The 3rd Biennial International Medical & Health Sciences Conference was held from 22 November 2021 to 26 November 2021 via Zoom. The virtual conference was organised by UTAR Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS) and sponsored by Gamma Scientific Research Sdn Bhd, Next Gene Scientific Sdn Bhd, Alpha Gas Solution Sdn Bhd and CryoCord.
Themed ‘Healing Voices in a Pandemic Disrupted World: Forging Ahead’, the conference aimed to bring together experts from across the world to share updates of current trends in medical intervention and new findings in the science of human health and wellness. It also aimed to expand collaborative efforts among health and medical researchers and educators to promote impactful research and sustainable improvement for all.
The five-day conference featured keynote presentations, plenary sessions, symposiums, panel discussions, e-poster presentations and a competition. The topics included “Covid-19 Pandemic”, “Pre-Clinical and Clinical Education During the Pandemic”, “Cancer Biology and Patient Wellness”, “Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine”, “Public Health”, “Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases” and “Traditional Chinese Medicine”.
The conference commenced with an opening speech by FMHS Dean Emeritus Prof Dr Cheong Soon Keng and it was followed by the official launch of the FMHS 10th anniversary commemorative book by UTAR President Ir Prof Dr Ewe Hong Tat and UTAR Hospital Donor Appreciation e-session.
Prof Cheong said, “We have witnessed the massive global disruption brought by the Covid-19 pandemic and we are now living with the new normal, which discourages close physical interaction and mass gatherings. Amidst these challenges, the learning and sharing of updates on current trends in medical intervention and new findings in the science of human health and wellness must continue.”
“This conference has put together a comprehensive scientific programme ranging from research developments to clinical applications and medical education during the pandemic. Through our invited speakers who are experts in their respective fields, the conference provides a virtual platform for discussion to establish new collaboration or reconnect with our friends. My sincere appreciation to all the speakers and sponsors for their generous support to make this meeting a successful one,” he added.
Prof Ewe said, “I would like to congratulate the UTAR Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences on reaching its 10th anniversary and for providing a decade of excellent education, research and community engagements. The UTAR Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences commenced its MBBS programme on 31 May 2010 with just 39 students. The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences has also been a leader in many areas— we managed to induce pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) from osteosarcoma (first time in Malaysia), establish a joint degree programme with the National Yang Ming University of Taiwan, set up the China-Malaysia Centre for Traditional Chinese Medicine with Guangxi Medical University, set up the portacabin for teaching-learning of primary care psychiatry in Klinik Kesihatan Ampang, establish the iPSC biobank and many more significant achievements. The Faculty has done so much since 2010 and it has progressed in leaps and bounds.”
The conference then continued with a keynote address by Dr Alden Henderson from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Atlanta, USA. He addressed the current trends on the Covid-19 pandemic. Besides, the conference also saw nine plenary speakers, namely Prof Dr John E. J. Rasko AO from the University of Sydney, Prof Dr Yasmin A Malik from the University of Malaya Medical Centre, Prof Dr Chong Kowit-Yu from Chang Gung University, Prof Dr Danny McLaughlin from Lincoln Medical School, Prof Dr Chua Chee Wai from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Assoc Prof Dr Nurasyikin Yusof from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Prof Dr Wah Tze Min from the University of Leeds, Prof Dr Wang Wenling from Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention and Dr Babatunde Olowokure from World Health Organization.
The Organising Chairman, Prof Dr Alan Ong Han Kiat thanked the speakers, guests, participants, and colleagues, and said, “Despite the new norm of physical distancing and travel restrictions, there is no limit to sharing knowledge, experience, and research updates. Therefore, this year, the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences is honoured to continue the Biennial Medical and Health Science International Conference by conducting it in a virtual mode. We are extremely happy to bring together prominent speakers and researchers all around the world to share their experience and expertise in areas ranging from public health, communicable and non-communicable diseases to stem cell and cancer research within the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. I have great anticipation and hope that participants will benefit immensely from all the sessions delivered in this five-day virtual conference.”
