News from Imperial: Dean of Imperial College London’s Faculty of Medicine, Professor Deborah Ashby, visits LKCMedicine

Professor Deborah Ashby, newly appointed Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Imperial College London, was delighted to spend two days in Singapore in early January being introduced to colleagues at LKCMedicine and NTU and discussing ways to enhance our partnership going forward. 

Alongside Imperial’s President Professor Hugh Brady, Prof Ashby also took part in the launch of ‘Imperial Global’ at the High Commissioner’s Residence. The CREATE programme is an international research campus and innovation hub with its inaugural world-leading IN_CYPHER programme undertaken in collaboration with Nanyang Technological University (NTU), so building on the two universities’ long-standing collaboration.

Prof Ashby started her busy schedule at LKCMedicine with a discussion with Professor John Chambers, leading on the Health for Life in Singapore (HELIOS) project.  As a fellow public health specialist she was interested to learn details of the population study, the research relationships involved and its outstanding contribution to understanding health and disease in Singapore.

An informative meeting held with senior LKCMedicine Faculty members, led by Dean Joseph Sung and A/Professor Sanjay Chotirmall (Vice Dean Research), included an overview of the medical school’s research landscape, how this is organised, its flagship programmes, the key strategic initiatives and the work undertaken with clinical partners.   

Dr Serene Ng, Mr Gary Lee and Dr Tanya Tierney were kind enough to offer a tour of the Clinical Sciences Building, the principal learning and recreation spaces, research labs and medical library.  Prof Ashby very much appreciated the 360-degree view of Singapore from the top of the building!

A discussion regarding medical school branding and communication opportunities with Dr Serene Ng and Ms Rohanah Koid was followed by a meeting with the Assistant Deans of the MBBS programme who spoke about the curriculum, student experience and the contribution of Imperial over the years. 

Prof Ashby ended her time in Singapore at a meeting with the Chair of Governing Board, Mr Lim Chuan Poh and distinguished guests. 

Dean Ashby said that she had thoroughly enjoyed her first experiences of Singapore and conveyed her warm thanks and gratitude to all those who generously participated in offering her such a rich and comprehensive two days. Special thanks must go to Ms Jacqueline Hor for tirelessly organising and refining the visit schedule.