Monash University Clarifies Issue Pertaining File Suit by 2 Doctors Who Claimed That Their Medical Degree Was Not Gazetted

Two medical doctors have filed suit against Monash University when they realized that the medical degree they have acquired from this particular university does not allow them to practise medicine in Malaysia. Upon completion of their Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine (MD), the doctors found that their degree was not listed under the “List of Registrable Qualifications Per Second Schedule, Medical Act 1971”.

Image via https://mmc.gov.my/medical-education-recognition/

Monash University along with several other universities have been officially listed down for their MBBS programme as shown. However, the Monash MD programme was not included in the list.

In Malaysia, doctors will be refused entry even as a houseman if their degree is not recognized by the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC), let alone performing other duties as a doctor in government hospitals.

Nonetheless, Monash University has come forward to respond to this issue. They have released a media statement as shown.

Image via https://www.monash.edu.my/

The opening statement provides an affirmation to the validity of the medical degree, as quoted "The Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree offered by Monash University Malaysia is accredited in Malaysia and Australia".

This is subsequently followed by another statement that directly addresses the issue "We are aware of concerns raised by graduating students about registration for housemanship and we have had detailed communications with all affected students. We have discussed the matter with relevant authorities with a view to having the situation resolved as quickly as possible. Some of the affected students have already been able to register for their housemanship". 

It is important to know the difference between MBBS and MD, especially in the Malaysian setting. In Malaysia, some public universities such as University of Malaya and Universiti Teknologi MARA award MBBS, while other public universities such as University of Science Malaysia, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Sabah Malaysia offer MD programme. MBBS is a more popular term used while MD is typically perceived as a higher doctoral degree similar to PhD. Having said that, it is both recognized in Malaysia as long as they are registered under MMC.