Message from the President of the 60th MSPTM Council This coffee table book focused on compiling MSPTM’s achievements and activities from 2015 to 2024
The Malaysian Society of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine (MSPTM) has a rich history that dates to its conception in 1962. It was during a UNESCO-sponsored regional meeting on “Scientific Knowledge on Tropical Parasites” in Singapore that the idea for the society was first proposed. The inaugural meeting of the society, then known as the Malaysian Society of Parasitologists, was held at the Institute for Medical Research in Kuala Lumpur on January 10, 19641. Dr. A. A. Sandosham was elected as the first President of the society. Initially, the society’s activities included laboratory demonstrations in parasitology, which were held every six months, alternating between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. These events were initially under the auspices of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, London, and later were undertaken solely by the society1. Over time, the society’s scope and range of activities expanded, and its membership grew. Seminars on various aspects of parasitology were introduced, and these eventually evolved into half-yearly seminars with multiple papers presented over two or three days. Topics for these seminars have included “Zoonoses,” “Rural Health Problems,” and “Malaria.” The society also became associated with the regional meetings on Parasitology and Tropical Medicine organized by the Central Coordinating Board for Tropical Medicine (CCBTM) of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Council1. With an increasing focus on the applied aspects of parasitology in medicine and veterinary practice in the tropics, the society’s name was changed to the “Malaysian Society of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine.” This change reflected the society’s broader interest and the international representation at its meetings. The society continues to promote research and education in parasitology and tropical medicine and disseminates information relevant to the Malaysian region. Brief History
Scan the following QR code for more details of the Society’s history.
Scan the following QR code for more details of the Society from 1964 - 2014 in the MSPTM’s 1st Coffee Table Book which was produced in 2014
The Society is actively involved in various activities to promote research and education in the fields of parasitology and tropical medicine, particularly with a focus on the Malaysian region. Here are some of the key activities by MSPTM: Annual Scientific Conference: MSPTM organizes an annual scientific conference that revolves around current issues in tropical diseases and public health. Each year, the conference has a different theme and serves as a platform for scientists to present their research findings. Mid-Year Seminar: In addition to the annual conference, MSPTM holds a mid-year seminar where key speakers are invited to discuss current topics of medical importance. Publication of Journals: The society regularly updates its members with new volumes of journals that cover various research and developments in the field. Dissemination of Information: MSPTM is dedicated to disseminating information on parasitology and tropical medicine, aiming to increase public awareness and promote control measures for parasitic diseases. Promotion of Collaboration: The society encourages collaboration and exchange of ideas among its members to advance knowledge in the field. These activities highlight MSPTM’s commitment to advancing the understanding and management of parasitic diseases, which is crucial for improving public health in the region.
2015 MSPTM’s Milestones from 2015 to 2024 2016 2017 2019 2018 Dr. Reuben Sunil Kumar Sharma was elected as the WAAVP Executive Committee 26th World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology The 1st Intervarsity Parasitology Quiz and Oratorical Competition was organised by Universiti Malaya on 20th April 2016
2020 MSPTM’s Milestones from 2015 to 2023 2021 2022 2024 2023 MSPTM organised the 2nd virtual conference during the pandemic: 58th Annual Scientific Conference and hosted a virtual Dengue Awareness Exhibition MSPTM successfully organised its 1st virtual conference (57th Annual Scientific Conference) and started the face-lift of Tropical Biomedicine journals. During the same year, MSPTM completed the renovation of Diamond Square Office Finally, MSPTM was able to organise an on-site physical conference: 59th Annual Scientific Conference and many events were held physically MSPTM is celebrating its 60th Anniversary in 2024 as the Society was founded in 1964 MSPTM actively served its members through online activities despite the COVID-19 pandemic such as webinars and online meetings
On the 6th of December 2021, a memorandum of agreement (MOA) signing ceremony was held between The Malaysian Society of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine (MSPTM) and Universiti Malaya (UM). This is to commemorate the generous donation of RM100,000 by MSPTM to UM for the renovation of a lecture hall at the Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine. The new lecture hall will be named Dewan CP Ramachandran, in honour of the late Professor Emeritus Dato’ Dr. Cherubala Pathayapurayil (CP) Ramachandran who was based at this department. Prof. Emeritus Dato CP Ramachandran, among his endless accolades, was also one of the founding members of MSPTM.
