PROFESSORSHIPS

ExxonMobil has a long history in Singapore dating back to 1893, when their kerosene illuminated homes here. Today, their brands, ExxonMobil, Esso, and Mobil, are household names, providing safe and reliable supplies of energy to the community and industry. The Singapore Refinery and the Singapore Chemical Plant together form the company’s largest integrated manufacturing site in the world. The company operates a network of Esso service stations, supplies cooking gas to Singapore households as well as industrial, aviation, and marine fuels and lubricants. The chemical plant produces the building blocks of many everyday items, from water bottles to bumpers in cars, baby diapers and medical products.

Over the years, ExxonMobil has strived to make a positive impact on the Singapore community through its various programmes. Its employees distribute groceries to low-income families, raise funds for the physically disabled and the company provides support to the South West CDC’s Transport Bursary Programme and the Outstanding Social Worker Awards.

Globally, education is an ExxonMobil corporate giving focus area. The company believes that education empowers communities and builds the foundation for human progress. ExxonMobil supports talent building through the Exxon-Mobil EDB Engineering Scholarships, the Eisenhower Fellowship, and the NUS-ExxonMobil Post Graduate Medical Research Scholarship. ExxonMobil sees maths and science as critical tools for success in today’s world.

In Singapore, the company is committed to supporting maths and science educational initiatives, for example, through its support of engineering education and bench strength building. In line with that, NUS established the ExxonMobil Professorship in Engineering to further the community’s expertise in the areas of Chemical Engineering, Logistics, and Process Control. The Professorship enables the University to bring to Singapore eminent professors who share their knowledge with students, faculty, and industry leaders; hold public seminars and collaborate with research bodies to build on areas of strategic importance to Singapore. The Professorship is supported by a gift from ExxonMobil Asia Pacific Pte Ltd.

GLOBALFOUNDRIES is the world’s first full-service semiconductor foundry with a truly global footprint. Launched in March 2009, the company has quickly achieved scale as the second largest foundry in the world, providing a unique combination of advanced technology and manufacturing to more than 160 customers. With operations in Singapore, Germany and the United States, GLOBALFOUNDRIES is the only foundry that offers the flexibility and security of manufacturing centres spanning three continents. GLOBALFOUNDRIES is owned by the Mubadala Development Corporation based in Abu Dhabi. The company is uniquely positioned in having the resources and the capability to ramp up production and be an industry leader as demand rises for mobility applications such as smartphones and tablets.

The company is committed to ethical and responsible business practices, the well-being of employees and the protection of the environment. They contribute to the communities in which they operate through volunteer activities, financial support or by promoting education, health and other services. For example, in Singapore, they support the Singapore Children’s Cancer Foundation Hair for Hope programme.

Electronics is a pillar of Singapore’s manufacturing sector, contributing to more than 50 percent of the world’s electronics output. The semiconductor industry has played an important role in the country’s economic growth since the first investments more than 40 years ago. As technology changes, Singapore needs to train people to handle sophisticated machinery and come up with innovative solutions. NUS established the Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing Ltd Professorship in Engineering in 1996. This became the GLOBALFOUNDRIES Singapore Pte Ltd Professorship following the company’s acquisition. The Professorship has enabled the University to engage eminent professors to share their expertise and experience, and participate in research and education with other faculty members. Particular emphasis is given to the contributions and insights they can offer to Singapore and its ever-growing regional and international role in this field.

The name ‘Meyer’ has been intertwined with Singapore’s history for more than 150 years. The family’s influence is seen in the roads and buildings that bear the name, but more importantly in the lives of people who have benefitted from their philanthropy over the years.

The Isaac Manasseh Meyer Trust Fund bears the name of the eldest son of Sir Manasseh Meyer, an influential figure of mid-19th century Singapore and a pillar of the Jewish community. The stately Manasseh Meyer building in NUS’ Bukit Timah campus, named in his honour, is recognised as a national monument. Mr Isaac Meyer was born and educated in Singapore. He was a man of quiet taste who focused on his business interests. He passed away in 1954.

The Isaac Manasseh Meyer Trust Fund supports educational and charitable causes, with gifts towards scholarships, bursaries, research and other educational programmes. It helps the disadvantaged and the physically disabled. During the SARS outbreak, they contributed to the Courage Fund. 

NUS established the Isaac Manasseh Meyer Professorship in Engineering for their contributions towards education and community development. The Professorship enables the University to welcome experts to share their knowledge with students and faculty, participate in collaborative research and help build Singapore’s global standing in the field of engineering. The Professorship is supported by a gift from the Isaac Manasseh Meyer Trust Fund.

Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd (Keppel O & M), a subsidiary of Singapore conglomerate Keppel Corporation, is the world’s largest offshore and marine group with a strong network of 20 yards worldwide. Starting life as a humble ship repair yard, Keppel O&M is today a global brand with a diversified portfolio offering cutting-edge technology to its clients. As part of the Keppel Group, Keppel O & M believes in nurturing and empowering the communities in which they operate because “as our communities thrive, we thrive”.

Keppel Care Foundation, a registered charity under Singapore’s charity act, coordinates and sustains the Keppel Group’s community contributions to provide assistance to the underprivileged, promote education and encourage eco-friendly initiatives.

In recognition of the support from Keppel O & M, NUS established the Keppel Professorship in Ocean, Offshore and Marine Technology in 2002 as the first initiative In developing Singapore into a Center of Excellence in this field. The offshore and marine industry is a major contributor to Singapore’s economy.

