On Saturday 2 November, in the company of selected Royalty of Malaysia, the Pro-Chancellor, Chairman and Vice-Chancellor of UKM, and invited officers, students and parents, Professor Michael Lavelle-Jones, Past-President of The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd) accepted the National University of Malaysia's highest award of Honorary Doctor of Medicine.
Professor Lavelle-Jones's relationship with UKM started some 15 years ago almost at the same time as UKM was appointed one of the 4 research Universities in Malaysia based on its outstanding research performance over the previous 40 years.
It was an auspicious sign and it was clear to Professor Lavelle-Jones that it was his good fortune to have become engaged with such a dynamic and forward looking institution. It also became clear to him as he climbed the ladder in the College that both organisations shared the same values in education, training and assessment. Constantly striving to improve standards and to set higher goals. Remarkably this enthusiasm for progress was not shared just by the few but by everyone at UKM.
It was his good fortune to share this journey at UKM with now Director of Hospital, Canselor Tuanku Muhriz, Professor Hanafiah Harunarashid whose enthusiasm and energy has no bounds. His vision led, amonst many things, to the establishment of a Professional Home for Advanced Surgical Training – the ASSC – at the UKM Health Campus in Cheras which, in five short years, has become established as a world leader in its class. This is an enormous achievement and in recognition the ASSC has become the first international surgical skills centre to be accredited by The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. However, it is not just about the bricks and mortar at this state of the art facility – it is the enthusiasm drive and innovation of the faculty that makes the ASSC stand apart.
On the positive relationship, Professor Lavelle-Jones commented:
'UKM and The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh are both outward looking institutions recognising the value of internationality and global reach. The highlight of my Presidency was the opening in 2017 of our College’s first International Office at the heart of the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Health Campus in the presence of HRH Tuanku Muhritz and Her Royal Highness Tunku Ampuan.
As you can see there have been many collaborations but great ideas will frequently wither on the vine. I will always be indebted to the guidance of the Vice Chancellor at UKM and to our Chancellor HRH Tuanku Muhritz without whose strategic leadership our aspirations would not have been achieved. Be assured our support of higher education in Malaysia will continue in the years to come.'
