News: Chan Lai Fung takes the helm as LKCMedicine’s new Chair

By Sanjay Devaraja, Editor, LKCMedicine's Redefine Newsletter

As LKCMedicine steps into the new year, we have many reasons to celebrate, for the exceptional year of 2024, and the numerous triumphs and milestones achieved.

And there is much to look forward to.

One key development is a leadership change right at the very top.

On 1 January 2025, the medical school welcomed a new Chair of our Governing Board. Ms Chan Lai Fung, a distinguished civil servant with a strong track record in education and research, was appointed to take the helm of LKCMedicine. She also joins NTU as member of the Board of Trustees.

A Distinguished Career in Public Service

With an illustrious 36-year career in Singapore’s Public Service, Ms Chan brings a wealth of expertise and leadership experience, having held key positions across multiple ministries and agencies from 1987 to 2023. Her tenure includes 18 years as Permanent Secretary, overseeing critical portfolios such as Law, Finance, Education, Research, and Science and Innovation.

Throughout her career, Ms Chan has championed transformative projects with lasting impacts on various communities and industries. In her inaugural Permanent Secretary role at the Ministry of Law in 2005, she spearheaded the establishment of Singapore’s second law school and the nation’s first dedicated international arbitration centre, enhancing Singapore’s legal landscape and international standing.

As Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education from 2012, Ms Chan led landmark reforms, including the transition from the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) T-score system to the Achievement Levels scoring system. She also played a key role in the founding of MOE Kindergartens, the National Institute of Early Childhood Development, and the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) as an Autonomous University, driving significant advancements in early childhood and tertiary education.

From 2019 to 2023, Ms Chan held concurrent appointments as Permanent Secretary of National Research and Development and the Science and Technology Policy and Plans Office in the Prime Minister’s Office, while also serving as Chairman of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). During this period, she was instrumental in shaping the Research, Innovation, and Enterprise (RIE) 2025 Plan and strengthening the public sector’s science and technology capabilities through cross-agency collaboration. Ms Chan retired from the Singapore Public Service in October 2023.

She is currently Chair (Designate) of PUB, Singapore's National Water Agency, Deputy Chair of NTUC Health, and an independent Director at SATS Ltd. Additionally, she serves as an Adjunct Professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, where she continues to contribute to sharing policy insights and nurturing future leaders​.

Taking the Helm as Chair of LKCMedicine

Ms Chan succeeds Mr Lim Chuan Poh, who chaired LKCMedicine since its inception in 2010. Under Mr Lim’s leadership, LKCMedicine was established as a joint medical school by Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and Imperial College London, contributing significantly to the advancement of medical education and research in Singapore. Taking over as the new Chair, Ms Chan acknowledged Mr Lim’s contributions.

“It is exciting to be part of a young medical school that has achieved so much in such a short period of time. LKCMedicine has had many firsts in its push for cutting-edge medical education and research, and this is in no small measure due to Chuan Poh’s outstanding leadership. Under his visionary leadership, LKCMedicine has grown into a world-class institution, making significant strides in medical education, research, and community engagement. His foresight in championing innovation, collaboration, and excellence has set a strong foundation to build upon, and his legacy will remain a guiding light as we embark on this next phase of our journey. I thank Chuan Poh for contributions,” said Ms Chan.

Acknowledging the previous Chairman’s contributions and welcoming the new Chair, LKCMedicine Dean Distinguished University Professor Joseph Sung said, “In seeing through the start-up stage, the consolidation phase, and now the transition of the School from a joint medical school to a solely NTU medical school, Chuan Poh has played a leading role in developing LKCMedicine into a world-class institution, while growing the pipeline of academic and scientific talent at LKCMedicine. I welcome Lai Fung as the School’s new Chairman, and I am confident that with her depth of expertise and of experience, she will take the School to an exciting new chapter.”

Welcoming Ms Chan to the NTU community, NTU President Professor Ho Teck Hua said, “Lai Fung’s contributions over decades of public service, along with her passion for education, research and innovation, place NTU in good stead for the future ahead. We look forward to her leadership and guidance in strengthening both NTU and LKCMedicine as a leading global university and a transformative medical school, respectively.”

Leading the Next Chapter of LKCMedicine

LKCMedicine’s vision – “redefining medicine, transforming healthcare” – is well-suited to what Ms Chan is known for in her long illustrious career. Her significant contributions to Singapore's public service and extensive experience in fostering innovation and building robust systems is complemented by her dedication to interdisciplinary collaboration, which aligns closely with LKCMedicine’s focus on integrating medicine, technology, and education to address healthcare challenges​.

As she takes on the responsibility of Chair of LKCMedicine, Ms Chan shares her aspirations for the School.

“Looking ahead, my priorities are threefold. First, I am committed to supporting the School in providing a top-notch medical education for all our students and developing them to become great doctors for Singapore. We must ensure an inclusive and supportive environment that nurtures the talents and aspirations of our students. Our students are the heart of LKCMedicine, and their success is our success.

“Second, I aim to strengthen our partnerships and collaborations – both locally and globally in education and research. LKCMedicine has been a shining example of how partnerships, such as the one between NTU and Imperial, can drive transformative change. We will continue to deepen these relationships while exploring new avenues for growth and impact.

“Finally, I will work with everyone at the School to ensure that LKCMedicine remains a leader in innovative, patient-centered medical education and impactful research. As healthcare challenges grow more complex, we must stay at the forefront, finding creative solutions and training healthcare professionals who are not only skilled but also compassionate and adaptable,” said Ms Chan.

Expressing confidence in driving the School forward, Ms Chan said, “As we look to the future, while nurturing compassionate, skilled healthcare professionals, we must empower path-breakers in medical research who can address the evolving challenges of healthcare in Singapore and beyond. Together with our talented faculty, dedicated staff, and passionate students, I am confident we will further the legacy of innovation and excellence that LKCMedicine is known for.”

On attracting the bright and right students to LKCMedicine, Ms Chan said, “At LKCMedicine, our primary goal is to deliver a first-rate medical education and bring out the best in all our students.  When we succeed in doing this, students will naturally be attracted to join the School, including some of the best and brightest students.  What we look for and will further develop in our students is not just academic mastery, but also strong passion, resilience, and empathy needed to meet the evolving challenges of medicine.  We are committed to providing opportunities and creating an environment where students are drawn to joining us, not only because of our innovative curriculum and cutting-edge facilities, but also because they view the NTU MBBS degree as a programme worth pursuing and LKCMedicine as a place where their aspirations to make a difference in healthcare can flourish.

The Journey Ahead

With Ms Chan’s appointment, an exciting journey lies ahead for LKCMedicine. In this new chapter, the School looks forward to deeper and stronger partnerships with global institutions, enhanced interdisciplinary approaches to healthcare education, and renewed commitment to be at the forefront of medical advancements, while nurturing the next generation of healthcare leaders dedicated to making a profound impact on society.