In last week's Scholar Spotlight, Jing Ma, a Laidlaw Scholar at UCL, shared her research on the Influences between the Evolution of Legal Framework and Civil Society in Singapore. In her spotlight, Jing expressed her admiration for Dr Ang Swee Chai, applauding her commitment to humanitarian causes, including her role as a volunteer medic during the Sabra and Shatila massacre and her tireless advocacy for the Palestinian people. 

This week, we reflect on Ang's perspective on the impact of small differences: 

Breaking Barriers in Medicine and Humanitarian Aid 

Originally from Penang, Malaysia, Ang studied to become a doctor, receiving her medical degree in 1976. She finished her orthopaedic surgical training in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, becoming the first female orthopaedic consultant at the St Bartholomew and the Royal London Hospitals. In the 1980s, she volunteered in refugee camps in Lebanon as a trauma and orthopaedics consultant, working in Gaza for the United Nations and in the West Bank with the World Health Organisation. She worked at the Gaza Hospital close to the Sabra and Shatila refugee camp, witnessing the Sabra-Shatila Massacre a month after her arrival. Following this, in 1982, she co-founded the charity Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP), giving essential medical aid to Palestinian refugees. 

The Ripple Effect of Small Acts 

Ang's quote, taken from the TEDTalk 'Making a small difference', highlights the importance of small differences, which accumulate and lead to big differences. Ang recalls her life's trajectory, from studying medicine and dreaming of changing policy to seeking asylum in the UK to working amid massacres. Now, after years of working as a doctor, building Medical Aid for Palestinians, and two years following the passing of her husband, she reflects on what she can do. She concludes that even if she wakes up and helps a single person, or puts a smile on someone's face, many small differences amount to a big difference. 

Ang's approach aligns with the Laidlaw value of being #Determined and the Oxford Character Project Leadership Virtue of #Integrity. Being determined means acknowledging that the build-up of persistent small differences amounts to something bigger. Integrity means being principled and consistent, staying steadfast in your beliefs when making the smallest decisions. 

A Call to Reflect

We invite you to reflect on Dr Ang Swee Chai's powerful leadership insights. Share your thoughts in the comments: How do you make small but meaningful differences in your daily life?