Duke-NUS 20th Anniversary Benefit Gala

11 January 2025, The Singapore EDITION

Duke-NUS 20th Anniversary Benefit Gala

11 January 2025, The Singapore EDITION

Duke-NUS 20th Anniversary Benefit Gala

11 January 2025, The Singapore EDITION

Duke-NUS 20th Anniversary Benefit Gala

11 January 2025, The Singapore EDITION

Duke-NUS 20th Anniversary Benefit Gala

11 January 2025, The Singapore EDITION

Duke-NUS 20th Anniversary Benefit Gala

11 January 2025, The Singapore EDITION

Duke-NUS 20th Anniversary Benefit Gala

11 January 2025, The Singapore EDITION

Duke-NUS 20th Anniversary Benefit Gala

11 January 2025, The Singapore EDITION

Duke-NUS 20th Anniversary Benefit Gala

11 January 2025, The Singapore EDITION

Duke-NUS 20th Anniversary Benefit Gala

11 January 2025, The Singapore EDITION

Duke-NUS 20th Anniversary Benefit Gala

11 January 2025, The Singapore EDITION

Duke-NUS 20th Anniversary Benefit Gala

A milestone celebration of vision and impact, with over S$30 million in gifts

It was a night to remember as donors, stakeholders, staff, faculty, alumni, students and friends of Duke-NUS came together to celebrate this momentous milestone - two decades of groundbreaking medical education and research.

More importantly, it also marked the School's philanthropic success by raising S$30 million in pledges and gifts for this 20th anniversary. This remarkable achievement will fuel Duke-NUS’ vision of transforming the future of healthcare by supporting student financial aid and advancing medical research. Guest of honour, Minister for Defence, Dr Ng Eng Hen reiterated this point in his special remarks, "To all the benefactors of Duke-NUS, thank you for your generosity and support. I am gratified that Duke-NUS has succeeded these past 20 years, and excited that the next decades will bring her even more successes and great achievements."

Dr Ng Eng Hen, Minister for Defence

"To all the benefactors of Duke-NUS, thank you for your generosity and support. I am gratified that Duke-NUS has succeeded these past 20 years, and excited that the next decades will bring her even more successes and great achievements."

Mr Goh Yew Lin, Chairman of the Governing Board, Duke-NUS

"Tonight, we especially recognise the long-standing and continuing generosity of the Estate of Khoo Teck Puat, which made a magnificent gift of $80 million in 2007."

Prof Thomas Coffman, Dean, Duke-NUS

"We are so grateful to our donors who have played an essential role in the successes of Duke-NUS, helping to make us a unique and special medical school that is a precious resource for Singapore."

Transformative gift from the Estate of Khoo Teck Puat

A major highlight was the S$5.5 million donation from the Estate of Khoo Teck Puat, the School's most significant benefactor.

This remarkable gift includes a S$2 million top-up to the Khoo Teck Puat Research Fund, originally established in 2007 with a transformative S$80 million gift. S$3.5 million to create the Khoo Teck Puat Translational Research Fund to support projects with significant potential to be translated into clinical applications such as effective medical therapies and/or drugs.

The inaugural project will focus on developing new tools for diagnosing cardiometabolic diseases and funding metabolomics research headed by Professor Wang Yibin, Director of Duke-NUS’ Cardiovascular & Metabolic Disorders programme. With limited therapeutic options currently available, the gift will be critical to the development of a state-of-the-art metabolism research centre in the School. It will also support Professor Wang and his team in acquiring top-notch technology and recruiting top-tier researchers to develop novel diagnostic tools and targeted treatments for cardiometabolic diseases

My late father believed passionately that advances in education, healthcare and medical research will make a substantial difference to the lives of people in Singapore and around the world. We are very proud of Duke-NUS’ achievements over the years, and are confident that the School will continue to break new grounds in the treatment of diseases, thus benefiting current and future generations.

Ms Mavis Khoo

Daughter of the late Tan Sri Khoo Teck Puat and Trustee of his Estate.

The HEAD Foundation nurtures future clinicians with S$200,000 scholarship

Another significant contribution is The HEAD Foundation’s S$200,000 scholarship, which will support MD students with funds that can be used towards tuition fees and living expenses, further underscoring Duke-NUS' dedication to fostering the next generation of medical professionals.

"The HEAD Foundation Scholarship aims to provide meaningful support for Duke-NUS students, fuelling their journey to become impactful medical professionals. As we celebrate Duke-NUS' 20th anniversary, this scholarship underscores our commitment to fostering a new generation of doctors dedicated to transforming patient care and community health."

Mr Lim Yu Book

Director, The HEAD Foundation

Show-stopping finale featuring TwoSet Violin

The evening’s grand finale was a light-hearted fireside chat that explored the connections between medicine, music and the mind.

