In Focus: 15 Years & Counting!

By Sanjay Devaraja

Who would have imagined that a young medical school in Singapore, only 15 years into its journey, would rise to stand among the world’s top 100 medical schools?

The Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMedicine) of Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore), did just that. But what did it take to reach here?

Fifteen years ago, the landscape of medical education and healthcare in Singapore shifted with the establishment of LKCMedicine, a joint initiative by NTU and Imperial College London (Imperial).

Façade of the Clinical Sciences Building at the Novena Campus bearing the original logo of LKCMedicine.

Today, alongside its joint NTU-Imperial MBBS programme, the School has started offering NTU’s own MBBS curriculum ahead of the successful completion of the NTU-Imperial Collaboration Agreement in 2028. It is a dynamic, patient-centred curriculum that has been enhanced with emphasis on artificial intelligence (AI), digital health, medical humanities and professional growth, set to produce competent doctors equipped to meet evolving healthcare needs. The School also stands as a hub for transformative research, and impactful community engagement, attracting diverse talents and fostering collaborations across disciplines.

LKCMedicine’s refreshed logo was unveiled in August 2024, reflecting its evolution into a full NTU medical school.

To better appreciate this evolution, we present a detailed chronology of LKCMedicine’s key milestones and achievements in these 15 years, tracing how it has grown from a visionary partnership into a world-class institution today, redefining medicine and transforming healthcare in Singapore and beyond.

2001 to 2013

LKCMedicine’s evolution from 2001 to 2018 reflecting the visionary planning and collaboration between NTU and Imperial.

The genesis of LKCMedicine began much earlier. In 2001, Singapore’s Ministry of Education (MOE) commissioned an international panel review of medical education to envision future medical training needs. The vision for LKCMedicine began to take shape through a strategic partnership between NTU and Imperial, announced by then-Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in 2010 during his National Day Rally speech.

LKCMedicine was officially established in late 2010, with the official collaboration agreement between NTU and Imperial signed the same year. The School was tasked to provide an alternative medical education pathway to Singapore’s brightest students, with an innovative, interdisciplinary curriculum combining NTU’s strengths in engineering, biomedical science, and humanities with Imperial’s renowned medical education expertise.

Signing Ceremony on 29 October 2010 marking the partnership between NTU and Imperial to establish Singapore’s newest medical school

The National Healthcare Group (NHG Health) was slated as its primary clinical partner, with Tan Tock Seng Hospital serving as the main clinical teaching venue. During that first few months, the new School was extremely privileged to be the beneficiary of great generosity when the Lee Foundation donated S$150 million to the setup – a record amount for education in Singapore’s philanthropic history. In recognition of this landmark gift, the School was named after its benefactor Lee Kong Chian. 

 LKCMedicine’s inaugural cohort at the School’s White Coat Ceremony on 15 August 2013, graced by then Minister for Health Mr Gan Kim Yong.

Thereafter, in less than three years, LKCMedicine admitted its inaugural cohort of 54 undergraduate medical students. August 2013 marked the start of LKCMedicine’s five-year MBBS programme designed to produce doctors with a solid scientific foundation and patient-centred care approach.

Reminiscing the early years of LKCMedicine, Vice-Dean for Clinical Affairs Professor Kwek Tong Kiat, who’s been with the School since then, shared, “In those early days, there was a great feeling of excitement and pride among clinicians in Tan Tock Seng Hospital, anticipating the arrival of the new medical school in the Novena campus, and many stepped forward to volunteer their time and expertise in putting together the curriculum and new learning materials. The spirit of collaboration and dedication was palpable, as everyone shared a common vision to nurture doctors who are not only grounded in scientific rigour but also deeply committed to patient-focused care. This groundwork laid the foundation for LKCMedicine’s distinctive approach to medical education – a blend of innovation, compassion, and teamwork that continues to define us today.”

2014 to 2018

Upon the arrival of its inaugural cohort, LKCMedicine entered a period of rapid development, solidifying its reputation and establishing foundations for growth. Imperial’s Faculty of Medicine Dean held a concurrent position as Dean of LKCMedicine. However, in 2014, Professor James Best was appointed as the first resident Dean, bringing full-time local leadership to the School and renewed focus on a Singapore-based faculty. During these years, the curriculum was further enhanced, anchored by its chosen main pedagogical tool, Team-Based Learning (TBL), augmented by a patient-centred approach, early clinical exposure, and digital technology integration.

Professor James Best advanced the School’s mission of training compassionate doctors and building a vibrant research community in Singapore.

