RCSEd today launched its international strategy to support surgeons and dentists worldwide, through education, training and examinations and to advocate for the highest standards of surgical and dental care, focusing on worldwide patient safety standards and practices.
Based in Scotland, with a membership of 27,000 from over 100 countries, RCSEd has championed the highest standards of surgical and dental practice in the UK for the past 500 years, has influenced the healthcare policy across the United Kingdom and is now paving its way through Malaysia, to reach across the ASEAN region. In 2018, RCSEd announced a collaboration with Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, UKM to create RCSEd Malaysia in order to better serve the needs of existing and future members in the development of their career.
The launch ceremony, officiated by Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir, as Royal Chancellor of UKM and Honorary Fellow of RCSEd was held at the UKM Medical Centre in Cheras. This launch showcased the parties’ commitment to deliver, promote, and influence excellence and advancement in surgical practice and healthcare through leadership, innovation and standards in education, training, examinations and continuing professional development. It also aims at encouraging surgical profession as the career of choice.
Vice President of RCSEd, Mr Pala Rajesh, said: “The current shortage of surgeons in Malaysia, a growing elderly population plus ongoing trends toward increased healthcare utilisation have all certainly contributed to a higher demand for surgical services. The country needs more surgeons in the future and RCSEd wants to encourage junior doctors and medical students at their clinical years to pursue their career in surgery and to review the available options.”
RCSEd’s role is not just developing the profession, but also to develop individuals. “Surgical training is amongst the longest career pathways in medicine. Surgery is physically demanding in terms of daily routines of managing acutely unwell patients and performing practical procedures at all times of the day. To be a surgeon is not just about technical ability, but one needs to be technically excellent and pose good academic knowledge,” he added.
The launch also witnessed the first recipient of The Tuanku Muhriz Travelling Fellowship, Professor Dr Angus Watson sharing his insights and experience during his two weeks stay in Borneo serving the indigenous communities. This Fellowship provides funding for qualified surgeons to share their expertise by providing support in rural surgery. Through this fellowship experience, Professor Dr Watson was able to meet fellow surgeons working in Remote and Rural Surgery and experience first hand the issues they face.
UKM Vice Chancellor, Professor Ir. Dr. Mohd Hamdi Abd Shukor, said, “UKM has always been committed in leading the development of a learned and dynamic society. This collaboration with RCSEd is in line with the Minister of Higher Education’s vision to create a higher education system that ranks among the world’s best and enables Malaysia to compete globally.”
In 2018, UKM partnered with RCSEd to launch their International Office where it is now located at the Advanced Surgical Skills Centre (ASSC) in UKM Medical Centre. ASSC prides itself as one of the most comprehensive and versatile surgical training centres in Malaysia
In conjunction with the launch, RCSEd held its first Career Day in Malaysia. The career day provided a full introduction on RCSEd’s International Office in Kuala Lumpur, its activities and how the College can support international medical students. Renowned surgeons presented highly relevant topics, including Women Surgeons, Training Opportunities in the U.K., International Membership Examinations and Parallel Pathways. About 100 students and young doctors from around Malaysia attended the event.
RCSEd has a wide range of International activities, events, courses and examinations, besides developing International opportunities for its Fellows, Members and Affiliates. The International Surgical Adviser and Dental Ambassador networks provide locally, focused support. RCSEd is a friendly college providing fellows, members and affiliates with a warm welcome and a ‘home away from home’ experience, wherever they operate globally.
The launch was also attended by 50 invited guests including Malaysian Deputy Director General of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Datuk Dr Rahaizat Yon and Contributor to the Tuanku Muhriz Travelling Fellowship were among other invitees.
RCSEd was first incorporated as the Barber Surgeons of Edinburgh in 1505, and is based in Edinburgh and Birmingham. It is one of the oldest surgical corporations in the world with a worldwide membership of almost 29,000. The majority of our members practice across the UK, with 11,000 professionals based in England and Wales. The College also has a significant global presence with 11,000 members in over 100 countries worldwide.
The College promotes the highest standards of surgical and dental practice through education, training and examinations, its liaison with external medical bodies and representation of the modern surgical and dental workforce. It is also home to the UK’s only Faculty of Surgical Trainers, open to all those with an interest in surgical training regardless of College affiliation.
Find RCSEd here www.rcsed.ac.uk, on Twitter www.twitter.com/RCSEd, on Facebook www.facebook.com/rcsed and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/RCSEd/
Issued by Beattie on behalf of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. For further information, please contact the team on rcsed@beattiegroup.com or Emma Bain on 07730 415 096.