The Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, established in 1905, is the first institution of higher learning in Singapore and the genesis of the

National University of Singapore The National University of Singapore (NUS) is a national public research university in Singapore. Founded in 1905 as the Straits Settlements and Federated Malay States Government Medical School, NUS is the oldest autonomous university in the c ...

. The School is one of many who offer medical programmes in the Asia Pacific region. The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2019 by subject and Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings by Subject 2019 list NUS Medicine as the leading medical school in Asia. Its distinguished alumni include cabinet ministers of Singapore, well-known doctors and a

Prime Minister of Malaysia The prime minister of Malaysia ( ms, Perdana Menteri Malaysia; ms, ڤردان منتري مليسيا, label= Jawi, script=arab, italic=unset) is the head of government of Malaysia. The prime minister directs the executive branch of the fede ...

History

The Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine was first established as the Straits Settlements and Federated Malay States Government Medical School in 1905 to train physicians from the British colonies of present-day Singapore and Malaysia. It was located within a former women's mental asylum at Sepoy Lines. The start of this

medical school A medical school is a tertiary educational institution, or part of such an institution, that teaches medicine, and awards a professional degree for physicians. Such medical degrees include the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS, M ...

was significant in two ways. It was meant to train local men and women to bring

Western medicine Medicine is the science and practice of caring for a patient, managing the diagnosis, prognosis, prevention, treatment, palliation of their injury or disease, and promoting their health. Medicine encompasses a variety of health care practice ...

to the local population. It was handsomely supported by local

merchant A merchant is a person who trades in commodities produced by other people, especially one who trades with foreign countries. Historically, a merchant is anyone who is involved in business or trade. Merchants have operated for as long as indust ...

s who took advantage of the

tax exemption Tax exemption is the reduction or removal of a liability to make a compulsory payment that would otherwise be imposed by a ruling power upon persons, property, income, or transactions. Tax-exempt status may provide complete relief from taxes, redu ...

s of the time not to garner more wealth, but to give generously to public causes.

Tan Jiak Kim Tan Jiak Kim CMG (29 April 1859 - 22 October 1917) was a Peranakan merchant, political activist and philanthropist from Singapore. He co-founded the Straits Chinese British Association along with Lim Boon Keng, Seah Liang Seah and Song Ong Sian ...

gave the largest individual sum. Another donor, Tan Chay Hoon donated a building to the school in memory of his father, Tan Teck Guan. The Tan Teck Guan Building was built in 1911. In 1921, the school was renamed the King Edward VII College of Medicine after receiving a donation from the

Edward VII Edward VII (Albert Edward; 9 November 1841 – 6 May 1910) was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and Emperor of India, from 22 January 1901 until his death in 1910. The second child and eldest son of Queen Victoria an ...

Memorial Fund founded by

Lim Boon Keng Lim Boon Keng (; 18 October 1869 – 1 January 1957) was a Peranakan physician who advocated social and educational reforms in Singapore in the early 20th-century. He also served as the president of Xiamen University in China between 1921 and ...

. In 1926, the College of Medicine Building was built to house the college in addition to the Tan Teck Guan Building. The dental school was founded soon after. During

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

, the college continued operating even with the

Japanese occupation of Singapore , officially , was the name for Singapore when it was occupied and ruled by the Empire of Japan, following the fall and surrender of British military forces on 15 February 1942 during World War II. Japanese military forces occupied it after ...

, but not without consequences. The first casualty was a fourth-year medical student based at

Tan Tock Seng Hospital Tan Tock Seng Hospital (abbreviation: TTSH) is a tertiary referral hospital in Singapore, located in Novena. The hospital has 45 clinical and allied health departments, 16 specialist centres and is powered by more than 8,000 healthcare staff. ...

who was fatally wounded by Japanese shells during the

Battle of Singapore The Fall of Singapore, also known as the Battle of Singapore,; ta, சிங்கப்பூரின் வீழ்ச்சி; ja, シンガポールの戦い took place in the South–East Asian theatre of the Pacific War. The Empire of ...

