforhealthcareinthedevelopingworld.Washington, 

D.C. and Berkshire, UK: UN foundation-Vodafone foundation 

partnership,2009. 

htp:/www.vitalwaveconsulting.com/pdf/mHealth.pdf 

NEWSFLASH 

Dato' Adeeba appointed as 

member of WHO Expert 

AdvisoryPanel 

Dato' Prof Dr Adeeba 

Kamarulzaman,DepartmentofMedicine 

wasappointedasamemberoftheWorld 

Health Organisation (WHO) Expert 

AdvisoryPanelonHealthScienceand 

TechnologyPolicy.Shewasappointed 

for a duration of four years from 

2017-2021. 

CEO FacultyProgram 

AssociateProfessorDr.IvyChung 

from DepartmentofPharmacologyand 

Dr.TeeKokKengfrom Departmentof 

Microbiologyhavebeenselectedbythe 

MinistryofHigherEducationfortheCEO 

Faculty Programme Version 2.0 

"CoachedbythePros". 

Thisprogrammeaimstoincrease 

theinvolvementofindustryandpublic 

sectorsinourcountry'shighereducation 

system through the sharing of 

experiencesandexpertise. 

AssociateProfessorDr.IvyChung 

wilbeplacedatNovartisCorporation 

andDr.TeeKokKengwilbeatachedto 

MalaysiaAirportsHoldingsBerhadfora 

periodof6months. 

Recipient of UK National 

Institute of Health Research 

(NIHR)Grant 

Professor Khoo Ee Ming 

(DepartmentofPrimaryCareMedicine) 

andteam werepartofagroupofexperts 

toreceived£7miliontoestablishanew 

Global Health Research Unit on 

RespiratoryHealthattheUniversityof 

Edinburgh,tobeknownasRESPIRE. 

This research initiative focuses on 

reducing the impactoflung diseases 

worldwide. 

8 


RESEARCHSPOTLIGHT 

FOSTERING COLLABORATIVEAND 

INTERDISCIPLINARYRESEARCHONHIV/AIDS 

RumanaSaifiandAdeebaKamarulzaman(CentreofExcelenceforResearchinAIDS, 

FacultyofMedicine,UniversityofMalaya) 

TheCentreofExcelenceforResearchinAIDS(CERiA)attheFacultyofMedicine(FoM) 

wasestablishedin2007andiscurentlytheonlyHIVandinfectiousdiseasesresearchcentrein 

Malaysiaandoneofthefewintheregion.Itsaim istoundertakeresearchwithglobalrelevanceand 

localresponsiveness.DirectedbyProfessorDato’DrAdeebaKamarulzamanwithfundingsupport 

from localandinternationalagencies,CERiAconductsinnovativeandinterdisciplinaryresearchthat 

combines epidemiological,biomedical,and socio-behaviouralapproaches,focusing on the 

implementationofHIVpreventionandtreatment. 

Inordertosupportitsmissionforinterdisciplinarywork,CERiAbringstogetherabroadrange 

ofprofessionalsfrom 20diferentdisciplinesatthelocalandinternationallevelandhasdividedthe 

researchactivitiesintofourcategories.Eachofthesecategoriesaddressesvariousissuesrelated 

to HIV and associated infections and is undertaken at multiple levels (individual, 

community/network,andstructural/policy). 

Ybhg.Prof.Dato' 

Dr.AdeebaBintiKamarulzaman 

translatedintopolicywhileothersarestilinthedevelopmentalstages. 

AmongstsomeofthesignificantcontributionsthatresearchatCERiAhasmadeincludeastudy 

ofthemolecularepidemiologyofcirculatingHIVgenotypesinMalaysiaandtheregion.Thisdata 

contributesto a beterunderstanding ofthe globalHIV epidemiologythatiscrucialin the 

developmentofHIVvaccines. 

9 



TheCentreofExcelenceforResearchinAIDS(CERiA) 

OtherstudiesincluderesearchonHIV andageingwhichyieldedimportantdatathat 

contributedtoknowledgeonthesubjectofageinginpeoplewithHIVaswelasotherdiseases. 

Largebodiesofworkhavedocumentedthechalengesandpotentialinterventionstopreventand 

treatHIVwithintheat-riskcommunityinordertocontroltheHIVepidemicinMalaysiaandthe 

suroundingregions.ResearchisalsobeingconductedinKajangandPengkalachepaprisonsas 

welasatdrugrehabilitationcentresoncontrolingHIVinincarceratedsetingsinthecountry. 

CERiA has also contributed to a large HIV 

observationaldatabase ofHIV patients through a 

regionalHIVresearchnetworkknownasTAHODwhich 

hashasenabled manyclinicaland epidemiological 

studiesofrelevancetotheregion. 

CERiAisveryproudtohavecontributedtothe 

colectiveknowledgeonhowtopreventandtreatHIV 

infectioninMalaysiaandtheregion,especialyamong 

themostat-riskandvulnerablepopulations.Thecentre 

anditsteam continualystrivestodomoreandexpects 

thatthe knowledge gleaned so farwilcontribute 

significantlytoreducingtheHIVepidemicinMalaysia 

andtheregion.Fortheireforts,CERiAwasawarded 

therecognitionasBestResearchCentreinUM for 

2016. 

Pulse@ UM :AresearchbuletinfromFacultyOfMedicine,UniversityofMalaya 

10


THEPEACEINITIATIVE:ADDRESSING ELDER 

ABUSEANDNEGLECTUSING AN 

INTERDISCIPLINARYAPPROACH 

RaudahMohdYunus,NoranNaqiahHairi,ChooWanYuen(DepartmentofSocialand 

PreventiveMedicine,FacultyofMedicine,UniversityofMalaya) 

Malaysia is undergoing a rapid OlderPersons(2011).PEACEisafive-package 

demographictransition.By2030,olderadultswil program which aims at:1)advancing EAN 

comprise approximately 15% of Malaysia’s researchandservicesthroughacoordinated, 

population.On-goingurbanizationandchanges multi-stepapproach,and;2)safeguardingthe 

in socialstructures such as nuclearization of physicalandmentalwel-beingofvulnerable 

family and rural-urban youth migration,have elders.Itslong-term,ultimategoalistoprevent 

predisposedolderadultstohigherrisksofsocial andreducetheburdenofEAN inMalaysia. 

