Tropical Infectious Diseases Research & Education Centre

🌙 Selamat Hari Raya Aidiladha 1447H / 2026M 🌙

TIDREC@UM would like to extend our heartfelt wishes to all celebrating Hari Raya Aidiladha.

May this blessed occasion bring peace, happiness, and prosperity to you and your loved ones. May the spirit of sacrifice, compassion, gratitude, and togetherness continue to inspire and strengthen our communities.

Wishing everyone a joyous and meaningful celebration. ✨

Heartiest congratulations to Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Lee Hai Yen and Dr. Yap Phui Chyng on receiving the Silver Medal at the International Invention, Innovation and Technology Exhibition (ITEX) 2026 for their innovation, LactiShield+ : A Postbiotic for Gut Health and Worry-Free Travel! 🥈👏

This remarkable achievement reflects your dedication, innovation, and commitment towards advancing health research and translational impact. Your success continues to inspire excellence and strengthens TIDREC and Universiti Malaya’s presence on the international stage.

Wishing you continued success in future innovations and achievements!

🧪 Safety First, Science Always! 🔬

On 19 May 2026, TIDREC successfully organised the Biorisk Management Training Programme (Practical Session) at the WHOCC Laboratory, Level 2, HIR, Universiti Malaya — bringing together future researchers, interns, postgraduate students, and research assistants for an immersive hands-on laboratory experience.

From proper PPE practices and safe laboratory handling techniques to biorisk awareness and biosafety procedures, participants gained valuable real-world exposure essential for working in infectious disease and research environments.

At TIDREC, we believe that strong science begins with strong safety culture. Programmes like this reflect our continuous commitment towards empowering the next generation of researchers with practical skills, professional readiness, and responsible laboratory practices.

A huge thank you to all facilitators and participants for making this session interactive, meaningful, and impactful!

The 12th Animal Awareness Day 2026 was successfully held on 15–16 May 2026 at the Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, bringing together students, academics, animal advocates, and members of the public in support of animal welfare and public health awareness.

Jointly organised by the Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, TIDREC UM, and Malaysian Society of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, this year’s programme carried the meaningful theme, “Healthy Pets, Stronger Bonds.”

The two-day event highlighted the important connection between animal health, human health, and community wellbeing through a series of educational talks, awareness activities, exhibitions, and public engagement sessions. Participants were also exposed to important topics including responsible pet ownership, zoonotic disease prevention, and the importance of recognising and reporting animal neglect and abuse.

With participation from the UM community, international school students, and members of the public including B40 communities, the programme served as a valuable platform to strengthen awareness, compassion, and shared responsibility towards animals and public health.

TIDREC would like to extend our appreciation to all organisers, collaborators, supporting partners, volunteers, and participants who contributed to the success of this meaningful initiative.

Together, we continue to promote healthier communities through awareness, education, and responsible animal care.

📢 ANNOUNCEMENT

Tropical Infectious Diseases Research & Education Centre (TIDREC), Universiti Malaya will be organising a hands-on Biorisk Management Training (Practical) on Tuesday, 19 May 2026 at HIR, Level 2, Universiti Malaya.

This practical training is conducted as part of TIDREC’s continuous commitment towards strengthening laboratory biosafety awareness, competency, and safe research practices among students and laboratory personnel.

Participants will be exposed to practical sessions involving:
🧪 Good Laboratory Practice
🧪 Biosafety Cabinet Handling
🧪 Hand Hygiene & Cross Contamination Prevention
🧪 Spill Management
🧪 Emergency Response Procedures
🧪 Biorisk Assessment

🎓 A Certificate of Completion will be awarded upon successful participation.

Interested to know more about the training? Please contact us at:
📧 [email protected]
📞 03-7967 6670

We are proud to announce the appointment of research unit heads, who will lead TIDREC’s functional units in driving impactful research, innovation, training, and strategic collaborations in tropical infectious diseases.

As a Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), TIDREC brings together multidisciplinary expertise through specialised functional units, each playing a critical role in advancing scientific discovery, strengthening public health preparedness, and addressing emerging infectious disease challenges both regionally and globally.

From vector-borne diseases and antiviral therapeutics to vaccine development, biocontainment research, and quality assurance, these units continue to push the boundaries of research excellence and translational impact.

We look forward to the contributions and leadership of our newly appointed unit heads in advancing TIDREC’s mission and global impact.

🎉 Heartiest Congratulations! 🎉

We are delighted to extend our warmest congratulations to Associate Professor Dr. Low Van Lun on his appointment as Editor-in-Chief of Tropical Biomedicine, a Web of Science (WoS)-indexed journal. This prestigious achievement reflects his outstanding dedication, expertise, and leadership in the field.

We also wish to congratulate Dr. Norhidayu Sahimin on her appointment as Subject Editor (Parasitology) of Tropical Biomedicine. Her expertise will undoubtedly contribute to further strengthening the journal’s excellence in parasitology.

Wishing both of them continued success and many more achievements in their new roles. 🌟

We are pleased to announce the appointment of two Deputy Executive Directors to strengthen leadership and strategic direction within the organisation.

Associate Professor Dr Lee Hai Yen has been appointed as Deputy Executive Director (Research & Innovation). In this role, she will oversee and drive the organisation’s research agenda, innovation initiatives, and collaborative scientific efforts.

Associate Professor Dr Teoh Boon Teong has been appointed as Deputy Executive Director (Quality & Compliance). He will be responsible for ensuring the highest standards of quality, regulatory compliance, and governance across all operational and research activities.

These appointments are effective from 2 April 2026 to 31 December 2027.

We congratulate both appointees on their new roles and look forward to their valuable contributions in advancing the organisation’s mission and continued excellence.

What if the solution to overcrowded hospitals starts outside the hospital? 🤔

In this insightful piece, Dr Zubaidah Ya’cob explores the importance of prevention and early action in public health.

Read more in the write-up by Dr Zubaidah:
👉

- The Real Cure For Overcrowded Hospitals Starts Outside Them Recently, I read an article titled “We need smarter ways to keep people out of hospitals”, which highlights a reality many already know: hospitals are overcrowded, and healthcare workers face immense pressure because illnesses are often addressed only when they have become severe.

🌙✨ Salam Aidilfitri ✨🌙

Pusat Penyelidikan dan Pendidikan Penyakit Berjangkit Tropika (TIDREC), Universiti Malaya ingin mengucapkan Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Maaf Zahir dan Batin.

Semoga Syawal ini membawa keberkatan, kesejahteraan dan kejayaan berterusan dalam setiap langkah kita. ✨🤲

Ikhlas daripada,
TIDREC, Universiti Malaya

Congratulations to Dr Teoh Boon Teong on your promotion to Associate Professor!

TIDREC celebrates your achievement and looks forward to your continued contributions to the centre.