. While his friends were burying him, they were spotted by Japanese soldiers and eleven were killed on the spot. The dead are commemorated by the SGH War Memorial. In 1949, the KECM then merged with Raffles College, which specialized in the humanities and

teacher training Teacher education or teacher training refers to programs, policies, procedures, and provision designed to equip (prospective) teachers with the knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, approaches, methodologies and skills they require to perform their t ...

, to form the Singapore campus of the

University of Malaya The University of Malaya ( ms, Universiti Malaya, UM; abbreviated as UM or informally the Malayan University) is a public research university located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It is the oldest and highest ranking Malaysian institution of highe ...

(UM). The medical school became the Faculty of Medicine of UM, and students in Malaysia wishing to study medicine would go to the campus in Singapore. UM eventually split into UM (Kuala Lumpur) and the University of Singapore in 1962, with the medical school coming under the University of Singapore while and UM in Kuala Lumpur established the

Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya The Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya (commonly known as the UM Medical School, FoM UM, UM Medicine or Malaya Medicine) is one of the thirteen faculties of the University of Malaya (UM). It was officially established in September 1962 a ...

. Through a series of mergers with other universities, the University of Singapore would eventually form the

(NUS). The medical school became the Faculty of Medicine within the university and in 1982, it left its old buildings at Sepoy Lines behind to move into its new campus at

Kent Ridge Kent Ridge is the name of a ridge and a neighbourhood located in Pasir Panjang, in the Queenstown Planning Area of Singapore. The area is notable for housing two parks within the Southern Ridges, Kent Ridge Park and HortPark. The main campus of ...

. The historic College of Medicine and Tan Teck Guan buildings which it previously occupied are currently owned by the Ministry of Health and listed as

national monument A national monument is a monument constructed in order to commemorate something of importance to national heritage, such as a country's founding, independence, war, or the life and death of a historical figure. The term may also refer to a spec ...

s by the National Heritage Board. In 2005, the centenary of the medical school and also that of the university, the medical school was renamed the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine in honour of philanthropist and doctor Yong Loo Lin following a SG$100 million endowment from the Yong Loo Lin Trust. The gift enabled the medical school to expand its infrastructure and facilities.

Departments

The School comprises 18 departments and 2 centres such as the Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, Anaesthesia, Anatomy, Biochemistry, Diagnostic Radiology, Medicine, Microbiology, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Ophthalmology, Orthopaedic Surgery, Otolaryngology, Paediatrics, Pathology, Pharmacology, Physiology, Psychological Medicine, and Surgery.

Admission and Programmes

The School uses the British undergraduate medical system, offering a full-time 5 year undergraduate programme leading to the

Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery ( la, Medicinae Baccalaureus, Baccalaureus Chirurgiae; abbreviated most commonly MBBS), is the primary medical degree awarded by medical schools in countries that follow the tradition of the United K ...

(MBBS). For Nursing, the Bachelor of Science (Nursing) (conducted by the Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies) is offered.

Rankings

As of December 2022, NUS is ranked: * 17th worldwide (3rd in Asia-Pacific after Tsinghua University at 7th and University of Melbourne at 14th) in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022 by subject: clinical and health. * 21st worldwide (3rd in Asia-Pacific after University of Sydney at 18th and University of Melbourne at 20th) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022: Medicine. * 46th worldwide (joint 3rd in Asia-Pacific after University of Sydney at 20th and University of Melbourne at 33rd) in the USNEWS Best Global Universities for Clinical Medicine.

Notable people

Alumni

Vivian Balakrishnan Vivian Balakrishnan ( ta, விவியன் பாலகிருஷ்ணன்; born 1961) is a Singaporean politician, diplomat and former ophthalmologist who has been serving in the Cabinet as Minister for Foreign Affairs since 2015. A m ...