isolation,abuseandneglect.Theaetiologyof 

Taking into accountthe ecologicalmodel, 

elderabuseandneglect(EAN)asframedbythe PEACEformsaninterdisciplinarycolaboration 

ecologicalmodelpoints to a combination of inordertotackleriskfactorsofEANatdiferent 

factorsthatoccuratmultiplelevels.Theseinclude 

individual,microsystem (eg:family),exosystem 

levels.Thepartnershipinvolves:1)publichealth 

practitioners(researchers,epidemiologistsand 

(eg:socialenvironment,extendedrelatives)and biostatisticians); 2) healthcare providers 

macrosystem (eg:culture,public policy,law). (primary care physicians,geriatricians and 

Giventhiscomplexity,preventionandintervention 

measuresneedtoaddresseachlevelorsystem 

accordingly.This is possible only through an 

interdisciplinaryapproach. 

The Prevent ElderAbuse and negleCt 

initiativE (PEACE)beganinearly2014,inline 

withthevisionoftheNationalHealthPolicyfor 

OlderPersons(2008)andNationalPolicyfor 

nurses);3)legalexpertsandlawyers;4)state 

healthdepartments;5)DepartmentofSocial 

Welfare;6)community-basedorganizations;7) 

policy-makers and; 8) media outlets and 

journalists.NegeriSembilanwaschosenforthe 

pilot phase, and programmes are being 

gradualyexpandedtootherstates. 

11 



CommunityengagementisoneofthemainstrategiesemployedbythePEACEproject.This 

includestrainingprogrammesforformalandinformalcaregivers,programmesconductedamong 

olderadultstoincreasementalresilienceandphysicalwel-being,andengagementwithcivilsociety 

throughawarenesscampaigns,publicforumsandthemassmedia.Intheacademicsphere,PEACE 

hasanestablishednetworkofpost-graduatestudents,researchersandsupportingstafwhoactively 

conductstudies,designmodulesandguidelinesforEANmanagement,publishinscientificjournals 

anddisseminatelocalfindingsthroughvariouschannels.AddressingthelegalaspectofEANisa 

curentfocusinwhichPEACEpublichealthpractitionersareworkingcloselywithlegislators,the 

DepartmentofSocialWelfareandtheMinistryofWomen,FamilyandCommunityDevelopmentto 

pushfortheformulationofaspecificAct,whichisnotavailabletodate–toprotectMalaysianelders 

from altypesofabuseandexploitation. 

Interdisciplinarity brings various 

disciplines into a coordinated and 

coherentwhole.Leveragingthisquality, 

the PEACE initiative has managed to 

reachawideraudiencewhilecapitalising 

on each area ofspecialtyinvolved.As 

severalteamssittogetherandthinkabout 

asimilarproblem (EAN),eachgroupasks 

diferentquestions,focusondiferentsets 

ofdetails,makediferentassumptionsand 

takedistinctapproaches.Asaresult,new 

ideasandmethodsofproblem-solvingare 

generated.However,aninterdisciplinary 

arangementisnotwithoutchalenges. 

The overalexperience ofthe PEACE 

initiativewithsuchcolaborationhasbeen 




PUSHING UM INTO THEFOREFRONTOF 

HEALTHRESEARCHONAGEING INASIA 

TanMaw Pin(DepartmentofMedicine,FacultyofMedicine,UniversityofMalaya) 

Like many developing 

countriesworldwideandmany 

Far-Eastern Asian nations 

whichhaveprogressedrapidly, 

Malaysia is experiencing 

accelerated ageing. This 

means thatwhile the world 

populationaged60yearsand 

overissettoincreasefrom 600 

milionto1.4bilionfrom 2000 

to2030,a133% increase,the 

Malaysianpopulationaged60 

years and overwilincrease 

from 1.4 milion to nearly 5 

milion from 2000 to 2030,a 

250% increase. Ageing is 

associated with an increasing 

numberofmedicalconditions 

andincreaseddisability,which 

wil therefore drasticaly 

increase the demands on 

healthcareservices.TheWorld 

Health Organization has 

consistentlybeensendingouta 

clearmessagethatdeveloping 

nationsarenotdoingenoughto 

addresspopulationageing. 

ageing as a chalenge, we 

embraceitasanopportunity. 

Colaboration,rawenthusiasm, 

andsheerhardworksaw the 

establishmentoftheMalaysian 

Fals Assessment and 

InterventionTrial(MyFAIT),the 

Malaysian EldersLongitudinal 

Research(MELoR)andFrailty 

inGeriatricInpatients(FIG),as 

ourfirstthree large studies. 

Sincethenwehavedeveloped 

aportfolioofresearchintothe 

fieldsoforalhealth,HIV,viral 

infections,nutritionandartificial 

feeding,dementia,frailty,fals, 

throughaLongTerm Research 

psychologyofageing,syncope, Grantforthe TUA study into 

stroke in ageing, social neuroprotective factors for 

participation,arthritis,urinary healthylongevitywhichinvolves 

incontinence, and sexual gerontologicalresearchersfrom 

dysfunction. 

UKM,UPM,andUiTM.Wehave 

also established numerous 

“Weworkwitheverybody”. 

internationalpartnershipswhich 

Ourmotoismulti-disciplinary include:University ofSydney 

approachandinclusiveness.As (Australia),UniversityofCurtin 

a result,we now work with (Australia), National Ageing 

nearly aldepartments in the Research Institute (Melbourne, 

Faculty of Medicine with Australia),NationalNeurological 

additionaljoint projects with Institute(Singapore),Newcastle 

The Ageing and 

Biomedical Imaging, 

University (United Kingdom), 

Age-Associated Disorders Department of Medicine, UniversityofAberdeen (United 

Research Group was Centre of Excelence for Kingdom), Thammasat 

establishedin2012byagroup Research in Aids (CeRiA), University (Thailand), and 

ofUM academicsinterestedin NationalOrthopaedics Centre DUKE-NUS (Singapore). We 

thefieldofhealthresearchin ofExcelentforResearchand have also been successfulin 

ageing from the healthcare Learning (NOCERAL), obtaining international grants 

disciplines of cardiology, 

Pharmacy,andSurgery. 

whichincludedaNewton-Ungku 

emergencymedicine,geriatrics 

Omar InstitutionalLinks fund 

, nursing studies, molecular Inaddition,wealsoboast (jointly with University of 

medicine, ophthalmology, establishedcolaborationswith Liverpool)and a UK National 

paliative medicine, primary alotherFacultiesintheUM, Institute of Health Research 

care medicine, rehabilitation including the Sports Centre. GlobalHealthResearchGroup 

medicine, and rheumatology. Ourcolaborationswithnational onDementia. 

