News: Perdana University Launched in Malaysia

Perdana University was officially launched today by the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. Tun Dr. Mahathir, our country’s fourth Prime Minister is the first Chancellor of the university.

Perdana University is a medical university established in collaboration with the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RSCI) School of Medicine. There are two medical schools within Perdana University itself, that is the Perdana University Graduate School of Medicine (PUGSOM) and Perdana University-Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (PU-RCSI) School of Medicine. PUGSOM, as its name suggests, is a graduate-entry medical school (similar to the medical schools in the United States) and follows a 4-year United States curriculum. PU-RSCI, on the other hand is a 5-year undergraduate-entry medical programme. 

It is certainly exciting to see to the launch of the Perdana University in Malaysia, especially with its close ties with John Hopkins University, one of the most prestigious universities in America. According to our communication with Assistant Professors from Perdana University, the university will not only focus on medical teaching but will also emphasise on research in the medical field. This is good news for Malaysia as western countries such as the US and the UK are moving towards genomic/personalised medicine approach for treating patients, which requires emphasis on research. 

The ScientificMalaysian team would also like to take this opportunity to welcome Dr Mohammad Asif Khan, the Assistant Professor of Bioinformatics from Perdana University as one of our members. You can read more about his background here or check out his profile at ScientificMalaysian (members only).

More coverage in the Malaysian local press on the launch of Perdana University below:
Sin Chew Jit Poh
– Dr Mahathir is first chancellor of Perdana University
The Star
– Perdana University launched; Dr M named chancellor
– PM hopes ‘world’s best medical curriculum’ will halt brain drain
– Perdana uni boost for education
– Beginning of an era

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Photo credit: The Star.