University of Cyberjaya Establishes Tan Sri Dr. Lim Wee Chai Visiting Professorship in Lifestyle Medicine

Tan Sri Dr. Lim Wee Chai, Founder and Executive Chairman of Top Glove Corporation Bhd, today signed an agreement with the University of Cyberjaya (UoC) to establish the Tan Sri Dr. Lim Wee Chai Visiting Professorship in Lifestyle Medicine, supported by a RM2 million endowed fund to perpetuity. The fund, which carries Tan Sri Dr. Lim’s name, is intended to advance Lifestyle Medicine through teaching, research, and community engagement at UoC. Lifestyle Medicine uses proven lifestyle changes, such as healthy eating, regular exercise, good sleep, stress control, avoiding harmful substances, and strong social connections, to prevent, treat, and sometimes reverse long term diseases, such as diabetes.

The endowment consists of a RM1 million contribution from Tan Sri Dr. Lim, matched by RM1 million from the University of Cyberjaya, creating a permanent corpus to support long term academic, research, and societal impact in Lifestyle Medicine.

The visiting professorship will bring experienced experts in Lifestyle Medicine from Top global universities to UoC. These visiting professors will work with the University’s academics and students, deliver lectures and flagship talks, support joint research, contribute to curriculum development, and participate in outreach programmes with healthcare partners and the wider community, to strengthen understanding of how people can be helped to get better by changing how they live, rather than just prescribing medicines.

The endowed fund will be placed in an income generating account by the University, with returns used to support the visiting professorship and related activities on a continuing basis. A dedicated Endowment Oversight Committee, comprising UoC leaders and representatives of Tan Sri Dr. Lim, will guide the use of the fund in line with the shared objectives of the programme and to ensure strong governance and sustained outcomes.

The initiative is designed to deliver several key outcomes for the University of Cyberjaya, including academic leadership in Lifestyle Medicine, a stronger global reputation through collaboration with leading international institutions, greater research impact via joint publications and partnerships, capacity building for faculty and students in emerging health disciplines, and public engagement that promotes lifestyle based disease prevention and healthier communities.

“Lifestyle diseases are placing an increasing burden on society. Investing in education, research, and leadership in lifestyle medicine helps build healthier communities and reduces long term healthcare costs. Lifestyle and preventive medicine demonstrate how consistent, practical changes in daily habits can significantly improve health. My ‘5 Healthy Wells’ philosophy: Clean Well, Eat Well, Work Well, Exercise Well, and Sleep Well – focuses on simple habits that everyone can practise. I hope this Visiting Professorship inspires students, healthcare professionals, and the public to take personal responsibility for their health and become positive contributors to society,” said Tan Sri Dr. Lim.

In 2021, Tan Sri Dr. Lim was conferred an Honorary Doctorate in Management as well as the title of Honorary Professor of Management by the University, in recognition of his contributions.

The University will commence the search for eligible candidates from leading global institutions, with the official appointment expected to be announced at an upcoming Lifestyle Medicine platform. The Visiting Professorship is expected to support Malaysia’s growing role in preventive and lifestyle based healthcare.

University of Cyberjaya Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive, Professor Dr. David Whitford, expressed his appreciation for Tan Sri Dr. Lim’s support. “We are grateful to Tan Sri Dr Lim for his generous contribution and for lending his name to the endowed visiting professorship in Lifestyle Medicine,” he said. “The professorship will support our work in teaching, research, and outreach on Lifestyle Medicine, and will help us to prepare future healthcare professionals who understand the importance of healthy living.”

Together, the endowed visiting professorship and the University’s wider initiatives in health sciences reflect a shared commitment to education, health, and community wellbeing, and reinforce the University of Cyberjaya’s role in developing healthcare professionals and promoting healthier lives.