On the 6th of December 2021, a memorandum of agreement (MOA) signing ceremony was held between The Malaysian Society of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine (MSPTM) and Universiti Malaya (UM). This is to commemorate the generous donation of RM100,000 by MSPTM to UM for the renovation of a lecture hall at the Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine. The new lecture hall will be named Dewan CP Ramachandran, in honour of the late Professor Emeritus Dato’ Dr. Cherubala Pathayapurayil (CP) Ramachandran who was based at this department. Prof. Emeritus Dato CP Ramachandran, among his endless accolades, was also one of the founding members of MSPTM.
The new lecture hall will provide a much-needed teaching and learning space for the students at the department, especially with the newly launched Master in Parasitology and Entomology programme at UM. This one-year course, commenced in September 2022, is offered to local and international students. To create a suitable space to nurture a new generation of parasitologists, a required sum of RM300,000 was needed to combine two rooms into a decent-sized lecture hall. In October 2020, the department headed by Prof. Dr. Lau Yee Ling embarked on a donation drive to raise funds for the renovation.
Official inauguration of Dewan CP Ramachandran on 5th September 2023.
The official inauguration of Dewan CP Ramachandran was graced by the presence of Prof. Dr. April Camilla Roslani (Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya), Prof. Dr. Lau Yee Ling ( Head, Dept of Parasitology) along with Dr. Sam Mohan (the immediate Past-President representing the MSPTM President, Dr. Chen Chee Dhang), Datuk Rajan Menon (the President of All Malaysia Malayalee Association AMMA), Dr Idris Nordin, (Honorary Treasurer General of Malaysian Scientific Association, MSA), Past Presidents of MSPTM, Past & Current EXCO members and family members of the late Prof. Emeritus Dato’ CP Ramachandran. Namely Datin Gita (wife), Madam Padmini (Sister), Captain Sunil (son) and several relatives, AMMA members and the Department of Parasitology staff.
MSPTM members posing in front of the Dewan CP Ramachandran. From the left: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lucas Low Van Lun, Ms Adela Ida Jiram, Dr. Nor Azlina Abdul Aziz, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Heo Chong Chin, Dato’ Chandrawathani Panchadcharam, Prof. Dr. Fong Mun Yik, Dr. Stanley Tan Tiong Kai, Dr. Sam Mohan and Dr. Mehru Nisha.
MSPTM members posing in front of the Dewan CP Ramachandran to commemorate the contribution of the late Prof. Emeritus CP Ramachandran’s contribution to the Society.
MSPTM celebrated its 50th Golden Jubilee in 2014 during the 6th ACTMP in conjunction with the MSPTM 50th Annual Scientific Conference
MSPTM celebrated its 50th Golden Jubilee in 2014 during the 6th ACTMP in conjunction with the MSPTM 50th Annual Scientific Conference
Tree planting was held as part of MSPTM CSR activity to commemorate the World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology (WAAVP) Conference
MSPTM Annual Scientific Conference This is an annual event that allows participants to share research and experience in the fields of parasitology, entomology and tropical medicine through oral and poster presentations, exhibitions, social programmes and more. The event is usually organised physically. However, the COVID-19 pandemic opened the door for the Society to organise TWO (2) virtual conferences in 2021 and 2022. It was truly a great experience to host virtual conferences. In 2020, MSPTM successfully hosted the 56th Annual Scientific Conference at the Hotel Istana before the nationwide lockdown known as the movement control order (MCO) was implemented on 18th March 2020. 2018 2019
As Malaysia announced the transition of the endemic phase of COVID-19 in March 2022, MSPTM started planning the 59th Annual Scientific Conference as a physical event so that all members could meet again in person and the event took place in Penang. Like other scientific organizations around the globe, MSPTM was learning to transform in-person conferences into virtual meetings. That switch, driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, has brought with it both opportunities and challenges. Conference attendees and organizers are currently living out an experiment: How well can the virtues of in-person conferences—the ability to run into colleagues spontaneously, identify future research
2020 54th MSPTM Conference (2018) 55th MSPTM Conference (2019) 56th MSPTM Conference (2020)
57th MSPTM Conference (2021) 58th MSPTM Conference (2022)
Mid-Year Seminar MSPTM organises mid-year seminars which serve as a platform for scientists to present their research findings and discuss current topics of medical importance. Usually, it is organised annually. In addition to the mid-year seminar, seminars were conducted when necessary. During the pandemic, webinars were organised so that knowledge sharing was continued despite all the challenges of not being able to meet physically.
