On 30 January 2026, Universiti Malaya (UM) had the distinct privilege of hosting an official courtesy visit from the leadership of the Asia-Pacific Academic Consortium for Public Health (APACPH), led by Professor Dr Hung Yi Chiou, APACPH President. The meeting, held at the UM Chancellery at 2.30 pm, was a key moment for reinforcing the longstanding partnership between UM and APACPH, focusing on continued collaboration in public health education, research, and institutional support.
Strengthening Ties: A Longstanding Partnership
The visit was aimed at seeking continued support from Universiti Malaya for the APACPH Secretariat and the Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health (APJPH) Editorial Office, both hosted at UM’s Faculty of Medicine. These offices play a pivotal role in advancing the consortium’s mission in the region, particularly in public health research and academic exchange.
Warm Welcome and Key Discussions
The APACPH delegation was warmly welcomed by Professor Dr Hasniza Zaman Huri, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic & International), who expressed the University’s ongoing commitment to supporting the APACPH Secretariat and APJPH Editorial Office. After the welcome, the meeting was chaired by Professor Dr Yvonne Lim Ai Lian, Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International), who also represented the Vice-Chancellor during the discussions.
The meeting included UM’s key academic and administrative leaders, such as:
- Professor Dr Yvonne Lim Ai Lian – Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic & International)
- Professor Dato’ Dr Yang Faridah Abdul Aziz – Dean, Faculty of Medicine
- Professor Dr Noran Naqiah Mohd Hairi – Deputy Dean (Research), Faculty of Medicine
- Dr Zuliana Razali – Director, International Relations Centre
- Mr Mohd Khairul Anuar Senin – International Relations Centre
APACPH Delegation
The APACPH delegation comprised key members of the APACPH Executive Council:
- Professor Dr Hung Yi Chiou – President
- Professor Dr Victor Hoe Chee Wai – Secretary-General
- Professor Dr Maznah Dahlui – Vice-President (Administration)
- Professor Dr Betty Ya-Wen Chiu – Vice-President (Finance)
- Professor Dr Low Wah Yun – President Emeritus & Editor-in-Chief, Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health
- Mr Darwish Mohd Isa – Executive Officer, APACPH
Highlighting Universiti Malaya’s Role in APACPH
Universiti Malaya has been a cornerstone of APACPH’s success and growth, contributing extensively to the development of the organization and the public health community in the Asia-Pacific region. The university has produced three Past Presidents of APACPH, a testament to its leadership in public health:
- Dato’ Dr Anuar Zaini Md Zain
- Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Mohd Amin Jalaludin
- Professor Dr Low Wah Yun
Moreover, Universiti Malaya has been the host of several APACPH conferences over the years:
- 9th APACPH Conference (1988)
- 26th APACPH Conference (1996)
- 34th APACPH Conference (2002)
- 40th APACPH Conference (2008)
- 46th APACPH Conference (2014)
Looking Ahead: Continued Collaboration
The visit underscored the critical role that Universiti Malaya plays in the ongoing success of APACPH and the Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health. With the university continuing to host both the APACPH Secretariat and the APJPH Editorial Office, the collaborative efforts between UM and APACPH will remain instrumental in shaping the future of public health research, policy, and education in the Asia-Pacific region.
Acknowledgement
The Department of Social and Preventive Medicine extends its sincere appreciation to the APACPH leadership and Universiti Malaya’s academic and administrative team for their continued support and collaboration.
Article written by Victor Hoe
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