#whyLKCMedicine2025 – Inspiration better felt in person
The LKCMedicine Novena Campus was unusually hiving for a Saturday. It was no typical slumbrous weekend, as around 200 prospective students, having been awarded a place from a highly competitive pool of candidates to study at LKCMedicine, attended #whyLKCMedicine2025 for a final preview of the School before deciding if this is where they would start their medical learning journey.
Together with their family members, the prospectives toured our learning studio and teaching lab facilities, which included previews of LKCMedicine’s signature Team-Based Learning pedagogy, tech-infused anatomy study through VR goggles, plastinated cadavers, and 3D interactive screens, as well as skill-building for clinical communications and procedures.
Through presentations, discussion panels and a luncheon, they also got to engage with faculty, staff and students on various aspects of the curriculum and campus life. Rounding off the immersive experience was a career talk, where alumni advised and answered questions on their career journey as doctors.
The event captured various notable thoughts and insights on why LKCMedicine is the medical school of choice for aspiring doctors:
“Medicine is both a science and an art. You need not just the knowledge and skill, but the heart. If you take care of your patients that way, they will be forever thankful.”
Addressing the offerees, LKCMedicine Dean Professor Joseph Sung emphasised the importance of students having the right head and heart for medicine before they even start medical school.
“We train our students not to pass exams, but to perform as doctors … so that they develop the skills, acumen and critical thinking to perform authentic tasks as clinicians in the future.”
LKCMedicine Vice-Dean (Education) Associate Professor Faith Chia briefed the offerees on the essence of LKCMedicine’s curriculum and the purpose of its pedagogy.
“I really appreciate how LKCMedicine has prepared me for my workplace. For me, the School trains you like a doctor, not like a student. A lot of the learning is self-directed, you come prepared to share ideas and discuss on the best solution. That is really how a doctor learns on the job.”
LKCMedicine Alumni Association President Dr Ian Koh relating how medical school training mirrors real-life workplace environment.
“I have to compete with my fellow colleagues from the other healthcare clusters for a share of LKCMedicine graduates … as an employer, what I like about them is the result of team-based learning. It is not just about gaining knowledge, but how we learn how to learn. And that is important as the learning does not stop at medical school.”
National Healthcare Group Chief Executive Officer Professor Joe Sim shared with the prospective students on the calibre of LKCMedicine graduates in Singapore’s healthcare sector.
“My House Tutor showed me many grants and even advised on insurance to help me with the surgery for my ACL injury … during my examinations, the School made arrangements for my wheelchair access (pushing me from venue to venue). We really do have a strong support system here.”
LKCMedicine Students’ Medical Society President Keng Xin Yi related on various aspects of student life, including a personal account which exemplified the supportive culture within the School’s community.
“It’s always a good feeling to come back and give back to the School. It’s important that I can help to answer the questions for the students and their parents, for they were the same questions I had when I was in their shoes back then.”
House Officer at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital and Class of 2025 student Muhammad Shamir Jaffar Hussein on his belief in giving back to the School after graduation.
Having experienced #whyLKCMedicine, the prospective students walked away with refreshed and positive perspectives:
“I really enjoy lectures, so I was really worried about Team-Based Learning and if I could cope. But through today’s demo session, I found out it’s a really good way of learning; it really ensures you are actively participating. I like it a lot!
Mihika Basu, 18, Eunoia Junior College graduate
“This was an eye-opening experience for me. I was particularly impressed that LKCMedicine has so many partnerships with universities around the world, and that students get to go for the overseas elective. It is an advantage that a student in Singapore can get an education with such international exposure.
Saptarshi Basu, father of Mihika Basu
“I really like that Team-Based Learning is built on collaboration and working with people as I think that is really important for practising medicine. I feel very privileged to be selected for the LKCMedicine Scholarship. It will provide me with a lot of opportunities, and I’d like to use it to contribute back to the School.”
Sara Ho, 19, Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) graduate
“I read up about NTU before coming today, and after getting the responses to the questions I wanted to ask, it further reinforces my understanding – just like Team-Based Learning … it really makes a huge difference as compared to traditional learning. I’m really glad that we got here, and my daughter has an opportunity to go through what I would have loved to go through in my life.”
Henry Ho, father of Sara Ho
“I’m very confident of the quality of the education, the many learning opportunities I’ll get throughout the entire course, and how much it prepares me for the future – particularly how the students are prepared for clinical communications. The School’s really strong statistics on residency placement are really assuring for students. I’m very happy that I’ve chosen the right place.”
Darshan Suresh, 18, National Serviceman
“What stood out for me was the Clinical Communications Skills demo, specifically the School’s progressive lesson plan to train students in handling patients. Team-Based Learning is very interactive and unique as compared to traditional teaching ways. It keeps the students engaged and encourages more critical thinking. So yes, I have accepted the offer.”
Xavier Goh, 20, Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) graduate