With the establishment of the Keppel Chair Professorship (KCP) Programme, Keppel has supported the initiation of research projects, as well as technology development in the offshore and marine industry since 2002. A public lecture is also conducted annually by an eminent academic or industry professional. The Centre for Offshore Research & Engineering (CORE) was set up in 2003 to promote multi-disciplinary research and development in offshore and marine. It also aims to draw expertise from the various departments in the Faculty of Engineering to work on integrated R & D. In 2012, Keppel Care Foundation made a subsequent contribution to NUS to further the work of the professorship through the Keppel Chair Professorship.

Autodesk operates at the leading edge of 3D design, engineering and entertainment software and services. Autodesk software, which enables people to design, visualise and simulate ideas, is part of various iconic projects. From architecture and civil engineering to 3D printing and even nanoscale synthetic biology, Autodesk is constantly pushing the boundaries of possibility.

At the core of their future-focused vision is education – opening the minds of tomorrow’s designers and giving them the tools to imagine and create a better world. To that end, Autodesk gives students, teachers and educational institutions free access to professional design software, creativity apps and real-world projects. Students have access to video tutorials, and can participate in competitions, building their résumé. They can also present their work online at Autodesk’s ‘Education Community’ to connect to students, teachers and academic institutions. Teachers can use Autodesk’s real-world design projects to enhance the curriculum. The company offers support in ways to integrate Autodesk software into the curriculum, training, certification and resources. The company also runs the Autodesk University to provide training and networking opportunities for design and engineering professionals.

NUS established the NUS-Autodesk Term Professorship at the NUS Engineering Design & Innovation Centre (EDIC) to honour the achievements of an industry leader. The Professorship will play a leading role in the development of a design curriculum to enhance learning experiences for engineering students. The appointed NUS-Autodesk Professor will lead in developing innovative designs and tools to push design frontiers using Autodesk software. The Professorship is supported by a gift from Autodesk Asia Pte Ltd.

It is said that Mrs Ong Siew May’s hobby was work. In a career spanning 30 years, she completed more than 200 projects, among them the restoration and redevelopment of Chijmes and Great World City. A project particularly close to her heart was the new campus for her alma mater Nanyang Girls’ High School, which she completed in 1999 while battling colon cancer. She passed away the same year.

Mrs Ong’s passion for her work was obvious to all she came in contact with. Even after her husband Ong Teng Cheong became President of Singapore, she continued to work at Ong & Ong, a company she had set up with her husband in 1972. She became the first and only working First Lady, taking part in client discussions and visiting building sites.

Mrs Ong came to Singapore at the age of 11 in 1948 after spending five years in an orphanage in China. She joined Nanyang Girls’ High School, where she excelled as an essayist, in mathematics, calligraphy and dancing. She also met her future husband during that time, at the age of 15. The two later studied architecture at the University of Adelaide, where Mrs Ong became the first Asian woman architecture graduate. She later became the first woman to become fellow-member of the Singapore Institute of Architecture.

NUS established the Ong Siew May Professorship in Architecture to honour one of Singapore’s foremost architects and former First Lady. The Professorship enables the Department of Architecture, School of Design and Environment to appoint internationally eminent practitioners, academics and emerging architects to work with the department to address challenging issues on architecture and Asian urbanisation and explore new ideas for design excellence. The Ong Siew May Professorship was established with generous gifts from the Ong family, corporate donors, including Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple, Lee Foundation, Lien Foundation, NLC Construction Pte Ltd, and individual donors.

Seatrium Limited is a homegrown company that provides innovative engineering solutions for the offshore, marine and energy industries. It was formed in April 2023 through a merger between Singapore’s main offshore and marine companies – Sembcorp Marine and Keppel Offshore & Marine. Combining two words, “sea” and “atrium” of the company’s name reflects its aspiration to become a premier player in the global maritime industry. Seatrium conducts its business worldwide through shipyards in Singapore, Indonesia, the United Kingdom, and Brazil. Its products and services include rigs and floaters, repairs and upgrades, offshore platforms, as well as specialised shipbuilding.

The current Seatrium Professor is Mr Christopher Wiernicki, Chairman, President and CEO of the American Bureau of Shipping. Mr Wiernicki is the first Seatrium Professor hailing from the private sector. His appointment marks the intent of the professorship to continuously tap the expertise and knowledge of key industry professionals.

The Seatrium Professorship is a partnership between Seatrium Limited and the NUS College of Design and Engineering. The Professorship reflects the shared vision of both parties to unite world-class talent and engineering capabilities that will bring about offshore and energy solutions that are both transformative and sustainable. It aims to attract top talent in energy transition and sustainability to promote knowledge transfer as well as develop innovative technology and processes to boost Singapore’s competitiveness.

From National Heritage sites to modern icons of Singapore’s architectural landscape, construction firm Woh Hup has built them all. They have, after all, been 90 years in the business. Despite a humble start erecting garden fences for the British Residents in Seremban, Malaysia, the company was, within a decade, building walls of a different kind across the causeway. Whether the neo-classical Old Ministry of Labour Building, or the original Changi Prison – then considered a state-of-the-art facility – and later, the first post-war high-rise office building, MacDonald House, Woh Hup’s work was easily distinguishable. These days, their projects are equally renowned, such as the internationally-acclaimed Gardens by the Bay conservatories and Supertrees, many prestigious residences and the upcoming landmark, Jewel Changi Airport.

Woh Hup’s founder, the late Mr Yong Yit Lin, was always grateful to the community that helped his business flourish. He established the practice of giving when he founded the company; a tradition that continues with the three generations helming the business today. Woh Hup supports the less privileged community through its Trust, organises and participates in various charity events, and provides volunteer opportunities for its employees.

