A landmark agreement has been signed in Shanghai between China’s Fudan University and Imasa Dinasti Sdn Bhd to established the Fudan SEA Institutes of Integrative Medicine Innovation & Research Centre within Kenyalang Smart City (KSC) in Miri, Sarawak.
The signing of the agreement at Fudan University was witnessed by a delegation of leading Sarawakian politicians headed by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian who said the initiative will involve three phases of collaboration.
Phase 1 will see the establishment of the Fudan South East Asian (SEA) Institute of Integrative Medicine Miri Campus. Phase 2, the establishment of the Fudan School of Medicine Miri Campus. And Phase 3, will be setting up Fudan University Miri Campus.
“Fudan University is among the two leading universities in China that have received Grade A recognition in integrative medicine and is among the top 50 universities in the world,” said Dr. Sim.
“We will continue discussions with them to make this effort a reality. The state government delegation is very happy with the positive development of this initiative.”
The planned innovation and research centre will focus on drug development that integrates Traditional Chinese and Western medicines. The joint venture with Fudan University’s Institutes of Integrative Medicine is particularly significant with Dr. Sim stating that “Shanghai is a leading R&D hub in China.”
The agreement was signed by Vice President of Fudan University, Ma Yugang, and Chairman of Imasa Dinasti Sdn. Bhd., Ar. Teo Ah Khing, and witnessed by President of Fudan University, Professor Jin Li.
The agreement is also noteworthy as it will see Fudan University setup a campus outside of China for the first time. Their selection of KSC as the site for a SEA campus is representative of both the appeal of the smart city, which is based between Miri City and the border to Brunei, and KSC’s capacity to deliver benefits to Sarawak.
“We still need about 2,000 doctors in Sarawak, we always need more doctors trained at UNIMAS and from other medical schools,” Dr. Sim said.
“I hope that with the existence of this medical school [at KSC], it can help us in facing the aging population and gaining autonomy in the fields of medicine and education.”
Among the delegates present were Sarawak Minister for Transport, Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, President of the Sarawak Federation of Chinese Associations (SFCA), Dato Richard Wee, Acting Consul General of Malaysia in Shanghai, Nur Athira Hani Abdul Rahman.
Ahead of the signing, the Sarawak delegation visited the Fudan University Science & Technology Innovation Museum and the Fudan University History Museum where the industry leading work of the university in areas including satellite technology, artificial intelligence and net-zero industrial emissions were witnessed firsthand.
