Universiti Malaya (UM) continues to contribute to national capacity building through its participation in the Medical Specialist Pre-Entrance Examination Preparation Programme, held on 22-23 October 2025 at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). This annual programme, now in its fifth edition, was organised by the College of Public Health Medicine (CPHM), Academy of Medicine of Malaysia, in collaboration with UPM. The initiative is specifically designed to prepare medical officers for the Public Health Medicine Specialist Entrance Examination (MedEx)—a key requirement for candidates applying for Ministry of Health scholarships to pursue specialist training.
Inter-University Collaboration for Professional Development
The programme featured a multidisciplinary faculty drawn from leading public universities across Malaysia, including UKM, USM, UiTM, UniMAS, UMS, and UPM. This collaborative effort ensured a well-rounded academic experience for participants, covering core domains of public health medicine:
- Family Health – Prof. Madya Dr Halimatus Sakdiah Minhat (UPM)
- Environmental Health – Prof. Dr Rozita Hod (UKM)
- Epidemiology: Non-Communicable Diseases – Prof. Madya Dr Chen Xin Wee (UiTM)
- Occupational Health – Prof. Dr Victor CW Hoe (UM)
- Biostatistics – Dr Suhaily Mohd Hairon (USM)
- Health Management – Datuk Dr Mohd Yusof Hj Ibrahim (UMS)
- Epidemiology: Communicable Diseases – Prof. Dr Jeffery anak Stephen (UniMAS)
Advancing Occupational Health Education
Representing Universiti Malaya, Prof. Dr Victor CW Hoe delivered a comprehensive session on occupational health, an essential component of public health practice. His lecture addressed topics such as occupational hazard control, workplace disease surveillance, and the implications of evolving labour trends on worker health. Emphasising systems-level thinking, he highlighted the importance of integrating occupational health into broader public health frameworks, especially in the context of industrialisation and environmental change.
Building Malaysia’s Future Public Health Workforce
With over 180 participants from across the country, the strong turnout underscores a growing interest among medical officers in pursuing specialist training in public health medicine. The programme not only provided technical knowledge but also fostered professional networks and mentorship essential for future public health leaders.
Acknowledgement
Sincere appreciation is extended to the College of Public Health Medicine, Academy of Medicine of Malaysia, and Universiti Putra Malaysia for their continued leadership in advancing public health education. Special thanks to Dato’ Dr Mohamed Paid Bin Yusof and Dr Ahmad Faudzi Bin Yusoff for their leadership and coordination.
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