Launch of Yu Cai Foundation - UTAR - UTAR Hospital Medical Specialist Training RM10 million Scholarship Programme

Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) has recently signed an agreement with Yu Chai Foundation (YCF), to set up the “YCF–UTAR-UTAR Hospital Medical Specialist Training RM10 million Scholarship Programme”. The RM10 million scholarship programme to train medical specialists for UTAR Hospital was in partnership with Usaha Tegas Group and Mr Ananda Krishnan.

A ceremony was held at Kampar to launch the Yu Cai Foundation-UTAR Medical Specialist Training Scholarship Programme.

This Scholarship Programme was launched on 22 March 2023 at UTAR Kampar Campus and is open to medical doctors who would like to pursue their career goal of becoming a medical specialist.

The agreement documents were exchanged by UTAR Education Foundation Board of Trustees Chairman Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Sak Cheng Lum and Chairman of Yu Cai Foundation Mr Chan Chee Beng; and witnessed by UTAR Chancellor Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik, Mr Maya Krishnan Tatparanandam representing Founder of Yu Cai Foundation and Chairman of Usaha Tegas Sdn Bhd Mr Ananda Krishnan Tatparanandam, UTAR President Ir Prof Dato’ Dr Ewe Hong Tat, Usaha Tegas Group Chief Operating Officer and Treasurer of Yu Cai Foundation Mr Lim Ghee Keong, and Member of Board of Trustee of Yu Cai Foundation Ms Yvonne Phe.

Under this programme, candidates will be equipped with knowledge, practical skills and the latest advancement in medical technology. This will enable them to stay current with the latest medical practices and continue providing high-quality care to patients.

Tan Sri Sak said “The Yu Cai Foundation – UTAR Medical Specialist Scholarship Programme will assist to meet the shortage of medical specialists in all disciplines in Malaysia. According to the Minister of Health Malaysia, there is an increase of 6.6 per cent of medical officers with the Health Ministry in 2022. Together with Yu Cai Foundation, we will strive to produce more medical and health science specialists that will provide the best specialist healthcare services for the community. This is also aligned with UTAR Hospital’s vision to be the preferred hospital of excellence providing holistic healthcare through contemporary and complementary medicine and services.”

He added, “Under this medical specialist training scholarship programme, the medical officers will be attached to teaching hospitals such as Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC), University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM), University Putra Malaysia Teaching Hospital (HPUPM) and International Islamic University Malaysia Teaching Hospital (IIUM Teaching Hospital). They will gain hands-on experience and be trained to support UTAR Hospital in the disciplines including Clinical Haematology to support the Bone Marrow Transplant Centre, Neurology to support the Stroke Programme, Oncology to support the Cancer Centre, and Cardiology to support the Heart Centre.”

Mr Lim Ghee Keong, the COO of Usaha Tegas group and Treasurer of Yu Cai Foundation congratulates UTAR Education Foundation and UTAR Hospital on the successful completion of this RM330 million not-for-profit hospital. He added that “Yu Cai Foundation’s medical specialist scholarship will help in addressing the shortage of medical specialists in the country, although in a small way. It is hopeful that Malaysia’s corporate citizens will over time step up to contribute to the development of more medical specialists. “

He also added, “Since its launch in 2015, Yu Cai Foundation has been collaborating with Usaha Tegas Group and Mr Ananda Krishnan to offer diverse range of scholarship programme and grants, which have benefited close to 2,300 students and in-service teachers, and over 110 schools and many communities in the country. With the completion of this advanced specialist hospital in Kampar, we look forward to working with UTAR and UTAR hospital in grooming the next generations of medical specialists to serve the local community and the country.”

Front row: from left: Prof Dato’ Ewe, Puan Sri Sak, Toh Puan Ena Ling, Mr Maya Krishnan, Tun Ling, Tan Sri Sak, Mr Chan, Mr Lim, and Prof Lau, with Council Members, Deans, Deputy Deans, UTAR Hospital staff, Yu Cai Foundation staff and audiences at the end of the ceremony

From left: Ms Wong, Ms May Quah, Mr Mohamad Shahrin, Ms Yvonne Phe, Mr Chan, Mr Maya Krishnan, Prof Dato’ Ewe, Mr Lim, Ms Meera Krishnan, Ms Ranjina Jacob, at the Dewan Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik, during the campus tour

From left: Dr Te, Mr Hew, Ms Maria Khong, Ms Yvonne Phe, Prof Dato’ Ewe, Mr Maya Krishnan, Mr Chan, Mr Lim, Ms Meera Krishnan, Mr Mohamad Shahrin, Prof Lau, Ms Ranjina Jacob, Ms May Quah, and Ms Wong at the T&CM Centre during the tour of UTAR Hospital

About Yu Cai Foundation-UTAR-UTAR Hospital RM10 million Medical Specialist Training Scholarship Programme

This scholarship is opened to all qualified Malaysian medical doctors who would like to pursue their dreams of becoming a medical specialist. Applicants must have completed Housemanship and the compulsory services with Malaysia’s Ministry of Health, and have successfully obtained entry qualification to the specialty. Selection will be done through a committee which comprises of Dean of Medical Faculty, relevant Head of Clinical Department depending on clinical discipline applied, relevant professors and relevant external clinical consultant.

The scholarship programme will fund the training of medical doctors to become specialists over 4 to 6 years. Upon their graduation, the medical specialists funded by Yu Cai Foundation’s scholarship programme will then serve at UTAR and UTAR Hospital, contributing to the community. YCF plans to award scholarships to 32 medical specialists totaling RM10 mil over a period of 7 years.