Dean's In The House
Pioneering Medicine
Nurturing Scholars

Who is Prof. Dr Abdul Halim bin Abdul Gafor?

​

Prof. Dr Abdul Halim bin Abdul Gafor is currently the 

• Dean of Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (7 March 2022 onwards)

• A Professor of Internal Medicine and Nephrology and a Senior Consultant Nephrologist at Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz

• Immediate Past President for Malaysian Society of Nephrology

 

He graduated from Universiti Malaya and later obtained his Master in Internal Medicine degree in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. He is actively involved in undergraduate and postgraduate training. He had trained many nephrologists and currently a nephrology training committee member. He had published many articles in peer reviewed journal and write chapters in Malaysian Dialysis and Transplant Registry. He is the Immediate Past President for Malaysian Society of Nephrology.

Prof’s dedication in the internal medical field began after his completion of housemanship in 1998, which marked the beginning of his clinical practice. The following year, in 1999, he joined UKM (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia) as a trainee lecturer. This role allowed him to combine his passion for medicine with an opportunity to impart knowledge to future medical professionals.

 

Reflecting on his early days as a medical officer and trainee lecturer, he acknowledges that the dynamics and challenges of medical training have evolved over time. What may have been considered acceptable during his training may not necessarily be the norm now. Despite this, he values the experiences and lessons he learned during that time, emphasizing the importance of building strong relationships and cherishing memories.

 

As he advanced in his career, Prof's passion for internal medicine grew stronger. He found himself amazed by the extensive knowledge and expertise of internal medicine physicians during rounds. During his master's program, Prof had the opportunity to explore various medical specialties, each with its unique appeal. Ultimately, nephrology appeared as his top choice for several reasons where he found the challenges of handling acute issues in nephrology intriguing. The discipline's focus on kidneys and the management of kidney diseases resonated with his interests.

 

After careful consideration and evaluation of his interests, Prof made the decision to specialise in nephrology. His journey to become a nephrologist involved participating in a structured training program organized by the Malaysian Society of Nephrology and the Academy of Medicine. Successful completion of the training program required passing an exit exam, which certified him as a qualified nephrologist.

 

With a forward-looking approach, Prof actively engages in strategic planning to elevate the faculty's standing in the medical community. He emphasizes the significance of continuous improvement, embracing new technologies, and fostering an environment that encourages research and academic excellence to the betterment of healthcare and medical education.

Dean's Responsibilities: 

Prof. Dr Abdul Halim sheds light on his diverse roles and responsibilities, from being a medical student to his current position as the Dean. He mentions his journey of becoming a physician, his inspiration to pursue internal medicine and nephrology, and currently bearing the responsibility as a Dean. He highlights that being a dean is different from managing a hospital, as it requires planning and strategizing to ensure that the Faculty of Medicine at UKM becomes the best in the country.

 

1. Strategic Planning: Prof emphasizes the significance of strategic planning in achieving the faculty's goals. He mentions that their aim is to make UKM's Faculty of Medicine the best in Malaysia. This involves considering various aspects, such as human resources, student quality, faculty infrastructure, and income generation. Prof expresses the need to think beyond routine tasks and focus on long-term strategies.

 

2. Importance of Identity and Publicity: The discussion touches on the perception of UKM compared to other universities. Prof acknowledges that UKM needs to create a strong identity and brand for its Faculty of Medicine. He highlights the importance of faculty members taking pride in their affiliation with UKM and being proactive in promoting the faculty's accomplishments.

​

3. Growth and Improvement: Prof acknowledge that UKM is growing and improving. They express optimism about the potential to establish UKM's Faculty of Medicine as a leading institution in medical education. Prof also mentions that UKM's rapid growth, along with the right strategies, will help them achieve their goals.

 

4. Faculty Recognition and Reputation: Prof underlines the need for UKM's Faculty of Medicine to gain recognition and a positive reputation. He emphasizes the significance of QS ranking and ensuring that people know about the faculty's achievements and contributions to medical education and research.

 

5. Income Generation: Prof mentions the need for income generation to support various initiatives and advancements within the faculty. He refers to projects that contribute to funding important upgrades and improvements in facilities and resources.

 

Overall, Prof mentioned his plans to elevate the Faculty of Medicine UKM and his belief in strategic planning and teamwork to achieve excellence. The emphasis on publicity, reflecting the importance of creating a strong identity to attract students and enhance the faculty's standing in the medical community and solidify UKM's position as a leading institution in the field of medicine.

