Dr Masliza not the first M'sian woman don at Oxford, but aims to make country proud

KOTA KINABALU: While she might not be the first Malaysian woman to be an associate professor at UK’s Oxford University, Dr Masliza Mahmod (pic) reckoned she and the actual holder of that title will continue making the country proud.

Clarifying some misinformation carried in online news reports and even congratulatory messages from the government, Masliza set the record straight, highlighting that Dr Cheah Phaik Yeong has been an associate professor in Bioethics and Engagement at Oxford since 2016.

“Let us congratulate her for being the first Malaysian woman to achieve this at Oxford University.

“Together as Malaysian women, we both will continue to keep Malaysia on the map. Congratulations to her (Dr Cheah)!” Dr Masliza said in a Facebook post Monday (July 13) night.

Last week, news reports said the cardiologist became the first Malaysian woman to be an Oxford University don.

However, it was later clarified that she was the first Malaysian woman don in the Cardiovascular Medicine field at Oxford University.

As of Tuesday (July 14), congratulations had been accorded to the first Malaysian woman appointed as associate professor of Cardiovascular Medicine in Oxford, including those from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Permaisuri Agong, as shared by Dr Masliza in her Facebook account.

Meanwhile, Dr Phaik has been working for Oxford University since 2005, but has been based at the Bangkok unit since 2007.

The 46-year-old Penang-born researcher currently heads the Bioethics and Engagement Department, which works on ethical issues arising from conducting research and working with vulnerable populations such as children, pregnant women, migrants, as well as other disadvantaged and hard-to-reach populations.

Dr Phaik, in a short WhatsApp text message, also congratulated Dr Masliza on her appointment.

https://www.tropmedres.ac/team/phaik-yeong-cheah?fbclid=IwAR1Z-9sE9Utgt7Fr1lXfFHBYBC3fA8Q89EnmDRgFr7Sj1rZNeLtAH0ZR6Ck

Posted by Masliza Mahmod on Monday, 13 July 2020