Established in 2005, the Duke-NUS partnership blends Duke’s world-renowned medical expertise with the National University of Singapore's (NUS) leadership in education and healthcare. The goal of the partnership was to create a graduate medical school grounded in the Duke University School of Medicine curriculum that would integrate the strengths of both institutions and deliver patient-centered biomedical education through its MD, PhD and MD/PhD degree programs.
Today, the Duke-NUS partnership has evolved into a dynamic, symbiotic relationship between two highly regarded institutions, united by a shared commitment to innovative medical education and cutting-edge research.
Duke-NUS Medical School
Duke-NUS Medical School is Singapore’s flagship graduate medical school, attracting students and faculty from across the world.
Designed to meet the nation’s growing needs in medical education, research and innovation, Duke-NUS offers a rigorous curriculum known for its focus on team-based learning, translational research and leadership development, preparing physician-scientists and researchers to drive the future of medicine in Singapore and beyond.
Signature Research Programmes
Duke-NUS Medical School’s Signature Research Programmes (SRPs) and research centers form the cornerstone of its research enterprise, addressing key healthcare challenges through interdisciplinary, translational research.
Each SRP focuses on a critical area of biomedical science—Cancer and Stem Cell Biology, Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders, Emerging Infectious Diseases, Neuroscience and Behavioral Disorders, Health Services and Systems Research, and Quantitative and Systems Biology.
These programs bring together scientists, clinicians and industry partners to accelerate discoveries from bench to bedside, with the goal of improving patient care and public health in Singapore and around the world.
The National University of Singapore
The National University of Singapore (NUS) is Singapore’s flagship university and a leading global institution of higher education and research.
Founded in 1905, NUS offers a comprehensive range of disciplines, including the sciences, engineering, business, computing, law, and the arts and social sciences. With a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary learning, entrepreneurship and innovation, NUS is consistently ranked among the top universities in Asia and the world. Its collaborative partnerships—such as with Duke University through Duke-NUS Medical School—underscore its commitment to addressing complex global challenges through education, research and thought leadership.
SingHealth
SingHealth is Singapore’s largest public healthcare group, committed to delivering high-quality, accessible and patient-centered care. It encompasses a network of public hospitals, national specialty centers, polyclinics and community care partners.
As the Academic Medical Centre partner of Duke-NUS Medical School, SingHealth plays a central role in advancing medical education, clinical research and innovation. Through this collaboration, SingHealth supports the development of future healthcare leaders while driving improvements in clinical outcomes and population health across Singapore.
SingHealth Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre
The SingHealth Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre (AMC) is a pioneering collaboration between SingHealth and Duke-NUS Medical School that integrates clinical care, education and research to advance medicine and improve lives. As Singapore’s largest and most comprehensive AMC, it brings together a network of public healthcare institutions and world-class academic expertise to train future healthcare professionals, drive innovative research and deliver high-quality, patient-centered care. Through this partnership, the AMC fosters a vibrant ecosystem where scientific discovery and clinical excellence come together to shape the future of medicine in Singapore and the region.
Academic Clinical Programmes
The AMC's Academic Clinical Programmes (ACPs) bring together clinical departments and research teams to integrate patient care, education and research within specific medical specialties. Each ACP is led by clinician-scientists and educators who drive innovation, mentor future healthcare leaders and promote excellence in clinical outcomes. Covering areas such as medicine, surgery, oncology, neuroscience, and more, the ACPs foster interdisciplinary collaboration and translational research aimed at improving patient care and advancing medical knowledge.
Joint Institutes and Centers
The AMC is home to a number of joint institutes and centers that serve as hubs for research, education and innovation in key areas of medicine and healthcare. These institutes—co-led by experts from both SingHealth and Duke-NUS—facilitate cross-disciplinary collaboration and bring together clinicians, scientists and educators to tackle complex health challenges. From areas like cancer and neuroscience to health services research and artificial intelligence in medicine, these centers drive discovery, accelerate translational research and help shape evidence-based care that improves patient outcomes locally and globally.