Russia Plans More Scholarships For Malaysians, Seeks Closer Medical Ties

BUKIT MERTAJAM, Nov 2 (Bernama) -- Russia plans to increase scholarships for Malaysian students to 60 next year, up from 40 this year and 20 previously, as it seeks to strengthen cooperation with Malaysia in education and medicine.

Russian Ambassador to Malaysia Naiyl Latypov said the proposed increase would coincide with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2027.

He said Russia was also keen to deepen medical cooperation through exchanges of expertise, experience and advances in healthcare to benefit patients in both countries.

“We need to deepen our cooperation, especially in medicine; 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.

“Likewise, Russia's achievements could be useful to Malaysia. Our cooperation should be mutually beneficial,” he said during an official visit to Bukit Mertajam Hospital (BMH) here today.

The ambassador was accompanied by Russian Honorary Consul in Penang Datuk Dr Teoh Seng Lee and received by Penang State Health Director Dr Zulhizzam Abdullah and BMH director Dr S.Prashant.

Latypov said Russian universities had contributed significantly to Malaysia's healthcare workforce, with official figures showing that nearly 7,000 Malaysian doctors had graduated from institutions in Russia.

“In Penang, 76 specialists and medical officers across the state’s six government hospitals were graduates of various Russian universities, while BMH alone had eight doctors who obtained their medical qualifications from institutions in Russia,” he said.

Latypov also said the Russian government would offer 4,000 scholarships to international students next year through a competition known as the Knowledge Tournament, and successful candidates would receive scholarships to pursue studies in Russia for five to six years.

Meanwhile, he expressed concern over the declining number of Malaysians studying medicine in Russia, which had fallen to about 400 from approximately 600 when he first assumed his ambassadorial post.

He hoped more Malaysian youths would consider pursuing medical careers despite the profession's demanding nature and considerable responsibilities.

-- BERNAMA