Duke-NUS Medical School created the Duke-NUS College System to bolster our students’ professional and personal development by providing support, advice, and mentoring, and facilitating relationship building among students of different years. The philosophy behind the Colleges is that if students experience the benefits of a supportive community, they will be better able to cope with the challenges of a medical education, thereby becoming more capable and effective physicians. During the first year of the medical program, weekly meetings of the Colleges allow the students to know and be known by their Masters and by their fellow College members in the context of giving and receiving support.
Our four Colleges
The four advisory colleges of Duke-NUS are named after influential figures in medicine: Gordon Arthur Ransome, Seah Cheng Siang, Benjamin Sheares, and Eugene Stead. These individuals served as exemplary physicians, teachers, co-workers, and friends, with a remarkable willingness to serve others and notable achievements.
About the College Luminaries:
Benjamin Sheares College
Dr. Benjamin Henry Sheares was Singapore's second President and a pioneer in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. He was the first Singaporean to specialise in O&G and the first local to be appointed Professor of O&G at the University of Malaya in Singapore. Dr. Sheares introduced the Lower Segment Caesarean Section, now the global standard procedure. He also developed the Vaginoplasty surgical procedure, which gained international recognition after he published a paper on it in 1960.
Eugene Stead College
Dr. Eugene Anson Stead, Jr. (1908-2005) served as the Chairman of the Department of Medicine and the Dean of the School of Medicine at Emory University. Later, he moved to Duke University in 1947, where he held the position of the Chairman of Medicine for two decades. During his tenure, he played a crucial role in shaping Duke's vision, expanding its Department of Medicine, and creating innovative methods for teaching and practising medicine.
Gordon Arthur Ransome College
Emeritus Professor Sir Gordon Arthur Ransome (1910-1978) played a crucial role in shaping modern medicine in Singapore. He began his contributions to medicine in Singapore in 1938 when he was appointed Associate Professor of Medicine at the King Edward VII College of Medicine. Sir Ransome was also the founder of the Singapore Academy of Medicine and served as its first Master.
Seah Cheng Siang College
Professor Seah Cheng Siang (1922-1990) was a Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of Singapore. He led medical units at Singapore General Hospital and Toa Payoh Hospital, now Changi General Hospital. Additionally, he established the Gastroenterological Society and was committed to medical training in Singapore. Professor Seah was instrumental in developing the MRACP courses for internal medicine.
Meet the College Masters!
College Masters are also available for individual meetings and may assist students if they encounter academic difficulties or other challenges. The College Masters include clinicians from a wide range of specialties, as well as physician scientists who assist the students in formulating research ideas and selecting mentors for their third year research project.