, Singaporean ophthalmologist and politician *

Lam Pin Min Lam Pin Min (; born 1 September 1969) is a Singaporean ophthalmologist and politician and who served as Ministry of Health (Singapore), Senior Minister of State for Health and Ministry of Transport (Singapore), Senior Minister of State for Transp ...

, Singaporean pediatric ophthalmologist and politician * Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik, Malaysian politician and former President of the

Malaysian Chinese Association The Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA; zh, 马来西亚华人公会; ; ta, மலேசிய சீனர் சங்கம், initially known as the Malayan Chinese Association) is a uni-racial political party in Malaysia that seeks to ...

(MCA) * Mak Joon Wah (1967), Malaysian pathologist * Mok Ying Ren (2012), Singaporean athlete and

SEA Games The Southeast Asian Games, also known as the SEA Games, is a biennial multi-sport event involving participants from the current 11 countries of Southeast Asia. The games are under the regulation of the Southeast Asian Games Federation with supe ...

gold medalist *

Ng Eng Hen Ng Eng Hen ( zh, s=黄永宏, p=Huáng Yǒnghóng; born 10 December 1958) is a Singaporean politician and former oncologist who has been serving as Minister for Defence since 2011. A member of the governing People's Action Party (PAP), he has bee ...

, Singaporean oncologist and politician *

Balaji Sadasivan Balaji Sadasivan ( or ; 11 July 1955 – 27 September 2010) was a Singaporean politician and neurosurgeon. He attended Raffles Institution, Siglap Secondary School and National Junior College, and studied medicine at the University of Singapo ...

, Singaporean neurosurgeon and politician *

Tan Cheng Bock Adrian Tan Cheng Bock ( zh, s=陈清木, p=Chén Qīngmù; born 26 April 1940) is a Singaporean politician and medical practitioner. He was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ayer Rajah SMC between 1980 and 2001. He served as Secretary-General o ...

, Singaporean physician, businessman and politician *

Tan Chorh Chuan Tan Chorh Chuan () is a Singaporean college administrator and professor who served as the second president of the National University of Singapore between 2008 and 2017. He is currently a professor at the National University of Singapore. Ta ...

(1983), former President of the

* Robert Tan, physician specializing in

men's health ''Men's Health'' (''MH''), published by Hearst, is the world's largest men's magazine brand, with 35 editions in 59 countries. It is also the best-selling men's magazine on U.S. newsstands. Started as a men's health magazine by Rodale, Inc. ...

Wong Meng Kong Wong Meng Kong (born 18 September 1963) is a chess player from Singapore. He won the Singaporean Chess Championship in 1986, 1989, 1990 and 1991. He represented Singapore at the Chess Olympiad eleven times (1982, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1992, ...

(1987), Singaporean

chess grandmaster Grandmaster (GM) is a title awarded to chess players by the world chess organization FIDE. Apart from World Champion, Grandmaster is the highest title a chess player can attain. Once achieved, the title is held for life, though exceptionally it h ...

* Tien Wong, Singaporean ophthalmologist *

Woffles Wu Dr. Woffles Wu Tze Liang (; born 1960), , is a Singaporean plastic surgeon.plastic surgeon Plastic surgery is a surgical specialty involving the restoration, reconstruction or alteration of the human body. It can be divided into two main categories: reconstructive surgery and cosmetic surgery. Reconstructive surgery includes craniof ...

;King Edward VII College of Medicine (1925–49) * Tun Datuk Dr Haji Awang Hassan (1934), 5th ''Yang di-Pertua Negeri'' of Penang * Sir Han Hoe Lim, Singaporean physician and politician * Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad (1953), 4th and 7th

* Tan Sri Dr Salma Ismail (1947), first Malay woman to qualify as a physician * Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali, wife of Mahathir * Benjamin Sheares GCB ( LMS 1929), 2nd

President of Singapore The president of Singapore is the head of state of the Singapore, Republic of Singapore. The role of the president is to safeguard the Reserves of the Government of Singapore, reserves and the integrity of the Singapore Civil Service, public serv ...

