Health Education Expert Leads Innovative New Unit
Health Education Expert Leads Innovative New Unit
Professor Veena Singaram has been appointed head of the newly-established Health Professions Education Unit in the College of Health Sciences (CHS).
Singaram began her journey in academia as an Anatomy lecturer which led to her specialising in Health Professions Education – a study area she is passionate about.
With more than two terms of service as the Academic Leader of Research and Higher Degrees in the School of Clinical Medicine, Singaram has shown exceptional leadership and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Her academic achievements include a Doctorate in Health Professions Education from Maastricht University in the Netherlands and a prestigious fellowship from the Foundation for Advancement in Medical Education Research (FAIMER-SAFRI).
Last year, she was honoured in Stockholm, Sweden, with the Karolinska Institute’s Prize for Research in Medical Education fellowship (KIPRIME) – an acknowledgment of her outstanding contributions to the field.
Singaram’s commitment to excellence has been widely recognised, most notably through the Distinguished Educator Award from the Southern African Association of Health Professions Educationalists. Her embodiment of the values of Respect, Excellence, Accountability, Client Orientation, Honesty, and Trust (REACHT) earned her the REACHT Academic Award in the School of Clinical Medicine. Furthermore, her innovative spirit is evident in the development of Ignitiated™, a ground-breaking formative feedback mobile application designed to enhance core healthcare professional graduate competencies.
As a mentor and supervisor to numerous Health Professions Education master’s and doctoral students, Singaram has significantly contributed to shaping the future of healthcare education. Her research, which has been presented globally and published in accredited peer-reviewed journals, reflects her commitment to multidisciplinary collaboration and international impact.
Beyond academia, Singaram is deeply involved in professional associations, including the Southern African Association of Health Educationalists (SAAHE) and the Association for Medical Education in Europe (AMEE). Her leadership roles in these organisations underscore her dedication to advancing health professions education on both regional and global scales.
Her involvement in professional associations is extensive having served as an executive member and national treasurer for over three terms in the Southern African Association of Health Educationalists (SAAHE). Currently, she holds the position of Chair of the SAAHE-KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Chapter and serves as the conference convenor for the SAAHE2024 symposium, scheduled for 26-28 June 2024 in Umhlanga. Moreover, she has a pivotal role in shaping the agenda of the Association for Medical Education in Europe (AMEE) 2024 programme committee, focusing on the “cross-cutting” theme encompassing Artificial Intelligence, Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity, Humanities, Interprofessional and Team Learning, Patient Safety, Sustainability and Global Health, and Technology Enhanced Learning. Through her active engagement in these associations, Singaram continues to advance the evolution of health professions education with her dedication, leadership, and innovative contributions.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Head of the CHS Professor Busisiwe Ncama commented: ‘Please join me in extending a warm welcome to Professor Veena Singaram. Her leadership, dedication, and innovative contributions will undoubtedly shape the landscape of health professions education for years to come.’
Words: MaryAnn Francis
Photograph: Supplied
