The Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health launched two new modelling centres on Friday 27 February. The Centre for Epidemic Research and Modelling (CERM) emerged from the crucible of COVID-19, when its founding faculty members developed epidemiological models to inform the response to the pandemic. Its sister centre, the Centre for Population Health Risk and Systems Modelling (PHRISM), was created in response to the need of the health system to adapt to an ageing population and rising healthcare costs.
The two centres were formally opened by Mr Tan Kiat How, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Digital Development and Information, and Ministry of Health, who shared in his opening address the importance that MOH places on modelling to better inform their policy decisions. The opening ceremony was also graced by Professors Tan Eng Chye, President of NUS; and Teo Yik Ying, Dean of the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health; Mayfong Mayxay, President of the University of Health Sciences in Lao PDR; Vernon Lee, Chief Executive of the Communicable Diseases Agency, and other luminaries.
The two centre directors, Associate Professors Hannah Clapham (of CERM) and Alec Morton (of PHRISM), after unveiling the centre plaques with Minister Tan, shared the evolution of their centres and their future plans.
In panel discussions, we heard of the importance of trust in facilitating relations between government and academic modellers, and of cocreation to ensure models answer policy questions that were asked, and not questions that were not asked.
The event showcased innovations by the modelling community in the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health through a poster series and short presentations by staff, students, and faculty.
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