Mid-Year Webinar
MSPTM actively organised webinars during the pandemic (2020 - 2022) so that all members and researchers were updated with the recent findings about parasitology and tropical medicine
The Malaysian Society of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine (MSPTM) has published Tropical Biomedicine (TB) since 1984. The journal issues are published quarterly in March, June, September and December every year. The publication is fully electronic and open-access on the MSPTM website. The e-ISSN of TB is 2521-9855. The journal is abstracted/indexed by PubMed MEDLINE, Web of Science (Clarivate Analytics), Scopus, CAB International, Biological Abstracts, BIOSIS Previews, Essential Science Indicators and Zoological Record. Scan the following QR code for more information about the journal and to read manuscripts published in Tropical Biomedicine.
Ever since 1984, Tropical Biomedicine maintained the same blue cover design for almost 36 years. A facelift of the cover page of Tropical Biomedicine took place from 2021 onwards to give the journal a new branding. Images on the cover pages are winning photos from the MSPTM Photography Competitions.
MSPTM Newsletter is disseminated 2 - 3 times annually to all members. The newsletter serves as a form of communication tool that shares news and events with its members.
In addition to organizing annual scientific conferences, mid-year seminars, publications in Tropical Biomedicine journal and the MSPTM newsletter, MSPTM does give awards to recognise contributions by its members. Namely, the Sandosham Gold Medal, Nadchatram Silver Medal, CP Ramachandran Travel Grant, MSPTM Community Fund and Photography Competition. In addition, MSPTM organises activities such as animal awareness and dengue awareness, as part of its corporate social responsibility to the community. MSPTM is generous in sponsoring events whenever its finances allow to support activities that benefit its members and the community. Other MSPTM activities
The Sandosham Gold Medal is named after the late Dr. A.A. Sandosham, L.M.S., M.D., Ph.D., A.M., retired Professor and Head of the Department of Parasitology, University of Malaya, Singapore (now the Faculty of Medicine University of Singapore). He was the Principal of that University and also acted as its ViceChancellor for a period. Dr. Sandosham was the Society's Founder Member, first President and first Honorary Member. He has made numerous valuable contributions to parasitology and tropical medicine in the Southeast Asian region. The Nadchatram Silver Medal is named after the late Dr. M. Nadchatram, A.M.N, MSc, MlBiol, FSL, FZS, Ph.D. Dr. Nadchatram was a world-renowned acarologist who had made numerous scientific contributions and discoveries of ecological and epidemiological importance in medical acarology. Dr. Nadchatram was the founding head of the Division of Acarology, Institute of Medical Research (IMR) and a WHO consultant. Following his retirement from the IMR in 1982, Dr. Nadchatram served at the National University of Singapore as a Senior Teaching Fellow from 1983 – 1988. Dr. Nadchatram was also the founder member of the MSPTM and became the 14th President in 1977. He also served as the Honorary Secretary in 1972 MSPTM Awards
Recent Sandosham Gold Medal ist 2014 recipient Dr Lee Han Lim 2016 recipient Prof Dr Suresh Kumar Govind 2019 recipient Dr Nazni Wasi Ahmad 2021 recipient Assoc Prof Dato’ Dr Vellayan Subramaniam Scan the following QR code for more information about the Sandosham Gold Medallist.
