Unveiling A-HEART: UniMAP’s Beacon for Autism Outreach in Northern Malaysia

When Prof. Dato’ Sri Dr. Mike Chan visited Perlis on 8 August 2025, his itinerary offered glimpses into a vital institution: the A‑HEART Autism Hub for Educational Resources and Training at Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP). This center isn’t just a facility — it’s rapidly becoming a regional lifeline for individuals with neurodevelopmental needs.

Drawing on decades of international practice, Prof. Mike Chan leads a multidisciplinary autism team that has treated children worldwide. He spearheads autism initiatives in China and regularly serves families from the UAE and the United States.

His meetings in Perlis—with government counterparts and HRH Tuanku Dr. Hajah Lailatul Shahreen Akashah Khalil—opened new avenues for collaboration, enabling Prof. Chan and his team to share proven protocols with Malaysian clinicians and strengthen the nation’s autism care ecosystem.

A Brief History of A-HEART

Founded within the Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Library at UniMAP, the A‑HEART initiative officially launched in 2015 after seeking refuge in makeshift venues such as the university mosque. In 2015, UniMAP established a dedicated autism counselling center on campus. The project reflects growing commitment to extend help beyond the university to the broader Perlis community.

Operated fully by UniMAP under the royal patronage of HRH Tuanku Dr. Hajah Lailatul Shahreen Akashah Khalil, the center has attracted support from both the Chancellor, HRH Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra, and corporate sponsors.

A Royal Champion: HRH The Raja Puan Muda of Perlis

A-HEART’s development did not happen in isolation. Its success is powered by royal commitment. HRH Tuanku Lailatul Shahreen, as Patron and Pro-Chancellor, has been instrumental in amplifying the initiative. Meanwhile, HRH Tuanku Syed Faizuddin, the Raja Muda, has championed expansion efforts and rallied wider community and corporate support.

Vision & Mission

A‑HEART aspires to be more than a resource hub: its mission is to empower children with autism and special needs across northern Malaysia by providing:

• Accessible educational resources, such as lending books, educational toys, multimedia tools, and a screening room
• Structured activities and therapy to nurture talent and life skills
• Inclusive programming open to families via A‑HEART membership cards

Moreover, with support like the RM100,000 allocation from Yayasan Bank Rakyat in 2024, A‑HEART launched an Open Gym Therapy Facility designed around the daily life ecosystem of autistic children — part of a “Sejahtera & Lestari” inclusive-education vision.

Prof. Mike Chan’s Visit: A Prelude to Partnership

Prof. Mike Chan’s first engagement in Perlis was a walking tour of the A‑HEART center at UniMAP, led by Head Librarian Mdm Mazmim Mat Akhir.

While exploring the hub’s facilities, Prof. Chan’s expansive vision, rooted in regenerative medicine and autism care, resonated deeply.

This visit was more than symbolic: it was a declaration of intent to build bridges between his biomedical expertise and A‑HEART’s grassroots influence.

Royal Engagements That Set the Stage

Prof. Mike Chan’s first royal audience in Perlis took place at Rumah Santosa where he met HRH Tuanku Dr. Hajah Lailatul Shahreen Akashah Khalil, the Raja Puan Muda of Perlis. The meeting provided an opportunity for Prof. Chan to introduce his pioneering medical and philanthropic work to a key member of the Perlis royal family, laying early groundwork for potential royal patronage in the lead-up to the Autism Health Summit 2025.

This was followed by an informal yet high-value lunch at Kuali Hangat Restaurant, where Prof. Mike Chan and HRH the Raja Puan Muda engaged in deeper rapport-building. In this relaxed setting, ideas were exchanged freely, further aligning shared commitments toward enhancing autism awareness, support, and intervention in Malaysia.

What’s Ahead

UniMAP and the Tuanku Syed Putra Foundation (YTSP) aim to expand the existing hub into Perlis’ first full-fledged autism center, with a target of raising RM 6 million over three years. The goal: provide early intervention, therapy, education, and life-skills training — ultimately becoming a referral point for broader autism outreach across northern states.

Prof. Mike Chan’s visit serves as a meaningful prelude to deeper collaboration. As awareness grows, and with the Autism Health Summit Malaysia 2025 on Nov 28, A-HEART could soon become a national model for inclusive neurodevelopmental care — driven by royal patronage, academic heart, and scientific reach.