“The partnership between NTU Singapore and Imperial has been highly effective, firstly in delivering with a very short lead-time an innovative MBBS curriculum and then developing a vibrant research programme. Our primary clinical partner NHG Health was critical in ensuring the new medical course was relevant to the Singapore context and in delivering the teaching. In my seven years at LKCMedicine, we graduated our first three cohorts of doctors. We could not have done this without the commitment and teamwork of the many people who make up the LKCMedicine community, including our outstanding students and alumni. The strong support of NTU senior management and guidance from our Governing Board, the Ministry of Health (MOH) and MOE were critical to our progress. Success like this has many parents,” shared Prof Best.

The iconic Clinical Sciences Building at Novena stands as a symbol of LKCMedicine’s commitment to bridging cutting-edge medical education and clinical training in the heart of one of Singapore’s healthcare districts.

Another major highlight during this period was the official opening of the School with the unveiling of its Novena campus in 2017, officiated by then-Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean. 

Associate Professor Yusuf Ali showing then-Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean around the labs following the official opening ceremony, highlighting key research areas and state-of-the-art facilities at LKCMedicine.

The same year saw the School’s distinctive TBL and innovations in education gain greater recognition, with LKCMedicine welcoming larger cohorts and preparing to scale up to train at least 150 students yearly by 2018 to address national healthcare needs.

Associate Professor Yusuf Ali showing then-Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean around the labs following the official opening ceremony, highlighting key research areas and state-of-the-art facilities at LKCMedicine.

The same year saw the School’s distinctive TBL and innovations in education gain greater recognition, with LKCMedicine welcoming larger cohorts and preparing to scale up to train at least 150 students yearly by 2018 to address national healthcare needs.

The graduation of the inaugural cohort of LKCMedicine marked a historic milestone as the first doctors to receive joint degrees by NTU and Imperial.

Fast forward to 2018. LKCMedicine celebrated the graduation of its inaugural cohort, conferring degrees jointly awarded by NTU and Imperial – a milestone symbolising the success and maturity of its MBBS programme. Among the pioneer graduates was Dr Melissa Chia Yu Ting, now Chief Resident in Anaesthesiology at NHG Health.

Dr Melissa Chia Yu Ting (seated front row, seventh from left) with her pioneer batchmates outside the Toh Kian Chui Annex at the Headquarters Building of Novena Campus

“Being part of the pioneer batch was both a challenge and a privilege. With no established path to follow, we had the unique opportunity — and responsibility — to help shape the School’s culture and learning environment. We were encouraged to reflect deeply on what truly mattered; not just academically, but also in the kind of doctors we wanted to become. Along the way, we built a culture of giving back and supporting those who came after us. That mindset has stayed with me, and today, I find great meaning in teaching juniors and medical students, organising mock exams and tutorials to help them feel more prepared and supported — just as others once did for me,” shared Dr Chia.

Dr Leon Tan (last row, fourth from left) at NTU Games Day 2013

Thereafter, the School’s alumni community began to grow. As the founding President of the LKCMedicine Alumni Association, Dr Leon Tan Yuan Rui’s main goal was to set up a good foundation for future batches to build upon. Recalling his role, Dr Tan, who is currently a Senior Resident in Paediatric Medicine at KK Women’s & Children’s Hospital said, “On my first year as LKCMedicine Alumni Association President, I created an Alumni-Y5 tutorial system, where I asked my classmates for volunteers to serve as “core tutors”. For the rest who did not volunteer to be a core tutor, I assigned them randomly into different groups, so that each clinical group would have at least one core tutor and other tutors, in case their core tutor was busy. In this way, my entire cohort could contribute back to LKCMedicine as a tutor for the Year 5 students.”

LKCMedicine’s faculty also expanded in both size and strength, reflecting the School’s commitment to nurturing academic excellence and interdisciplinary collaboration. Alongside this growth, its research output increased, fuelled by thriving partnerships, new research programmes, and a strong focus on innovation across domains such as precision medicine, data science, and regenerative health.

Associate Professor Yasunori Saheki (seated; middle) plays a pivotal role in supporting the School’s faculty growth, career development, and wellbeing.

Vice-Dean for Faculty Affairs at LKCMedicine, Associate Professor Yasunori Saheki remarked, “Over the past 15 years, LKCMedicine has experienced substantial growth in its faculty, strengthening the School’s academic and research capabilities. We have welcomed – and continue to attract – a diverse cohort of accomplished researchers and educators, fostering a vibrant scholarly environment and driving sustained academic excellence. This strategic expansion, anchored in our belief that faculty excellence is key to future-ready medical education, has pioneered transformative research, spurred innovation, and generated knowledge that improves patient care and advances healthcare solutions both locally and globally.”

