IMU celebrates convocation, installation of chancellor and pro-chancellor
KUCHING: More than 400 graduands from multi-discipline took centrestage for IMU’s convocation ceremony, marking their completion of their postgraduate and undergraduate studies in various healthcare studies.
Held in IMU’s campus in Bukit Jalil, the ceremony was presided over by IMU’s Vice-Chancellor Prof Abdul Aziz Baba.
The ceremony also marked a milestone for IMU as seven graduands made history as the first to graduate from the nation’s first-ever Postgraduate Diploma in Implant Dentistry (PGDID).
The programme was specially developed by IMU to provide dentistry practitioners with advanced training and classes to help develop their knowledge in implant dentistry, enabling them to include implants into their clinical practice.
“We are very proud to celebrate the graduation of our first batch of PGDID students who have successfully completed their oneyear modular study programme in spite of their busy dental practice.
“The programme is structured, organised and benchmarked to the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh Diploma in Implant Dentistry Examination.
“Designed to support the training and learning of working dental practitioners, it uses a flexible modular mode of study whereby students have the flexibility to perform implant surgery in their own clinic or under one-to-one supervision in IMU Oral Health Centre.
“On top of that, it is also complemented by technologybased learning with online i-seminars,” said Dr Y Naresh Shetty, PGDID programme director.
Also graduating is IMU’s first cohort of two students from the Postgraduate Certificate in Health Professions Education (PGCHPE).
At the same event witnessed by members of the Board of Governors, Senate, faculty members, invited guests, students and parents of students, the new Chancellor of IMU, YBhg Dato’ Dr Gan Eee Kiang, was officially installed in his new role.
Gan obtained his PhD Degree in Pharmacology in 1972 from the University of Western Australia.
He played an instrumental role in bringing international recognition for Malaysian clinical pharmacy education.
He was also the first Malaysian member of the International Health Advisory Panel of the United States Pharmacopoeia Convention from 1990-95.
Also officially installed as IMU’s new Pro-Chancellor is YBhg Tan Sri Dr Yahya Awang.
Yahya qualified as a doctor in 1974 with a Bachelor of Medicine/ Bachelor of Surgery from Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
He obtained his fellowship from the Royal College of Surgeons and Physicians of Glasgow ( FRCS) Scotland in 1980 and began his career in cardiothoracic surgery in Brompton Hospital, London.
Returning to Malaysia in 1983, Yahya played a significant and pioneering role in the development of cardiac surgery in the country.
The event also saw the conferment of IMU’s Emeritus Professor, Prof Mak Joon Wah.
Having obtained his medical degree from the National University of Singapore in 1967, Prof Mak served as a medical doctor for five years in the Ministry of Health Malaysia before joining the Institute for Medical Research in 1972 where he was appointed Director in 1995.
He joined IMU as Professor of Medical Parasitology in 2001, becoming Pro Vice-Chancellor, research in 2016.
Under his stewardship, the university has made significant progress in research, as evidenced by increases in the numbers of peer- reviewed publication, external research funding and numbers of postgraduate research students.
Prof Mak will continue to contribute and support the University in his new role.