The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh strengthens Southeast Asia presence with new base in Putrajaya

August 27, 2025

Healthcaretoday, The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, RCSEd, HRH Tuanku Muhriz Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir, Tuanku Munawir, Professor Rowan Parks, Medical excellence, Healthcare leadership, Malaysia healthcare, Dental education, Medical news, Universiti of Malaya, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia,

Professor Rowan Parks, President of RCSEd, presents HRH Tuanku Muhriz with “Eleven Surgeons,” a new painting by Kirstin Mackinnon celebrating Hunter Doig medal recipients. Unveiled on April 4, 2025, the artwork marks part of the College’s Women in Surgery initiative, highlighting the historic underrepresentation of women in RCSEd’s permanent collection.

The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd) has officially expanded its footprint in Southeast Asia with the opening of a new international office in Putrajaya.

The purpose-built facility, located at the Medical Academies of Putrajaya, was inaugurated by His Royal Highness Tuanku Muhriz Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir, the College’s Royal Fellow in Malaysia, during a ceremonial launch.

In his address, Tuanku Muhriz highlighted the pressing challenges faced by healthcare systems, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. He emphasized that overcrowded hospitals and long surgical waiting lists, particularly in rural areas, continue to strain resources. He added:

“The Royal College of Surgeons has had a longstanding presence in Malaysia. Its presence has fostered collaboration, training, and professional development in surgical and dental fields. This international office is a testament to that collaboration, friendship, and pursuit of excellence. It will improve access to quality surgical care and nurture the next generation of healthcare leaders. We hope it will also serve as a catalyst for Malaysia to become a hub of surgical training and professional development for the region.”

Decades of collaboration strengthened
Professor Rowan Parks, President of RCSEd, echoed the significance of this milestone. He credited Professor Tim Grain for pioneering efforts that saw the College establish its examinations in Malaysia over two decades ago.

“Kuala Lumpur and Kuching have become global centres of excellence by hosting our surgical and dental membership examinations,” said Rowan. “These assessments have become stepping stones for countless surgical and dental careers, each candidate representing the future of the profession.”

Since 2022, Malaysia has also hosted international diploma ceremonies, making the country a hub not only for education and training but also for cultural and professional exchanges with the United Kingdom.

New initiatives and exchanges
The partnership between RCSEd and Malaysia has birthed numerous initiatives, including the Tuanku Muhriz Travelling Fellowship, facilitated by the Ministry of Health, which enables unique exchanges in surgical practice across remote healthcare settings.

Dental collaborations have also flourished, marked by the International Dental Skills Competition launched in Kuala Lumpur in 2023. Recently, Professors Grant McIntyre and Willow McLaughlin hosted a major event in Kuala Lumpur with support from the Strongman Group.

In 2023, the Surgical Training Observership Project opened new pathways for learning between the UK and Malaysia. Building on this, RCSEd is collaborating with the Universiti of Malaya (UM) and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) to send Malaysian surgical trainees to the UK for fellowship training. Plans are also underway to create exchange opportunities for UK trainees to learn alongside Malaysian master surgeons.

“Today, as we bid farewell to our former office at UKM, we celebrate this new facility in Putrajaya, right at the heart of Malaysia’s administrative capital,” Rowan said.

State-of-the-art facilities
The new Putrajaya office offers modern teaching and assessment facilities, including a 350-seat auditorium, designed to host training and examinations. Built with sustainability in mind, the premises feature low-emissivity glazing and a rainwater harvesting system—demonstrating the College’s commitment to environmental responsibility alongside medical excellence.

Strategically co-located with the Academy of Medicine of Malaysia and other surgical and dental specialty associations, the base strengthens collaboration and professional networking, further enhancing Malaysia’s position as a regional hub.

Strengthened local partnerships
The event also witnessed the signing of a Letter of Intent with Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), sponsorship support from the Straumann Group, and the conferment of the Malaysia–United Kingdom Travelling Fellowship (MUTF) to Dr Yu Wei of Universiti Malaya.

A milestone in global healthcare
Founded in 1505, the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh now counts more than 33,000 members across over 100 countries. With its relocation from Kuala Lumpur to Putrajaya, the College signals a new chapter in advancing surgical standards, training, and healthcare leadership for Southeast Asia.

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