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Strengthening Health and Well-Being Through Multi-Level Collaborations with Health Institutions

Universiti Sains Malaysia continues to advance its institutional mission to promote health and well-being through sustained collaborations with local, national, and global health institutions. In 2024, USM strengthened partnerships that bridge academia, healthcare, and community service to address public health challenges through education, research, and outreach. These collaborations reflect USM’s whole-of-university approach to improving access to healthcare, enhancing preventive measures, and fostering innovations that support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being).

Local Collaboration

In 2024, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) strengthened its collaborations with international, national, and local health institutions to improve health and well-being outcomes in alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being). At the local community level, the School of Dental Sciences continued its Oral Health Empowerment Project in Kg. Sungai Pas, Kuala Krai, Kelantan, in collaboration with local health services including Klinik Kesihatan Lati and Klinik Pergigian Kuala Krai. These partnerships strengthen the delivery of oral healthcare and preventive education through coordinated screening, treatment, and follow-up initiatives within the community. The projects provided free dental treatments and oral health education to 229 rural residents, including scaling, fillings, extractions, and denture fittings. It also supported the construction of a clean water well to improve hygiene and public health standards. This initiative reflects USM’s integrated approach that combines healthcare education, preventive action, and infrastructure improvement to promote better health outcomes, directly supporting SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).

National Collaboration

At the national level, the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences collaborated with the Third World Network (TWN), Hospital Pulau Pinang under the Ministry of Health Malaysia, and the Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) to co-organise the World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week (WAAW) 2024 Seminar on 23 November 2024. The event was held in conjunction with the World Health Organization (WHO) global campaign themed “Educate. Advocate. Act Now.”
The seminar gathered clinicians, pharmacists, nurses, academics, researchers, and civil society representatives to discuss antimicrobial resistance and promote responsible practices within the One Health framework, which recognises the interconnection between human, animal, and environmental health. Through this collaboration, USM reinforced its national leadership in health education and policy advocacy, encouraging knowledge exchange and community participation to combat one of the most pressing global health issues.

Global Collaboration

At the international level, the School of Medical Sciences collaborated with the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Hasanuddin (UNHAS), Indonesia to co-organise the 3rd Technology Enhanced Medical Education (THEME) 2024 Conference held in Makassar, Indonesia, from 26 to 28 September 2024. The conference served as a platform for medical educators, researchers, and healthcare professionals from both Malaysia and Indonesia to share expertise in medical education, digital health innovations, and clinical practices.
This bilateral partnership enhanced regional capacity building and contributed to the improvement of healthcare education and service delivery. The collaboration also strengthened regional cooperation under SDG 3 and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through the exchange of ideas, innovation, and best practices that benefit both institutions and their communities.

Through these multi-level partnerships, USM demonstrates its long-term commitment to advancing public health through education, research, and community-based action. Each collaboration reflects a shared purpose of improving health outcomes and promoting sustainable, inclusive well-being for all. Collectively, these initiatives illustrate how USM aligns its institutional priorities with global development goals, driving transformative impact from the local community to the international arena.