While many view population institutions are sealed 

13 



PreventionandEnhancedCare 

(DePEC) (led by Newcastle 

University,withIndia,Tanzania 

andMalaysiapartners). 

Indeed,ourworkhasbeen 

presented on national and 

internationalplatforms,andour 

postgraduate 

and 

undergraduates regularly win 

prizes atthese events.Our 

focus is not just scientific 

publications. Our group has 

also worked closely with the 

Centre for Innovation and 

MedicalEngineering(CIME)in 

UM todevelopdevicesforolder 

adultsforhome-monitoring in 

erectiledysfunction,fals,heart 

failure,and othertherapeutic 

areas.Manyoftheseinventions 

wereawardedprizesatnational 

level competitions: AR&TT, 

PECIPTAandi-ENVEX. 

TohPuanAishahOng(centre)accompaniedbyProfessorPhilipPoiand 

DrKhorHuiMinattheMemoryWalkatAtriaDamansarathisyear 

The group has also 

developedastrongtrackrecord 

inhumancapitaldevelopment. 

Wehaveseenasteadystream 

of Masters of Medicine 

candidates in Psychiatry, 

Primary Care, Biomedical 

Imaging, and Geriatric 

Medicine,aswelasMastersof 

Nursing students successfuly 

complete their programmes 

throughdissertations.Ourfirst 

threePhD students,DrAnam 

Zia,DrSumaiyahMat,andDr 

Hasif Jaafar graduated this 

year. In addition, we have 

oferednumerousUM,national, 

and international level 

workshops on research 

methods specific to ageing 

research as welas ancilary 

research skils such as team 

working, presentation skils, 

writingskilsetc. 

14 



ADDRESSING THEGAPSBETWEENRESEARCH 

ANDPRACTICEINPOPULATIONHEALTH 

TinTinSu(DepartmentOfSocialAndPreventiveMedicine,FacultyofMedicine,University 

ofMalaya) 

UniversityofMalaya(UM)andtheQueen’sUniversityofBelfast(QUB),NorthernIreland 

hadamutualinterestincolaboratingintheareaofpublichealth.UM hasalonghistoryofpublic 

healtheducationandQUBaswelisrecognizedasoneofthetop5UKCentresofExcelencein 

PublicHealth.TheCentreforPopulationHealth(CePH)istheresultofcolaborativeworkbetween 

theDepartmentofSocialandPreventiveMedicineandtheCentreofPublicHealth,QUB. 

LaunchedbytheViceChancelorofUM in2009viaanMOUbetweenthetwoinstitutions, 

CePHhasavisiontobecomeaworld-classresearchcentreofexcelencethatwilleadinareas 

relatedtopopulationhealth.ThefocusareasofresearchcolaborationatCePHincludelowincome 

community,adolescenthealth,cancerresearchenhancementinitiatives,healthliteracy,andhealth 

systemsorientedresearchthatdirectlyinfluencehealthpolicies. 

Throughconsciouslybridgingthegapsbetweenresearchandpractice,professionalandpublic 

realmsaswelasimplementationofnewresearchprograms,discussions,anddevelopment,the 

centreaimstocontributenewevidenceandinsightinovercomingthehealthissuesoftheMalaysian 

population. 

CePHhasestablisheditselfasanavenuetoinitiateandpromoteresearchanddevelopment 

activitiesin the field ofpopulation health in colaboration with bodieslike the World Health 

Organizationaswelasuniversitiesandtheprivateandnon-governmentalorganisationsaroundthe 

world.CePHisalsohopingtoassisttheMinistryofHealthandotheragenciesinMalaysiainthe 

preventionofdiseasesandimprovingthequalityoflifeofthecommunity. 

CePH isproudtoannouncethattwoof 

ourmembers are recipients ofthe 2017 

Newton-UngkuOmarFunds;Assoc.ProfTin 

Tin Su received the fundsforthe PACED 

(PromotingEarlyAwarenessofCancerand 

EarlyDetectionInitiativeinMalaysia)project 

whileAssociateProfessorDrHazreenAbdul 

Majid received itforMyHeartBeat(Diet, 

PhysicalActivityandCardiometabolicHealth 

inMalaysianAdolescents:from Epidemiology 

toIntervention). 

Newton-UngkuOmarFundawardceremony(25thJuly2017), 

£397,741.00forPACEDInitiativeprojectand£381,274.00 for 

Diet,physicalactivityandcardiometabolichealthinMalaysian 

adolescents:from epidemiologytointervention(MyHeartBeat) 

CePHalsohasseveralothersuccessful 

projects such as PARTNER (Participatory 

Action Research Through Negotiation and 

EmpowermentofResidents),the“MyHeARTs” 

(RiskFactorsForChronicNon-Communicable 

DiseasesAmong 

15 



Adolescents),AtitudeandBeliefaboutCancerinMalaysia(ABC –Malaysia)andthe“MyBCC” 

(MalaysianBreastCancerSurvivorshipCohort)study. 

CePH hasalsogreatlybenefitedin thesharingknowledgeviaworkshops,post-doctoral 

appointments,andsplit-sidePhD’swiththeircolaborators:Queens’UniversityBelfast,Universityof 

Cambridge,VirginaTech,GlobalLiteracyAcademcy,AustrianPublicHealthInstitutes,Ministryof 

HealthMalaysia,andmanymore. 

In terms of research 

possibilities, CePH has a 

ready-poolofDoctorsofPublic 

Health as welas PhD and 

Master students to conduct 

research in various disciplines 

includingsocialdeterminantsin 

health,public health dietetics, 

health policy analysis, family 

health,health economics,and 

exerciserelatedactivities. 