Moderated by Associate Professor Devanand Anantham, Director of the SingHealth Duke-NUS Medical Humanities Institute, the segment featured Associate Professor Joshua Gooley, a leading sleep scientist, John Joson Ng, a 5th year Duke-NUS MD-PhD student and violinist, and international classical music sensation TwoSet Violin, Brett Yang and Eddy Chen.

The discussion weaved together science, art, and human connection in a surprisingly relatable way. A vivid reminder of the limitless possibilities that emerge when diverse disciplines converge. The duo also played a game of their signature musical charades, where Brett challenged Eddy to identify medical symptoms through melodies on the violin.

The gala concluded on a high note with TwoSet's performance of Navarra by Sarasate, leaving the audience in awe of their virtuosity, humour, and infectious energy.

Fireside chat TwoSet Violin

Well wishes from our donors

Shaw Foundation

“It has been a pleasure to see Duke-NUS students thrive in their chosen fields of research and mature into their roles as clinicians. We wish all students, staff, and Duke-NUS a happy 20th anniversary and continued success.” -- Ms Priscylla Shaw, Shaw Foundation

Goh Foundation

“Goh Foundation has been strongly supportive of Duke-NUS’ role as a catalyst for change in Singapore’s standing in academic medicine. We look forward to it continuing to build a community of students, faculty, clinician scientists and academic physicians in a vibrant biomedical ecosystem.” -- Prof Soo Khee Chee, Chairman, Goh Foundation Limited

The Ngee Ann Kongsi

“We are proud to partner Duke-NUS in funding the education of students and healthcare professionals. It is our hope that the gift will propel our scholarship recipients to achieve excellence and to partake in the cycle of giving in the future.” -- Dr Wu Chiaw Ching President, The Ngee Ann Kongsi

Tanoto Foundation

“The Tanoto Foundation is dedicated to supporting medical research and innovation for the public good. We value our close partnership with Duke-NUS to drive transformative discoveries and improve health outcomes in the region. Warm wishes to Duke-NUS on your 20th Anniversary. Here’s to many more years of collaboration, breakthroughs, and a shared commitment to advancing better health.” -- Mr Benny Lee, CEO, Tanoto Foundation

Lien Foundation

“The Duke-NUS Lien Centre for Palliative Care is a key thrust of the Foundation’s continued efforts to raise awareness of palliative care and the capability of palliative medical staff. We are proud that our partnership with Duke-NUS has managed to fill the gap in this area of healthcare and promote end-of-life knowledge and training in Singapore. Congratulations on your 20th anniversary.” -- Mr Laurence Lien, CEO, Lien Foundation

Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple

“The Temple takes immense pride in having nurtured promising Duke-NUS students, who will, in turn, bring comfort to the sick and suffering, in the spirit of compassion and service to society. Congratulations on your milestone celebration.” -- Dr Tan Choon Kim, Chairman, Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple

Mr GK Goh

“I am very impressed by what the School has managed to achieve over two short decades. I look forward to more research breakthroughs at the GK Goh Center for Neuroscience to create greater and lasting impact together. Congratulations!” -- Mr Goh Geok Khim Founder and Executive Chairman, G. K. Goh Holdings Pte. Ltd.

With appreciation & gratitude

What better way to honour donors than by showcasing the real-world impact of their gifts? The first video features two alumni from the inaugural Class of 2011 who were recipients of the Duke-NUS Bursary. They have since become donors themselves, giving back regularly to the Duke-NUS Student Financial Aid Fund. The second video highlights seven research gift beneficiaries sharing how donors' vision and generosity bring them closer to better therapeutics, as well as new hope for patients.

Our sincere thanks to the following supporters whose generosity added an extra sparkle to our benefit gala.

Melanie and Tony Chew

Goh Yew Lin

Kris Foundation

Robert Kamei and Michelle Thai

BinjaiTree

Chow Wan Cheng

James and Natalie Loh

Stephen Riady Foundation

Singapore National Eye Centre

Elaine Teo

Tower Capital Asia

Tsao Foundation

Wing Tai Foundation

Chng Hak-Peng

Duke-NUS Inaugural Class of 2011

Goh Sok Hong

Jim Rogers and Paige Parker

Anonymous (7)

Auction & in-kind sponsors

Shashendra Aponso

Goh Yew Lin

Lee Ming San

Wong-Mah Jia Lan

Carlisle Printers & Graphic Designers

Readygifts Singapore

Anonymous (1)

Our deepest gratitude to the following donors who have contributed significantly to the School in the year leading up to our milestone celebration.

Estate of Khoo Teck Puat

Lien Foundation

The Ngee Ann Kongsi

Tanoto Foundation

Chua Bin Hwee

Karl Tryggvason

The HEAD Foundation

Kaikhushru Shiavax Nargolwala

Diana Koh Foundation

TL Whang Foundation

Ida C. and Morris Falk Foundation

Duke-NUS 20^th Anniversary Benefit Gala Organizing Team
Cham Gee Len, Nicole Joy Lim, Jane Koh, Joanne Lee, Chow Da En, Lai Ying Ying