Press Release: [here]
On the 23rd July 2024, PAPRSB Institute of Health Sciences (IHS) held an opening ceremony for the 14th International Summer Medical School (ISMS) Programme, after its long five-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Organised annually, it is a student exchange programme whereby several students from the Faculty of Medicine of Kagawa University are invited to attend PAPRSB IHS and participate in the ISMS Programme. The programme is all-rounded, encompassing social, cultural, and academic activities, which are organised outside or within campus. In attendance were the Guests of Honour, His Excellency Mr. Toru Maeda, UBD Vice Chancellor Dr. Hazri Haji Kifle, Assistant Vice Chancellors: Dr. Joyce Teo Siew Yean (Global Engagement), Dr. Haji Abdul Hanif bin Dato Paduka Haji Mahadi (Research, Innovation & Sustainability), Pengiran Dr. Mohamad Iskandar bin Pengiran Haji Petra (Education), Dr. Haji Masairol Bin Haji Masri (Industry Engagement & Enterprise Development), and Dayang Hajah Maudena Binti Haji Abdul Hamid (University Life and Governance), the Dean of PAPRSB IHS Professor Kenneth Yuh Yen Kok, the Deputy Deans of PAPRSB IHS Pg Dr. Hjh Nurolaini binti Pg Hj Muhd Kifli (Undergraduate Studies and Global Affairs) and Dr. Suwarni binti Hj Mohd Diah (Graduate Studies and Research), the coordinators of the 14th ISMS Programme Dr. Liyana Ahmad and Dr. Hanisah Sharif, and staff and students of the PAPRSB IHS faculty.
At the opening ceremony, the Dean of PAPRSB IHS, Professor Kenneth Yuh Yen Kok welcomed the delegation from the Kagawa University which included Professor Kenji Wada (Vice President, Kagawa University), Professor Kenji Kanenishi (Vice-Dean of Faculty of Medicine, Chairperson of the International Contribution & Exchange of Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University), Professor Saneyuki Yasuda (Member of the International Contribution & Exchange of Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University), and Professor Masahiro Uehara (Executive advisor to the Dean of Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University), as well as the seven medical students from the Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University: Yohei Ogita, Misaki Sugimoto, Tomoko Kaji, Hinako Seki, Sei Mitani, Naoki Mori, and Sakurako Miyatake. He remarked on the delight of resuming the programme and commented on the enduring partnership between the Faculty of Medicine of Kagawa University and PAPRSB Institute of Health Sciences. He mentioned,
“Our collaboration with Kagawa University Faculty of Medicine is a testament to our shared commitment to advancing medical education, research and practice. Through this partnership, we have been able to create a unique and enriching environment that brings together students and faculty from diverse backgrounds to engage in meaningful academic and cultural exchanges.”
The Vice Chancellor of UBD, Dr Hazri Haji Kifle, who was the Guest of Honour of the event, officiated the 14th ISMS programme and in his speech applauded the longstanding relationship between Kagawa University and UBD, which this year marks their 20th anniversary. He remarked,
“Over the past two decades, our two institutions have fostered a relationship that goes beyond academic collaboration, becoming a symbol of friendship and mutual respect. Additionally, this event coincides with the 40th anniversary of the diplomatic relationship between Brunei Darussalam and Japan, marking another milestone in the strong ties that bind our two nations.”
Professor Kenji Wada, the Vice President of Kagawa University, followed up in his speech with an acknowledgement of the persistent collaborative efforts between Kagawa University and UBD despite the pandemic, and the strong partnership between the two institutions,
“Since the inception of our bidirectional exchange program in 2005, the relationship between our institutions, particularly between the PAPRSB Institute of Health Sciences at Universiti Brunei Darussalam and the Faculty of Medicine at Kagawa University, has flourished over the past 20 years. In 2006, we sent our first six students, and since then, numerous students have been exchanged between our medical faculties. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, we continued our exchange activities online and have since resumed and expanded them. I am confident that we have established a truly beneficial relationship for both parties.”
His Excellency Mr. Toru Maeda, the Ambassador of Japan Designate to Brunei Darussalam, highlighted the long-term beneficial exchange that Brunei and Japan have in his speech,
“Among these, the exchange programme between Kagawa University and UBD stands out as one of the longest-running academic collaborations between our two countries. I hope the ISMS provides a golden opportunity to further develop mutual understanding between Japanese and Bruneian youth.”
