Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh Honours UM’s Dr Sivakumar

By Thanesh Veeramutu

KUALA LUMPUR, 26 August 2025: Prof Dr K. Sivakumar, a distinguished cardiothoracic surgeon and professor at Universiti Malaya (UM), has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first Malaysian to receive the prestigious Fellowship in the Faculty of Surgical Trainers from the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd). The honour was officially conferred during the Royal College Diplomate Ceremony, marking a significant moment for both UM and Malaysia’s standing in the global surgical community.

This esteemed fellowship is reserved for surgeons who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and a profound dedication to surgical education. The accolade acknowledges Prof Dr Sivakumar’s lifelong contributions to training the next generation of surgeons. In a statement, he expressed that the recognition holds immense personal meaning, particularly given his role as a trainer in an academic setting. “As a surgeon, I can save one life at a time. But as a trainer, I can empower others to save many more,” he stated.

Prof Dr Sivakumar highlighted the critical shortage of cardiothoracic surgeons in Malaysia and stressed the importance of capacity building in this field. To address this, he is leading the development of Malaysia’s inaugural Master’s programme in Cardiothoracic Surgery. His ambition is to establish UM as a premier training hub for cardiothoracic surgery, not only for Malaysia but for the entire ASEAN region.

The Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Malaya, Professor Datuk Dr Noor Azuan Abu Osman, expressed immense pride in Prof Dr Sivakumar’s achievement, describing him as a “distinguished academic and a renowned surgeon who has made significant contributions to the nation.” The recognition, he noted, reflects UM’s commitment to academic excellence and serves as an inspiration for the university community to pursue greater global recognition. The achievement underscores Malaysia’s growing influence in international medical education and reinforces UM’s role as a leading institution in advancing healthcare.