On 14 June 2024, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the School and Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) to formalise the partnership between the two entities.
The signatories were Dean, Prof Teo Yik Ying, and Ambassador Morikawa Toru, Executive Director of ASEF. It was witnessed by His Excellency Mr Ishikawa Hiroshi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Singapore, Embassy of Japan, and Professor Leo Tan, ASEF Governor from Singapore.
As part of this partnership, the School will jointly host a Roundtable discussion, with ASEF and the Asia Centre for Health Security (ACHS), from 6 to 7 November, 2024, to discuss the critical topic of “Risk Communications during Public Health Emergencies” from a Whole-of-Government perspective, ensuring coordinated responses in times of public health crises.
This collaboration is particularly timely given the recent challenges in global health governance and the failure to establish the Pandemic Accord at the World Health Assembly in Geneva. The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the necessity for global solidarity and coordinated action to address health emergencies.
“My colleagues and I believe, that by combining the best of academic sciences – relying on the use of data and real-world evidence to address health challenges; with rational, evidence-based policy making, we can not only build, but also continue to strengthen health systems and health policies in countries.” – Professor Teo Yik Ying
The School looks forward to the impactful outcomes of this partnership and more meaningful collaborations to come.