PACEDinitiativeinMalaysiaCancerawarenessraising 

campaign:lung,breast,colorectalcancer 

HONOURSLIST 

Congratulations to 

Associate Professor Dr. 

Hari 

Chandran 

Thambinayagan, from 

DepartmentofSurgerywho 

wasconferedthe Darjah 

Kebesaran Mahkota 

Pahang YangAmatMulia 

PeringkatKedua Darjah 

Indera Mahkota Pahang 

(DIMP)which caries the 

titleDato'. 

Congratulations to 

Professor Dr. Yang 

FaridahAbdulAzizon 

being confered the 

DarjahIndera Mahkota 

Pahang which caries 

thetitleDato’byDYMM 

Sultan ofPahang on 

5thMarch2017. 

Apartfrom research,CePH 

also conducts short courses, 

workshops, lunch talks, and 

research symposiums each 

year. In fact, the centre 

organised the 5thAHLA (Asia 

Health Literacy) International 

Health Literacy Conference in 

colaboration with the AHLA 

which the centre played an 

important role in its 

establishment.The conference 

saw a large delegation of 

enthusiasticandresearch-driven 

participants from around the 

worldcomingtogethertodiscuss 

issuesrelatedtohealthliteracy 

intheregion. 

NEWSFLASH 

Felowship Award 

from Academy of 

Medicine,Singapore 

Professor Dr 

Rosmawati Mohamed 

received the felowship 

award by virtue from the 

Academy of Medicine, 

Singapore of her 

excelence services and 

achievement. 

16 



DIET,PHYSICALACTIVITYANDCARDIOMETABOLIC 

HEALTHAMONG MALAYSIANADOLESCENTS: 

FROM EPIDEMIOLOGYTO INTERVENTION 

HazreenBinAbdulMajid(DepartmentOfSocialAndPreventiveMedicine,Facultyof 

Medicine,UniversityofMalaya) 

location,combinetogethertocreateanoveral 

behavioural patern score that indicates 

whetheradolescentshavegoodhealth.Initial 

analysis ofhealth outcomes wilfocus on 

obesity,bloodpressure,andhow muchLDL 

cholesterol,fats and glucose are in blood 

samples. A new, reproducible laboratory 

technique,known as metabolomics,wilbe 

usedtomeasure233diferentcomponentsof 

blood thatindicate a range ofmetabolic 

processes.When we know more aboutthe 

pathwaythatleadsfrom lifestyletodiseasewe 

wilbe beterable to predictwho wilstay 

healthyandwhowilnot.Inthisstudy,oneof 

ouraimsistofindthemainbehavioursrelated 

tokeepingahealthymetabolism andreducing 

theriskofcardiovasculardiseaseinthefuture 

(interventionstudy). 

In Malaysia the prevalence of 

obesityamongadolescentsisincreasing 

and non-communicable diseases,like 

type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular 

disease,accountfortwo outofthree 

deaths.Resultsfrom thelargeadolescent 

studyofover1361adolescents,caled 

MyHeARTs(Hazreen etal,2014)has 

shownthatmoreintergratedintervention 

among the adolescents forachieving 

healthylifestyleiscrucial.Forthenew 

Newton-ASM funding, this study 

investigates how diferent lifestyle 

factors, like foods eaten, timing or 

frequency ofeating,physicalactivity, 

sedentarybehavioursandtheirtimingor 

Theprincipalinvestigatorfrom UM isAssociateProfessorDrHazreenBinAbdulMajidwhilethe 

principalinvestigatorfrom UniversityofBristolisDrLauraJohnson.Colaboratorsfrom Universityof 

BristolandUniversityofMalayaareProfessorRussJago,DrAngelikiPapadaki,AssociateProfessor 

DrMuhamadYazidJalaludin,AssociateProfessorDrTinTinSu,AssociateProfessorDrMohdNahar 

AzmiandProfessorDrMaznahDahlui.Post-doctoralcandidates:DrZoiToumpakariandDrShooka 

Mohammadi. 




INNOVATION 

UNIVERSITYMALAYAMAGNETICRESONANCE 

IMAGING (MRI)RESEARCHCENTRE 

KathleenFernandez(Dean'sofice,FacultyofMedicine,UniversityofMalaya) 

Onthemorningof10thNovember 

2017, FOM hosted the launching 

ceremonyofUM’sMRIResearchCentre. 

TheeventwasgracedbyYB DatukDr 

MaryYap,theDeputyMinisterofHigher 

Education; Professor Datuk Dr Awg 

BulgibaAwgMahmud,formeractingVice 

ChancelorofUM;ProfessorDato’Dr 

AdeebaKamarulzaman,DeanofFaculty 

of Medicine, UM; and Professor Dr 

Yvonne Lim AiLian,Deputy Dean of 

Research,FacultyofMedicine,UM;and 

many other distinguished guests and 

membersofthemedia. 

The launching of the UM MRI 

ResearchCentrebyYBDatukMaryYap, 

whichhasactualybeenoperationalsinceMay2016,isaproudmomentforbothUM andUMMCas 

thisisthefirstresearchcentreofitskindinMalaysia.TheUM MRIResearchCentreisequippedwith 

astate-of-the-art3TeslaMagneticResonanceImaging(MRI)machine–theSiemensMAGNETOM 

Prisma3Twhichcanbeusedtofordifusionweightedimaging(DWI),functionalMRI(fMRI),and 

difusionspectrum imagingDFI)andmore–whichistobeusedforresearchers,especialyfrom UM, 

toundertakevariousstudies,particularlyrelatedtoMRI. 

Thecentrewasfoundedinmid-2016usingtheHighImpactResearchGrant,UM alocatedby 

theMinistryofHigherEducation–atotalofRM12.2milion–forthepurposesofimprovingand 

promotingresearchinUM.Theentirecentreisnotonlyequippedwiththebesttechnology,butalso 

awel-trainedteam ofprofessionalscomprisingdoctors,radiologists,technicians,nurses,and 

supportingstaf. 

