Malaysia's commemorative activities for the second Asia Laboratory Animal Day (ALAD)

Abstract

Malaysia's commemoration of the second Asia Laboratory Animal Day (ALAD) in 2025 marked a notable step forward in strengthening national and regional laboratory animal science, ethical governance, and humane research practices. Celebrated a day earlier on 28 November, an initiative led by the Laboratory Animal Science Association of Malaysia (LASAM), comprised a coordinated three-month programme from September to November. A series of targeted activities were conducted, including professional exchange visits, competency-based rodent care and use workshops, refinement-centred blood sampling training, and institutional lectures on ethics and welfare. These engagements involved researchers, technicians, ethics committee members, and undergraduate trainees; reflecting ALAD's aim of fostering ethical awareness and technical proficiency across all levels of research personnel. A major highlight of the campaign was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between LASAM and Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), strengthening long-term collaboration in training, welfare standard harmonisation, and shared ethical governance. The programme also delivered measurable outcomes: over 92% of participants improved their understanding of the 3Rs and humane endpoints, more than 95% attained competency in basic rodent handling, and national interest in laboratory animal science increased, as reflected by rising LASAM membership. Malaysia's ALAD initiatives emphasise the importance of grassroots engagement, refinement-based training, and strong institutional partnerships in advancing ethical and humane science. The country's experience provides a replicable framework for other Asian regions seeking to enhance welfare capacity, harmonise standards, and cultivate responsible research communities. Malaysia remains committed to supporting ALAD's ongoing mission to advance scientific integrity and animal welfare across Asia.

Keywords

Animal welfare and ethics / Asia Laboratory Animal Day / Harmonised technical standards / Refinement techniques / Training and competency development

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

2026 The Author(s). Animal Models and Experimental Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of The Chinese Association for Laboratory Animal Sciences.