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PAPAR: The district here is set to achieve a major milestone in the development of higher education in medical field. 

Benoni Commercial Centre and Parklane City, developed by the WSG Group under the leadership of Datuk Susan Wong Siew Guen, will see the construction of a medical faculty for North Borneo University College (NBUC) within the next two years. 

The institution is expected to attract more local, Malaysian and international students to Papar that is poised to accelerate the economic growth and educational development in the district. 

Susan announced the exciting news after accompanying the NBUC board of governors on inspecting the site of the project here.

“If all proceeds smoothly, both parties will begin officially commence preparations and formalize the deal after Hari Raya Aidilfitri, paving the way for the implementation of the medical faculty project,” she said.

The NBUC delegation was led by the chairman of the board of governors, Prof Datuk Sr Dr Mohaizi Mohamad, who were joined by board members Datin Nazirah binti Mohaizi, Prof Dato’ Sr Dr Azimuddin bin Bahari, Prof Datuk MazrinRohizaq bin Che Rose, Prof Datuk Foo Ngee Kee, Asso Prof Doretty R. Jiroh, as well as Geomatika College KeningauRector Asso Prof Nur Azsyerrah binti Jahini. 

Susan is also a member of the NBUC board of governors.

It was learned that the NBUC has earlier dispatched a professional team led by vice chancellor Prof Dato’ Sr Dr Azimuddin bin Bahari, to conduct a site inspection at the Benoni Commercial Centre and Parklane City. 

The team carried out on-site assessments and submitted a comprehensive evaluation and project report to the board of governors, outlining planning aspects, environmental conditions, and overall development potential.

This led to the second site visit by the board of governors headed by Dr Mohaizi.

With the site inspections and detailed briefing by Susan, the delegation gained a more thorough and in-depth understanding of the overall development blueprint, the strategic location advantages, and future potential of the Benoni Commercial Centre and Parklane City commercial hubs.

The board unanimously agreed that the site is highly suitable for the long-term development of a medical faculty.

“I will work closely with NBUC to develop a six-storey medical faculty building tailored specifically to the institution’s needs. The project is expected to be completed within two years. 

“Designed in accordance with higher education and medical training requirements, the medical school will feature carefully planned spaces, comprehensive teaching facilities, and an aesthetically refined environment, aiming to create a functional and elegant medical institution that meets international standards,” Susan said. 

Meanwhile, Dr Mohaizi said that once the agreement is signed, the university will immediately begin preparations for student recruitment and academic programme planning. 

“The medical faculty will not only attract local and domestic students but will also draw international students to the district, a move that is expected to generate significant economic benefits and enhance international visibility for the Benoni Commercial Centre and Parklane City,Papar,” he said.

He also praised the township’s well-integrated development masterplan, in particular the high-quality luxury condominium developed by Susan, which would serve the demand for student accommodation. 

In addition, Dr Mohaizi said the planned construction of a hotel in Parklane City would cater to the living standards of high-end international students and visiting scholars. 

He added that the establishment of amenities such as supermarkets and shopping malls in the near future will further fulfil the lifestyle needs of academic and administrative staff.

Susan said the implementation of the medical faculty project would not only enable local youths in Papar to pursue higher medical education without having to leave their hometown, but would also help attract overseas students, thereby generate foreign exchange income and economic spillovers that will boost the economy in Papar. 

She stressed that that the Benoni Commercial Centre and Parklane City will be elevated into a vibrant new township integrating the core pillars of education, sports, entertainment, and residential living. 

It was learned that the North Borneo University College Group currently has more than 12,000 students, including approximately 2,000 students in Sabah. NBUC also operates the Geomatika College Keningau. 

The institution presently offers 31 academic programmes spanning doctoral, master’s, and bachelor’s levels. Existing postgraduate programmes include a Master in Management and Master in Security Enforcement, with plans to introduce Master in Business Administration (MBA) and a Master in Counselling, reflecting the institution’s continued academic expansion.

With the implementation of the medical faculty project, Dr Mohaizi said NBUC is poised to enter a new phase of development, while also marking a significant new chapter in higher education and medical talent development in Sabah.