​Welcome message from LKCMedicine's new Dean

How time flies. It has been almost two months since I set foot in Singapore to begin a new chapter in my life.

On 1 March 2021, I joined LKCMedicine as Dean-Designate. And at the start of April, I take on the full role of Dean. I also began my role as NTU Singapore's Senior Vice President (Health and Life Sciences) this month.

I am really excited about this opportunity as I am working with a young and vibrant university, which is not only a top institution in Asia but also on the global stage.

Throughout my career, I have always been passionate about medicine, healthcare, and education. I had the privilege of working with colleagues near and far in other disciplines such as engineering, environmental science, and education to further develop and strengthen healthcare needs. I hope to continue this work at NTU Singapore.

My appointments to join the university happened during the COVID-19 pandemic, which makes this transition both challenging and exciting. The world is still grappling with the coronavirus and no one knows how long the pandemic would last.

While the fight against the virus will not last forever, healthcare professionals continue to face a multitude of challenges such as how they can prepare and combat the next emerging infectious diseases as well as the future role of doctors in the era of digital health and artificial intelligence.

With our partner teaching hospital, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, I am thrilled to work with them in developing translational research by applying knowledge to clinical practice to make an impact on patients' outcomes.

I am confident that with our close partnership with the National Healthcare Group and collaborations with NTU Singapore and Imperial College London in other disciplines, as well as partnering research institutes here and overseas, we can take LKCMedicine to the next level of excellence.

As I continue my journey in the university, I would like to thank Professor James Best for his invaluable contributions to the School during his seven-year tenure. Prof Best's experience in academic medicine, his international connections, and his steady and selfless leadership have been instrumental to the success of our medical school.

I would also like to thank NTU President and Distinguished University Professor Subra Suresh and Deputy President and Provost Professor Ling San for guiding me through this process of joining the School.

I cannot express enough gratitude to the former Chairman of NTU Board of Trustees (BOT) Mr Koh Boon Hwee, Chairman of LKCMedicine Governing Board Mr Lim Chuan Poh, Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, and members of the School's search advisory committee for giving me this opportunity. I am looking forward to working with them and the new BOT Chair Ms Goh Swee Chen.

Working in a historic building in the Novena Campus makes me even more excited to work with my deanery and colleagues in LKCMedicine. As an educator, I am always delighted to talk and listen to our students and alumni. I look forward to meeting them in the months and years to come.

Most importantly, I am ready to open a new page of my life in Singapore and cannot wait to meet everyone at LKCMedicine!