The Indonesian Muslim University visited the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at the Islamic University of Malaysia (FPSK USIM) and the Faculty of Medicine at the National University of Malaysia (FP UKM), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, December 19–22, 2022. The delegation from the Faculty of Medicine at the Indonesian Muslim University, led by Dean Dr. dr. H. Nasrudin AM, Sp.OG(K), MARS, M.Si. Shulhana Mokhtar, M.Med.Ed (Associate Dean II), Dr. Nesyana Nurmadilla, M. Gizi (Head of the Quality Assurance Department at FKUMI), dr. Hasta Handayani, M.Kes (Head of the Department of Research, Publications, and Community Engagement at FKUMI), Dr. Rasfayanah, M.Kes (Secretary of the Department of Medical Education), Dr. Arni Isnaini Arfah, M.Case (Senior CSL), Dr. Zulfiyah Surdam, M.Kes (Assessment Division), and Dr. Nurfachanti Fattah, M.Kes (Teaching and Practice Division).

The visit took place as part of the implementation or follow-up to the MoU between UMI Makassar and USIM and UKM. Regarding the planned collaboration between UMI Makassar and USIM and UKM, the UMI Faculty of Medicine was visited to identify and confirm opportunities for collaboration, and a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) was signed at the level of the UMI and USIM Faculties of Medicine. USIM’s Faculty of Public Health and UKM’s Faculty of Public Health.

The first visit was to the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (FPSK USIM), Negeri Sembilan, held in the FPSK USIM Auditorium. The UMI Faculty of Medicine delegation was received directly by the Dean of FPSK USIM (Professor Dato' Dr. Muhammad Shamsir Bin Mohd Aris), the Associate Dean, and faculty members from the Department of Research and the Medical Education Unit at FPSK USIM.

Many topics were discussed during the meeting, including opportunities for collaboration between the UMI Faculty of Medicine and FPSK USIM, such as joint research and publications, particularly regarding the flagship research programs of the UMI Faculty of Medicine and the USIM FPSK.

Another objective of this collaboration is the exchange of instructors and student teachers in preclinical and clinical fields between the UMI Faculty of Medicine and the USIM FPSK. Discussions on the joint research agenda, God willing, will be finalized and the agreement signed in January at UMI Makassar. The atmosphere between the leadership of the UMI Faculty of Medicine and the USIM Faculty of Public Health was very warm and friendly.

The second visit was to the Faculty of Medicine at the National University of Malaysia (FP UKM), held in the Faculty of Medicine Conference Room on the 2nd floor of the Tuanku Muhriz Chancellor Hospital.

During the meeting, the UMI Faculty of Medicine team was received by the Assistant Dean of the UKM Faculty of Medicine (Assoc. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Maaya) along with a team of UKM Faculty of Medicine lecturers in a friendly atmosphere befitting two culturally related nations.

A similar point was also raised during the meeting regarding a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between UMI and UKM for research and publication. Interestingly, this refers to the development of human resources (HR) for staff and faculty members in both the Master’s and PhD programs at the UKM Faculty of Medicine. 

UKM’s Faculty of Medicine, one of the oldest and best medical schools in Malaysia, is also ranked 129th among the world’s top medical schools. This is certainly excellent news, as it means the UMI Faculty of Medicine can collaborate to strengthen and develop the institution.

Another topic discussed was the student exchange program from the UKM Faculty of Medicine to the UMI Faculty of Medicine, and we hope this can be included in the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between the UMI Faculty of Medicine and the UKM Faculty of Pharmacy, God willing, and re-signed in January 2023. An interesting point from the UKM discussion was the creation of a new program of study that, God willing, will be established by FK UMI, namely the Specialized Program in Obstetrics and Gynecology (Sp1 Obgin).