News: Appreciation Dinner: In Gratitude, For A Landmark Year

By Safir Farhan

On 18 March 2025, over 350 members of the LKCMedicine community and our partners gathered at the Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel to celebrate a landmark year. The evening honoured faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors, and partners who contributed to the School’s success.

A Grand Welcome and Pre-Event Activities

Guests were greeted by a striking entry sculpture designed to reflect LKCMedicine’s refreshed logo—an eye-catching installation that served as a popular photo backdrop and symbol of the School’s refreshed identity. Positioned at the ballroom entrance, the vibrant structure drew guests in and quickly became a go-to spot for group photos and selfies.

As the venue buzzed with arrivals, attendees mingled and took part in interactive fringe activities. A silhouette artist carefully cut guests’ profiles with expert precision, creating elegant paper portraits in under five minutes—each a personalised souvenir to take home. Meanwhile, skilled calligraphers sat at another booth, penning guests’ names in delicate script onto clear glass tiles, transforming each into a unique memento.

These creative stations added an element of charm and artistry, offering guests a chance to pause, engage, and create keepsakes that captured the spirit of the evening.

Celebrating a Year of Achievements

2024 was a standout year for LKCMedicine, marking key institutional progress across multiple areas. The School welcomed its largest cohort of medical students in its 14-year history. Research achievements surged as well, with LKCMedicine securing the highest total value of grants since 2021.

The NTU MBBS programme also underwent meaningful enhancements, focused on developing future-ready clinicians equipped to navigate evolving healthcare demands. Alongside academic developments, the School unveiled a refreshed brand identity, bringing visual coherence to its mission and values.

These highlights were recapped through two commemorative videos that played during the event, showcasing the dedication and collaborative spirit behind each milestone. Guests watched with pride as their contributions were spotlighted on screen, reinforcing a strong sense of collective achievement.

School leadership addressed the community, reflecting on the journey so far and reinforcing the importance of shared values, collaboration, and continuous growth in shaping the next chapter for LKCMedicine.

A Night of Appreciation and Entertainment

An aerial dance performance opened the night with dramatic flair, drawing gasps from the audience as the performer gracefully moved above the stage. The performer combined strength and poise, creating a visual spectacle that mesmerised the crowd and set an exciting tone for the evening.

Following this, the Meraki String Quartet filled the ballroom with timeless classics and contemporary pieces, from Pachelbel’s “Canon in D” to a string rendition of Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida.” Their elegant harmonies provided a refined ambiance for the four-course dinner service.

The evening’s performances culminated in a crowd-favourite moment—the appearance of MedLee, LKCMedicine’s student a cappella group who sang a catchy set, with infectious charisma and tight harmonies. Their energy lit up the room, drawing enthusiastic cheers and audience singalongs. MedLee’s performance captured the heart of the School’s spirit—youthful, passionate, and united. Their energetic setlist had guests smiling, swaying, and singing along.

Appreciation tokens were presented to key partners and contributors to the success of 2024, crafted by students from LKCMedicine’s Medical Humanities module and enhanced with Chinese calligraphy by Prof Joseph Sung.