Best man for the job as NTU appoints new dean for Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine

Professor James Best, who currently heads the medical school at the University of Melbourne, will assume his new role at NTU from July 29. -- PHOTO: NANYANG TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY 
Professor James Best, who currently heads the medical school at the University of Melbourne, will assume his new role at NTU from July 29. -- PHOTO: NANYANG TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY 

Nanyang Technological University (NTU) has appointed a new dean for its Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine.

Professor James Best, who currently heads the medical school at the University of Melbourne, will assume his new role at NTU from July 29.

A graduate of the University of Melbourne in 1972, Prof Best has practised endocrinology in Australia, Hong Kong, the USA and the UK.

He joined the the University of Melbourne as deputy head of the Department of Medicine at St Vincent's Hospital after having worked there from 1982 to 1989.

In July 2007, he was appointed head of the Melbourne Medical School, which today is ranked among the top 20 medical schools worldwide by Times Higher Education.

Prof Best has taught extensively during his career, especially on diabetes, metabolism and on the medical interview. The author of over 200 publications, he is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, Royal College of Pathologists, Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh and Honorary MD from St Andrews University.

As Dean of the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Prof Best will "spearhead the programmes of the school, which aims to train doctors to meet Singapore's future healthcare needs", said NTU in a release on Monday.

Said NTU president Bertil Andersson: "Professor Best has an outstanding track record, including leadership at Australia's highest achieving medical school for research. He also has advanced experience in medical research funding through his engagement at the National Health and Medical Research Council in Canberra. This stands him in good stead to take medical training in NTU to new heights."

Prof Best succeeds Professor Dermot Kelleher, who is also dean at Imperial College London's Faculty of Medicine. The Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine admitted its first cohort of students in August 2013.

Prof Best said: "I am excited to embark on this new challenge where there will be a wealth of opportunities to develop collaborations, partnerships and other academic initiatives."

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