2019 to 2022

Since 2019, the School has expanded its educational programmes that incorporate early clinical exposure and digital medicine readiness. 

Despite the scourge of the COVID-19 pandemic, LKCMedicine had room to celebrate as it marked its 10^th anniversary with a significant achievement – it entered the QS World University Rankings for Medicine in 2020, ranking 89^th globally and 12^th in Asia in 2021, making it the youngest medical school to be recognised in the top 100. 

Under Dean Professor Joseph Sung’s leadership, LKCMedicine has strengthened partnerships beyond NTU and Imperial, increasing our footprints across Asia, Europe, North America and Australia.

Meanwhile, Professor Joseph Sung, formerly from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, was appointed second Resident Dean of LKCMedicine, as well as Distinguished Professor and Senior Vice President (Health and Life Sciences) at NTU Singapore in April 2021. Under his leadership, LKCMedicine continues to expand its academic and research frontiers, and its distinguished faculty started up various research centres including the Academic Respiratory Initiative for Pulmonary Health (TARIPH), Brain Bank Singapore, Dementia Research Centre (Singapore), Centre of AI in Medicine (C-AIM), Office of Patient Engagement (OPEN), Academy of Clinician Scientists and Innovators (ACSI) and the SG100K programme by Health for Life in Singapore Study (HELIOS). The establishment of advanced research centres, strategic partnerships with hospitals, and a growing list of prestigious research grants – including large collaborative awards and NMRC grants – highlight LKCMedicine’s reputation for excellence and impact.

“Fifteen years ago, LKCMedicine set out with a bold vision to transform medical education and healthcare in Singapore. Today, I am proud to see how the School has flourished into a vibrant hub of academic excellence and groundbreaking research. The various initiatives and our patient-focused centres have strengthened the School’s role as a leader in both medical education and innovative research. This milestone is a testament to the dedication of our faculty, staff, students, and partners in advancing health and wellbeing for our community and beyond. Our focus remains on cultivating compassionate, innovative clinicians and researchers who are not only skilled in medical science but also deeply committed to improving lives through multidisciplinary collaboration and community engagement,” said Prof Sung.

With COVID-19 restrictions gradually easing, 2022 saw LKCMedicine resume large-scale in-person events, and reconnect alumni and students through campus activities. In March 2022, the James Best Distinguished Lecture Series was introduced. Supported by the LKCMedicine 10^th Anniversary Distinguished Visitor programme funded by an anonymous donor, the series has become an annual event of the School.

Professor James Best with Professor Lim Kah Leong at the inaugural James Best Distinguished Lecture in March 2022

“The James Best Distinguished Lecture was established to bring leading international experts to LKCMedicine, inspiring our community with cutting-edge knowledge and new perspectives in medical science. Since LKCMedicine's founding 15 years ago, we have taken significant efforts in fostering collaborations, exchange, and cross-cultural learning that enrich our curriculum and research. These efforts have helped the School cultivate a truly global outlook, preparing our students and faculty to address healthcare challenges in Singapore and across the world,” said Associate Professor Yusuf Ali, Vice-Dean for International Relations at LKCMedicine.

LKCMedicine students are given overseas exposure through a mandatory six-week elective in their final year, allowing them to gain hands-on experience in diverse healthcare systems worldwide.

In June 2022, the Office of Innovation and Enterprise (OIE) was established at LKCMedicine to cultivate a vibrant culture of innovation and translational research. Initially helmed by Professor Lim Kah Leong and later guided by Assistant Dean Associate Professor Kevin Pethe from April 2023 to March 2025, the OIE has expanded its role significantly, positioning the School as a driver of biomedical innovation and enterprise. From April 2025, Associate Professor Andrew Tan Nguan Soon has taken on the mantle as Vice-Dean of Innovation and Enterprise, leading efforts to further strengthen the School’s innovation ecosystem.

Associate Professor Andrew Tan (extreme right) served as Vice-Dean (Faculty Affairs) from 2020 to 2024, before assuming the role of Vice-Dean (Innovation and Enterprise) from April 2025 at LKCMedicine.

Reflecting on OIE’s growth and future direction, Assoc Prof Tan said, “At LKCMedicine, we are building an environment where innovation thrives – one that nurtures curiosity, collaboration, and the courage to create. The Office of Innovation and Enterprise at LKCMedicine continues to expand its reach and impact, enabling our faculty and students to translate novel ideas into meaningful solutions that can transform lives.”

The Biosafety Level 3 laboratory (BSL-3), and the SG100K study led by HELIOS were all launched later that year (2022), proving LKCMedicine’s capability in pushing the boundaries for quality research.

