UNIVERSITI TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN
Welcome Speech from The Dean
Selamat Datang! A warm welcome to visitors and friends.
The M. Kandiah Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (formerly FMHS) was established on the 16th November 2009 at the Sungai Long campus. Since then, it has grown into a dynamic institution dedicated to excellence in education, research and healthcare. Our Founding Dean, Emeritus Prof. Dato’ Dr. Cheong Soon Keng, launched four core undergraduate programmes in Medicine, Chinese Medicine, Nursing, and Physiotherapy. Since the welcoming of our first MBBS cohort in 2010, the Faculty has expanded to include Masters and PhD programmes, cutting-edge research laboratories and five dedicated research centres in stem cell research, cancer, communicable diseases, traditional Chinese Medicine and non-communicable diseases, respectively.
Clinical Training Centres were established near Ampang Hospital and Ipoh Hospital to facilitate hands-on clinical teaching for our medical students. This is to ensure real-world experiences and enhance competency in their medical education. In 2018, we achieved SIRIM ISO 9001 certification and have remained resilient and innovative, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. On 13 September 2022, the Faculty was renamed in honour of Mr. M. Kandiah Murugasu, a pioneering figure in Malaysian social welfare.
Over the years, the MK FMHS programmes have seen a steady increase in our students’ intake. A number of doctors from our first few cohorts of medical graduates are now medical specialists, working in various types of hospitals including Ministry of Health hospitals, UTAR Hospital in Kampar and overseas medical centres. A similar pattern is seen for our proud Nursing, Physiotherapy and Chinese Medicine graduates and alumni who are serving the nation and in various community localities, both public and private. Our research postgraduate programmes have an excellent research output and publications in various novel areas involving the stem cell, cancer and natural products as well as close engagement with the community on public health, nursing care and physiotherapy services. We have links with many prominent institutions and renowned researchers and medical experts from around the world. Today, MK FMHS continues to provide quality medical and healthcare education and strive towards shaping compassionate healthcare professionals and advancing medical knowledge for the betterment of society.
The Faculty aims to:
• Build a team of dedicated educators and support staff to produce caring and competent healthcare professionals.
• Implement an effective learning model with extensive use of ICT and AI.
• Establish and nurture an innovative research environment & development culture.
• Carry out national, community & social responsibilities in an ethical and equitable manner.
Welcome to the M. Kandiah Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences!
Best wishes
Professor Dr Thong Meow Keong
Dean, M. Kandiah Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman
2nd January 2026