Lien Ying Chow Professorship in Medicine

The Lien Ying Chow Professorship in Medicine was established in September 1995 by the Overseas Union Bank, to mark the retirement of Dr Lien Ying Chow as Group Chairman of the Overseas Union Bank Limited which he founded in 1949. It honours one of Singapore’s pioneers, Dr Lien, for his many achievements in business and banking, as well as his contributions to the advancement of education in Singapore and his service to the nation.

The professorship was set up with a gift of S$2 million and matched dollar-for-dollar by the Government. In 2005, an additional gift of S$1 million was given to convert the Chair from a Visiting Professorship to a Full-time Chair. This S$1 million gift was also matched by the Government to create a total endowed fund of $6 million.

The income generated from this professorship fund is used to engage eminent professors to share their expertise and experience. Particular emphasis is given to the contributions and insights they can offer to Singapore in its ever-growing regional and international role. It is also envisaged that they will co-operate in research and education with other faculty members.

 

Current appointment: Prof Edward W. Holmes

Vice Chancellor for Health Sciences and Dean of the School of Medicine at the University of California, San Diego, USA

Period of appointment: 1 October 2006 to 30 September 2009

Key activities:

Serves as Executive Deputy Chairman for Clinical-Translational Sciences at the Biomedical Research Council (BMRC) of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR).

 

Second concurrent appointment: Prof Judith Swain

Professor of Medicine and Dean for Translational Medicine and the Founding Director of the College of Integrated Life Sciences (COILS) at the University of California, San Diego, USA

Period of appointment: 1 October 2006 to 30 September 2009

Key activities:

Founding Executive Director of the Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences (SICS) within A*STAR.