Dr Hanafiah appointed Pro-Vice-Chancellor of UKM

KUALA LUMPUR: Hospital Cancelor Tuanku Muhriz (HCTM) director Prof Datuk Dr. Hanafiah Harunarashid has been appointed as the new Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) for three years, effective March 1.

UKM in a statement said that the appointment of the consultant vascular surgeon is to lead the UKM Kuala Lumpur Health Campus which comprises four Health faculties (Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy and Allied Health Sciences), two hospitals (HCTM and UKM Children's Specialist Hospital (HPKK) and the UKM Medical Molecular Biology Institute (UMBI).

Dr. Hanafiah, 53, was the first Malaysian to be awarded the ‘Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh International' medal in 2016, and was appointed as the international surgical advisor for the oldest surgical institution in the world.

“He was instrumental in the establishment of the Advanced Surgical Skills Center (ASSC), UKM, and the first Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh International Office located at this centre (HCTM) as well,” the statement said.

He received his education at the Malay College Kuala Kangsar and graduated from the University of St. Andrews with a Bachelor in Medical Sciences in 1990, and with an MBChB from the University of Edinburgh Medical School in 1993.

Dr Hanafiah is the president of the Asian Surgical Association, former president of the College of Surgeons Academy of Medicine Malaysia, vice-president of the Vascular Society Malaysia, and a current council member of the Malaysian Medical Council and Academy of Medicine Malaysia.

“He has received nine fellowships from national and international societies, including three honorary awards.

“It is hoped that his appointment will spearhead UKM's Health Campus in Kuala Lumpur to become an international Centre of Excellence that will be a catalyst for an academicled economic growth for the country,” read the statement.