5 December 2011

CITATION
Award of Doctor of Medicine honoris causa
Tan Sri Dato' Dr Abu Bakar Suleiman

Chancellor,

Tan Sri Dato' Dr Abu Bakar Suleiman completed his postgraduate training in nephrology – the study of the structure and function of kidneys – and became a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of Physicians. He joined the Malaysian government service as a medical officer in 1970, and in time, became consultant nephrologist and Head of Nephrology in Hospital Kuala Lumpur from 1976 until 1987.

He then joined the Ministry of Health, and by 1991, had attained the position of Director General of Health. During his decade in this role, he was responsible for overseeing almost 100,000 employees during a time of rapid change, making major contributions to quality assurance, information technology, telehealth and medical school accreditations.

In 2001, Tan Sri was appointed President of the International Medical University where he has driven its development from a fledgling new entrant to a major regional education provider in medicine, pharmacy, nursing, dentistry, biotechnology and nutrition/dietetics, complemented by research-based higher degrees with its university partners. Under his stewardship, the IMU has become a pivotal partner for The University of Queensland’s Faculty of Health Sciences.

Tan Sri has a substantial published output, particularly in Asia–Pacific outlets. In addition, he has been the President of the Malaysian Medical Association, Master of the Academy of Medicine, President of the Malaysian Society of Transplantation, founder-President of the Malaysian Society of Nephrology, and President of The Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia. He is currently President of the National Kidney Foundation and The National Diabetes Institute. He is Chair of Medical Defence Malaysia, a non-profit organisation providing medical indemnity insurance for doctors in Malaysia. He is also President of The Malaysian Health Informatics Association, and is an Advisor to the Malaysian Society for Quality in Health.

Chancellor, in recognition of his distinguished career and his contribution to The University of Queensland, I present to you Tan Sri Dato' Dr Abu Bakar Suleiman, Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery from Monash University, and Master of Medicine from the University of Singapore, for the award of Doctor of Medicine honoris causa bestowed by the Senate of The University of Queensland.