RUSSIA is planning to increase the number of scholarships offered to Malaysian students to 60 next year, to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Russian Ambassador to Malaysia Naiyl Latypov said the proposed increase would build on the steady growth in scholarships offered by the Russian government, from 20 previously to 40 this year.
During his visit to 136-year-old Bukit Mertajam Hospital, he said Russia was also keen to strengthen cooperation with Malaysia in education and medicine, particularly through exchanges of medical expertise, knowledge and experience.
“We should make use of Malaysia’s experience and knowledge, not only for the country’s healthcare system but also for the benefit of Russian patients,” he said.
“Likewise, Russia’s achievements could be useful to Malaysia. Our cooperation should be mutually beneficial.”
Latypov said Russian universities had contributed significantly to Malaysia’s healthcare workforce, with nearly 7,000 Malaysian doctors graduating from medical institutions in Russia over the years.
He said 76 specialists and medical officers serving at Penang’s six government hospitals were graduates of various Russian universities.
The hospitals are Hospital Penang, Hospital Seberang Jaya, Hospital Bukit Mertajam, Hospital Kepala Batas, Hospital Sungai Bakap and Hospital Balik Pulau.
Hospital Bukit Mertajam alone has eight doctors who obtained their medical qualifications from institutions in Russia.
Its director Dr Prashant Subramanian is a graduate of the I.M. Sechenov Moscow Medical Academy in 2009.
Latypov said Russian medical graduates had gone on to hold prominent positions in Malaysia’s healthcare system, including as hospital directors, medical specialists, surgeons and advisers to the Health Minister.
He announced that the Russian government would offer 4,000 scholarships to international students next year through a competition known as the Knowledge Tournament.
He, however, expressed concern over the declining number of Malaysian students pursuing medical studies in Russia.
He said the number had dropped to about 400 compared with nearly 600 when he first assumed his post in 2019.
Latypov hoped more Malaysians would consider pursuing medical careers despite the profession’s demanding nature and its considerable responsibilities.
Also present were Penang Health director Dr Zulhizzam Abdullah, Dr Prashant and Russia’s honorary consul to Penang Datuk Dr Teoh Seng Lee.
Established on Oct 1, 1890, Hospital Bukit Mertajam is one of the country’s oldest government hospitals.
It began with just 52 beds across four wards before expanding into a specialist hospital with 450 beds.
