New partnership to strengthen Singapore’s AI-in-healthcare talent pipeline

By Sanjay Devaraja

LKCMedicine and SGInnovate have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen Singapore’s talent pipeline in artificial intelligence (AI), deep technology and healthcare. The MOU signing ceremony was held at the Experimental Medicine Building Learning Studio at NTU Main Campus on 25 August 2026.

The partnership will create new opportunities for students to gain industry exposure and apply their knowledge through industry projects, internships, traineeships and engagements with Singapore’s innovation ecosystem.

The MOU signing comes as LKCMedicine welcomes the inaugural cohort of its Master of Science in AI in Medicine programme. Through the partnership, students will be connected with industry partners, entrepreneurs, researchers and emerging technologies, enabling them to gain a deeper understanding of how AI and deep-tech innovations can be translated into real-world healthcare applications.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Prof Andrew Tan, LKCMedicine’s Vice-Dean of Innovation and Enterprise said: “We want our students to be more than users of technology. We want them to become thoughtful and capable professionals who can ask the right questions, understand the strengths and limitations of AI, collaborate across disciplines, and contribute to the responsible development and adoption of technology in healthcare.”

Prof Tan also highlighted the importance of complementing classroom learning with practical experience.

“Knowledge without practice is of little use. Education provides our students with the knowledge and foundation they need. But it is through applying that knowledge in real-world settings that they learn to solve problems, test ideas, work with others and understand how innovation can translate into meaningful outcomes.”

SGInnovate’s Executive Director (People) Ms Juliana Lim said: “As biomedical expanse and evolves, so does the demand for cross-domain talents and networks. Today, biomedical and health-related companies account for one in five companies on the platform. The numbers have grown by 66% over the past five years, and full-time biomedical tech job opportunities have grown by nearly 50%. That’s a good number, which is why this MOU is an important one where both LKCMedicine and SGInnovate will bring our strengths together for the benefit of our ecosystems.”



The strengthened partnership builds on existing engagement between LKCMedicine and SGInnovate. Students from the inaugural Master of Science in AI in Medicine cohort have had opportunities to learn about pathways into AI and scientific research, while discussions are under way on internships and other opportunities within SGInnovate’s deep-tech ecosystem.

Representatives from Gray Matter Solutions, ChemT Bio, HealthGen and Oncoshot shared insights into entrepreneurship, innovation and emerging career pathways across the AI and healthcare sectors.

The sessions also gave 50 LKCMedicine students in attendance the opportunity to engage with industry representatives and learn more about the development and application of technologies that could shape the future of healthcare.

Through the partnership, LKCMedicine and SGInnovate aim to deepen the connections between education, research, industry and entrepreneurship, while preparing the next generation of talent to contribute to an increasingly AI-enabled healthcare landscape.

As Prof Tan noted, the partnership’s success will ultimately be measured by “the ideas that emerge, the innovations that are translated into practice, and the impact our graduates go on to make on patients, healthcare and society.”