Asialink announces new Malaysia initiatives
Friday, April 8, 2005
Asialink is very pleased to announce major new health and education initiatives between Australia and Malaysia, signalling a strengthening of people to people - and organisation to organisation - links between the two countries.
The Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato' Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, today announced that young University of Malaya immunologist Sook-San Wong is the inaugural University of Melbourne Prime Minister of Malaysia Scholar.
Prime Minister Abdullah announced Ms Wong's award at an Asialink ceremony in Sydney. The prestigious new post-graduate scholarship, valued at A$180,000, is a joint initiative of the University of Melbourne and its alumni in Malaysia.
Also announced during the event was the formalisation of two important health initiatives.
On behalf of the Asialink Board, Mr Peter Yates, congratulated the Malaysian Prime Minister on the growing and productive ties between the two countries. He said the close relations that Australia and Malaysia increasingly enjoyed owed much to the friendly cooperation of individuals and professionals at all levels in both countries.
"Today's new collaborations on higher education and health between our two countries are the substance that endures beyond the vagaries of international political and economic life," Mr Yates said.
"We are honoured to be able to formalise these relationships in your presence, Prime Minister. May they continue to benefit both Australia and Malaysia."
Official parties from Malaysia and Australia signed letters of intent in an official ceremony which took place in the presence of Prime Minister Abdullah.
The initiatives are:
- Collaboration between The Ministry of Health, Malaysia, and The University of Melbourne together with St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, on mental health reform, training and research.
- Collaboration between The Ministry of Health, Malaysia, and the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre to promote professional development and training in cancer diagnosis and treatment.