​In recognition of our students’ efforts in serving the underprivileged community through the Chinese Development Assistance Council’s (CDAC) beneficiaries, Professor Ian Curran, Vice Dean of Education, Duke-NUS, received the CDAC Partners Award from Mr Sam Tan, Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Ministry of Social and Family Development on 13 July 2019. Duke-NUS students from the Eugene Stead College have adopted the health screening segment of the CDAC’s annual Ready for School project.

Held every December, the project provides support for CDAC’s beneficiary families before they start the new school year. Duke-NUS students contribute by organising a community health screening for parents and elderly members of these families. They are screened for risks of cancer and cardiovascular disease, and advised to follow up with their family doctors as necessary. The students also educate participants on how to lead a healthier lifestyle and manage their health by going for regular screenings.

This year’s project leader, Low Zhen Luan, a second-year MD student said, “Speaking for all of us at the Eugene Stead College, this is a very meaningful project as we get to interact with the community and learn more about their needs and challenges in maintaining good health. As future clinicians, we need to be aware of the elderly’s healthcare issues, especially given our ageing population.”