On 2nd May 2025, a Special Joint Class was conducted between Kyoto University and the Universiti Malaya as part of Kyoto University’s B13 Tutorial on Social, Environmental, and Preventive Medicine. The session, held in a hybrid format, brought together fourteen (14) 4th-year medical students from Kyoto University and twelve (12) UMMP & MPH students from the Universiti Malaya.

The session aimed to foster collaborative learning by exploring the theme: “Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) and Medical Care Provision in Malaysia and Japan.” This collaborative initiative also aimed to promote cross-cultural academic exchange and deeper understanding of evidence-based practices in healthcare systems and across Malaysia and Japan. Facilitated by Dr Ayako Kohno (Junior Associate Professor, Department of Health Informatics, School of Public Health, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University) and Associate Professor Dr Nik Daliana Nik Farid (Associate Professor, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya), the class began with introductions and mini lectures on EBM, the Development and Implementation of EduMind for Mental Health Education among Youth, followed by group discussions that encouraged students to reflect on the application of EBM in clinical settings, its benefits to healthcare delivery, and the future of medical care systems in their respective countries by 2050.

The Special Joint Class was a successful collaboration between Kyoto University and the Universiti Malaya, offering a valuable platform for students to engage in international academic dialogue and reflect on the evolving role of EBM in global healthcare delivery. The initiative aligns with both institutions’ commitment to fostering global perspectives in medical education.

This write-up was prepared by Norlissa Gani and Associate Professor Dr Nik Daliana Nik Farid from the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya.