Medical library brings back alumni and remembers Prof.T.J Danaraj

KUALA LUMPUR, July 12 (Bernama) -- Medical alumi from University Malaya (UM) reunite and share great memories of Tan Sri Professor T.J Danaraj during the reopening of T.J Danaraj Medical Library.

About 70 alumni from the Faculty of Medicine, including the first batch from 1969, gathered to witnessed the new and improve library officially open after 3 years being under construction.

According to the dean of the faculty, Professor Datuk Dr.Adeeba Kamarulzaman said it's important to connect with alumni as they represent the achievement of the university.

"Every successful universities depend on its alumni, if you look at the prestigious universities in the world, the reason it is successfully is because of the connection of the alumni, we are not only talking about the financial connection but having well known alumi to represent the university is very important," she said during a press conference after the event here today.

Meanwhile the alumni who came down after being contacted through Whatsapp and social media said the reopening of the library is very significant as a remembrance of the late Danaraj.

 Dr.Muhammad Gowdh from batch 74' said the reopening of library is very nostalgic as the 'Father of the Medical Faculty' encouraged his students to often visit the library for medical resources.

"I remember when I was a medical student, they was a case of rat poisoning in the wad which needed to be treated using British Anti-Lewisite (BAL),"

"When Danaraj asked one of the housemanship on the treatment, he did not know the full acronym. That's when Danaraj angrily told the housemenship to immediately run to the library to know what was the treatment about," he said.

The library was formed in the year 1963 and was renamed in the year 2005 in conjuction to Danaraj's contribution to the faculty.

The event was also attended by his wife Puan Sri Professor Wong Hee Ong who said her husband would be glad to know his legacy has been passed on and that students work hard to practice medicine.

 Meanwhile as alumni recalled their memories of Danaraj, who was also the first dean of faculty, one described him as a very strict man who takes immediate action in terms of making sure the faculty is always proper for his students.

"He is so efficient in getting things done where he obviously stepped on the toes of those who are not effecient and for that reason of people who worked with him might not looked high on him but i can safely say that his students never disliked him," said Milton Lum from batch 73'.

Lum also said that although he is strict, Danaraj was very fatherly and taught them alot of basic medical principles which is very relevent until today.

Danaraj was also known to see his students as one instead of batches and his students praised him for starting a very renowned medical school that is internationally recognised.

Danaraj retired at 1975 but continued to teach and serve hospitals as honorary consultant.

 --BERNAMA