From left: Lau, Prof Ewe, Tan Kai Hee, Dr Lee, Tan Keng Kang and Tan Sri Dato’ Khoo at the signing ceremony

A tripartite memorandum of agreement (MoA) was signed between UTAR, Hai-O Enterprise Berhad and Tung Shin Hospital on 8 July at Menara Hai-O.

Gracing the MoA signing ceremony were Deputy Minister of Health of Malaysia YB Dr Lee Boon Chye, Ministry of Health Division of TCM Director Dr Goh Cheng Soon and Co-founder of Jimmy Choo Ltd Prof Datuk Dr Jimmy Choo Yeang Keat.

The MoA was signed in advance by UTAR President Ir Prof Academician Dato’ Dr Chuah Hean Teik witnessed by Vice President for Internationalisation and Academic Development Prof Ir Dr Ewe Hong Tat. During the ceremony, signing on behalf of Hai-O Enterprise Berhad was its Group Executive Chairman Tan Kai Hee witnessed by Group Managing Director Tan Keng Kang; while Tung Shin Hospital was represented by its President Tan Sri Dato’ Khoo Chai Kaa and witnessed by its Secretary General Lau Keng Boon.

Dr Lee explaining the importance of research to support the utilisation of T&CM

Speaking in his remarks at the signing ceremony, Dr Lee commented that the signing of the MoA was a good start. He said, “UTAR is known for its research quality and has recently achieved its fame in the international academic ranking. Tung Shin Hospital which was set up by Chinese philanthropist was famous for its benevolence and care for the sick and poor. The segregation of traditional Chinese medicine and western medical services in the hospital does not stop the research of traditional medicine from occurring. Research is crucial to support the safe integration of Traditional and Complementary Medicine (T&CM) in Malaysia. I am confident that this joint research project is going to produce results that may surprise all of us.”

According to him, Malaysia presently has 15 public hospitals which provide Traditional and Complementary Medicine (T&CM) practices ranging from acupuncture to herbal medicine such as adjunctive therapy for cancer and traditional post-natal therapies.

Tan Sri Dato’ Khoo expressing his hope to have more collaborative opportunities to benefit the society

Tan Sri Dato’ Khoo, on the other hand, said that this was the second collaboration with UTAR. He said, “Through the MoA, Tung Shin Hospital is willing to contribute to the development of this research project. I believe this is just a beginning and I look forward to more research collaboration for the benefits of the general public. I also believe this could promote the modernisation and globalisation of traditional Chinese medicine. ”

Prof Ewe thanking the parties involved for their commitment and support

Prof Ewe, on behalf of UTAR President, mentioned that UTAR has been collaborating with Hai-O since the year 2010, where two memoranda of understandings (MoUs) were signed between the University and the subsidiary of Hai-O Enterprise Bhd—Hai-O Energy Sdn Bhd to work on collaborative research and to provide learning opportunities for UTAR students.

He said, “Today’s tripartite agreement is really an indication of the continuous support from Hai-O as well as Tungshin Hospital who have been working very closely with our TCM department staff and students especially for internships. I truly hope that this joint research will bring fruitful outcomes for the parties involved and more so for patients. More research needs to be done in the field of traditional Chinese medicine particularly in relation to cancer treatment.”

Tan Keng Kang highlighting the importance of traditional medicine

Delivering his welcome speech, Tan Keng Kang said that traditional medicine has always been an alternative to the Malaysian society besides western medicine. “This joint project will collect scientific data on the use of traditional medicine for healing. It is a small step in such research, but resembles a big leap forward in seeking government recognition and acceptance of traditional and alternative medicine into the existing health care system,” he said.

Through the signing of the agreement, the three parties are set to collaborate on a joint research project to determine the syndrome differentiation of breast cancer patients treated with adjuvant traditional Chinese medicine. The research focuses on the field of Chinese herbal medicine, cancer biology and omic technologies.

Hai-O Enterprise would provide funding to UTAR whereas Tung Shin Hospital would assist UTAR to collect and analyse the patients’ data for the research. Under this agreement, UTAR would provide the expertise in undertaking collaborative research on Chinese herbal medicine, cancer biology and omic technologies for the joint project.

Also present at the signing ceremony were Hai-O Enterprise Berhad CFO-cum-Executive Director Hew Von Kin, Hai-O Foundation Trustee Chia Oai Peng; Tung Shin Hospital Council member Datuk Ang Chin Tat, Administrator Chung King Keong, Deputy superintendent CMD Huang Ching Hui; UTAR Programme of Postgraduate Degree Head-cum-Centre for Cancer Research Chairperson Prof Ts Dr Lim Yang Mooi, Department of Chinese Medicine Head-cum-Centre for TCM Research Chairperson Assoc Prof Dr Te Kian Keong, Division of Community and International Networking Assoc Prof Dr Lai Soon Onn, Programme Coordinator Master of Medical Science Chinese Medicine Dr Ng Foong Leng, Lecturer Dr Foo Chai Nien and Postgraduate student Arthrun Poo Chin Long.

A souvenir exchange between Prof Ewe (second from left) and Tan Keng Kang

A souvenir exchange between Tan Kai Hee (third from left) and Tan Sri Dato’ Khoo

Tan Keng Kang (second from right) presenting a token of appreciation to Dr Lee (second from left)

MoA signed to develop joint research on T&CM