image: Front row, from left: Prof Thomas Coffman (Dean, Duke-NUS Medical School), Prof Nguyễn Hữu Tu (Rector, Hanoi Medical University) and Prof Ivy Ng (Senior Advisor, SingHealth) sign an MoU and launch the Hanoi Regional Collaborating Centre (RCC) in the presence of delegations from Vietnam's Ministry of Health, Hanoi Medical University and the SingHealth Duke-NUS Global Health Institute.
Credit: SingHealth Duke-NUS Global Health Institute
Hanoi, Vietnam, 13 March 2025 – Singapore and Vietnam are deepening their commitment to regional healthcare collaboration with the launch of a new Regional Collaborating Centre (RCC) in Hanoi. A joint initiative by the SingHealth Duke-NUS Global Health Institute (SDGHI) and Hanoi Medical University (HMU), the centre will serve as a vital hub for academic partnerships, medical research and healthcare innovation, strengthening the shared vision of improving health outcomes across Southeast Asia.
Building on years of collaboration, the Hanoi RCC formalises and expands partnerships between SingHealth institutions, Duke-NUS Medical School, HMU, and other national stakeholders. To date, Vietnam-Singapore clinical and academic projects have focused on key areas such as mental health, non-communicable diseases, pathogen genomics, early childhood development, innovation and health system. The new centre will further strengthen cooperation, foster mutual learning, and enhance knowledge exchange in three ways:
- Supporting student and researcher exchanges to foster cross-border collaboration.
- Providing local resources for Vietnam-based research and global health initiatives.
- Acting as a key facilitator for regional healthcare partnerships and innovations.
“The new Hanoi RCC reinforces key cross-border partnerships that are vital to improving healthcare in the region. With 34 clinical and academic projects in Vietnam to date, our institutions will continue fostering knowledge exchange, talent development and resource-sharing that will be mutually beneficial to both Vietnam and Singapore as we work together to advance health systems, research, and education,” said Prof Ooi Peng Jin London Lucien, Director, SingHealth Duke-NUS Global Health Institute.
The Hanoi RCC is the latest addition to SDGHI’s expanding network of regional hubs, following the successful establishment of centres in Indonesia and Sri Lanka. Notably, the Jaffna RCC has fostered advancements in trauma care, cancer research, and neuroscience, underscoring the tangible benefits of such partnerships. This milestone reinforces the growing Vietnam-Singapore partnership in healthcare, supporting efforts to build resilient health systems and improve health outcomes across Asia and beyond.
"Today marks an important step towards establishing an annual scientific forum with the co-organisation of the Inter-University Scientific Conference on Global Health by Hanoi Medical University and the SingHealth Duke-NUS Global Health Institute. This platform fosters knowledge exchange among scientists, medical experts, and researchers from Vietnam, Singapore, and global institutions such as Duke University (USA) and Duke Kunshan University (China).
As Hanoi Medical University continues to drive scientific and technological innovation on a national and regional scale, we recognise that international research collaborations—particularly with esteemed partners like Duke University, Duke Kunshan University, Duke-NUS—will play a vital role in advancing this strategic vision," said Prof Nguyen Huu Tu, Rector, Hanoi Medical University.
The centre’s launch coincides with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between HMU, SingHealth, Duke-NUS Medical School, and SDGHI. This agreement further strengthens cooperation in medical education, research, and professional exchanges in public health, dentistry, and nursing. Distinguished guests include Mr Donald Tsang Tsz Lok, Counsellor and Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of Singapore in Vietnam, Dr Nguyen Ngo Quang from Vietnam’s Ministry of Health, Prof Ivy Ng Swee Lian, Senior Advisor of SingHealth and Prof Thomas Coffman, Dean, Duke-NUS Medical School.
In addition, HMU and SDGHI are co-hosting an inaugural Global Health Symposium on 13–14 March, bringing together leaders, scientists, faculty, and students to discuss key health priorities in the region. The symposium features thematic sessions on climate change and health, mental health, infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, maternal and child health, and health systems strengthening. The event also hosts funding agency forums, leadership meetings, and strategic discussions on global health education and programme management. Approximately 300 participants, including delegates from China, Indonesia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and the United States, are in attendance.
About the SingHealth Duke-NUS Global Health Institute
The SingHealth Duke-NUS Global Health Institute (SDGHI) is an enabling platform for global health activities across the SingHealth Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre. Harnessing the strengths and expertise of SingHealth and Duke-NUS Medical School, the institute aims to address current and emerging health challenges across Asia and beyond. Working in collaboration with partners globally, we seek to tackle prevalent health challenges, strengthen health systems, and better insulate countries from pandemics and disease threats.
For more information, please visit https://www.duke-nus.edu.sg/sdghi
About Duke-NUS Medical School
Duke-NUS is Singapore’s flagship graduate entry medical school, established in 2005 with a strategic, government-led partnership between two world-class institutions: Duke University School of Medicine and the National University of Singapore (NUS). Through an innovative curriculum, students at Duke-NUS are nurtured to become multi-faceted ‘Clinicians Plus’ poised to steer the healthcare and biomedical ecosystem in Singapore and beyond. A leader in ground-breaking research and translational innovation, Duke-NUS has gained international renown through its five signature research programmes and 10 centres. The enduring impact of its discoveries is amplified by its successful Academic Medicine partnership with Singapore Health Services (SingHealth), Singapore’s largest healthcare group. This strategic alliance has led to the creation of 15 Academic Clinical Programmes, which harness multi-disciplinary research and education to transform medicine and improve lives.
For more information, please visit www.duke-nus.edu.sg
For media enquiries, please contact:
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Ms Stephanie Batot SingHealth Duke-NUS Global Health Institute |
Ms Rebecca Koh SingHealth Duke-NUS Global Health Institute |