World’s oldest Royal Surgical College expands regional presence in new sustainable facility in Malaysia’s administrative capital
PUTRAJAYA, 21 AUGUST — The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd), the world’s oldest and most prestigious surgical institution, has opened its new International Office in Malaysia today.
Located at the Medical Academies of Malaysia in Putrajaya, the purpose-built facility was inaugurated by His Royal Highness Tuanku Muhriz Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir, the College’s Royal Fellow in Malaysia, at an official opening ceremony. The ceremony was attended by a range of key dignitaries including Presidents of local medical and dental colleges, and senior representatives from the surgical and dental fields.
The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh was first incorporated in 1505 and boasts a membership of more than 33,000 across over 100 countries. The College promotes the highest standards of surgical and dental practice through education, training and examinations, and has strengthened its presence in Malaysia in recent years.
RCSEd’s relocation from Kuala Lumpur to Putrajaya marks a significant milestone for RCSEd’s regional presence. Designed with a green concept in mind, and featuring low-emissivity glazing and a rainwater harvesting system, the facility reflects the College’s commitment to environmental stewardship and surgical excellence.
The new office offers a welcoming environment for Members and Fellows, equipped with large teaching and assessment spaces, including a 350-seat auditorium.
Strategically co-located with the Academy of Medicine of Malaysia and numerous national surgical and dental specialty associations, the College’s new base will strengthen collaboration and foster closer ties with its local partners. The proximity also aims to enhance professional networking and inter-organisational initiatives, delivering greater value to its regional Fellows and Members.
Rowan Parks, President of the RCSEd, said:
“This office is more than just a space; it’s a statement of commitment to our Southeast Asian community. Malaysia has long been a key partner in surgical and dental training and advancement, and this new office allows us to further invest in that partnership."
This office move comes at a critical time for Malaysia’s healthcare landscape. The country is currently grappling with a shortage of specialists, particularly in the surgical disciplines.
According to the Ministry of Health, Malaysia will require at least 13,000 specialists by 2030 to meet growing patient demands, which is twice the current number. RCSEd’s expanded footprint aims to support local capacity building, professional development and continuous medical education for future generations of surgeons.
The event also highlighted RCSEd’s ongoing collaboration with local partners, marked by the signing of Letter of Intent with Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), sponsorship support by The Straumann Group and the conferment of Malaysia – United Kingdom Travelling Fellowship (MUTF) to Dr. Yu Wei from Universiti Malaysia (UM).
RSCEd members from across Southeast Asia will also celebrate their successes this week with the annual Diploma Ceremony, held in PARKROYAL COLLECTION Kuala Lumpur.
The event will see diplomates from countries including Malaysia, Singapore, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Eqypt and Nigeria receiving their scrolls across a range of surgical and dental disciplines. Now in its fourth consecutive year in Kuala Lumpur, the ceremony has become a significant event in the College’s international calendar, representing RCSEd’s strong ties with the region’s medical and dental community. Present at the ceremony will be RCSEd Office Bearers, Council Members, families, friends and invited dignitaries.
"This week we will mark another huge milestone for the College, by celebrating the achievements of College Fellows and Members from medical and dental disciplinaries across the Asian region. I’d like to extent congratulations to the 126 diplomates that will be awarded. Their commitment to surgical and dental excellence is inspiring and continues to strengthen our international community,” said Parks.
RCSEd also recently hosted the International Dental Clinical Skills Competition at IMU University. Now in its third year in the country, the competition continues to inspire excellence by bringing together dental students from nine leading institutions to test their skills, knowledge, and composure under pressure. This year’s competition was generously supported by the Straumann Group, a global leader in implant, restorative, and regenerative dentistry, whose commitment to advancing dental education and practice aligns closely with RCSEd’s mission to strengthen healthcare worldwide.
Chan Hua En from UM was awarded first place, with Jared Wee Jing Xian of IMU University taking second and Alia Amani Abdul Aziz, also from UM, securing third. Their outstanding performances reflect the high calibre of future dental professionals emerging from Malaysia.
RCSEd International Office