2023 to 2025

The inaugural Art & Science of Medicine Festival (ASMF) at Toa Payoh Hub was held on 18 March 2023.

Recent years have been especially prolific for LKCMedicine. From 2023 onwards, several events — including those that have grown into the School’s signature highlights and earned awards for their impact — marked the calendar. The inaugural Art & Science of Medicine Festival was held at Toa Payoh Hub Atrium, bringing the medical school to the heartlands for the first time, and drawing over 5,000 visitors to learn about healthy ageing through interactive booths, health screenings, talks, workshops, and an art exhibition of works done by our students for their Medical Humanities course.

LKCMedicine’s virtual admissions clinics help applicants better understand eligibility criteria, UCAT, and the multiple mini-interviews (MMI).

In April 2023, LKCMedicine announced a key update to its admissions process – the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) would replace the BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT) as a core requirement for entry to its MBBS programme starting from the AY2024/25 intake. The rationale was to make the admissions process more accessible and streamlined.

LKCMedicine’s ‘Homecoming to a New Chapter’ celebration in August 2024 marked multiple milestones including the School’s transition to an NTU medical school

Then came 2024: a historic and transformative year! LKCMedicine launched a new chapter,  and a new identity, to mark its the transition from a joint NTU-Imperial medical school to a solely-NTU school ahead of the 2028 conclusion of the agreement between the two parents to develop and run a medical school for 18 years.  Following a comprehensive rebranding effort, a whole-of-school event "Homecoming to A New Chapter," was held in August 2024, unveiling the School’s revised identity, strategic direction, and broader ambitions in medical education and research.

As an NTU medical school, its students will graduate with an NTU-conferred MBBS degree come 2029. Concomitantly, the School took the opportunity to enhance the MBBS programme, with a) the introduction of a new "Professional Growth" component spanning all five years to build professional identity, mental resilience, and skills to handle challenges such as burnout and grief; b) increased content on AI and digital health technologies to align with evolving healthcare trends; c) expansion of the Medical Humanities course, originally taught in the early years only, now woven throughout the entire five-year programme to nurture compassionate, adaptable doctors; and d). introduction of clinical transition workshops and tech-enabled teaching tools to enable students’ progression into clinical settings and workforce readiness.

The strategic repositioning needed to be clearly articulated and communicated to prospective students, staff, faculty, alumni and partners. In August 2024, the School welcomed its first class of the NTU MBBS programme.

Held at the historic 100-year-old headquarters building, the ‘Homecoming to a New Chapter’ event brought together over 300 guests comprising alumni, students, faculty, and partners.

At the same time, the School celebrated the 100^th anniversary of its Headquarters building at the Novena campus. 

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish Singapore’s first Academic Health System, by NTU-LKCMedicine at NHG Health was signed in October 2024 at the Opening Ceremony of the Singapore Health & Biomedical Congress (SHBC) 2024, with Guest-of-Honour Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung (fifth from left) as witness

On the research front, Singapore’s first Academic Health System by partners NTU-LKCMedicine and NHG Health was established. That same period, LKCMedicine faculty and researchers secured major grants, including a prestigious Large Collaborative Grant; and actively engaged patients in research through the newly established OPEN Voices.

In August 2025, yet another another milestone was celebrated. The School held a White Coat Ceremony for the Class of 2030, made up of 190 students – the largest cohort in its young history. 

From admitting 54 students in 2013 to 190 students in 2025, LKCMedicine has evolved from a pioneering new medical school into a leading institution with a large and diverse student body.

A celebration in November 2025 is in the pipeline to commemorate the School’s 15^th anniversary with special performances that celebrate the unique spirit and milestones of LKCMedicine, alongside opportunities to reconnect and look ahead to the next chapter in LKCMedicine’s journey.

Beyond 2025

Through pioneering education and research models, LKCMedicine has advanced medicine and healthcare in Singapore and beyond in its first 15 years, shaping generations of doctors who combine capability with compassion. With the multitude of accolades, achievements and awards, what lies ahead? The School has plans to expand its campus facilities to enhance student learning and wellbeing, as well as further fuel research ambitions. Stay tuned for an update on this!

As LKCMedicine marks this milestone year, its sights remain firmly set on the future. With a strengthened foundation of excellence and an expanding physical and academic footprint, the School is poised to enter its next chapter with renewed vision and purpose. The future holds even greater promise as the School continues to grow its impact in medical education, research, and corporate excellence. We wish the LKCMedicine community happy 15^th Anniversary, and take this opportunity to thank all our partners, with deepest humility and gratitude.