Apartfrom researchinradiology,thecentrewilplayakeyroleinvariousfieldsofresearch 

especialy in neurology, cardiology, angiography, oncology, orthopaedic, and cognitive 

neuroscience,alofwhichwilbenefitfrom theuseofthenewtechnology. 

Todate,therearemorethan10on-goingresearchprojectsandmoreareinthepipeline.Some 

oftheseinvolvecolaborationamongresearchersfrom otheruniversities.Forexample,aconsortium 

involvingsixuniversitiesinMalaysia,namelyUniversityofMalaya,UniversityScienceMalaysia, 

NationalUniversityofMalaysia,UniversityPutraMalaysia,UniversityTechnologyMalaysiaand 

UniversityTechnologyPetronaswilbeestablishedforthepurposeofconductingimagingbased 

researchcolaborationusinganimalmodels. 

WehopethattheUM MRIResearchCentrewilcontinuetothriveandcontributetothe 

universityinincreasingthequantityandqualityofresearchoutputinthefutureandinspiremore 

researchcolaborations. 

18 


INNOVATION 

GEMSATUM 

(LefttoRight)MrTanChinHong(ManagingDirectorofPathomicsHealthSdnBhd); His 

ExcelencyMrVanuGopalaMenon,theSingaporeHighCommissionertoMalaysia;ProfessorDr 

NoorsaadahAbdRahman,DeputyVice-ChancelorUniversityofMalaya(Research&Innovation); 

ProfessorMaznahDahlui,ActingDean,FacultyofMedicine 

On30th March 2017,University ofMalaya inked a ColaborationAgreementwith 

PathomicsHealthSdnBhdandestablishedapartnershipthatpromisesagatewayinto“innovation 

throughresearch”and“deliveryofcuting-edgeservices”viautilizationofthestrengthsofacademia 

andindustry. Thisventure’sprimaryobjectiveistotranslatefrontiertechnologyintotangible 

benefitsforpatientsandsocietyatlarge.GenomicMedicalScience(GEMS@UM)wassuccessfuly 

launchedon5October2017.HousedattheDepartmentofPathology,FacultyofMedicineUM, 

GEMSisequippedwithQiagenBiotechnologyMalaysiaSdnBhd’s GeneReaderNextGeneration 

Sequencing(NGS)System whichisthefirstinthecountry. 

Togetherwiththesmartdigitalpathologyimagingsystem,Genesis,developedbyHistoindex, 

Singapore,GEMSispoisedtoprovideanew standardincancerresearchbyintegratingsmart 

histopathologyimagingandgenomicsanalysis.Introductionofadvancedtools,suchasthese,to 

propelcancerresearchwilbeavaluableinclusionasCancerandDrugDiscoveryisoneofourfour 

research thrust areas besides Infectious Diseases and Immunity; Public Health and 

Non-CommunicableDiseases;andAgingandRegenerativeMedicine.Thisjointefortalsoopens 

thepathforcooperationbetweenUM andHistoindexPteLtd,Qiagen,SingaporePrecision 

MedicineCentre(whichistheASEAN soleagentforBeijingGenomeInstitute)andHealthseq 

(AsiansoleagentforUSTempus)whicharepartnersofPathomicsHealth. 

Itisenvisagedthatthisefortwilenrichbothpartiesandbenefitmedicalresearchandmedical 

diagnostics in Malaysia and Singapore through knowledge sharing,building experthuman 

resources,augmentation ofresearch expertise,delivery ofprecision medicine to patients, 

enhancementofapplicationusageandimprovementofworkflowsystems. 

19 



WHAT’SON 

RESEARCHWEEK2017: 

PAEDIATRICSANDCHILDHEALTH 

TheFacultyofMedicine’s 

annualresearchweekfor2017 

wasconductedfrom10thto14th 

July.Thethemeoftheweekwas 

“Paediatrics and Child Health”, 

and was organized by the 

Department of Paediatrics, 

FacultyofMedicine. 

Withtheaim ofhighlighting 

relevantresearchinthefieldof 

paediatrics and child health, 

events included were the 

celebration of the 30th 

anniversary of Bone Marow 

Transplantation in Malaysia, 

UM-Baylor-CUHK course in 

Genetic&Metabolism,neurology 

workshoponChildhoodEpilepsy, 

PaediatricDiabeticSeminar,and 

anImagingCompetition. 

ProfessorDr.Hanyshared 

newsofthesuccessofthe 

Haplo-identicaldonor 

transplantinUniversity 

MalayaMedicalCentre 

ProfessorDrLinJaiLing 

from SimeDarbyMedical 

Centredeliveredtheplenary 

lectureduringthe30th 

anniversaryofBoneMarow 

TransplantinMalaysia 

ProfessorDrCarlosBacino 

from BaylorColegeof 

Medicinediscussedgenomic 

medicineinthe21stcentury 

20 


WHAT’SON 

RESEARCHWEEK2017: 

PAEDIATRICSANDCHILDHEALTH 

IT’SALLTHEGENES 

AspartoftheResearchWeek,thefirstUM-CUHKCertificateCourseinClinicalGeneticsand 

Genomicswasconductedforthreedaysfrom 11thto13thJuly2017byinternationalinstructorsfrom 

TheChineseUniversityofHongKong;ProfDrLeungTakYeungandProfDrRichardChoyKwong 

WaialongwithProfDrCarlosA.Bacinofrom BaylorColegeofMedicine,USA. 

Thesethreedistinguishedinstructorsconductedworkshops,seminars,imagingcompetitionfor 

thecoursewhichatractedatendeesacrosstheboardincludingresearchers,healthcareproviders, 

undergraduateandpostgraduatestudents,aswelasthepublic–alofwhom showedenthusiastic 

andpositiveparticipation. 