* Tan Sri Dr David Tan Chee Khoon (1949), Malaysian politician known as "Mr Opposition", co-founder of

Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia The Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia ( en, Malaysian People's Movement Party, commonly abbreviated as GERAKAN or less commonly as PGRM) is a liberal political party in Malaysia. Formed in 1968, Gerakan gained prominence in the 1969 general electio ...

;Straits Settlements and Federated Malay States Government Medical School (1905-1921) *Abdul Latiff bin Abdul Razak (1919), the first

Malay Malay may refer to: Languages * Malay language or Bahasa Melayu, a major Austronesian language spoken in Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore ** History of the Malay language, the Malay language from the 4th to the 14th century ** Indonesi ...

to be a qualified physician * Chen Su Lan (1910), social reformer and anti-opium activist *Charles Joseph Pemberton-Paglar (1917), founder of Paglar Maternity and Nursing Home (now

Parkway East Hospital Parkway East Hospital is a 143-bed private healthcare facility located at the junction of Joo Chiat Place and Telok Kurau Road in the East of Singapore. It was formerly known as East Shore Hospital or East Shore Medical Centre, The American Hospi ...

)

Faculty

Roy Yorke Calne Sir Roy Yorke Calne, FRCP, FRCS, FRS (born 30 December 1930) is a British surgeon and pioneer in organ transplantation. Career His most notable achievements are the world's first liver, heart, and lung transplant together with John Wallwork ...

, British surgeon *

Jannie Chan Dato Jannie Chan Siew Lee (曾秀丽), also known by her married name, Jannie Tay, is a Singaporean entrepreneur and former president of the Singapore Retailers Association and the ASEAN Business Forum, in both cases the first woman to hold the p ...

, Singaporean entrepreneur, former lecturer in physiology and pharmacology *

Ong Teck Chin Ong Teck Chin (; born 1949) is a Singaporean educator. He was formerly the Principal/CEO of Anglo-Chinese School, and resident warden of its boarding school. He is now currently the Principal of Singapore International School of Bangkok Six ...

, Principal of

Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) (ACS(I)) is an independent Methodist secondary school in Dover, Singapore. Founded in 1886 by Reverend William Fitzjames Oldham, it was recognised as an International Baccalaureate World School in 2005, and ha ...

(1994-2010), former physiology lecturer * Lim Pin, former Vice-Chancellor of the

Shan Ratnam Emeritus Professor Sittampalam Shanmugaratnam (4 July 1928 – 6 August 2001), also known as Shan Ratnam, was a Singaporean obstetrician and gynaecologist. He was professor and head of the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the N ...

, physician specializing in

contraception Birth control, also known as contraception, anticonception, and fertility control, is the use of methods or devices to prevent unwanted pregnancy. Birth control has been used since ancient times, but effective and safe methods of birth contr ...

, former Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology * Paola Ricciardi-Castagnoli, Italian immunologist and Scientific Director of the Singapore Immunology Network * Benjamin Sheares, served as Professor of Obstetrics at King Edward VII College * James Whyte Black, Scottish Pharmacologist, Nobel Laureate, formerly Senior Lecturer at King Edward VII College.

References

* * * ;Other
Photo: GUESTS ATTEND THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF KING EDWARD VII MEDICAL COLLEGE BUILDING
–

National Archives of Singapore The National Archives of Singapore (NAS) (Malay: ''Arkib Negara Singapura'', Mandarin: 新加坡国家档案馆, Tamil: சிங்கப்பூர் தேசிய காப்பகம்) is the national archives of Singapore. It was for ...

External links

Official WebsiteKing Edward VII College of Medicine Alumni AssociationNUS Medical Society (MedSoc)
{{Authority control National University of Singapore Medical schools in Singapore Educational institutions established in 1905 1905 establishments in British Malaya