Mr Zall Kepli, PhD. was a former Prison Superintendent and Head of several Substance Use Treatment Program (1980-2005) in Malaysian Prison. He ljoined the School of Psychology at the University of Malaysia Sabah (UMS) in 2005, lecturing and coordinating a special SUD program known as the SPADA. Retired from UMS, a public university, in 2013, he was appointed by Cyberjaya University College of Medical Sciences (CUCMS; rename as University of Cyberjaya in 2020) to lecturing and coordinating the first UTC based Post Graduate Diploma in Addiction Science (PGDAS), a collaborative progamme between Colombo Plan/DAP and CUCMS, in 2015 until 2020. Currently, he is the Director of STC Malaysia, SUD organization and a Training Provider authorised by CP/DAP/ICUDDR/ISSUP.
Abstract
STCM / USAS Collaboration in Development of Education Program at Universities in Malaysia and Pakistan
Malaysian experienced phases of values change in perceptions and attitudes toward substance users - from disobedient, wayward, criminal, to sick people who need proper medical and psychological support. Treatment modalities change from a “tough and rugged” to spiritual, psychosocial / therapeutic community, and here we come with evident-based approach. In 2016, there was only one UTC-based education program held in Malaysia, the Postgraduate Diploma in Addiction Science (PGDAS), at University College of Medical Sciences (CUCMS), but the program ended for good in 2019. We like to share STCM’s experiences seeking collaboration with universities to revive the UTC-based education program at the higher education institutions in Malaysia and Pakistan. On the base of two years need assessment STCM is launching online/in-person degree programs in drug demand reduction.