Reframing the teaching of Traditional Malay Medicine (TMM) in Malaysia higher education: Tracing its historical evolution and integrating Islamic epistemology with biomedical knowledge into a culturally-rooted curriculum framework.

Abstract

The teaching of Traditional Malay Medicine (TMM) in Malaysian higher education remains at an emergent stage, with limited formal pathways despite growing regulatory support and cultural recognition. This study aims to reframe how TMM could be embedded within academic structures by tracing its historical development, pedagogical lineage, and potential alignment with national frameworks such as the Malaysian Qualifications Framework 2.0 (MQF 2.0), Values-Based Education (VBE), and Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). While currently offered only at diploma level in select institutions, notably Kolej SPACE, the broader integration of TMM into higher education curriculum remains fragmented due to the absence of standardised syllabuses, formal teaching credentials for practitioners, and comprehensive curricular models. Using a qualitative exploratory design, this study combined doctrinal analysis of educational and legal policy documents with semi-structured interviews involving six registered TMM practitioners. Thematic findings highlight the continuity of oral transmission traditions and the need for curriculum development that balances cultural epistemology with contemporary educational standards. Although full degree-level programmes are not yet available at public universities, existing efforts reflect a shifting paradigm and reinforce the argument that TMM is not incompatible with academic rigour. This study thus contributes to pedagogical discourse by proposing a reframed vision of TMM teaching, one that honours its indigenous roots while supporting its evolution into a structured, credible academic discipline. Future research should prioritise national curriculum blueprints, competency-based training, and inter-institutional partnerships to expand recognition and legitimacy within Malaysia’s pluralistic healthcare education system.