21 



THROUGHOURLENS 

SHAPING THEFUTURE–ATEACHER’SPERSPECTIVE 

DebraSim SiMui(DepartmentofPharmacology FacultyofMedicine,UniversityofMalaya) 

When I was asked by the 

Universityto applyforthisAnugerah 

Akademik Negara (AAN) Teaching 

award in 2016,Ihesitated as the 

amount and types of documents 

needed to be submited for this 

“portfolioassessment”ofmyteaching 

washugeanddificulttogather.Iwas 

onlygivenashorttimetocolectthe 

required evidence on what I’ve 

accomplished in my 32 years of 

teaching.Asthedeadlineapproached,I 

wondered if I would make it to 

submissionandifitwasevenworththe 

efort.ThenIthoughttomyself,even 

thoughtheAAN awardwasnotwhatI 

workedforpersonaly,yetthethoughtof 

givingbacktothisuniversityforwhatit 

hasinvestedinmeinthelastthreedecadesdrovemetocompletethetask.AlthoughIwas 

presentedthehonourofreceivingthisawardfrom theHonourableMinisterofHigherEducationon 

3rdNovemer2017,ultimatelythisisanawardfortheUniversityofMalayaandinparticular,forthe 

FacultyofMedicine. 

Thefirstthingrequiredinthisportfolioofmyteachingisastatementofmyteachingand 

learningphilosophy.SoIbeganbysaying .Itismyfirm beliefthatalhumanbeingsarecreatedin 

theimageofGod.Therefore,liketheiral-wise,almighty,andbenevolentCreator,everyhuman 

beingiscapableofthinking,reasoning,creating,andinnovatingforthegoodofmankind,usingthe 

knowledge and skilshe/she hasacquired and developed,given the rightenvironmentand 

guidance.ThiswasfolowedbyasetofvaluesandbeliefsIhaveonteachingandlearning.Ibelieve 

thateveryuniversitystudentiscapableoflearningtothelevelofexcelence.Thequestionsthen 

are:Doeshe/shewanttoexcel?Doweprovidethelearningenvironmentforhim/hertoexcel?How 

maywemotivateandhelptodevelophis/herpotentialtoexcel?Thissetstheframework(goaland 

direction)formyendeavourtoimprovemyselfasateacherforthebenefitofmystudents. 

Ialsobelievethatitisnotthefundamentalroleoftheuniversitytoproduce“qualified 

professionals”butrather,ethicalthinkers and trustworthy practitioners in theirrespective 

professions.Universityshouldbeaplacetoshape“humanbeing”firstandforemostabovethatto 

build“humancapital”.Asaresult,myfocusinteachingisoftenondevelopinggenericskilsoverand 

above,butnotinplaceof,thecontentofspecificacademicprogrammes. Iview mycontent 

expertiseasbutameanstoachieveanend.Therefore,someofwhatIvalueandencourageinmy 

studentsareoriginalityofthoughts,criticalthinking,sharingofpersonalthoughts,acceptanceof 

diverseopinions,formulationofgeneralconcepts,beingreflectiveandexperientialinlearning. 

Inconclusion,Ibelieveuniversityshouldbeaplacetopromoteacademicfreedom and 

excelence.Andmyultimatelegacyinteachingistohelpproduceresponsiblegraduateswhohave 

bigpicturesintheirmindanddetailsintheireyes;whocanthinkontheirfeetandspeakofthecuf; 

whocanworkindependentlybutalsoefectivelyinateam;andaboveal,neverstoplearning. 

Pulse@ UM :AresearchbuletinfromFacultyofMedicine,UniversityofMalaya 

22

THROUGHOURLENS 

TOHPUANAISHAHONG (TPAO)LIFETIMEACHIEVEMENTAWARD 

NikSherinaHanafi&NgChirkJenn(DepartmentofPrimaryCare,FacultyofMedicine, 

UniversityofMalaya) 

The Department of 

PrimaryCareMedicinerecently 

celebratedits30thAnniversary. 

Inconjunctionwiththisspecial 

event,theinauguralTohPuan 

Aishah Ong Lifetime 

Achievement Award (TPAO) 

was presented to Professor 

DatinDrChiaYookChin. 

Professor Chia is a 

Professor of Primary Care 

Medicine in Faculty of 

Medicine,UniversityofMalaya. 

She completed her MBBS 

traininginUniversityofMalaya 

and proceeded to workasa 

medicaloficerinDepartmentof 

Medicine.Afteranatachment 

atKing’sColegeHospitalanda 

briefstintin generalpractice, 

ProfessorChia continued her 

career as a lecturer in 

University ofMalaya,during 

which she received the 

Commonwealth Medical 

Felowshipforresearchworkat 

the University ofCambridge. 

ShewasHeadofDepartment 

from 1989 to 2003 and was 

promoted to a fulProfessor 

duringthistime. 

Togetherwiththefounding 

Head, Dr Tan Heng Soon, 

Professor Chia played an 

instrumentalroleinsetingup 

the Department in 1987. 

Professor Chia has her 

excelentclinicalskils.Shelaid 

a strong foundation for the 

provision of primary care 

services and teaching. 

ProfessorChiawasvisionaryin 

pushingforwardtheMasterof 

Family 

(MMedFamMed) 

Medicine 

programme 

despite limited resourcesand 

veryfewacademicstafthen.In 

1989, University of Malaya 

becamethefirstUniversityin 

the country to ofer the 

MMedFamMed programme, 

producingitsfirstgraduatein 

1993.To date,University of 

Malayahasproducedover140 

Family Medicine Specialists. 

With Professor Chia’s 

guidance, the department 

startedtheMasterinMedical 

Science (MMSc) and PhD 

research programmes. The 

departmenthassinceproduced 

five PhD’s and five MMSc 

graduates. 

ProfessorChia’s passion several academic staf to 

in teaching and training goes 

pursue PhD studies,despite 

beyondtheuniversity,withher shortage ofmanpowerin the 

spending most weekends departmentandatatimewhen 

givingtalksandtraininggeneral few clinicians held PhD 

practitioners as wel as degrees.This has made the 

conducting publicforumsand DepartmentofPrimary Care 

media sessions. She is Medicineoneofthestrongest 

curently the Directorofthe 

primary care research 

AcademyofFamilyPhysician departmentsintheregionwith 

Malaysia’sGraduateCertificate 10 lecturers having doctorate 

inFamilyMedicinecourse. degrees. 

