By DayakDaily Team
MIRI, Aug 27: The old Miri City Council (MCC) building has been officially handed over for the establishment of the Fudan Institute of Integrative Medicine (SEA) Miri City Campus, a landmark initiative designed to strengthen Sarawak’s autonomy in health and education.
In a TVS news report, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said the initiative represents more than just the creation of a medical campus, but rather part of a broader vision to make Sarawak more competitive and self-reliant.
“This campus will begin with the establishment of an Integrative Research Centre focusing on tropical medicine and artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare, before progressing into a Fudan School of Medicine recognised by the Malaysian Medical Council, and ultimately a full-fledged university,” he said during the handover ceremony today.
Dr Sim emphasised that the move comes at a critical juncture, as Sarawak faces a shortage of about 2,000 doctors while also contending with a rapidly ageing population.
“This is not just a handover of a building, but a concrete step towards building a stronger Sarawak with greater autonomy in health and education,” he stressed.
The establishment of Fudan Institute is also expected to open a new chapter in Malaysia’s medical research by introducing AI-driven technologies and tapping into the immense potential of Sarawak’s tropical biodiversity.
According to Dr Sim, the centre will be the first in Malaysia to harness AI for early diagnosis, while simultaneously exploring tropical forest resources for the development of medicines for humans, animals, and plants.
“This research centre has the capacity to elevate Sarawak as a health innovation hub in Southeast Asia, with the potential to generate high-value discoveries on par with global pharmaceutical giants,” he noted.
Dr Sim expressed confidence that the initiative would position Sarawak as a frontrunner in smart medical technologies across the region.
“This marks the beginning of a health revolution, not only for Miri but for the world. AI-driven medicine and Sarawak’s biodiversity research could unlock discoveries worth billions of euros,” he added.
Minister of Transport Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, Deputy Tourism Minister Datuk Sebastian Ting and MCC Mayor Adam Yii were among the distinguished guests present. — DayakDaily