The multiple-award winning company has also been a long-time supporter of NUS. Ever since the 1970s, Woh Hup bursaries and scholarships have enabled students to pursue an education for a better future.

The Woh Hup Visiting Professorship was endowed in 2017 as part of the company’s 90th anniversary celebration. With it, top scholars and industry practitioners in the civil and environmental engineering fields will be invited to share their expertise, as well as the latest advances and best practices with the university’s faculty, students and industry peers. As a local and regional pioneer of many progressive technologies over the years, Woh Hup is pleased to facilitate the establishment of thought leadership in these fields and set the foundation for generations to come, here at NUS.

The late Professor Arthur Lim was a man of vision, literally and metaphorically. Prof Lim dedicated his life to turning his dream into reality – grooming eye specialists in Singapore and the region. He was responsible for the creation and development of the Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC), Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI), the Department of Ophthalmology, National University Hospital, and NUS. Prof Lim had a big heart. He shared his expertise freely and donated generously towards research and training, even spreading his cataract surgery teaching programme throughout China by establishing the International Tianjin Intraocular Implant Training Centre. Prof Lim said, “If you spread the teachings of good quality eye surgery to your colleagues, they will ultimately restore vision to millions of blind victims in the world.”

Born in Hong Kong in 1934, Prof Lim graduated from the University of Malaya (NUS’ predecessor) in 1956. Over the years, Prof Lim held over 60 major national and international appointments. He served as President of both the Singapore Medical Association and the Medical Alumni Association. Prof Lim, who defined alumni volunteerism, was appointed Chairman of the Universities’ Endowment Fund. Here, too, he lived true to his belief, “A good doctor’s true wealth is the good he does for others in the world”, inspiring many to support education to fulfil the dreams of future generations.

SNEC and Duke-NUS established the prestigious Arthur Lim Professorship in Ophthalmology in conjunction with NUS to honour the medical visionary. The Professorship is supported by a gift from the SNEC Health Research Endowment Fund, which recognises Prof Lim’s lifelong dedication and commitment to developing quality eye care, education and research in Singapore, with far-reaching contributions to the world. The Professorship will be awarded to an outstanding clinician and researcher who demonstrates academic leadership in medical education and promotes the advancement of new frontiers in medicine – hallmarks that distinguished Prof Lim’s illustrious career.

Professor N Balachandran, a medical luminary and pioneer in the field of orthopaedics, was instrumental in developing orthopaedics as a medical speciality in Singapore. A founding father, mentor, teacher and friend to many in the profession, Professor Balachandran graduated from the University of Malaya in 1956.

A firm believer in the transfer of skills, experience and knowledge to younger surgeons so that patients could benefit from better care, Prof Balachandran trained countless orthopaedic surgeons, nurses and other staff. His mantra was: “We must always aim towards excellence and not be selfish. We would have failed in our duties and responsibilities if our younger surgeons who come after us are not better than us.” Later, as President of the Singapore Medical Association, he reminded doctors that, “Success cannot be measured in financial terms only. It must be measured by the sum total of the good we do for the community.” Prof Balachandran’s strict and firm but fair working style belied his heart of gold.

Over his four-and-a-half decade career, his devotion to his patients and dedication to mentoring his students have left an indelible impression on the medical profession. He is best remembered for his compassion and humanity towards his patients. He cared deeply for them, regardless of their social standings, and was very intimately concerned with rehabilitation of the handicapped, the disabled, patients with spinal injuries, congenital deformities and the chronic sick.

The Balachandran -Kajima Professorship in Academic Medicine was established to honour this medical giant. The Professorship aims to nurture academic leadership in medical teaching and research and will allow the distinguished recipient to pursue advanced research that will make a lasting impact on patients’ lives. Kajima Overseas Asia (KOA), a regional arm of Kajima Corporation, donated generously towards this Professorship. A global design, construction and real estate development giant, KOA was involved in the development of The Academia, an iconic building dedicated to research, education and training on the SGH Campus. The Professorship is also supported by SingHealth Foundation.

In 1930s Singapore, 70 to 80 women in every 10,000 died during childbirth. Neonatal deaths were 700 in 10,000. Against this backdrop, Dr Benjamin Sheares, the father of modern obstetrics and gynaecology in Singapore, graduated from King Edward VII College of Medicine (NUS’ predecessor institution) in 1929. Born in 1907 into a humble Eurasian family, the odds were stacked against his achieving his childhood dream of being a doctor. But his passion for medicine coupled with sheer hard work took him to the pinnacle of his profession, and from there to the Presidency of Singapore.

An outstanding surgeon, Dr Sheares pioneered the lower segment Caesarean section in Singapore, which is now the gold standard for deliveries requiring surgery. Over the 25 years he spent at KK Hospital, he pioneered country-wide childcare clinics to improve ante- and post-natal supervision and enabled better training for midwives. By the 1950s, the maternal death rate was down to 7 per 10,000 and neonatal deaths were 4 in 10,000. Dr Sheares, the first Singaporean to be appointed Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (O&G) at the University of Malaya in 1950, taught almost every prominent obstetrician and gynaecologist in the country. His keen interest in clinical research led to safer O&G care. Singapore’s mothers and children are in safe hands today because of him.

