101st Alumni Reunion of the Medical Alumni Association
The Medical Alumni Association hosted its 101st Alumni Reunion from 15 to 17 November 2024 in Penang, Malaysia. This landmark event marked a special milestone. Seven NUS students from Medicine, Nursing, Dentistry, and Pharmacy, representing the Medical Alumni Association (Student Chapter), were invited to join the festivities. Their participation underscored the association's commitment to nurturing future clinicians and fostering their engagement in the regional healthcare community.
The reunion commenced on 15 November with a lively banquet dinner that brought together esteemed healthcare professionals for an evening of culinary indulgence, dazzling performances, and warm camaraderie. The event was graced by the Chief Minister of Penang, YAB Tuan Chow Kon Yeow. It featured inspiring speeches by luminaries such as Professor Tay Boon Keng (Medicine '73), emeritus consultant of orthopaedics at Singapore General Hospital, and Dr Tai Lee Siang (Medicine '88), a general surgeon at Georgetown Specialist Hospital.
On 16 November, the NUS delegation, along with senior clinicians and retired healthcare leaders, embarked on a cultural tour through the charming streets of Penang. Undeterred by the tropical heat (and generously reapplied sunscreen), participants explored UNESCO heritage stilt jetties, preserved naval forts, and bustling marketplaces, savouring local kuehs, traditional herbal remedies, and unique finds from boutique speciality stores. The immersive experience offered a delightful blend of history, culture, and culinary treasures, leaving everyone well-fed and well-educated.
The Arthur Lim Rotating Professorship Lecture, held in the afternoon was delivered by Datuk Seri Dr Bhupinder Singh, a distinguished forensic pathologist. His insightful talk illuminated the challenges and contributions of Malaysian forensic pathologists, shedding light on their pivotal yet often overlooked role in the medico-legal fraternity. The afternoon ended with the annual Alumni General Meeting, where attendees celebrated milestones and plotted the association’s bright future.
The evening festivities resumed with a glamorous Informal Dinner, where a luxurious international buffet was the prelude to spontaneous karaoke battles. Faculty members proved they could hit high notes as effortlessly as they hit high patient satisfaction scores, showcasing their dedication to both professionalism and good-natured fun. Our students had a fantastic time, bonding over their shared aspirations to serve humanity and taking full advantage of the opportunity to learn from leading healthcare experts. From navigating Penang’s healthcare landscape to debating who sang the best karaoke rendition, they left with not just valuable insights, but also lasting memories and the knowledge that, sometimes, the most important part of medicine is knowing how to have a little fun.
Submitted by Mr Qwek Shao Yi President, Medical Alumni Association (Student Chapter) Year 4, NUS Medicine, Class of 2026