ASM Launches Biography Of Late Dr Khalid Yusoff

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 23 (Bernama) -- The Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) today launched the biography of its Senior Fellow, the late Academician Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Khalid Yusoff, entitled ‘Khalid Yusoff, The Kampung Boy from Machang: A Biography’.

ASM president Academician Datuk Dr Tengku Mohd Azzman Shariffadeen, who is also the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Advisor to the Prime Minister and the government, said that ASM embarked on a special project in 2010 to document the lives of distinguished scientists, who have contributed to the nation’s progress, with Dr Khalid’s biography being the ninth book launched in this series.

“Datuk Dr Khalid Yusoff, an esteemed professor and cardiologist, made invaluable contributions to the nation, including establishing several medical faculties. (Although) he was unable to witness the results of our efforts, his family is here today.

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“This book was actually started about three to four years ago, when the late Dr Khalid was still with us. However, it took time to gather the materials, pictures, and stories, so the biography was only completed last year, with the official launch taking place this year,” he told reporters after launching the book here.

Also present were the late Dr Khalid’s wife, Academician Prof Datin Paduka Dr Khatijah Yusoff, and his two children, Muhammad Zulqarnain and Nur Azzah.

Earlier, when launching the book, Tengku Mohd Azzman said that the initiative to publish biographies of scientists who have greatly contributed to the country had become one of ASM’s most valuable and significant projects.

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“Through this narrative, we hope that readers can take it as an example that inspires them. Many may not know that our country actually has no shortage of local ‘heroes’ in the field of science.

“ASM hopes that by telling their stories, it can inspire the spirit of science in our community, especially among the younger generation,” he said.

Born on Jan 30, 1955, the late Dr Khalid was appointed a fellow of the academy in the medical and health sciences discipline in 2005 and passed away on April 5, 2021.

The former president and vice-chancellor of UCSI University (UCSI) was honoured with the highest accolade from ASM and the country as a senior fellow with the title of Academician in 2019.

One of Dr Khalid’s key contributions as an ASM Fellow was the establishment of the Malaysian Code of Responsible Conduct in Research (MCRCR), supported by the National Science Council, reflecting his commitment to promoting ethical practices among local researchers.

He was also a pioneer in medical and health sciences, making a significant impact on the Malaysian scientific landscape by playing a key role in the national development of science, engineering, and technology (SET).

Among his notable achievements was heading Malaysia’s largest cohort study on cardiovascular disease, the REDISCOVER study, which involved 13,500 participants.

“His contributions to clinical trials had a global impact, redefining treatments for heart attack, heart failure, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and other cardiovascular risk factors.

“As a cancer patient, Dr Khalid led the War-on-Cancer Malaysia Initiative, drawing on his own experience to better understand patient suffering and address the systemic challenges in cancer treatment patient suffering and the challenges within the cancer treatment system,” ASM said in a statement.

The 232-page biography, published by ASM, was written by Prof Datuk Dr Ahmad Ibrahim and edited by the late Dr Khalid’s wife and Majidah Hashim.

-- BERNAMA