Professor Adeeba Kamarulzaman receives top academic honour!

We are delighted to announce that Professor Dato' Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman, President and Pro Vice-Chancellor of Monash University Malaysia, has been awarded the highest honour in academia at the 15th National Academic Award (AAN) held on 31 October 2023. The Higher Education Ministry presented the 15th National Academic Figure Award (Tokoh Akademik Negara) to Professor Adeeba in recognition of her extensive achievements in the medical field.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, extended his warm congratulations to Professor Adeeba for her distinguished achievement in being named the National Academic Figure for 2023.

In a heartfelt message shared on Istana Negara's official Instagram account, His Majesty conveyed his joy and pride in Professor Adeeba's well-deserved recognition. He emphasised that this award is not merely a personal achievement but also a recognition of her exceptional dedication and accomplishments in the academic and medical spheres.

His Majesty highlighted the significance of her tireless efforts, outstanding achievements, and unwavering commitment to the advancement of medicine and healthcare, underscoring her vital role as a leading figure in these critical fields. The monarch expressed his belief that this honour is a testament to her enduring hard work, not only in elevating the standards of medicine in Malaysia but also in making a substantial impact at an international level.

The official post further conveyed the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's sincere congratulations to Professor Adeeba, coupled with his well-wishes for her continued success.

In a separate statement, the ministry highlighted Professor Adeeba's significant contributions to the establishment of disease units and centres that have evolved into nationally recognised reference centres.

"She is not only a medical expert, but also a pioneer in the control of infectious disease programs in Malaysia. She was also responsible for the establishment of the Infectious Disease Unit at the University of Malaya Medical Centre in 1996, as well as the Centre of Excellence for Research in AIDS (CERiA) at the University of Malaya in 2008. Thanks to her leadership and contributions, CERiA has become one of the leading HIV and AIDS reference centres in the country," the statement read.

Professor Adeeba Kamarulzaman has garnered an impressive array of accolades and achievements throughout her illustrious career. Her notable accomplishments include:

  • World Health Organization (WHO) Science Council Vice Chair.
  • Immediate Past President of the International AIDS Society.
  • Chairman of the Malaysian AIDS Foundation and ROSE Foundation.
  • Commissioner for the Global Commission on Drug Policy and the Global Commission on Inequality, AIDS and Pandemics.
  • Co-chair the IAS-Lancet Commission on Health and Human Rights.
  • Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya (2011-2019).
  • Established the Centre of Excellence for Research in AIDS (CERiA) in 2017.
  • Recipient of the Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) from Monash University, the Merdeka Award, the Advance Global Award and the Australian Global Achievement Awards.

Professor Adeeba's exceptional dedication, visionary leadership, and contributions to the field of education and health have set an inspiring example for us all.

Join us in congratulating Professor Dato' Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman on this remarkable milestone!