SUCCESSFUL applicants to the Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School Singapore (DUKE-NUS) are achievers with a background that combines strong academic foundation as well as medical or scientific research. They will also have experience in volunteer work in the medical field.
Duke-NUS is looking for students who demonstrate a level of maturity and passion.
These are qualities that are paramount for succeeding in the cutting-edge of medical science.
Duke-NUS is a unique collaboration between two education powerhouses: Duke University in the United States and NUS, the National University of Singapore.
Duke University School of Medicine is consistently ranked among the top 10 medical schools in the US and NUS is one of the premier educational institutions in Asia.
Duke-NUS maintains a combined clinical and research focus, and many of its graduates will pursue careers that combine patient care with cutting-edge research.
People who undertake such an endevour, are known professionally as clinician-scientists.
Research Orientation
The Duke-NUs curriculum is a four year programme that includes a full year dedicated to independent research. It’s actually the same curriculum used at the world-renowned Duke School of Medicine in the United States.
While not all applicants have published research before applying to Duke-NUS, a number have been able to acquire research experience during their undergraduate days.
Life Sciences graduate Esther Chang took advantage of the research opportunities available to NUS undergrads to explore life in the laboratory.
Chang took a module on Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme in Science in her second year, and her work in physiology led to the publication of her research findings in an internationally recognized scientific journal.
She later conducted her fourth year honours research on immunology.
“I was attracted to the research focus that Duke-NUS incorporate into the medical school curriculum.
“I feel the science I studied in NUS prepared me well, to manage the materials I faced in year 1 and the programme builds a solid foundation for me to appreciate the development of diseases my patients face, now that I am rotating through the clinics in my second year at Duke-NUS.”
Current first year Duke-NUS student and a life Science graduate Galih Kunarso concurred,”A degree in Life Sciences gave me a good background for working in research.”
After graduation, Galih worked as a Bioinformatics Specialist at the Genome Institute of Singapore for three years before enrolling in Duke-NUS.
When asked about the significant time commitment required to attend medical school, he commented: “For me, it was not so much about dropping it all to start medical school, but more like continuing towards my real aim. I believe my work experience actually helped me gain admission to the school.”
Creative Thinkers
Duke-NUS, there is marked emphasis on problem-solving over memorization.
So, Duke-NUs developed an innovative team-based learning process called TeamLEAD. This distinctive methodology trains students to think critically and creatively, and emulates the approach of real world practitioners in clinics, hospital wards and the research environment.
Currently, a third year Duke-NUS student Karen Donceras Nadua cheered the team approach to learning.
“In hospital wards of research labs, wee always have to work in teams. So TeamLEAD really helped prepare me for the real world.
“It helps develop your people skills and ability to work with others. TeamLEAD is challenging, but Very practical when communicating with colleagues at various levels in the wards and labs. It helped me learn to articulate my ideas.”
Improving the Practice of Medicine
The key is to appreciate the contributions that come from both the clinical and research arenas.
“While I don’t expect to become a full-time researcher, I really appreciate the importance of doctors who are research-minded.
“I am very interested in clinical participation in translational research. Actually, I feel it’s an obligation of leading doctors to contribute to the future of medicine by being actively involved in research.” Karen stressed. For more information, please visit http://www.duke-nus.edu.sg
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