On the research front, 

ProfessorChia’shasbeenvery 

resourceful.Shehasmanaged 

to secure grantsthatalowed 

inin areas of hypertension, 

geriatrics,gastroenterologyand 

alergies. She has groomed 

many juniorstafto become 

independentresearchers.She 

was visionary in motivating 

Globaly,ProfessorChiais 

recognised forheracademic 

workinhypertension.Shehas 

beeninvolvedintheMalaysian 

heraswelasotherdepartment SocietyofHypertensionsince 

lecturerstopursueresearch.In 1997.AsthecurentPresident, 

the 1990s,she received the she works closely with the 

CICHE Award which funded 

International Society of 

researchcolaborationbetween Hypertensiontopromotepublic 

UM and British academic awareness on hypertension 

institution to work on elderly andtrainhealthcareproviders 

care. Professor Chia has in hypertension screening, 

participated in severalclinical diagnosis and management 

trials and published works acrosstheworld. 

relatedtoprimarycaremainly 

23 



Professionaly,ProfessorChiahascaried 

outnumerous appointments as an external 

examiner for both local and international 

undergraduate and postgraduate institutions. 

Shehasalsoservedasmembersofadvisory 

and assessmentboards and participate in 

working groups and review commitees of 

nationalclinicalpractice guidelines.She was 

appointedAdjunctProfessorbyCurtinUniversity 

in2011andiscurentlytheInternationalAdvisor 

forMalaysiaattheRoyalColegeofPhysicians 

ofLondon. 

THEMOSTINNOVATIVE 

SOLUTIONTO 

UNDERSTANDING BABIES 

ProfessorChiaisweldeservedtobethe 

firstrecipientofthe Toh Puan Aishah Ong 

LifetimeAchievementAward.Mayherethosof 

striving for excelence continue to inspire, 

academiciansandstudentsofFOM. 

PACEDANDMYHEARTBEAT 

AWARDEDTHE2017 

NEWTON-UNGKUOMAR 

FUNDS 

AssociateProfessorDrTinTinSuand 

AssociateProfessorDrHazreenAbdulMajidfor 

the PACED (Promoting EarlyAwareness of 

Cancer and Early Detection Initiative in 

Malaysia)and MyHeartBeat(Diet,Physical 

Activity And Cardiometabolic Health In 

MalaysianAdolescents:From EpidemiologyTo 

Intervention)arethenewrecipientsofthe2017 

Newton Ungku Omar Funds, which is a 

colaborativeefortbetweenMalaysiaandUK 

governmentstopromotescience,technology, 

andinnovationcolaboration. 

TheFundhasnow beenextendedfrom 

2019 to 2021 with up to 50% increase in 

commited funding and resources from both 

countries to promote larger-scale research 

cals, innovation-focussed activities, and 

capacity building activities thatsupportthe 

developmentagendasofMalaysia. 

Theteam from UniversityofMalaya,led 

byAssoc.ProfDr.TingHuaNong,Mr.Yong 

BoonFei,ProfDr.NgKwanHoong,Dr.Choo 

YaoMun,Dr.AzannaAhmadKamarwiththeir 

innovation projectentitled “Don’tcryforme 

Baby”wontheThirdplaceinthecategoryof 

Most Innovative e-Health Solution at the 

Telemedicine Innovation Chalenge 2017 at 

Swan Convention Centre,Sunway Medical 

Centreon15-17August2017.Theirprojectalso 

wonacashprizeofRM1000forthe“MostVoted 

1-MinuteVideo”withatotalof1,669likeson 

bothFacebookandYouTube. 

Inthisproject,aninteligentmobileapp 

withdeeplearningalgorithm isdevelopedto 

helpnewyoungparentstorecognizethereason 

ofababy’scrysuchashunger,pain,diaper 

change,cold,and/ordiscomfort.Thisinnovative 

appwilbeahitwithparentsaroundtheglobe 

whostruggletounderstandbaby-language. 

24 


AWARDANDRECOGNITION 

UM RESEARCHERSRECEIVED 

TWO AWARDSATTHECREAM 

STATUSAWARD2017 

FIVEFACULTYOFMEDICINE 

ACADEMICSELECTEDAS 

FELLOWSOFTHEACADEMY 

OFSCIENCESMALAYSIA 

2017 

ThefolowingstafwereelectedasFelows 

oftheAcademyofSciences,Malaysia: 

1.ProfDrTunkuKamarul 

ZamanTunkuZainolAbidin, 

DirectorofUM MedicalCentre; 

2.ProfDrYvonneLim AiLian, 

DeputyDeanofResearch; 

InrecognitionofUniversityofMalaya's 

significance contribution toward research 

development in the country, several 

researchersfrom FOM receivedawardsatthe 

CurentResearchinMalaysia(CREAM)Status 

Awards2017.TheceremonywasheldatPICC 

Putrajaya and graced by the Ministry of 

Education,YBDato'SeriIdrisJusoh. 

ProfessorDrSazalyAbuBakarfrom the 

DepartmentofMicrobiology and Professor 

DatinDrIndraVythilingam from theDepartment 

of Parasitology received the Outstanding 

NationalResearchAward(inTropicalDiseases) 

whileProfessorDrGohKheanJinfrom the 

DepartmentofMedicinereceivedtheClassic 

Citation Award (cumulative citations from 

1996-2016). 

JUMMECwaspresentedwiththestatusas 

potentialCREAM journal.Theeditor-in-chief, 

ProfessorDr.Tunku KamarulZaman Tunku 

ZainolAbidinanditseditorialboardhadbrought 

thejournaltogreaterheight. 

3.ProfDrLim Shen-Yang 

DepartmentofMedicine; 

5.ProfDrShamalaDevi 

K.C.Sekaran,formerlywith 

DepartmentofMicrobiology 

(curentlywithMAHSA 

University). 

NEWSFLASH 

4.ProfDrThongMeowKeong 

DepartmentofPaediatrics;and 

FelowshipAward from Society 

ofOtorhinolaryngologists 

Professor Dr Prepageran 

Narayanan received the felowship 

awardbyvirtueofprovidingcontinuous 

medical education and support to 

Myanmar. 

25 



UM ASSOCIATEPROFESSOR 

CONFERREDTHEMAHATMA 

GHANDIAWARD 

AssociateProfessorDrVijayapandy 

Pandyfrom theDepartmentofPharmacology 

wasrecentlyawardedtheMahatmadGhandi 

SammanawardinBangkokforhisacademic 

excelence.TheawardisgiventoNon-Resident 

IndiansforGlobalAchievement. 

