By Asmahanim Amir
Pix Shahiddan Saidi

KUALA LUMPUR, 24 Nov 2015 – Five sets of ultrasound machine equipment as well as infrastructure development training will be provided to the The National University of Malaysia’s Medical Centre (UKMMC) by the South Korean-based Samsung Sono School.

Vice Chancellor, Prof Datuk Dr Noor Azlan Ghazali said to produce international clinical expertise, UKM needs to provide a suitable learning environment for medical staff to  get exposure to technology and the latest scientific developments.

“So, this cooperation is very welcomed and it will provide a teaching centre that uses the latest ultrasound technology in the region,” he said while delivering his speech at the Opening Ceremony of the UKMMC-Samsung Sono School and exchange of Memoradum of Agreements (MoA) on November 17.

The ceremony was  graced by the presence of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Almarhum Tuanku Munawir, who is UKM Chancellor  and Tunku Ampuan Besar Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Aishah Rohani Almarhum Tengku Besar Mahmud.

In his speech, Prof Noor Azlan said the UKMMC- Samsung Sono School is set up  with the aim to produce expertise in sonography and to fulfil the needs of medical institutions and society in Malaysia.

“With the existence of this Sono School, the Advanced Surgical Skill Centre (ASSC) is able to conduct workshops in sonography and skills using ultrasound equipment of high specification.

“Sono School takes 30 students at one time and is equipped with five beds for a practice room,” he explained.

In another development, he said ASSC was set up to fill the demand for high-tech sub-training expertise and improve collaboration between the University and industry in addition to strengthening the role of the surgical specialists.

“Until now, ASSC has successfully handled more than 400 courses with more than 6,000 participants from various field.

“Recently, the project implemented at ASSC got first place in the report of the Evaluations of the 10^th Malaysian Plan by the Prime Minister’s Department,” he said.

Prof Noor Azlan also stated that the ASSC received recognition at the national and international levels through a network of collaboration with world-renowned institutions including The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.

“The College has awarded the International Medal Award to Assoc Prof Dr Hanafiah Harunarashid, head of ASSC. He is the first Malaysian to receive the award and he is the youngest recipient in the 500-year history of the Royal College of Surgeons,” he stated.

He expressed hope with this cooperation and the strategic planning, ASSC can implement collaborations with many parties in an effort to strengthen the role of ASSC in Malaysia and the Asian region.

Meanwhile, Corporate Affairs Director of Samsung Malaysia Electronics, Dato’ Roh Jae Yeol said development of UKMMC-Samsung Sono School is the right decision given the location at the ASSC as the hub for organising training and workshops held in conjunction with other companies.

“The establishment of this training centre is one form of Samsung’s corporate responsibility in the context of medical education in line with the wishes of the Ministry of Health to increase the expertise of qualified Sonographers,” he said.

He added the cooperation between UKM and Samsung in health education is a part of efforts to increasing qualified expertise, meet the demand of expertise in other medical institutions and thus benefit the community.