JCSMHS signs industry partnership as TrEE 2026 links students with careers
Group photo of the attendees during the opening ceremony of TrEE 2026 and MoU signing with Sustainable Food Asia.
The Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences (JCSMHS) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Sustainable Food Asia Sdn Bhd during TrEE (Translate, Engage and Employ) 2026, a three-day event that brought together students, researchers, alumni and industry partners at the university from 21 to 23 September 2026.
Organised by the School's Engagement and Partnerships Unit in collaboration with Dr Vengadesh Letchumanan, leading the Early-Career Researchers in delivering the workshops and the Global Alumni Relations team supporting the alumni sessions, the event featured research presentations, workshops, career dialogues and networking activities built around its three themes: Translate, Engage and Employ.
The MoU signing with Sustainable Food Asia.
The MoU formalises an existing partnership with Sustainable Food Asia, which has supported student internship opportunities, connected the School with industry and contributed to School activities, including TrEE 2026.
Opening the event, Dr Muhamad Noor Alfarizal Kamarudin (Deputy Head of School (Interim), Engagement and Partnerships, JCSMHS, Monash University Malaysia), said TrEE was meant to be more than a calendar entry.“I see TrEE as much more than another event on our calendar. It represents something we increasingly need to build deliberately: the connection between what we learn, what we discover, who we engage with—and where those connections can take us,” he said.
The first day focused on turning research into impact. Students took part in the Research Spotlight Challenge, which included rapid-fire presentations and a three-minute pitch challenge, while early-career researchers led thematic workshops built around real-world problems and cases. A research poster showcase closed the day.
Dr Muhamad Noor Alfarizal Kamarudin during the opening ceremony.
Alongside the workshops, a session titled ‘Beyond the Clinic: Community and Humanitarian Impact’ looked at how healthcare professionals can contribute through community engagement outside traditional clinical settings. Speakers were Dr Sharuna Verghis and Dr Siti Noraida Habibullah, both senior lecturers at JCSMHS and Ashraff Rahman, Founder and CEO of Humanity Heroes Foundation.
The Beyond the Clinic: Community and Humanitarian Impact session.
The early-career researchers facilitated thematic workshops in full swing.
Vimala Shanmugan delivering her talk during the second day of the event.
The second day turned to career development. Vimala Shanmugam, Marketing Executive at GTI Media and a Career Coach at gradmalaysia, delivered a seminar on resume and cover letter writing. Participants then joined four concurrent dialogues exploring research and academic careers, health sciences, clinical and healthcare pathways, and psychology.
Among these, Track C focused on clinical and healthcare career pathways, featuring Datuk Dr Thirunavukarasu Rajoo, CEO and Director of Careclinics Healthcare Services and Immediate Past President of the Malaysian Medical Association; Dr Jasmiza Khuzairi Jasme, Consultant Sports Physician at Sunway Medical Centre; and Dr Raymond Wong, Partnership Manager at IHH Healthcare Malaysia. Moderated by Associate Professor Badariah Ahmad, Deputy Head of School (Education) at JCSMHS, the dialogue explored the future of clinical practice, healthcare systems and medical careers.
From left to right: Associate Professor Badariah Ahmad, Dr Jasmiza Khuzairi Jasme, Datuk Dr Thirunavukarasu Rajoo, Dr Raymond Wong, and Dr Muhamad Noor Alfarizal Kamarudin.
In all, 11 alumni from the School's medical, doctoral and master's programs returned as speakers and panellists during the event. A session titled 'Navigating Clinical Career Pathways: Insights from MD Alumni' featured graduates working in reproductive health, surgery, family medicine, endocrinology and oncology. The alumni and industry panel, 'From Classroom to Career', brought together Chiam Boon Lee, CEO of Sustainable Food Asia (APAC); Dr Chew Miaw Fang, Clinical Medical Manager (Global Trials Portfolio) for Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore at Novo Nordisk; and Dr Low Ley Hian, Head of Business Development at Cancer Research Malaysia Technologies and Genetix by Cancer Research Malaysia. The day ended with industry speed networking at The Porch.
The Alumni and Industry Panel: From Classroom to Career session.
The final day centred on graduate employability and workforce readiness. A panel on ‘The Future Healthcare Workforce: Building Careers Across Clinical Practice, Innovation and Community Health’, featured Datuk Dr Thirunavukarasu Rajoo, Dr Kamal Amzan, CEO of IHH Healthcare Malaysia; and Associate Professor Adam Astrada, Wound Care and Nursing Academic at JCSMHS. Moderated by Dr Muhamad Noor Alfarizal Kamarudin, the discussion explored emerging healthcare careers, evolving workforce needs and professional skills.
From left to right: Datuk Dr Thirunavukarasu Rajoo, Dr Kamal Amzan, Associate Professor Adam Astrada, and Dr Muhamad Noor Alfarizal Kamarudin.
Participants also attended a seminar and workshop on protecting mental wellbeing during the move into employment, led by Dr Sara Subhan and Dr Lee Ji Kwan (Shawn) of the Department of Psychology, JCSMHS. In the afternoon, Dr Maheshwara Rao Appannan, Director of the Digital Health Division at the Ministry of Health Malaysia, spoke on how artificial intelligence, big data and digital health are transforming healthcare and creating opportunities beyond traditional clinical roles.
Dr Maheshwara Rao Appannan during his session.
By combining research communication, practical learning and career engagement, TrEE 2026 gave participants a broader understanding of how their knowledge and skills can contribute to healthcare, industry and communities.