Dr. Rasyidah Rehir

Recipient of Outstanding Contribution to Education and Community 2025

Institution

University of Dundee, United Kingdom
Medical University of Graz, Austria
Prince of Songkhla University (PSU), Thailand

Enhancing Anatomical Education through Advanced Cadaveric Preservation Technique and Body Donation

Health, Science and Technology

Dato' Professor Dr. Adeeba Kamarulzaman

Recipient for Year 2022

Something that is worth doing is often tough, but the rewards can be big.

Anatomy Lecturer, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)

Dr. Rasyidah Rehir is a medical educator and researcher dedicated to transforming medical training through ethical body donation and advanced cadaver preservation techniques.

She holds a Doctor of Medicine (UKM, 2017) and a Master of Science in Human Anatomy from the University of Edinburgh (2024), combining clinical knowledge with anatomical expertise. Before joining UKM in 2023, she held key roles in clinical practice and healthcare management, including as Head of Audit and Quality Coordinator in a leading private healthcare centre. In Edinburgh, she earned the prestigious Edinburgh Award for her leadership and service to the academic community. At UKM, she is actively involved in undergraduate teaching and academic governance.
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Clinical and Educational Leadership

Prior to her academic appointment, Dr. Rasyidah served in pivotal clinical and management roles, including as Head of Audit and Quality Coordinator in a major private healthcare group.

Since joining UKM in 2023, she has contributed actively to undergraduate anatomy education and academic governance, bringing practical insights into pedagogical planning. She was also recogniszed through the Edinburgh Award in 2024 where she has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to the community as well as enhanced leadership skills as student leader during her postgraduate studies.

Research, Innovation and Publications

Her research spans anatomy, surgery, and clinical sciences.

She has co-authored peer-reviewed publications and presented internationally. Her academic books—Back Pain: The Science Behind It and Digital Vascular Anatomy: From Cadaver to Surgery—demonstrate her skill in translating complex concepts into practical learning tools. She is currently leading a landmark project to establish Malaysia’s state-of-the-art Human Cadaveric Centre for anatomy teaching, surgical training, and research.

Project Focus and Grant Objective

With support from the Merdeka Award Grant, Dr. Rasyidah will pursue advanced training in Thiel and other soft cadaveric preservation techniques—methods that retain lifelike tissue flexibility for more realistic surgical and research applications.

She also aims to develop a comprehensive, ethically managed body donation programme to support sustainable cadaver-based education in Malaysia.

Impact and Vision

Through this work, Dr. Rasyidah seeks to raise national standards in anatomical preservation, improve institutional capacity, and advance biomedical education.

Her efforts align with UKM’s strategic goals and contribute meaningfully to the broader transformation of Malaysia’s medical training landscape.

Disclaimer:
The information in this award recipient's profile is accurate to the best of our knowledge as of the time the award was presented. Any subsequent changes, updates, or developments in the individual's life or achievements may not be reflected in this profile.

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