Love in the Air at NUMed: From Lecture Halls to Love Stories

Cupid is often known for working overtime, striking in the most unexpected of places—even medical school. In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, let us celebrate love by looking at how Cupid’s arrow struck two couples, namely Kelvin Ong and Mabel Tan (Class of 2016), and Irfan Ikhtar and Syiqin Mohamed Halim (Class of 2022), amidst the frenzy of lectures, lab work, and endless studying and assignments, right here at NUMed.

Strong Start

For the two couples, NUMed was where they first crossed paths. It wasn’t love at first sight but rather a slow and steady fanning of the flames that grew as they navigated the rigorous demands of medical school.

“It all began with a serendipitous encounter. While we started off as friends, that initial spark grew stronger with time, and we became inseparable,” Kelvin recalled.

“I first met Syiqin one afternoon at FAME Cafe, where my friends and I joined her and her group for a game of Monopoly. That day marked the beginning of our friendship, and over time, we grew closer. It wasn’t until we were studying together for our Year 1 final exams that we both noticed a spark between us,” reminisced Irfan.

What began as a simple friendship between classmates blossomed into a solid partnership that has been a constant source of strength throughout their medical school journey, which, as we all know, can feel overwhelming at times. In fact, Irfan confessed that he was ready to quit medical school at times.

“I struggled to adjust to university life and the demands of studying medicine during our first year. I even considered abandoning the course entirely! Luckily for me, Syiqin (who was the top student!) promised to help me, and we studied together,” he shared.

Seven years later, the couple is still pushing together toward their goals — she to become an endocrinologist and he a surgeon!

Together Through Thick and Thin

Kelvin recently completed his General Practitioner (GP) Speciality Training in the UK while Mabel, who is in the same programme, is currently on maternity leave, awaiting the arrival of their first child.

According to them, “We continue to support each other professionally by offering guidance, sharing experiences, and helping each other navigate the challenges of our medical careers. Our shared understanding of the demands of the profession makes it easier to offer meaningful advice and encouragement in life.”

Meanwhile, Irfan is presently a Clinical Fellow in Trauma & Orthopaedics at King’s Mill Hospital in Mansfield, UK, and Syiqin is a Core Trainee in Acute Care Common Stem-Internal Medicine (ACCS-IM) at Lincoln County Hospital in Lincoln, UK. They, too, credit each other for having made it this far in their professional and personal journey.

“Pursuing a career in medicine is never easy and comes with its fair share of challenges,” explained Irfan. “We are constantly motivating and encouraging each other to improve, while also ensuring that we maintain a healthy work-life balance.”

In appreciating each other as well as what life has to offer, they have also learnt to celebrate each other’s wins, big and small. “We love celebrating any achievements by going out for brunch and indulging in desserts,” said Irfan.

“We enjoy watching movies, food hunting, and travelling together. This is a great way for us to bond and unwind after the demands of work, and helps us to maintain a healthy balance between our personal and professional lives,” Kelvin explained.

And how do they perceive their future together?

“Professionally, we hope to specialise in our chosen fields and work at the same hospital. Personally, we look forward to growing old together,” declared Irfan.

Kelvin and Mable concur. “We envision continuing to grow together and supporting each other along the way, both professionally and personally. Our connection to NUMed will always hold a special place in our hearts, and we hope to remain involved with the university through alumni activities, mentorship, and supporting future generations of students,” said Kelvin.

He advises students and alumni to be open to meeting new people and forming strong, supportive friendships. “NUMed is a place where shared experiences can lead to lasting relationships. If you’re open and genuine, the right connections will happen naturally, whether they lead to friendship or something more,” he added.

Mahatma Gandhi famously said, “Where there is love, there is life.” With that in mind, we wish the couples a lifetime of happiness together.

Happy Valentine’s Day, everybody!