The Institute for Research, Development and Innovation (IRDI) of IMU University successfully organised a one-day Basic Clinical Epidemiology Course on 2 March 2026 at the IMU Bukit Jalil Campus.

The course was designed to equip participants with fundamental knowledge and practical skills in clinical epidemiology, with a focus on strengthening research design and evidence-based practice.

The course was led by Prof Dr Moy Foong Ming, an esteemed epidemiologist and public health expert from the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya.

Prof Moy, recognised among the world’s top 2% scientists by Stanford University and ranked in the top 2.8% globally in obesity research, brought her extensive experience in cohort studies, translational research, and evidence-based medicine to the IMU audience. She is currently Head of the Centre of Epidemiology and Evidence-Based Practice (CEBP) at Universiti Malaya and also a certified Cochrane Trainer.

Throughout the day, participants were guided through essential components of clinical epidemiology, beginning with the development of answerable and clinically meaningful research objectives.

The sessions progressed to selecting and justifying appropriate observational study designs, understanding and mitigating bias and confounding factors, and constructing comprehensive study protocols.

Practical discussions using published research articles enabled participants to critically appraise real-world evidence and interpret findings within clinical and public health contexts.

The interactive nature of the workshop encouraged active engagement, with participants reflecting on their own research ideas and refining their methodological approaches under expert guidance through interactive lectures, case discussions, and practical exercises.

The afternoon sessions emphasised reporting standards and the translation of research findings into practice, reinforcing the importance of bridging research and real-world healthcare delivery.

This course reflects IRDI’s continued commitment to advancing research excellence at IMU.

By building research capacity in epidemiological methods and strengthening foundational research skills, IRDI aims to empower academic staff, clinicians, and postgraduate students to produce high-quality research that contributes meaningfully to healthcare practice and policy.

From this course, the participants had gained valuable insights into applying fundamental epidemiological principles in clinical and public health research. The course also emphasised the importance of translating findings into practice to improve healthcare outcomes.

“The workshop helped refine my research protocol, which involved secondary analysis of previously collected clinical epidemiological data,” said Prof Puneet Agarwal, one of the participants of the workshop.

By engaging leading experts such as Prof Moy, IMU continues to provide impactful training opportunities that empower healthcare professionals and researchers to address pressing public health challenges and emphasise evidence-based decision-making in medicine.

Written by Dr Lai Pei Kuan

IMU University’s Institute for Research, Development and Innovation (IRDI) hosted a Basic Clinical Epidemiology Course on 2 March 2026 to strengthen research capacity and evidence-based practice. Led by Prof Dr Moy Foong Ming, the course covered key topics such as research design and critical appraisal. Through interactive sessions and practical exercises, participants gained essential skills to design high-quality studies and apply research findings in clinical and public health settings.