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It is expected to train up to 3,500 professionals a year, in person, by 2025. At the same, about 5,000 will be trained through the use of digital technology.
Smith+Nephew (S+N), a medical technology business headquartered in London, has launched its first major medical education and digital innovation centre for the Asia Pacific region in Singapore's Alice@Mediapolis.
Speaking at the launch ceremony on Wednesday (9 November 2022), attended by Human Resources Online, Myra Eskes, President APAC and Global Service, Smith+Nephew, cited Singapore's 'strategic location and key connectivity' as the key reasons it was chosen for this hub [scroll below for an exclusive interview with Eskes].
Presently, the company operates in Asia through presence in Vietnam, South Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, and more, alongside distributors in Bangladesh, Indonesia, Myanmar, and more.
About the Smith+Nephew Academy Singapore
This new S+N Academy Singapore will offer an 'engaging, immersive, and interactive' training environment for healthcare professionals from across the region to experience the latest products and technologies, and refine their techniques under the guidance of expert peers.
It includes a state-of-the-art digital operating suite of the future including handheld robotics, 4K arthroscopy towers, surgical navigation tools, live transmission capabilities, and touch-screen interfaces. The digital experience is supported by a virtual reality simulation studio, a tech-enabled teaching auditorium, and a professional broadcast studio where experts can record and live-stream surgical techniques to educate fellow healthcare professionals.
Additionally, the academy features fully-equipped surgical super-stations for hands-on procedural training across S+N’s portfolio of orthopaedic reconstruction, trauma, robotics, sports medicine, ear, nose and throat, and advanced wound management. Up to 3,500 healthcare providers are expected to attend in-person courses at the academy, every year, up till 2025; while another 5,000 will be trained through digital technology.
The academy is also expected will partner on initiatives within the wider healthcare community, including with start-ups, early-stage investors, and other industry partners to support the development of new innovations, and medical institutions to utilise the latest training infrastructure.
Commenting on the new facility, Deepak Nath, Chief Executive Officer of Smith+Nephew, said: "We are proud to open S+N Academy Singapore which will provide the right environment and tools for thought leaders to challenge the status quo, refining new technologies and surgical techniques to improve outcomes for patients."
The launch of the academy was officiated in the presence of Gan Kim Yong, Minister for Trade and Industry Singapore; Alex Bamford, Deputy British High Commissioner to Singapore, and Deepak Nath.
Pictured from L-R: Cindy Walker, Senior Vice President of Global Medical Education for Smith+Nephew; Myra Eskes, President of Asia Pacific and Global Service for Smith+Nephew; Minister Gan Kim Yong, Minister for Trade and Industry; Alex Bamford, Deputy British High Commissioner to Singapore, and Deepak Nath Smith+Nephew CEO.
HRO's Priya Sunil checked in with Myra Eskes for insights on the talent challenges and opportunities in the medtech field. Read what she had to say here.
Q What is the #1 talent challenge the industry is facing?
The medtech industry is evolving rapidly due to the pandemic, and talents need to stay ahead of the curve by ensuring that they possess the right skillsets and experience that will help them stay relevant.
In order for healthcare professionals to stay equipped with the knowledge and skillsets required by the medtech industry, they need to continually upskill themselves. Our S+N Academy Singapore is an avenue through which healthcare professionals can upskill, even if they are inconvenienced to travel. As our academy is powered by digital capabilities, healthcare professionals can still access training sessions and materials through two-way live transmissions and broadcasts from anywhere in the world.
For example, faculty members from US/Europe can demonstrate and share techniques with healthcare professionals here in APAC.
Q What are some key developments that are intensifying talent challenges?
While healthcare professionals need to stay relevant in the ever-changing medtech industry, employers must also do their part to retain talents. At Smith+Nephew, we work closely with our employees to help them understand our company purpose of 'life unlimited', so that they can grow alongside us. We continue to create awareness of our employee value proposition to strengthen our culture of care, collaboration, and courage.
Q Tell us about the strategies that have worked in tackling this challenge.
We make it a point to show appreciation to our talents by providing them with a healthy and customised career development track.
Smith+Nephew prioritises talent development, and we have a slew of programmes in place to help train our employees to grow in the rapidly evolving medtech industry. For example, our human resources and APAC leadership teams are championing a fast track talent development programme to nurture our next generation of leaders. Through this programme, our talents will get to work with colleagues from across different functions, regions and teams. They will also be mentored by senior leaders for the solutions that they will develop to push the boundaries of medical education, innovation, and excellence.
We also have in place several competency programmes to help our employees close their skills gap in the rapidly evolving medtech industry, so that they can stay relevant.
Lead photo / Journalist's own (featuring Minister Gan Kim Yong, Singapore's Minister for Trade and Industry)
In-line photo / Provided
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