The Benjamin Sheares Professorship will build on the expertise of SingHealth and Duke-NUS, set up initiatives within Singapore and overseas to build Duke-NUS’ and Singapore’s reputations as a leading biomedical hub. It will recognise academic leadership in medical teaching and form collaborations with other international centres of excellence. The individual selected will be like Dr Sheares, a role model to students, clinicians and clinician scientists, and he or she will pursue advanced research while serving students, patients and the community. The Professorship is supported by gifts from Tote Board, SingHealth Foundation and the late Mdm Yeo Seh Geok (Mrs Benjamin Sheares).

As a child, Dr Benjamin Henry Sheares’ favourite game was playing doctor. It was a dream which almost did not come true: his mother hoped he would support the family as a clerk after his Senior Cambridge Examinations (today’s O-Levels). Far from being tempered, his ambitions took flight. Through a hard- won scholarship from the King Edward VII College of Medicine (present-day NUS), Dr Sheares fulfilled his calling, becoming known decades later as the Father of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Singapore, and eventually rising to the highest office in the land as the second President of the Republic of Singapore.

Along the way, Dr Sheares amassed a long list of firsts. He was the first Singaporean to publish in the Journal of the British Medical Association in 1940. The first local specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology (O&G), and first Singaporean to be appointed Professor at the University of Malaya in 1951. He was also the first Singaporean accepted at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in the United Kingdom, and first conferred an Honorary Fellowship there, a rare honour. He was a pioneer in every way, gaining international renown for his prolific medical research, not least for the “Sheares Procedure” named after him, and the Lower Segment Caesarean Section, considered the gold standard around the world. During his tenure heading the Kandang Kerbau Hospital (KKH), Dr Sheares put Singapore on the international map for O&G. Above all, he made it safer for mothers and children – maternal mortality rates fell from 80 to below 5 deaths per 10,000 deliveries within 15 years. The modest doctor always retained close teaching contact with medical students, even through his presidency. It is due to his dedication that every prominent obstetrician and gynaecologist who followed in Singapore was taught by him or one of his students.

In honour of Dr Sheares’ contributions, the Sheares family and KKH established the Benjamin Henry Sheares Professorship in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. This Professorship will address critical clinical, teaching and research challenges in the fields of O&G and carry on Dr Sheares’ legacy of service to the community.

"In the practice of medicine, we must always remember our core purpose, which is to improve the care of our patients. We do not just treat patients, but we care. To care, we need to have compassion. We do not just care but must strive to improve on the care. And to improve on that care, we need to do research, and teach the next generation of doctors to be better than us." Professor Foo Keong Tatt, Emeritus Consultant, Department of Urology, Singapore General Hospital.

Often regarded as the Father of Urology in Singapore, Professor Foo Keong Tatt is widely recognised for his pioneering work and leadership. He was the Founding President of the Singapore Urological Association from 1986 to 1988, Secretary General of the Urological Association of Asia (UAA) from 1998 to 2006, Honorary Executive Director, from 2007 to April 2018, and currently Honorary Advisor to the UAA.

To many of his students and patients, Professor Foo is a humble and compassionate doctor, an approachable and kind teacher, a generous and good friend who is passionate about education and research that translate into positive patient outcomes. The endowed Foo Keong Tatt Professorship allows us to honour Professor Foo’s work and his legacy for many generations.

The Foo Keong Tatt Professorship strives to achieve peaks of excellence in research, education and practice, strengthening Singapore’s position as a thought leader in Urology globally. Research areas of the professorship will focus on clinical benign prostate hyperplasia and prostate cancer, bladder health and urinary stone diseases.

Many know Prof Goh Hak Su as the Founding Father of Colorectal Surgery. In 1989, Prof Goh established the Department of Colorectal Surgery at the Singapore General Hospital, the first of its kind in Singapore and the region. As Head of Department, Prof Goh built the foundations for clinical work, teaching and research that trained many colorectal surgeons not only from Singapore and the region but also some from the United Kingdom and Australia as well. Today, the Department remains a premier colorectal centre with an international reputation in clinical work, teaching and research.

An avid educator, Prof Goh lectured and impacted students both locally and internationally. He was awarded the Galloway Gold Medal and Memorial Lecture by the Council of the Academy of Medicine of Singapore, the Joint Royal College of Surgeons (Edinburgh) and Academy of Medicine (Singapore) Lecture in Edinburgh, the Edward Wilson Lecture in Sidney, the Harry Bacon Oration in Jodhpur, the WG Smith Lecture in Perth and the Singapore National Science and Technology Medal.

n addition to knowledge and skills, he firmly believes in the importance of the art of making wise and sound patient-centric decisions in clinical work and patient care.

The endowed Goh Hak Su Professorship in Colorectal Surgery aims to propagate excellent surgery, research and training in Colorectal Surgery in Singapore and beyond. Serving as an enduring beacon to enhance the academic medicine aspirations of the department, the professorship will create a strong framework for research and a conducive environment for innovation. The professorship aspires to transform research in areas including functional bowel disorders, inflammatory bowel disease, gut microbiota, integrated pelvic cancer management and epidemiology and clinical trials of colorectal diseases in Singapore.

In search for treatment options, Mrs Kathy Goh and her family were introduced to the research work of the Division of Pathology in the Singapore General Hospital, that is to use biomarkers to predict the biological behaviour of breast cancer which can lead to more targeted treatments and improve the survival rates for patients in Singapore and Asia. Helping the next generation of women find targeted treatment for breast diseases such as triple negative breast cancer so that it will no longer be a death sentence was the motivation that prompted the family of the late Mrs Kathy Goh to set up the Kathy Goh Professorship in Pathology Academic Clinical Programme (ACP), in memory of Mrs Goh who passed away in 2018 from the disease.

