SIBU – Universiti Teknologi Sarawak (UTS) has taken a significant step towards establishing its first medical school by appointing a panel of experts to conduct a feasibility study on the proposed medical degree programme.
The appointment ceremony was officiated by Datuk Dr. Annuar Rapaee, Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development of Sarawak. The panel, comprising six distinguished medical professionals, has been tasked with preparing a comprehensive report within six months.
Among those appointed are Prof. Dr. Lela Suut, Prof. Dr. Awi Idi, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Zulkarnaen Ahmad Narihan, and Prof. Dr. Kamarudin Kana from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), alongside Dr. John Tang Ing Ching of Rejang Medical Centre and Dr. Alan Fong from Sarawak General Hospital’s Clinical Research Centre.
UTS has also named internal representatives to oversee and review the study outcomes. These include Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Mohammad Shahril Osman, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Dr. Sim Siew Ling, Director of the Quality Assurance Centre, and Dr. Zalikha Raman, Senior Lecturer at the School of Engineering and Technology.
Dr. Annuar highlighted that one of the key issues under review is the requirement for a dedicated hospital to support the medical faculty. He noted that clarification is needed on whether UTS must construct a new facility or collaborate with existing hospitals as affiliated partners.
The initial intake for the programme is expected to be capped at 50 students, in line with the Malaysian Medical Council’s regulations. Numbers may be expanded gradually once compliance with academic and clinical standards is assured.
Petra Jaya Hospital, currently under development, has been identified as a potential site for clinical training. Subspecialties such as ENT and ophthalmology are likely to be conducted in government hospitals, ensuring students gain exposure to a wide range of medical disciplines.
International recognition has been emphasised as a priority. “UTS medical degrees must be recognised not only in Malaysia, but also internationally, especially by the General Medical Council (GMC) of the United Kingdom. This is important to enable graduates to continue their postgraduate training and serve abroad,” Dr. Annuar explained.
He warned that without global accreditation, Sarawak’s long-term ambition to produce medical specialists could be hindered. Encouragingly, several leading universities have expressed interest in collaborating with UTS.
Institutions such as King’s College London, University College London, University of Dundee, and the National University of Singapore (NUS) are expected to begin discussions with UTS in January.
“This is the next phase of the feasibility study and will begin next month. These four universities are not just institutions, but are among the best universities in the world,” he said.
The findings of the study will form the foundation for the Sarawak Government’s decision on establishing the medical school, which is seen as a crucial investment in human capital and healthcare development for the state.
On the Sarawak Free Higher Education Scheme, Dr. Annuar clarified that medicine and law remain excluded until their faculties are fully operational, with proper infrastructure, facilities, and trained teaching staff in place.
The initiative reflects Sarawak’s broader ambition to strengthen its higher education landscape and address the growing demand for medical professionals in the region.
