To Teach is to Learn Twice

Issue 57
Feb 2026

IN VIVO

Building a community of learning educators.

Communities of Practice (CoP) is an initiative adopted by Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS Medicine) to promote and achieve educational excellence and innovation. This initiative brings together faculty and staff who share a passion for advancing medical education, focusing on five pivotal areas:

1.	Simulation with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Virtual Reality (VR)
2.	AI-enabled Learning
3.	Interprofessional Education
4.	Assessment in Education
5.	Humanities and Professionalism, with focus on Wellness and Well-being

CoP are informal, relationship-based communities of interest and serve as a bridge between theory and practice. The CoP give priority to learning, sharing, and mentorship. They develop an environment where the generation of knowledge and skills is active, ideas are flowing and junior staff get strong mentorship and support. The CoP break down silos by cultivating a shared identity and a sense of common purpose, enabling dialogues across disciplines and professional backgrounds, thus promoting a culture of continuous learning. They also strengthen our educational mission while building stronger bonds to the institution.

Key Drivers for the CoP at NUS Medicine

1.	*Faculty Development:* CoP provide structured guidance, portfolio development, and opportunities to lead, mentor, and innovate. By participating, educators build the evidence and experience needed for career advancement while contributing meaningfully to our academic community.
2.	*Creating International Impact:* CoP offer a collaborative platform to share best practices and position the School as an international leader in medical education.
3.	*Empowering Excellence:* Outstanding faculty are essential to empowering students and nurturing future educators. Through CoP, we enhance our educational environment, supporting the continuous improvement of teaching and learning across NUS Medicine.

Leveraging institutional strengths

Our CoP are uniquely positioned to leverage and benefit from synergistic relationships with University-wide initiatives and resources such as the Centre for Medical Education (CenMED) and the Health Humanities Hub anchored by the Centre for BioMedical Ethics (CBmE). By drawing on these strengths, we expand the reach and impact of the CoP projects, fostering cross‑departmental collaborations that benefit the wider NUS community and create new opportunities to transform ideas into innovations.

Adjunct Professor Lau Tang Ching, Vice-Dean (Education) underscores the transformative potential of these communities: “CoP will empower our faculty and administrators to become experts and change agents. Through shared learning and innovation, we can shape the future of education together.”

Looking ahead

There are opportunities to showcase the impact of our CoP at major international conferences, including the Association of Medical Education in Europe (AMEE) and the Asia Pacific Medical Education Conference (APMEC), reinforcing NUS Medicine’s commitment to educational excellence and global engagement.

We invite all faculty and staff to join us on this exciting journey. Let’s build powerful, supportive networks that will further elevate NUS Medicine’s reputation, both locally and internationally. Look out for the CoP’s upcoming activities and find out how you can be a part of them. Let’s grow, learn, and inspire together!