Known as the Singapore Learning Centre, the 37,000 square feet training facility is equipped with the full range of the most advanced products and solutions from Philips Medical Systems. These include cardiovascular x-ray, general x-ray, computer tomography (CT) scanner, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Ultrasound systems and Patient Monitoring. The equipment will be changed whenever newer models are available so that trainees are up-to-date with the newest technologies.

The center, which was inaugurated June 6, is the first in the Asia Pacific Region. It is one of three campuses under the Philips Medical Academy. The two other centers are in the Netherlands and in Cleveland, USA.

"The Singapore Learning Centre has been established in response to our rapid expansion and success in the Asia-Pacific region where we are benefiting from double-digit growth rates over the past couple of years. The opening of the center reinforces our commitment to advancing healthcare in Asia Pacific. It is aligned around our brand promise – 'Sense and simplicity' – and is a reflection on how one makes technology simple and easy to experience," Jouko Karvinen, CEO, Philips Medical Systems, said during the inauguration ceremonies.

Guest of honor in the event was Philip Yeo, chairman, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore. Attending the event were Andreas Wente, CEO Philips Electronics, Asia-Pacific; Tom Jansen, SLC director; and Mourad Mankarios, CEO, Philips Electronics Singapore.

The learning center, located at the Philips complex in Toa Tayoh, Singapore, offers programs for healthcare technicians – from those in field sales and service engineers to marketing and application specialists.

Small classes allow students a hands-on training experience on the applications and use of the sophisticated equipment. This year, the center will provide more than 4,000 training days, and increase it to over 6,000 days in the next two years.

The classroom environment is designed like the real hospital or clinic setting for each equipment. Nine full-time trainers who can lecture in English, Mandarin or Japanese, are part of the center’s staff.

During the formal inauguration ceremonies, we observed an ongoing class for service engineers tasked to maintain the equipment in hospitals.

At the SLC, large and sophisticated equipment like CTs and MRIs will have a permanent place, while smaller machines will be available for mobile training sessions in other countries in Asia for on-location training.

Before the opening of the SLC, healthcare technicians employed in the hospitals and clinics which acquired the medical equipment are either trained on site or attended sessions in the two other campuses of the Philips Medical Academy, Tom Jansen, SLC director said.

"The SLC will provide healthcare professionals the best skills and knowledge to use the sophisticated machines," he said.

The Singapore Learning Centre will also be a unique showroom for the new equipment of Philips Medical Systems. Customers who are in the process of purchasing equipment for hospitals or clinics can view the sophisticated equipment while in use.

Philips is one of the top three global medical systems providers, and ranked No. 1 in patient monitoring and No. 2 in medical diagnostic imaging.

In Asia, the demand for healthcare presents major challenges. The region is where a growing ageing population of those over 60 will more than double in 2030; and rapid urbanization and affluent lifestyles will lead to an increase in lifestyle diseases such as cancer and heart diseases.

"As one of the world’s leading healthcare companies, Philips is at the forefront of developing technologies that best cater to the needs of Asia Pacific’s population… We are there to help with prevention, with early detection, with diagnosis, with treatment and with distance care," Mr. Karvinen said.