Dr Cheah is actual first Malaysian woman don at Oxford University

Dr Masliza Mahmod has clarified that another woman, Dr Phaik Yeong Cheah (above) holds the distinction of becoming Malaysia’s first woman associate professor at the prestigious University of Oxford.

This, after the honour was erroneously attributed to Masliza (below) in a recent report following her promotion to associate professor of cardiovascular medicine at Oxford’s Radcliffe Department of Medicine.

Instead, Cheah was promoted to associate professor in 2016.

The latter currently heads the Department of Bioethics and Engagement at the Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit (MORU), which is a collaboration between Oxford and Mahidol University in Thailand.

The department works with vulnerable groups including children, pregnant women, migrants and other disadvantaged populations.

Previously, she advised on and reviewed protocols, research ethics and clinical practice training for Oxford.

Masliza clarified the matter in a social media posting today in which she congratulated Cheah and said together, they will “keep Malaysia on the map”.

“It has come to my attention that Dr Phaik Yong Cheah has been an associate professor in Bioethics and Engagement at Oxford University since 2016.

“Let us congratulate her on being the first Malaysian woman to achieve this at Oxford University.

“Together as Malaysian women, we will continue to keep Malaysia on the map,” she said in a posting on Facebook yesterday. - Mkini