35 International Surgeons Conferred at Penang Medical College

Thirty five trainee surgeons from Malaysia, Hong Kong, India and Pakistan, as well as from Africa and the Middle East were awarded the prestigious InterCollegiate of the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland (IMRCSI) at Penang Medical College (PMC) on 21st August 2009.

The surgeons undertook their examinations from 17th-21st August at Penang Medical College (PMC) and Hospital Pulau Pinang. PMC is an Associate College of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) and is one of three Medical Colleges in the RCSI family located outside Ireland. The others are in Bahrain and Malta.

Professor Frank Keane, President of Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (3rd from right) and Mr Brendan Lyons, President Penang Medical College (4th from right) with successful candidates.

The Intercollegiate MRCSI examination is taken by surgeons at an early stage of their career and focuses on Basic Surgical Training. The structure of the examination and the syllabus of study are based on the curriculum of training for Basic Surgical Trainees in the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland. The candidates were assessed on their knowledge of applied basic sciences as well as their clinical skills in surgery. The IMRCSI qualification exempts holders from some parts of the Malaysian Ministry of Health Master of Surgery.

In addition to the 35 successful candidates, a further 64 surgeons undertook preliminary parts of the IMRCSI examination and will return to Penang for the final Membership examination in the future. In total, 99 candidates spent a pleasant and valuable week in Penang.

Professor Frank Keane, President of Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland presented the successful candidates with their Intercollegiate MRCSI certifiates. Speaking at the conferring Ceremony, Prof. Keane said

"By running the IMRCSI examination at Penang Medical College, RCSI is able to extend opportunities to take its examinations to people in Asia and the Middle East and save them the expense and time of travelling to Ireland.

The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland in Ireland has a long relationship with Malaysia, dating back over 50 years. We helped to establish Penang Medical College (PMC) 13 years ago and have been involved in its management ever since. The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland welcomes almost 100 Malaysia students to Ireland, either directly or on PMC programmes.

I wish to thank and congratulate PMC's Associate Professor of Surgery, Mr Premnath Nagalingam, who is also RCSI's Director for Surgical Training in Malaysia, and Hospital Pulau Penang on their successful conduct of the examinations.

I also heartily congratulate and give my very best wishes to the new Members of the RCSI."