SERDANG, 18 June – The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (FPV), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), in collaboration with the Malaysian Scientific Association, recently held the Assoc. Prof. Dato’ Dr. Vellayan Subramaniam Memorial Lecture to honour the late Dato’ Vellayan’s extraordinary legacy in veterinary medicine, parasitology, and wildlife conservation.

Held at the FPV Auditorium, the event brought together key figures from the veterinary profession, academic institutions, and members of the public who were deeply inspired by Dato’ Vellayan’s lifelong dedication to animal health and education. As a pioneer of zoo and wildlife veterinary medicine in Malaysia, Dato’ Vellayan played an instrumental role at Zoo Negara before transitioning to academic and research contributions in the field of exotic animal diseases and zoonoses.

The memorial lecture was graced by YB Tuan M. Kulasegaran a/l V. Murugeson, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform), who attended in his personal capacity as a family member of the late Dato’ Vellayan. Also present was Emeritus Prof. Datin Paduka Setia Dato’ Dr. Aini Ideris, former Vice-Chancellor of UPM and a respected leader in veterinary education.

The event featured reflections by four invited speakers: Emeritus Prof. Dato’ Dr. Sheikh Omar Abdul Rahman, Prof. Dato’ Dr. Abu Bakar Abdul Majeed, Prof. Dr. Stephen Ambu, and Dr. Ali Anwar Ahmad. Each speaker shared heartfelt memories and professional insights on Dato’ Vellayan’s impact across the veterinary field in Malaysia and the Southeast Asian region.

More than 100 participants attended the memorial, including veterinary professionals, academics, and students. The session served as a meaningful platform for sharing knowledge, celebrating the legacy of a national icon, and inspiring the next generation of veterinary leaders.

The event concluded with a group photo session and expressions of gratitude from the organising committee. Through this memorial lecture, FPV UPM reaffirmed its commitment to preserving the memory of veterinary pioneers whose contributions continue to shape the profession and positively impact the conservation of animal health and biodiversity.

Date of Input: 18/06/2025 | Updated: 18/06/2025 | zafarul