UTAR and Southern Medical University sign MoU to enhance medical education and research

UTAR further strengthened its international collaborations by signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Southern Medical University (SMU) to enhance medical education and research, particularly in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and integrative medicine.

The MoU, previously signed by UTAR President Ir Prof Dato’ Dr Ewe Hong Tat and SMU President Prof Dr Li Mengfeng, was exchanged by UTAR Vice President for Internationalisation and Academic Development Ir Prof Dr Goi Bok Min and SMU Vice President Prof Dr Ma Li on 27 March 2025 at UTAR Sungai Long Campus. It aims to promote faculty exchanges, student mobility programmes, joint research initiatives, and clinical training opportunities.

Prof Goi welcomed the SMU delegation and highlighted UTAR’s commitment to fostering global partnerships, with over 790 collaborations worldwide, including more than 190 in China. He acknowledged SMU’s remarkable academic achievements, particularly in clinical medicine and pharmacology. “Through this collaboration, we hope to enhance our hospital’s medical services and contribute to the healthcare sector in Malaysia and beyond,” he said.

Prof Ma Li expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, underscoring the university’s long-standing dedication to medical education and research. “Despite the geographical distance, our shared mission to nurture outstanding medical talent and drive technological advancements in healthcare unites us,” she remarked. She outlined four key areas of collaboration, namely joint talent development through postgraduate training and faculty exchanges, research cooperation in traditional medicine and infectious disease control, expansion of medical services via telemedicine and public health initiatives, and the establishment of a joint centre for integrative medicine.

Also present at the event were SMU International Affairs Office Director Prof Dr Peng Hongjuan, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine Dean and SMU Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Director Prof Dr Du Qingfeng, SMU Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Deputy Director Assoc Prof Dr Huang Shaohui, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine R&D Office Head Assoc Prof Dr Hua Yue, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine Office of Clinical Management Head and SMU Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine and Department of Education and Career Development Head Dr Xing Xuefeng.

UTAR representatives included M. Kandiah Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (MK FMHS) Deputy Dean (R&D and Postgraduate Programmes) Prof Dr Alan Ong Han Kiat, Department of Chinese Medicine Head Dr Leu Kim Fey, UTAR Hospital T&CM Centre Director Assoc Prof Dr Te Kian Keong, MK FMHS academic Dr Nam Hui Yin, Centre for International Student Recruitment and Education Collaboration Director Mr Lee Choy Fong, UTAR Project Management Centre for Cooperative Studies (China) Ms Meng Ying, Office of International Affairs Director Assoc Prof Dr Lai Soon Onn and Assistant Manager Ms Wang Yiling.