The Kathy Goh Professorship in Pathology is the first named Professorship for the Pathology team at SGH. At SGH Pathology, research on breast cancer aims to identify biomarkers that can predict and prognosticate the disease, as well as stratify treatment options leading to better survival for patients. In the field of triple negative breast cancer, the team focuses on how the tumour immune micro-environment can influence disease progression and response to therapy. SGH has a large tissue archive of breast cancers which enables researchers to investigate and compare differences between local patients and those from published studies conducted overseas.

With the establishment of the Kathy Goh Professorship, the family hopes that their support can help boost discoveries in breast cancer, the second most common cancer in the world. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Singapore and has been so since 1968 when the Singapore Cancer Registry was formed.

Dedicated to the Chinese Goddess of Mercy, Kuan Yin or Guan Yin, the Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple has been providing succour to those in need since 1884. One of the oldest Buddhist temples in Singapore, it was a place of refuge during the Japanese Occupation of Singapore. For many decades now, it has been offering support to the sick and disadvantaged as well as to society at large through its many acts of philanthropy.

Dr Tan Choon Kim, Chairman of Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple, said, “We want to give bright, promising students the opportunity to learn from and be inspired by the best brains in their fields. Exceptional teachers are catalysts for the success of the next generation.” The Professorships are supported by gifts from Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple.

In 2018, the Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple Professorship in Ophthalmology was established at Duke-NUS Medical School’s Academic Clinical Programme in Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences. The Professorship enables the recruitment of world-leading faculty, supports clinical innovation, research projects, and the education and training of eye care professionals.

The Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple Professorship in Ophthalmology Academic Medicine has been established under the Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Programme.

The Professorship will support an eminent educator, who has made a significant impact in training and education in Ophthalmology, in nurturing the next generation of competent and proficient clinicians and eye care professionals by strengthening the training and education opportunities in the specialised field of ophthalmology; and provide the required resources to the named holder of this appointment to uplift the quality of training and education in academic medicine and clinical innovation. This will benefit the community both in Singapore and beyond.

Over his illustrious career, Professor Lee Seng Teik, Emeritus Consultant of Singapore General Hospital’s (SGH) Department of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery, has been at the vanguard in his field. His numerous achievements include research studies in genetic craniofacial anomalies and long-term outcome studies in cleft lip and palate. He was Head of the SGH Plastic Surgery Department and the Burns Centre from 1985 to 1998. In 1990, he started the stem cell lab at the National Burns Centre. In 2005, Prof Lee initiated the Adult Stem Cell Research Group on the Outram campus, based at the Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI), for translational research in plastic surgery, neurology, ophthalmology and oncology. When the conjoined Nepalese twins Ganga and Jamuna were separated in a mammoth 103-hour operation, Prof Lee led the reconstruction team and covered their brains with artificial skin. This was a first for Singapore. As a Distinguished Singapore Volunteer Overseas, Prof Lee has actively been involved in humanitarian work for over 30 years.

Mr Lee Hoo Leng is a private investor and held directorships in various companies. He is also an alumnus of Raffles College and NUS (’52) and a Global Council member for the Asia Society, an educational organisation that promotes partnerships between Asia and the US in a global context. He is also a close family friend of Professor Lee Seng Teik.

The Lee Seng Teik and Lee Hoo Leng Professorship in Plastic Surgery and Regenerative Medicine will enable new insights into tissue and organ regeneration, resulting in new therapies relevant to ageing populations, tissue engineering of organs, tissues for replacement therapy and also translational research in both acute and chronic wound healing. The Professorship is supported by gifts from Professor Lee Seng Teik and Mr Lee Hoo Leng.

Professor Seah Cheng Siang (1922-1990) was a master clinician, a lion of medical education and a pioneer in advancing clinical excellence in Singapore. Through his leadership at the Singapore General Hospital as Head of Medical Unit 3, and of the medical fraternity, he helped lay strong foundations for Medicine and public healthcare. He was legendary for his teaching; he instilled in the doctors under his care a deep concern and compassion for patients. He taught and influenced almost two generations of doctors who are now teaching and practising in universities, hospitals and clinics in Singapore. Prof Seah was also an architect of specialist medicine in Singapore. He helped to set standards of the highest order, which was key to securing the setting up of Singapore’s own specialist qualifications and register, independent of the Royal Colleges. His contributions benefited his patients and SGH as well as the medical fraternity. Above all, he stood for dedication to the art of practising medicine, education, professionalism and humanitarianism.

The Seah Cheng Siang Professorship honours an eminent individual who has made outstanding contributions to the practice of medicine, as well as the training and mentorship of medical professionals. He/she should also boast a substantial record of intellectual achievements, contributing to academic enterprise of the highest stature. The Professorship is supported by gifts from the family of the late Prof Seah Cheng Siang, as well as colleagues and former students.

The establishment of the SNEC Professorship in Clinical Education in Ophthalmology is intended to continue our founding father, Professor Arthur Lim's legacy and inherently strong belief that teaching and education are integral, and should remain perennial in the cultivation of the next generation of ophthalmologists, and eye care professionals across the spectrum of eye care delivery, in Singapore, and across the region. This Professorship will serve to continue Prof Lim's vision of ensuring that Singapore and the surrounding region remain at the forefront of ophthalmology training and educational activities and that our ophthalmologists, researchers and other eye care professionals and support staff (nursing and allied health as well as administrators) are well-trained in the latest and state-of-the art techniques, and other relevant skill sets, are involved in certification and credentialing courses that continuously reinforce skills, safety, ethical practice and the ability to treat our patients towards even better outcomes.

