Sheffield University has joined forces with the Malaysian government in a Pounds 20 million project to set up a new medical school in Malaysia to alleviate a serious shortage of doctors.

John Padley, registrar and secretary at Sheffield, says the deal will mean that all courses at the Association of South East Asian Nations Sheffield Medical College, due for completion in 1997/98, will be "totally under the control of Sheffield University. We believe that we have been chosen as partners in a competitive bid not only because of our business plan but also the quality assurance mechanisms that we intend to guarantee".

The deal will mean a partnership in the setting up and running of the college between the university and a consortium backed by the Malaysian government.

When built in Ipoh, the capital city of the state of Perak, the medical college will command 88 acres and boast up-to-date lecture theatres, seminar rooms, information technology suites and laboratories for teaching and research.

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Students at the college will undergo a two-year pre-clinical education at the university's medical school followed by three years of clinical education at the college.

Degrees will be awarded by the university and are fully recognised by the Malaysian Medical Council.

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Ten Malaysian students have already started their courses at Sheffield. The total is expected to rise to 120 by 1997.

The college aims to have 240 pre-clinical and 360 clinical students by 2001.