Universiti Malaya’s (UM) cardiothoracic surgeon and professor, Prof Dr K.Sivakumar, has made history by becoming the first Malaysian to be awarded the Fellowship in the Faculty of Surgical Trainers by the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd).
The recognition was officially conferred yesterday during the Royal College Diplomate Ceremony, marking a proud milestone not only for UM but also for Malaysia’s presence in the global surgical community.
According to UM, the Fellowship is reserved for surgeons who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to surgical education and leadership, making Prof Sivakumar’s achievement a significant acknowledgement of his lifelong contributions to surgical training.
Speaking on the honour, Prof Sivakumar described the fellowship as deeply meaningful, especially given his role as an academic surgeon.
“As a surgeon, I can save one life at a time. But as a trainer, I can empower others to save many more. I always say, if I do one, I treat 10; but if I train 10, I get 100 done. This simple idea is what drives my passion as a university professor in cardiothoracic surgery”, said Prof Dr Sivakumar.
He noted that Malaysia currently faces a shortage of cardiothoracic surgeons and stressed that building capacity in this field is critical for the country. To address this gap, he is spearheading the development of Malaysia’s first master’s programme in cardiothoracic surgery, with the ambition of positioning UM as a training hub not just for Malaysia but also for the ASEAN region.
UM vice-chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Noor Azuan Abu Osman, expressed pride in Prof Sivakumar’s achievement, describing him as a ‘distinguished academic and renowned surgeon who has made significant contribution to the nation’.
“I am truly proud of Dr Sivakumar’s achievement. He is a distinguished academic and a renowned surgeon who has made significant contributions to the nation. His success reflects the excellence of UM and inspires our community to continue striving for global recognition”, said Datuk Dr Noor Azuan.
The achievement highlights Malaysia’s growing presence in the international medical field, particularly in surgical education, while underscoring UM’s role as a leading institution in advancing healthcare and academic excellence.
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