Recent Sandosham Gold Medal ist 2014 recipient Dr Lee Han Lim 2016 recipient Prof Dr Suresh Kumar Govind 2019 recipient Dr Nazni Wasi Ahmad 2021 recipient Assoc Prof Dato’ Dr Vellayan Subramaniam Scan the QR code for more information about the Sandosham Gold Medallist
Recent Nadchatram Silver Medal ist 2014 recipient Assoc Prof Dr Lau Yee Ling 2015 recipient Noor Azian Mat Yusof 2016 recipient Dr Chen Chee Dhang 2017 recipient Dr Heo Chong Chin 2018 recipient Dr Romano Ngui 2019 recipient Dr Khadijah Saad
Recent Nadchatram Silver Medal ist 2022 recipient Dr Lee Ii Li 2021 recipient Dr Paul Cliff Simon Divis 2020 recipient Dr Lucas Low Van Lun Scan the QR code for more information about the Nadchatram Silver Medallist
He also received his D.Sc. from the University of Tokyo in 1968. In 1970, he joined Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang and became Dean of the School of Biological Sciences in 1972. In 1979, CP joined the World Health Organisation and rose to be the Chief of Filariasis Control and TDR in WHO. He was responsible for the establishment of Centres of Excellence of Tropical Diseases in many developing countries of South America, Africa Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific Region. CP can be considered as the Father of Filariasis. He retired from WHO in 1996 and in the same year joined University Putra Malaysia as Professor of Parasitology until he retired. He was also appointed as an Honorary Member of the Society in 2008. To recognise his immense contribution to society, MSPTM named its travel grant after him, the CP Ramachandran Travel Grant, which gives partial financial support to members to facilitate their participation in any parasitology and tropical medicine research-related conference. Prof. Emeritus Dato’ Cherubala Pathayapurayil Ramachandran was a founder member of MSPTM and he was President in 1973, 2000 and 2001. As he is fondly known, CP was the first recipient of the Sandosham Medal in 1974. CP started his career in the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine from 1952 to 1962. He worked at the Institute for Medical Research from 1962 to 1970 whilst being an Assistant Professor in Medical Parasitology at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya from 1963 to 1969. Scan the QR code for more information about the CP Ramachandran Travel Grant
23rd - 26th August 2022: Dr.Basripuzi Nurul Hayyan Hassan Basri received the CP Ramachandran Travel Grant to attend the 19th Asian-Australasian Association Animal Production (AAAP) Animal Science Congress at Jeju Island, South Korea 24th– 27th October 2022: Prof. Datin Dr. Indra Vythilingam attended the 20th International Congress for Tropical Medicine and Malaria (ICTMM) 2020 at Bangkok, Thailand 20th - 24th August 2023: Assoc. Prof. Dato’ Dr. Vellayan Subramaniam attended the 29th International Conference of the Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology (WAAVP) at Chennai, India. 20th - 24th August 2023: Dr. Azlina Abdul Aziz too received the CP Ramachandran Travel Grant to attend the WAAVP conference that was held at Chennai, India.
The MSPTM National Parasitology Quiz (MNPQ) is an annual undergraduate student competition to promote and encourage parasitology and tropical medicine to undergraduates in the country. The quiz covers all aspects of medical protozoology, medical helminthology and medical entomology. Last year, 2023, the event was organised by MSPTM members from various institutions including Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah (UniSHAMS), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UNIKL), Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman. The event was held virtually and hosted by UniSHAMS. National Parasitology Quiz MSPTM Academicians and support staff of the Kulliyyah of Medicine & Health Sciences, UniSHAMS, were involved in the virtual MSPTM National Parasitology Quiz on 20th May 2023..
The Malaysian Society of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine (MSPTM) Community Fund grants funding to activities which improve quality of life, health and well-being. RM1,000 – RM5,000 funding is available to support local charities and community projects throughout Malaysia. The MSPTM Community Fund is seeking to support projects working within a range of themes as set out below: Community involvement projects Community safety projects Community health and well-being projects Projects to develop skills, education & employment support Community Fund Scan the QR code for more information about the CP Ramachandran Travel Grant
A collection of images that won the photography competition. These images were used as the Tropical Biomedicine Journal’s front cover page.
Animal Awareness The 9th Animal Awareness Day was held at the Universiti Malaya on 7th March 2017