‘Exceptional’ student doctors graduate from LKCMedicine in Singapore

LKCMedicine students celebrate graduating after five years of studying

Student doctors from the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine have received medical degrees from Imperial and Nanyang Technological University.

The 75 students earn a full MBBS qualification, and become alumni of both Imperial and NTU.

The new doctors are the second cohort of students to graduate from LKCMedicine in Singapore - 12 months after the very first students graduated.

Imperial was represented at the Convocation ceremony - held at NTU - by Professor Desmond Johnston, Vice-Dean (International Activities) for the Faculty of Medicine and Professor Sue Smith, Professor in Medical Education and Director of the Medical Education Research Unit (MERU).

World-leading medical school

Professor Johnston said: “These exceptional students have the talent and ability to make a big impact on society in Singapore and around the world.

"We are extremely proud of their achievements so far and look forward to seeing their further successes as they begin their careers.

"LKCMedicine has now become one of the world’s leading medical schools due to the strong partnership between Imperial and NTU.”

Dean of LKCMedicine, Professor James Best, introduced the ceremony’s guest speaker, Professor Chee Yam Cheng, President of the National Healthcare Group College.

Professor Best said that Professor Chee had given his ‘unwavering support’ to the medicine school during his roles as a governing board member of LKCMedicine and CEO of NHG.

Addressing the graduates, Professor Chee said: “Let me offer my heartiest congratulations on reaching this milestone in your life. To you who are doctors, no greater opportunity, responsibility or obligation can fall to the lot of a human being than become a physician.”

The graduates were presented on stage by Professor Naomi Low-Beer, Vice Dean (Education) and Professor Pang Weng Sun Vice Dean (Clinical Affairs) at LKCMedicine. The Presiding Officer was Mr Zainul Abidin bin Mohamed Rasheed from the NTU Board of Trustees.

Graduates celebrate

Valedictorian Wee Lin, spoke of the strong bonds with classmates formed during the course. She said: “We’re not here today if not for the encouragement of our fellow classmates. I hope as we move on into next chapter of our lives we can continue to provide support to each other.”

Berwyn Tan, who did his elective at Imperial, said: “After five years of hard work I’m very happy. It’s nice to see everyone again. I’ve been working at a hospital now for two months, it’s very challenging but we are all well trained.”

Adam Naveeth, who also spent time in oncology and general medicine at Imperial as part of the course, said: “Working as a doctor there are always things go learn, I now want to explore different specialties.”

Honorary award 

Imperial’s former Rector Sir Keith O’Nions was also awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters by NTU to recognise his contribution in setting up LKCMedicine and as a member of the NTU Board of Trustees, the Academic Affairs Committee, and the Enterprise Committee.

NTU President Professor Subra Suresh said, “NTU is pleased to confer upon Sir Keith O’Nions an honorary doctorate degree, the University’s highest honour, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to NTU and the community. Sir Keith was instrumental in the establishment of LKCMedicine, and has contributed to the university significantly as a member of the NTU Board of Trustees.”

Global challenges

Earlier in the week the LKCMedicine graduates attended a special pre-convocation dinner with over 200 guests.

LKCMedicine - which was officially opened in 2017 by Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, an Imperial alumnus (MSc Computing 1977) - builds on Imperial’s world-renowned medical curriculum as it trains the next generation of Singaporean doctors.

The innovative curriculum takes a patient-centred approach, harnessing team-based learning and the latest digital technology. As the LKCMedicine programme developed, it has influenced Imperial’s own medical curriculum, and Imperial and LKCMedicine students now take part in an annual exchange.

In March next year, Imperial will host the Transform MedEd 2020 conference - jointly organised with LKCMedicine. The first conference in 2018 attracted 400 delegates from around the world. This year’s conference will address global challenges to achieve local impact.

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Photography credit (main and ceremony): Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine

Student profiles: Imperial College London