
Group photo after Sharing session with postgraduate students in ARC
USM, 4 July 2025 – The Fulbright Specialist Program (Malaysia Edition), hosted by Advanced Medical and Dental Institute (AMDI) of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) in collaboration with the Malaysian-American Commission on Educational Exchange (MACEE), concluded a successful three-week engagement from 19 June to 4 July 2025. This prestigious program featured Professor Dr. Kebret Kebede Theodore from Nevada State University, USA, as the appointed Fulbright Specialist. Marking a significant milestone, this initiative is the first Fulbright Program ever held at AMDI USM. The initiative was led by our dedicated AMDI lecturer Dr. Siti Hawa Ngalim as the project leader, with the overarching theme of “Bone Health – Bioeconomy”. This three-week program aimed to foster international collaboration, elevate biomedical research, and promote public awareness on bone health issues in Malaysia.
Photo By Fulbright Specialist Photo By Fulbright Specialist Program
Prof. Dr. Kebret Kebede delivering his presentation to postgraduate students Public awareness talk at Pusat Perubatan USM Bertam
The
program commenced in Week 1 with a Stakeholder Engagement Session on 19 June
2025, held at USM@KL, Kuala Lumpur. This session brought together a wide range
of stakeholders including academics, researchers, healthcare professionals, and
representatives from public agencies and industry. Discussions focused on the
integration of bone health research within Malaysia’s national bioeconomy
agenda, highlighting the urgent need for innovative, cross-disciplinary
solutions to address the growing burden of bone-related diseases. The event
emphasized the importance of aligning healthcare innovation with sustainable
economic development and policy planning. In Week 2, the program continued at
USM’s Main Campus in Penang with another stakeholder engagement session held on
25 June 2025 at Nest@USM, following a similar agenda to the discussions
conducted in Week 1.
The
final week, Week 3, took place from 2 to 4 July 2025 at AMDI USM and focused on
community engagement and student outreach. One of the main highlights was the
Bone Health Awareness Program, a public event designed to educate the local
community on the importance of bone health that held on 2 July 2025 at Pusat
Perubatan USM Bertam (PPUSMB). The program included a variety of engaging
activities such as interactive booths, educational colouring contests for
children, trivia and quizzes for youth and adults, and practical demonstrations
on nutrition and physical activity for maintaining strong bones. These
activities attracted families and the general public that visited the PPUSMB,
transforming the hospital’s public space into a dynamic educational hub.
Alongside
the community program, two exclusive academic sharing sessions were conducted
with AMDI postgraduate researchers, on 3 July. These sessions provided students
with the opportunity to engage directly with Prof. Dr. Kebret Kebede, ask
questions, and explore clinical perspectives on bone health and musculoskeletal
disorders. Topics ranged from orthopaedic innovations and surgical approaches
to preventive care and international best practices. The sessions were
well-received, with many participants expressing appreciation for the rare
opportunity to learn from an internationally renowned expert within a local
setting.
A partnership and collaboration dialogue was held on the final day of Week 3, 4 July 2025, between the AMDI USM management team and Prof. Dr. Kebret Kebede. The session served as a strategic discussion on potential future collaborations, focusing on areas of mutual interest in research, academic exchange, and capacity-building. The inclusion of key representatives from TalentCorp and academia further enriched the dialogue, bringing forward a forward-thinking perspective on aligning academic initiatives with industry needs which particularly in preparing graduates for a more competitive and future-ready workforce.
The three-week Fulbright Specialist Program successfully bridged international expertise with local aspirations, advancing USM’s mission to be a leader in global engagement, medical research, and community health education which aligned with USM’s slogan “WE Lead”. It also showcased the power of the Fulbright Program in promoting mutual understanding, fostering academic excellence, and building long-term partnerships between Malaysia and the United States.
Photo By Fulbright Specialist Program
Partnership session conducted
between AMDI management and Prof. Dr. Kebret Kebede, which also attended
by TalentCorp representative.
USM and AMDI extend their heartfelt gratitude to our esteemed Fulbright Specialist, Prof. Dr. Kebret Kebede, MACEE, Fulbright Malaysia, Centre for Development of Academic Excellence of USM for the match funding, International Mobility and Collaboration Centre of USM for visa arrangements and all collaborating institutions, stakeholders, and participants and of course our dedicated committee members who contributed to the program’s success. The university looks forward to continuing this momentum through future initiatives that support innovation, knowledge exchange, and societal impact.
Photo By Fulbright Specialist Program
Prof. Dr. Kebret Kebede and Dr. Siti Hawa Ngalim in one frame
LinkedIn posting
Week 1: Stakeholders Engagement, USM@KL
Week 2: Stakeholder Engagement, NEST@USM
Week 3: Public Awareness, Student Outreach, and Partnership Talk, AMDI USM
AMDI Facebook
AMDI Newsletter
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