This Professorship will pave the way towards grooming and supporting our ophthalmologists, researchers and other eye care professionals and support staff (nursing and allied health as well as administrators) with the relevant resources to assist them in their teaching and mentorship roles. It will further lead to the establishment of fellowships and postgraduate teaching and mentoring programs. Beyond the teaching of students and postgraduates, it is hoped that funds generated via this endowed professorship will further lead to educational scholarships/awards, as well as support the development of ophthalmology modules, curriculum and teaching methodologies. The Professorship is supported by a gift from the SNEC Health Research Endowment Fund.

Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC) has gained both local and international prominence and has secured its place as an international referral centre for complex cases, leveraging on innovation and novel approaches to achieve effective eye care delivery. It is further recognised globally as a state-of-the-art training centre for ophthalmic education. In tandem with its research arm, the Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI), SNEC remains at the forefront of high-impact, innovative and effective eye care therapeutics, interventional strategies and vision loss prevention initiatives.

The establishment of the SNEC Professorship in Clinical Innovation in Ophthalmology will build upon the Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Programme’s efforts towards spearheading innovative and world leading eye care delivery for our patients. This Professorship will further pave the way towards the establishment of a pipeline for future thought leaders of Innovation in Ophthalmology. The Professorship is supported by a gift from the SNEC Health Research Endowment Fund.

Over 100 children in Singapore are diagnosed with cancer annually, but thanks to advances in medical science, more and more of these are added to the ranks of survivors and those cured every year. All paediatric oncologists strive for better results each year.

For Professor Tan Cheng Lim, his dream was for a future free of childhood cancer. The longest-serving paediatrician in public healthcare declared his greatest wish was to see his patients grow old, living full and healthy lives. Indeed, hundreds of children and families affected by cancer have found hope through his work, and there are medical students and practitioners who have been inspired by his example.

A pioneer in paediatric oncology in Singapore, Prof Tan helped guide the progress in paediatric medicine. From laying the foundation for KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital where he was an Emeritus Consultant, to helming the country’s largest paediatric department, Prof Tan had led a distinguished career. He balanced a demanding schedule as clinician, mentor and educator over five decades, and had even made time for mission trips around the region. As much as he had been awarded for his impactful roles and selfless community service, the late Adjunct Professor at the Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School and Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine insisted the work must go on. He said, “Research, particularly in the area of genetics, is of crucial importance in the pursuit of management and cures for cancer... we must press on in this area, as it is the next frontier of cancer treatment.”

The establishment of the Tan Cheng Lim – CCF Professorship in Paediatric Oncology in 2015 ensures the practice continues to evolve. Named after Prof Tan’s dedication to the subject, it is a symbiotic partnership between the Children’s Cancer Foundation (CCF) and the SingHealth Duke-NUS Paediatrics Academic Clinical Programme. By providing a platform for collaboration with international centres of excellence, and leveraging the expertise and resources of its partners, the Professorship aims to promote innovation and education in paediatric oncology. As Prof Tan himself stated, “Where the end goal is to cure every child with cancer, there should be no end to the pursuit of knowledge.”

Being a pioneer oncologist in Singapore, Dr Tan Yew Oo was instrumental in setting up the speciality here. He has held several appointments including Professor of Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS) and Chief of Medicine and Head of the Division of Haematology-Oncology, National University Hospital (NUH). He helped shape the healthcare landscape when he was serving on the Board of Directors at SingHealth, Council of Medishield Life, Agency for Care Effectiveness of the Ministry of Health and the National Advisory Committee on Cancer. Being conferred the Public Service Medal at the National Day Awards 2020 bears testament to Dr Tan’s significant and illustrious contributions to public service and to the development of healthcare in Singapore.

The Tanoto Foundation, set up by Mr Sukanto Tanoto and Mrs Tinah B. Tanoto in 2001, is a philanthropic organisation that strives to be a centre of excellence in poverty alleviation through education, empowerment and enhancement of quality of lives. Tanoto Foundation’s mission is to work with communities and partners to address root causes of poverty in countries where the Tanoto family has significant presence.

As an accomplished self-made entrepreneur, visionary and pioneer of a number of industries in Indonesia, Mr Sukanto’s success in growing his business empire is widely recognised. In 2012, he was awarded the Wharton School Dean’s Medal Award, which recognises individuals for their contributions to the enlargement of the global economy and to the improvement of lives worldwide. His achievements have been nothing short of decades of hard work. Despite having to leave school at the age of 17 to support his family, his relentless hunger for knowledge drives him to continue learning through various means, including taking up courses in renowned universities around the world till today. Mr Sukanto strongly believes that education is the key to escaping the vicious cycle of intergenerational poverty and the grips of its effects.

To date, the Tanoto Foundation has provided over 20,000 scholarships, built several schools and education facilities that produced 27,000 graduates, developed 60,000 hectares of Community Livelihood Plantations and created more than 1,800 jobs in local communities through Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) programmes.

In 2009, the Tanoto Foundation made its first donation of S$5 million to Duke-NUS to establish a Professorship and Research Initiative in Diabetes. In 2013 and 2014, the Tanoto Foundation gave another S$3 million each to support the Professorship in Medical Oncology and Research Initiative in Asian Lymphoma, as well as the Professorship in Cardiovascular Medicine and Research Initiative in Genetics & Stem Cell, bringing a total of S$11 million in donations. These donations have enabled the advancement of research and medicine in Asia to identify new ways of diagnosing patients, thereby allowing early prevention, more accurate diagnosis and better treatment for patients.

