World Anatomy Day 2025 Recap | Celebrating Anatomy Across Malaysia

Every year on October 15, the global anatomy community commemorates World Anatomy Day (WAD) to honour Andreas Vesalius (1514–1564) — the pioneer often regarded as the founder of modern human anatomy. This celebration not only pays tribute to Vesalius’s enduring scientific legacy but also recognises the pivotal role of anatomy as the foundation of medical education worldwide.

In Malaysia, this year’s celebration brought together universities nationwide in a spirit of learning, creativity, and community engagement.

🏛 USM — The Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences (PPSP), Universiti Sains Malaysia, celebrated under the theme “Anatomy for All”. The event featured both virtual and on-campus activities including the Anatomy Model Challenge, AnaGram, and AnatoReels competitions, as well as an Open Day at the Anatomy Museum with treasure hunts (AI Quest), food stalls, and creative exhibitions. The celebration culminated in the launch of the World Anatomy Day video, embodying the department’s commitment to making anatomy engaging and accessible to all.

🎓 UiTM — The Faculty of Medicine hosted the Anatomy Open Day 2025, drawing over 400 participants including students, staff, and schoolchildren from SK Sungai Buloh, SK Seksyen 9 Kota Damansara, and SRITI Subang. The event showcased interactive anatomy stations and exhibits, inspiring a sense of wonder and curiosity about the human body.

🔬 UKM — The Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, held “Eksplorasi Rangka Prasejarah & Tulang Manusia”, an educational outreach initiative involving 85 students and 9 educators from Kolej PERMATA@Pintar Negara, UKM. Participants explored prehistoric skeletons, bone biology, and anatomy through lectures and practical sessions at the dissection hall and anatomy museum, enriching their understanding of human anatomy and archaeology.

🏥 NUMed (Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia) — The Anatomy Working Group celebrated at AEON Mall Bukit Indah, Johor, engaging around 300 members of the public through creative and health-themed activities such as body-painting catwalks, anatomy sculptures, henna art, manicure booths, Zumba, interactive games, and cancer-awareness stations. The event successfully promoted anatomy as a discipline relevant to both medicine and daily life.

The Malaysian Anatomical Association extends its heartfelt congratulations to USM, UiTM, UKM, and NUMed for their collective efforts in advancing anatomy education and fostering public appreciation of this fundamental medical science.

You may view the captured moments from these celebrations here.

Together, we celebrate anatomy — the language of medicine and the science that connects us all.

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