KELANTAN, 18 August 2014 - Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) through Centre for Neuroscience Research and Services (P3NEURO) has initiated a collaboration today with the Society for Brain Mapping and Therapeutics (SBMT) to improvise research and brain mapping services.

According to the Vice-Chancellor of USM, Professor Dato’ Dr. Omar Osman, the collaboration has a high potential for the advancement of neurosciences and therapeutics because this association comprises neuroscientists from developed countries worldwide.

“I hope this will open up opportunities, particularly for USM scientists and Malaysians, for future collaborations in advanced programmes of the world,” Omar said this during a press conference after the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between USM and SBMT.

SBMT is the association that responsible in conducting research and providing related services in neuroscience and therapeutics.

SBMT was represented by its Chairman, Professor Babak Kateb, who said that a USM lecturer has been selected to be a member of SBMT in the US and this figure is likely to increase over time.

“Neurosciences should not be seen as a competition but whatever research and discoveries need to be shared and collaborated,” said Babak who has over 15 years of experience in neurosciences.

“Brain mapping is a method for a brain surgeon to record a brain’s function before, during and after surgery to ensure that the function of brain is not impaired.

A Quran memorizer, for instance, will always remember each of the Surah even after the brain surgery, hence, this should be mapped before the surgery is carried out," said P3NEURO Director, Professor Dr. Jafri Malin Abdullah.

Also present to witness the MoU signing ceremony were USM Health Campus Director, Professor Dato’ Dr. Mafauzy Mohamed; and Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Academic Universiti Teknologi Petronas, Professor Ir Dr Ahmad Fadzil Mohamad Hani.

The signing ceremony was held in conjunction with the 14th Neurosurgical Association of Malaysia Annual Scientific and General Meeting, themed “Emerging Neurosurgical Practices”. - Translation: Siti Faizah Abd Halim​/Text & Photo: Nor Rafizah Md. Zain