The Tanoto Foundation, set up by Mr Sukanto Tanoto and Mrs Tinah B. Tanoto in 2001, is a philanthropic organisation that strives to be a centre of excellence in poverty alleviation through education, empowerment and enhancement of quality of lives. Tanoto Foundation’s mission is to work with communities and partners to address root causes of poverty in countries where the Tanoto family has significant presence.

As an accomplished self-made entrepreneur, visionary and pioneer of a number of industries in Indonesia, Mr Sukanto’s success in growing his business empire is widely recognised. In 2012, he was awarded the Wharton School Dean’s Medal Award, which recognises individuals for their contributions to the enlargement of the global economy and to the improvement of lives worldwide. His achievements have been nothing short of decades of hard work. Despite having to leave school at the age of 17 to support his family, his relentless hunger for knowledge drives him to continue learning through various means, including taking up courses in renowned universities around the world till today. Mr Sukanto strongly believes that education is the key to escaping the vicious cycle of intergenerational poverty and the grips of its effects.

To date, the Tanoto Foundation has provided over 20,000 scholarships, built several schools and education facilities that produced 27,000 graduates, developed 60,000 hectares of Community Livelihood Plantations and created more than 1,800 jobs in local communities through Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) programmes.

In 2009, the Tanoto Foundation made its first donation of S$5 million to Duke-NUS to establish a Professorship and Research Initiative in Diabetes. In 2013 and 2014, the Tanoto Foundation gave another S$3 million each to support the Professorship in Medical Oncology and Research Initiative in Asian Lymphoma, as well as the Professorship in Cardiovascular Medicine and Research Initiative in Genetics & Stem Cell, bringing a total of S$11 million in donations. These donations have enabled the advancement of research and medicine in Asia to identify new ways of diagnosing patients, thereby allowing early prevention, more accurate diagnosis and better treatment for patients.

The Tanoto Foundation, set up by Mr Sukanto Tanoto and Mrs Tinah B. Tanoto in 2001, is a philanthropic organisation that strives to be a centre of excellence in poverty alleviation through education, empowerment and enhancement of quality of lives. Tanoto Foundation’s mission is to work with communities and partners to address root causes of poverty in countries where the Tanoto family has significant presence.

As an accomplished self-made entrepreneur, visionary and pioneer of a number of industries in Indonesia, Mr Sukanto’s success in growing his business empire is widely recognised. In 2012, he was awarded the Wharton School Dean’s Medal Award, which recognises individuals for their contributions to the enlargement of the global economy and to the improvement of lives worldwide. His achievements have been nothing short of decades of hard work. Despite having to leave school at the age of 17 to support his family, his relentless hunger for knowledge drives him to continue learning through various means, including taking up courses in renowned universities around the world till today. Mr Sukanto strongly believes that education is a key to escaping the vicious cycle of intergenerational poverty and the grips of its effects.

To date, the Tanoto Foundation has provided over 20,000 scholarships, built several schools and education facilities that produced 27,000 graduates, developed 60,000 hectares of Community Livelihood Plantations and created more than 1,800 jobs in local communities through Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) programmes.

In 2009, the Tanoto Foundation made its first donation of S$5 million to Duke-NUS to establish a Professorship and Research Initiative in Diabetes. In 2013 and 2014, the Tanoto Foundation gave another S$3 million each to support the Professorship in Medical Oncology and Research Initiative in Asian Lymphoma, as well as the Professorship in Cardiovascular Medicine and Research Initiative in Genetics & Stem Cell, bringing a total of S$11 million in donations. These donations have enabled the advancement of research and medicine in Asia to identify new ways of diagnosing patients, thereby allowing early prevention, more accurate diagnosis and better treatment for patients.

Established in 1997, the Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI) is Singapore’s national research institute for ophthalmic and vision research. SERI’s mission is to conduct high-impact eye research that prevents blindness, low vision and major eye diseases common to Singaporeans and Asians. Over the last decade, SERI has conducted landmark research projects that have led to tangible outcomes, patient benefits, and success stories. It has paved the way for significant improvements in how eye diseases are treated and prevented, not just for Singaporeans or Asians, but on a global scale.

At its inception, SERI saw a national remit in ophthalmic and vision research, and till today, despite the demarcations introduced by the healthcare clustering system, SERI bridges the clusters with a presence in each cluster. SERI ensures that its facilities and resources are open to researchers across Singapore so that the greatest benefit may be obtained from what is a relatively small clinical ophthalmology catchment area in Singapore. SERI ranks first globally in terms of eye publications per capita, far ahead of the US, UK and Japan. With its impressive publication track record, SERI is comparable to renowned eye institutes, both regionally and internationally.

The establishment of the Wallace Foulds Professorship will allow the Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Programme (EYE ACP) to continue its sustained efforts to actively search for the causes, preventive measures and most effective treatments for diseases and disorders of the eye that threaten Singaporeans and fellow Asians. The EYE ACP's comprehensive research programmes in the vision sciences strive to create and sustain a world-renowned centre dedicated to the preservation of vision and the prevention of blindness. The EYE ACP will certainly continue its sustained endeavours to augment and grow its current strengths in research by investing in efforts to find affordable solutions to unmet clinical needs, foster greater collaboration and co-development with the private sector and accelerate the translational clinical application from laboratory to patients.

