Universiti Malaya (UM) has plans to set up a hospital, in addition to the university’s medical centre, which will focus on medical research by its lecturers and students.

Its vice-chancellor, Dr Ghauth Jasmon, said the hospital, to be built near the campus located in Lembah Pantai, would be equipped with sophisticated facilities for this purpose.

“This second hospital will facilitate medical research by our lecturers and students, as well as cater to the increasing number of patients,” he told reporters after officiating at a welcome ceremony for post-graduate students in Kuala Lumpur today.    

The event was aimed at introducing to 453 international students and 2,258 local students the university’s administrative system and structure and infrastructure.  

Ghauth said the new hospital was one of UM’s three major projects set to begin early next year, besides a private education institute and commercial development.  

However, he did not provide details on the cost of the project but said it would be completed in three to five years from the date of execution.

Regarding post-graduate students, Ghauth said Iranians dominated the international student population with 116 people, followed by China with 52 students, Bangladesh (32), Nigeria (26), Indonesia (22), Pakistan (27), Sudan (23), Yemen (20) and Iraq (19).

Meanwhile, Iranian national Mehrzad Mehrvarz, 26, who is pursuing a Masters degree in Computer Science, said he chose UM because of the low cost of living in Malaysia compared to other countries, especially in Europe.

“Malaysia is a harmonious country and I am glad that I can further my studies here because UM is also one of the world’s well-known universities,” he said.  

Sudanese Limi Ali, 37, a former University of Kordofan lecturer, chose UM to pursue her Masters in Instructional Technology because of its good reputation.

For Pakistani medical doctor Awais Farid, who is taking up a Masters in Public Health, the medical profession in Malaysia “is very good and I hope one day I have a chance to learn more about it and bring it back to my country.”

- Bernama