CLINICALMASTERSTRAINEE 

EARNSMERCKDIABETES 

AWARD 

Dr.FuMeiSianoftheDepartmentof 

Medicinereceivedanawardforherprojecton 

diabetestreatmentadherenceusingmHealth. 

MICROBIOLOGISTSWINS 

MSIDCYOUNG INVESTIGATOR 

AWARD 

Dr.WongWonFenfrom theDepartment 

ofMicrobiologyreceivedtheYoungInvestigator 

Award from the Institute Merieux-Malaysian 

Society for Infectious Diseases and 

Chemotherapy (MSIDC) which caries a 

researchgrantprizeof€10,000. 

PROFESSORCHUAKEKHENG 

CONFERREDTHETOP 

RESEARCHSCIENTISTS 

MALAYSIA(TRSM)2017AWARD 

Professor Chua Kek Heng from 

Department of Biomedical Science was 

conferedtheTopResearchScientistsMalaysia 

(TRSM)2017award. 

NEWSFLASH 

AgeingandAge-AssociatedDisorders 

ResearchGroupReceivesPrestigious 

National Institute of Health 

Research (NIHR) Grant 

Associate Professor Tan Maw Pin, 

Professor Chin Ai-Vyrn, and Professor 

ShahrulBKamaruzzaman,from theAgeing 

and Age-Associated Disorders Research 

Groupreceivedtheprestigiousawardfrom 

NationalInstituteofHealthResearch(NIHR). 

NEWSFLASH 

UniversityofMalaya 

ExcelenceAwards2017 

Wewouldliketocongratulatealthe 

winnersfrom theFacultyofMedicinefor 

receiving the UM Excelence Award 

2017.Thankyouformakingusproud. 

EXCELLENTLECTURER 

Clinical 

AssociateProfDr.MuhammadYazid 

Jalaludin 

Sciences&Technology 

AssociateProfDr.IvyChung 

ACADEMICSTAFFWITHHIGHEST 

EXTERNALRESEARCHGRANT 

ProfDr.MohdRaisMustafa 

ProfDatukDr.RohanaYusof 

OUTSTANDING RESEARCHER 

UM YOUNG RESEARCHER 

Dr.TeeKokKeng 

RESEARCHSERVICE 

TECHNOLOGIST 

Madam SitiNoraisahAhmadNasrah 

EXCELLENTSUPPORTSTAFF 

Grade17-38 

Mr.Kuhana/lKrishhnan 

Madam ZuraSyazleenaHamizan 

EXPERT/TALENT 

(PUBLICATION/CONFERENCE/ 

CONSULTANCY) 

Madam ZubaidahAbuHassan 

COMMUNITYENGAGEMENT 

Dr.RusdiAbd.Rashid 

REWARDFORUM STAFF- 

PHDGRADUATES2016 

Dr.HongWeiHan 

Dr.MukhriBinHamdan 

26 


CAMPUS&COMMUNITY 

CONGRATULATIONSTO THECLASSOF2017 

AdeebaKamarulzaman(Dean,FacultyofMedicineUniversityofMalaya) 

UM MBBSSession2012/17 

InOctober,wemarkedtheculminationoffourdaysoftheConvocationceremonywherewe 

honouredourgraduands-pastandpresent,undergraduateandpostgraduates. 

Wesawatotalof302graduatesthisyear,with201from MBBS,46from Pharmacy,8from 

Nursing,39from BiomedicalScienceand8from Radiology.Wealsohad370postgraduate 

studentswhograduatedthisyear. 

On the Sunday ofthe graduation,esteemed paediatrician,father ofbone marow 

transplantationinMalaysia,andalumnusofUM,ProfessorLinHaiPengwasawardedwitha 

ProfessorEmeritus. 

CongratulationstoalourgraduatesandtoProfessorLinHaiPengforyouraccomplishments. 

Watchingthegraduateswalkacrossthestagebeamingwithreliefandprideandtheoccasional 

nodofthankstomeastheywalkofissomethingIcherishandlookforwardtoeachyear. 

27 



READTIP 

BREASTCANCERSURVIVORS’COOKBOOK 

HazreenBAbdulMajid (DepartmentOfSocialAndPreventiveMedicine,Facultyof 

Medicine,UniversityofMalaya) 

Thisbookisintendedforthosewhowishtomakeadiferenceintheircookingpractices.Itis 

importantforbothbreastcancersurvivorsandthegeneralpublictounderstandthatcookinga 

healthymealispossiblewithoutjeopardisingthetasteandquality.Adoptinghealthylifestyleisan 

importantstrategyto ensure thateach individualcan minimize theirchancesofdeveloping 

non-communicablediseases.Eatinghealthilyandhavingvarietiesinourfoodintakeisoneofthe 

importantelementsindiseaseprevention.Itisalsoimportanttoknowthatitisgoodforustoprepare 

ourownmeals sothatweknowtheingredientsthatweusearehealthy,cleanandwholesome. 

Thisbookincludesrecipesforbreakfast,maincoursedishes,dessertandalsoprovidesome 

healthytips.Italsoprovidesthenutritionalbreakdownforeachdishthatwilhelptheusersto 

understandmoreabouttherecipes/nutrientcontent.Thisbookisunique.Itisacompilationrecipes 

providedbycancersurvivors.Therecipesweremodifiedtoensurethatthedishesarenutritiousand 

tasty.Itishopedthatthisbookwilbenefitbreastcancersurvivorsandthegeneralpublic. 

Pulse@ UM :AresearchbuletinfromFacultyofMedicine,UniversityofMalaya 

28

UPCOMING EVENTS 

JANUARY-APRIL2018 

*Pleasecontacttherespectivedepartment/researchcentresforregistrationandfurtherinformation. 

29 



ResearchManagementCentre(RMC), 

Level3,BlockI,FacultyofMedicine 

UniversityofMalaya 

50603KualaLumpur 

Tel:03-79677515 

Fax:03-79676790 

Email:resfom@um.edu.my 

Website:htps:/resfom.um.edu.my/ 

Facebook:ResearchManagementCentre-FOM UM

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