Congratulations Class of 2021!

LKCMedicine’s Class of 2021 celebrated their graduation at today’s Convocation. Held in the Nanyang Auditorium on 18 September, the ceremony is a meaningful rite of passage for these young doctors who have put in tremendous dedication and effort into preparing for their medical careers.

Due to uncertainty caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the ceremony had been rescheduled from July to September, but it did not dampen the excitement felt by the graduates on this significant occasion. Many of them were in high spirits as they arrived with their families for the eagerly anticipated event.

After the arrival of the academic procession, followed by the national anthem, Presiding Officer Mr Lim Chuan Poh, Chairman of LKCMedicine’s Governing Board, declared the ceremony open. NTU President Professor Subra Suresh then addressed the audience in a pre-recorded message.

Prof Suresh noted that the in-person ceremony reflected the resilient OneNTU spirit. “I am sure that the resilience that has characterised your journey through NTU until now will continue to serve you well in the future,” he added.

Concluding his speech with well wishes for the graduates, he said, “I offer you my congratulations and best wishes for the journey ahead. I look forward to watching with great interest all that you will accomplish. I also hope to see you on future occasions as you continue to engage with, and contribute to, NTU as our proud alumni.” 

The presentation of graduates kicked off with LKCMedicine graduate Dr Tiew Pei Yee receiving her PhD degree from Mr Lim. Presented by LKCMedicine Vice-Dean (Clinical Affairs) Professor Pang Weng Sun, Dr Tiew is among four PhD students who were conferred doctorates from the School this year.

At the start of the MBBS degree presentation, five outstanding graduates received their awards:

• Dr Sia Chin Leong (Winner of the Lee Kuan Yew Gold Medal, and the Koh Boon Hwee Scholars Award)
• Dr Ding Jianbin (Winner of the Koh Boon Hwee Scholars Award, and the Chee Yam Cheng Gold Medal in Professionalism, Ethics, Law, Leadership and Patient Safety)
• Dr Clara Kong (Winner of the Chew Chin Hin Gold Medal for Outstanding Achievement in Clinical Medicine, and the Toh Kian Chui Gold Medal)
• Dr Andrew Yap (Winner of the Anthony SC Teo - Gordon Johnson Gold Medal)
• Dr Koh Yu Qian (Winner of the Low Cheng Hock Gold Medal for Outstanding Achievement in Surgery)

The Class of 2021, which is LKCMedicine’s fourth cohort of MBBS graduates, was presented by Prof Pang. With their families cheering them on, it was a moment filled with joy and pride as the graduates went onstage to receive their joint NTU-Imperial College London degree.

Valedictorian Dr Sia then took to the stage to deliver a heartfelt speech to his fellow graduates.

Reflecting on their experience as one of the School’s pioneer batches, he said, “I believe I can speak for all of us in saying that medical school was marked by a sense of excitement, of togetherness, and of creating a fresh new culture that prizes creativity and collaboration. It is fitting then, that we are also graduating in an extraordinary time, with new challenges that our time in LKCMedicine has equipped us well for.”

He also spoke about the importance of wisdom and compassion in practising medicine and encouraged his course mates to listen well to their patients. “As we all strive to achieve clinical acumen, let us try our best not to tire of having a heart that hears. Somewhere between our sheltered, simulated practices in school and the shop floor as a House Officer – at the junction between the ideal and the practical – may we all discover the sweet spot in listening well,” he added.

Dr Sia ended his speech by thanking the LKCMedicine faculty who “demonstrated the art and science of Medicine” and the staff who helped them in various ways. On behalf of the cohort, he thanked their families for being with them throughout their medical school journey and for their “love that has made everything possible”.

From all of us at LKCMedicine, our heartiest congratulations to the Class of 2021!