Emeritus Professor Dr. Ng Kwan Hoong is internationally recognised as one of the pioneers of medical physics in Malaysia and the region, whose contributions have transformed the fields of diagnostic imaging, radiation protection, and medical physics education. Over a distinguished career spanning four decades at Universiti Malaya, he has played a pivotal role in advancing the science of medical imaging while shaping the development of medical physics as a recognised profession in Malaysia and the Asia-Pacific region. In recognition of his exceptional contributions to research, education and healthcare, Universiti Malaya conferred upon him the title of Emeritus Professor in 2022. He is also the recipient of the Merdeka Award for Outstanding Scholastic Achievement 2020, one of the nation's highest recognitions for scholarly excellence and lifelong contributions to society.
Professor Ng began his academic career at Universiti Malaya in 1985 as a Science Officer before joining the Faculty of Medicine as a lecturer in 1990. He was promoted to Professor in 2001 and has since become synonymous with the growth of medical physics in Malaysia and the region. A graduate of Universiti Malaya with a degree in Physics, he later obtained a Master of Science in Medical Physics from the University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom, followed by a PhD in Medical Physics from Universiti Malaya. He subsequently became the first and only Malaysian certified by the American Board of Medical Physics, reflecting his commitment to the highest international professional standards.
Throughout his career, Professor Ng has built an international reputation through pioneering research in breast imaging, breast density assessment, radiation dosimetry, radiation protection, medical physics education, artificial intelligence in medical imaging, and risk communication. His work has contributed significantly to improving the early detection of breast cancer and enhancing patient safety in diagnostic imaging. By combining advances in imaging science with clinical practice, his research has influenced healthcare delivery while helping establish evidence-based standards in radiation medicine.
Beyond his scientific contributions, Professor Ng has been instrumental in building educational capacity in medical physics. He established Universiti Malaya's Medical Physics postgraduate programme, which became the first and only programme outside the United Kingdom and Ireland to receive accreditation from the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM), UK. Through his leadership, the programme has produced generations of highly trained medical physicists who now serve hospitals, universities, industries and research institutions across Malaysia and the region. His commitment to mentorship extends internationally through initiatives such as the International Leadership and Mentoring Programme, which supports the development of early-career medical physicists, particularly from developing countries.
Professor Ng's influence reaches far beyond Malaysia through his extensive service to the international scientific community. He was the Founding President of the South East Asian Federation of Organizations for Medical Physics (SEAFOMP) and one of the founders of the Asia-Oceania Federation of Organisations for Medical Physics (AFOMP). He also established the ASEAN College of Medical Physics (ACOMP) to strengthen continuing professional education throughout the region. In addition, he has served as an expert and consultant to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and contributed to technical guidance and advisory work for international organisations, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Organization for Medical Physics (IOMP).
An exceptionally accomplished scholar, Professor Ng has authored and co-authored more than 260 peer-reviewed journal articles, 80 conference proceedings, 30 book chapters, and has co-authored/co-edited ten books. He has delivered over 550 scientific presentations, with more than 300 invited lectures at national and international conferences, while serving on the editorial and advisory boards of numerous scientific journals. His scholarly contributions have earned him widespread international recognition, including being named among the Top 50 Medical Physicists in the World by the IOMP in 2013 and becoming the first Malaysian recipient of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Award in 2018, honouring his outstanding achievements in research, education and global leadership in medical physics. He was elected as a Fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) in 2014 and also a Fellow of The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) in 2021, further affirming his standing within the international scientific community. He also received the Gold Medal, the highest award conferred by the Asian Oceanian Society of Radiology (AOSR) in 2026.
Through his visionary leadership, pioneering research and unwavering dedication to education, Emeritus Professor Dr. Ng Kwan Hoong has established a legacy that extends well beyond academia. His work has strengthened medical physics as a discipline, improved the quality and safety of healthcare, and inspired generations of scientists and healthcare professionals in Malaysia and around the world. His enduring contributions continue to enhance Universiti Malaya's reputation as a global leader in medical research, education and innovation.
