Page 64 - Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery

The first batch of medical students was admitted to the Faculty in 1964. A year earlier, these students, 40 of
them, were placed in the Faculty of Science as pre-medical students. Construction of the faculty building began
in July 1963, was completed in 10 months, so that the pioneer students were able to begin their course in May
1964. The building programme continued and the second phase was ready in time for Year II teaching the
following May. Throughout this period, planning, building, ordering and receiving of equipment, recruitment of
staff, organization of the Faculty, and discussions on the curriculum continued unremittingly. Phase I of the
University Malaya Medical Centre consisting of the main block together with podium or “technical box”
(operating theatres, radio-diagnostic, accident and emergency, polyclinic, pharmacy, central sterile supply,
cafeteria, administration and medical records) was completed in December 1966, and the first wards were
opened as on March 1967. Phase II of the Hospital consisting of Paediatric, Maternity and Rehabilitation Units
was completed in December 1967, and became functional in March 1968. The total construction period for the
Medical Centre consisting of the faculty departments, hospital (740 beds), Hostel for Clinical Students, Nurses
Quarters with Nursing School and Central Animal House was three and a half years. Over the past three decades,
the medical centre has expanded tremendously, and today it has 900 beds (the number will be increased to
1200 beds after renovation).

Philosophy of the Faculty of Medicine

The philosophy of the Faculty is to mould students to be competent, highly-skilled and knowledgeable health
professionals, who can work with others as a team, who are caring and concerned about their patients and
society, and who can emerge as leaders in their community.

Page | 64