As the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, one of the key initiatives taken to improve the preclinical building facilities was to bring in more amenities and create a vibrant and conducive learning environment. Upon assuming the role of Dean, he noticed that the preclinical building was quiet and lack of activity and felt the need to liven up the space. To achieve this, Prof made several changes and introductions to the preclinical building

 

One of the first improvements involved upgrading the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) rooms by installing TV screens in to ease presentation of medical students during PBL sessions, which are essential spaces for collaborative learning and discussions among students. By enhancing these rooms, Prof aimed to provide students with better-equipped facilities to support their academic growth and interactions with peers and faculty.

 

In addition to the upgrades of the PBL rooms, Prof also introduced Dolcezza Coffee into the preclinical building. This addition allowed students and staff to conveniently grab some coffee and light breakfast before classes, promoting a more dynamic and inclusive atmosphere within the academic setting. Prof recognized the importance of providing such facilities to cater to the needs and preferences of students and staff, fostering a sense of belonging and community.

 

Furthermore, Prof expressed a desire to bring back the concept of UniKeb and planned for a new tender, a previous mini-mart setup that offered more affordable and grab-and-go options for students. While acknowledging that the current Dolcezza Coffee stall might be slightly expensive, he understood the importance of ensuring accessible and affordable breakfast options for students who might prefer a quick meal before class, making the preclinical building a more welcoming and student-friendly space.

 

Moreover, the faculty collaborated with Komune Living to establish a student lounge on the second floor of the preclinical building. This student lounge provided additional social spaces, enriching learning environment, where students can thrive both academically and socially. Prof emphasized that such spaces are vital for students' well-being and academic success, as they allow for productive study sessions and opportunities to unwind.

Prof Abdul Halim's efforts to improve the faculty image and curriculum encompass multiple initiatives. Besides enhancing infrastructure and facilities, a primary focus is on refining the curriculum to provide the best education for medical students. Additionally, there is a strong emphasis on expanding research programs to promote student involvement in research, fostering a culture of innovation within the Faculty. Engaging with students and staff is vital, and Prof actively seeks feedback and ideas, creating a collaborative and inclusive academic environment where everyone feels a sense of ownership and pride in the Faculty of Medicine UKM. These initiatives collectively contribute to the Faculty's continuous improvement and its commitment to providing a thriving learning and research environment.

 

Besides, Prof. Dr Abdul Halim has been working on academic plans, focusing on improving the curriculum. Under Prof’s leadership, he is planning to collaborate with other universities and also reduce the medical program's duration from six to five years and offer postgraduate training opportunities with overseas institutions. The aim is to create a strong curriculum that can be recognized internationally, allowing more students to benefit from it. Prof is actively arranging the necessary steps to implement these plans and improve the Faculty's offerings.

 

In terms of the curriculum, Prof is satisfied with our undergraduate program and he is trying to emphasise more focus on postgraduate programs, including clinical master's, and PhD programs. They aim to promote and expand these programs, encouraging more students to pursue higher education opportunities, including offering scholarships for PhD studies.

 

To achieve this, there are plans to enhance the clinical master's and PhD programs, providing students with advanced and specialized learning opportunities. Encouraging students to pursue higher degrees and conduct research in their respective fields is a priority for Prof. To facilitate this, the Faculty is actively promoting these programs and exploring options to offer scholarships for PhD studies. By investing in postgraduate education and research, Prof envisions a brighter future for the Faculty of Medicine UKM, where students can thrive and contribute to advancements in medical knowledge and practice.

During the interview, Prof. Dr Abdul Halim shared some stories during his early life in his medical career.

​

“Life evolves, and when you're young, full of energy, and a bit hot-headed, there are moments when you get angry at patients and they get angry at you.”

​

As a nephrologist, he recalled an incident where he mentioned to a patient that he would write down their case for Zakat to stop sponsoring for his dialysis due to his non-compliant of medication and treatments. However, when he later arrived at the hospital, the patient and their family were waiting for me, and it's something that I will always remember. 

​

“As you grow older, you change. You don't need to argue or fight like you did when you were young.

Prof. Dr Abdul Halim also stated that the important qualities that UKM medical students and graduates.

Dean's important qualities for aspiring UKM graduates can be summarized as a combination of diligence, involvement in extracurricular activities, and humility. Balancing his roles as a Dean, physician, and researcher, he emphasizes the significance of hard work, acknowledging that sacrifices may be necessary to fulfil responsibilities effectively. Although his time as Dean is limited, he remains committed to excelling in his current position while maintaining a focus on continuing his research and clinical work. Addressing a student's query about the importance of extracurricular activities, he encourages participation in extracurricular activities provided it does not jeopardise academic performance. He also emphasises the value of being well-rounded, possessing both book smarts and street smarts, developing critical thinking and logical skills. Moreover, he emphasizes the significance of being humble, believing that humility and hard work will gain respect from others and contribute to personal growth and success.

​

“Hard working and be humble. People will like you and you will go far”

​

 

 

- The End -