KUCHING: Sarawak’s ambitions to become a global hub for integrative medicine and medical education received a major boost following the green light for the establishment of a joint innovation and research centre between Fudan University in China and Imasa Dinasti Sdn Bhd.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said in a letter dated March 27 that Fudan University officially approved the collaborative initiative.
It is phase one of what is envisioned as a long-term, multi-phase partnership with the Chinese academic giant.
“This marks a significant milestone, and with support from the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre, I am confident that Sarawak has the potential to make its mark on the global map for drug discovery,” he said on his Facebook post.
Following this encouraging start, Dr Sim added that plans are already underway for phase two of the collaboration: the establishment of Fudan Medical School @ Miri.
“Engagements with both federal Ministry of Higher Education and the Ministry of Health are scheduled to chart the path forward for this ambitious expansion,” he added.
Dr Sim stated that Borneo Medical Centre is set to take over operations from Columbia Asia Hospital in Miri, a move anticipated to enhance the city’s medical services.
“Sarawak currently has approximately 4,000 practising doctors – only half of whom are Sarawakians.
“According to national healthcare standards, the state should ideally have at least 6,000 doctors to meet its population’s needs.
“There are hopes that medical graduates from the future Fudan Medical School in Miri will remain in Malaysia to serve, unlike trends observed in other institutions.
“Reports suggest that up to 50 per cent of Monash Malaysia’s medical graduates secure jobs in Australia upon graduation, while as many as 80 per cent of graduates from the University of Newcastle Malaysia find employment in the United Kingdom,” he added.
He then stated that the long-term vision includes phase two which is the establishment of a full-fledged Fudan University branch campus in Miri – a transformative move that would solidify Miri’s position as a major academic and medical hub in the region.
