International SOS establishes a new scholarship to empower globally minded medical students.
As healthcare grows increasingly global, tomorrow’s doctors must be ready to learn, adapt and serve wherever they are in the world. This belief has led the owners of International SOS to establish a new scholarship at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (NUS Medicine).
Through a S$2.5 million pledge, Mr Laurent Sabourin and Dr Pascal Rey-Herme will support NUS Medicine undergraduates embarking on overseas clinical electives, welcome international students to Singapore and fund humanitarian missions across Asia. Mr Sabourin and Dr Rey-Herme have pledged S$1.25 million each to this purpose.
Beyond a generous act of giving, the International SOS Students Mobility Scholarship signals a belief that the future of healthcare depends on global collaboration.
A Gift Rooted in Purpose
The owners of the global health and security services organisation share the belief that medical advancements grow stronger when people, ideas and cultures move freely across borders.
“Cross-border exchange of ideas and knowledge is essential for shaping the future of global healthcare,” shared Mr Sabourin, the Group Managing Director of International SOS. By supporting both outbound and inbound mobility through the Scholarship, they hope that young clinicians will broaden their perspectives and cultivate respect for the varied ways healthcare is practised globally.
“Every country has its own medical strengths and unique environments,” noted Dr Rey-Herme, the organisation’s co-founder and Group Medical Director. “Exposure to these differences helps future doctors deliver more inclusive, well-rounded care.”
Together, they hope that scholarship recipients will approach new encounters with openness and develop a healthy growth mindset as they navigate the realm of global healthcare.
“Our own journey to success has been deeply intertwined with the values we hold dear: Passion, Respect, Expertise and Care,” shared Mr Sabourin. With these strong foundations in place, they are confident that these students will graduate as doctors who carry empathy for patients, colleagues and communities across borders.
Expanding Horizons for NUS Medicine Students
For Assistant Dean (Education) Professor Chen Zhi Xiong, who oversees student development at NUS Medicine, the Scholarship arrives at an ideal moment. It expands access to global electives, giving students the opportunity to join placements that immerse them in new healthcare systems and unfamiliar challenges.
“These experiences widen perspectives and allow students to see familiar issues in new settings,” he shared. Such exposure often shapes instincts and values that endure throughout a medical career.
NUS Medicine students conducting medical consultations for local patients in Cambodia.
The gift also removes financial barriers for students aiming for placements in countries such as Switzerland or Hungary. Beyond electives, it supports community projects across ASEAN and India, giving students firsthand insight into healthcare operations in different regions. Half of the fund strengthens the office overseeing these initiatives.
More importantly, the Scholarship provides emergency protection for students abroad, especially during events such as political unrest. “We want students to be safe and supported wherever they go,” Prof Chen emphasised.
A Catalyst for Purposeful Giving
The gift from Mr Sabourin and Dr Rey-Herme reflects a kind of philanthropy that is increasingly vital in healthcare: one grounded in compassion and global awareness. “In a world shaped by crises and tensions, understanding and empathy are more crucial than ever,” said Mr Sabourin. This commitment shows how giving can translate donors’ values into opportunities that shape future generations.
The donors and Prof Chen are eager for the International SOS Students Mobility Scholarship to support and inspire more medical students at NUS. (From left to right: Mr Laurent Sabourin, Prof Chen Zhi Xiong, Ms Betty Lee, Assistant Director (Development), Prof Marion Aw, Vice Dean (Office for Students), Dr Pascal Rey-Herme, Prof Lau Tang Ching, Vice Dean (Education).)
At NUS Medicine, such partnerships expand the University’s ability to offer meaningful international education and deepen ties with institutions around the world. “These exchanges reinforce friendships and collaborations that benefit healthcare worldwide,” Prof Chen noted.
Gifts like this are a powerful reminder that medical education thrives when forward-looking partners work together. And for every student who benefits, the University is raising future healthcare leaders equipped with compassion, readiness and a global mindset.
Visionary partnerships can open doors for tomorrow’s healthcare leaders. Mark NUS Medicine’s 120th year by supporting the Inspire 120 Fund and nurturing students who will make a difference worldwide.
