Industry Mentorship Programme (Nightingale AI Edition)

The NTU PACE Postgraduate Coursework (PGC) Industry Mentorship Programme (Nightingale AI Edition) was successfully conducted on 20 January 2026, bringing together close to 100 postgraduate coursework students from diverse academic backgrounds for an afternoon of industry engagement, mentorship and cross-disciplinary learning.

This edition of the programme featured insightful keynote addresses by Dr Ramon Varughese, Chief Medical Officer of Qualitas Health, and Ms Ira Kumar, Chief Executive Officer of Nightingale AI and Chief Mentor of the programme. Drawing from their extensive leadership and industry experience, both speakers shared perspectives on healthcare innovation, artificial intelligence and the evolving skills required of future-ready professionals.

 

Bridging Disciplines Through Industry Mentorship

The NTU PACE PGC Industry Mentorship Programme aims to bring together postgraduate students from different disciplines to interact beyond their own programmes or colleges. By creating a common platform for engagement, the programme encourages cross-disciplinary conversations and the exchange of diverse perspectives. Such capabilities are essential in today’s complex and interconnected work environments.

Participants gained exposure to real-world industry challenges and insights into how emerging technologies such as AI are transforming sectors, particularly healthcare and health technology.

Insights from Industry Leaders and Mentees

As Chief Mentor, Ms Ira Kumar shared her perspectives on mentoring postgraduate talent and highlighted the importance of cross-functional collaboration, innovation and ethical considerations in AI-driven solutions. Dr Ramon Varughese complemented this with insights from the healthcare sector, emphasising the need to align technological advancements with patient-centred care and real-world impact.

The session also featured a dedicated sharing segment by three mentees from the first batch, who shared their experiences in the mentorship programme. They shared valuable insights on learning directly from industry mentors, gaining clarity on career pathways and developing greater confidence in navigating professional environments. Their candid reflections provided incoming participants with a first-hand view of the programme’s impact on personal and professional growth.

Developing Future-Ready Postgraduates

Through direct mentoring engagement, peer sharing and cross-disciplinary networking, the programme creates meaningful opportunities for student involvement, self-reflection and professional development. It also serves as a valuable platform for students to build professional networks beyond the classroom and across disciplines.

The NTU PACE PGC Industry Mentorship Programme (Nightingale AI Edition) reflects NTU’s continued commitment to developing future-ready postgraduate students through industry-relevant initiatives and strong partnerships with industry leaders. The programme looks forward to welcoming the next batch of mentees as they embark on their mentorship journey and continue to build connections with industry and peers.