The Visiting Professorship is the first Sikh studies professorship to be set up in Asia, outside the Indian subcontinent. It entails the stewardship of research and teaching of Sikh studies, including that of Sikh traditions, the region of the Punjab, and the Sikh and Punjabi diaspora, as taken from a multicultural and global perspective.

Singapore’s exemplary civil service owes much to Mr George Bogaars, one of the stalwarts of the pioneer generation, whose stellar career encapsulates the country’s progress – from decolonisation to independence and successful nationhood.

Born in 1926, Mr Bogaars became one of the first locals to be admitted to the colonial civil service as part of the ‘Malayanisation’ project. He made a big impression and when Singapore achieved self-government in 1959, he was tasked with reorganising the Special Branch, the forerunner of today’s Internal Security Department, becoming its first Singaporean head. For the next 22 years, Mr Bogaars served in nearly every pivotal appointment in the civil service, including as its Head from 1968-1975. The superb administrative machine that did so much to build a successful Singapore owes much to Mr Bogaars’ service in critical senior appointments: Defence, Foreign Affairs, Economic Development, and Treasury. In 1981, he became Chairman at Keppel Shipyard and then National Iron and Steel Mills, continuing to further the country’s economic development in these key industries.

One of the earliest graduates of the Department of History at the University of Malaya, Mr Bogaars’ love of history and scholarship is reflected in his Master's thesis, which analysed issues that remained of pressing importance to Singapore, including the relationship between private enterprise and the state in the all-important shipping industry and port.

NUS established the George Edwin Bogaars Professorship at the Department of History. The Professorship will reinforce the study of the history of government and politics, particularly the state's role in economic life and development, a theme close to Mr Bogaars’ heart. The Professorship is spearheaded by Mr Lim Soo Peng, former Member of Parliament for Havelock, Mr Ang Kong Hua, a member of the Board of Directors of Sembcorp, and Ms Pang Cheng Lian, who worked for Mr Bogaars at the Ministry of the Interior and Defence. Friends, colleagues and family of Mr Bogaars have made generous gifts in support of this Professorship.

As the economic and social architect of modern Singapore, Dr Goh Keng Swee overturned established economic principles with spectacular success. The thinking in the 1950s was that emerging economies required state protectionism and heavy government spending to break out of the poverty trap. Instead, Dr Goh, as Singapore’s first Minister for Finance (1959–1965), encouraged free trade and direct investment by foreign companies while the government followed a policy of prudence. From 1960 to 1969, Singapore’s per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP) more than doubled.

Known for his analytical approach to challenging situations, Dr Goh was assigned some of the toughest jobs in government. In turn, he put in place institutions that are intrinsic to Singapore today. Among them are Jurong Industrial Estate (JTC Corporation), the Economic Development Board (EDB), the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), and the Development Bank of Singapore (DBS). He retired in 1984 as Deputy Prime Minister.

Born in Malacca, Dr Goh graduated from Raffles College (NUS’ predecessor institution) with a distinction in Economics. He was Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s economics tutor. Later, Mr Lee said about Dr Goh, “A whole generation of Singaporeans take their present standard of living for granted because you had laid the foundations of the economy of modern Singapore.”

NUS established the Goh Keng Swee Professorship in Economics to honour a distinguished alumnus. The Professorship has enabled the Department to welcome eminent professors in a wide range of fields in economics to contribute to its research programmes, teach, and give public lectures. The Goh Keng Swee Professorship was established with generous gifts from corporations and eminent individuals. Among them were members of the Association of Banks in Singapore (ABS), City Developments Ltd, Far East Organization, Lien Foundation, National Trades Union Congress, Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation Ltd, Overseas Union Bank Ltd, Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Singapore Technologies, the Development Bank of Singapore Ltd, and the United Overseas Bank Ltd.

Economist and scholar Emeritus Professor Lim Chong Yah was told by Nobel laureate Sir John Hicks, “You have to help your part of the world. And you can only help if you know about it.” Professor Lim was then working on a D.Phil at Oxford under Sir John. Prof Lim took this message to heart. As a young boy, he saw rubber tappers starving to death and worked as a bread delivery boy to make ends meet. Over an illustrious career spanning six decades, he used his knowledge as an economist to make a difference to the lives of people.

Born in Malacca, Prof Lim (’55) studied economics at the University of Malaya (NUS’ predecessor) thanks to a Malacca Settlement Scholarship. He said, “I owe my life to education.” For 23 years, Prof Lim served in various capacities at NUS – as Professor, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, and Head of the Department of Economics and Statistics. His talent spotted people, and so under his leadership, staff strength grew as did course offerings. Solid research was carried out. Prof Lim is also a prolific writer. He retired from NUS in 1992 and was designated Emeritus Professor.

Outside the University, Prof Lim was the founder and Chairman of the National Wages Council, which played a key role in managing the economic recessions of 1985–1986 and 1998–1999. Even after stepping down after almost 30 years, Prof Lim continues to speak up for equitable distribution of wealth. He also set up the Skills Development Fund, which sponsors training for workers.

NUS established the Lim Chong Yah Professorship to honour his contributions to Singapore. The Professorship enables the University to appoint eminent professors who bring entrepreneurship, scholarship and international perspectives to the University community and contribute to Singapore’s growth. The Professorship is supported by gifts from trade and employee unions, private and public sectors.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) was established in 1996 with the mission to develop Singapore as a premier global hub port and a leading international maritime centre, and to advance and safeguard Singapore’s strategic maritime interests.

Today, Singapore’s maritime industry contributes about 7 per cent of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employs more than 170,000 people across key sectors such as port, shipping, maritime services as well as offshore and marine engineering. In addition to being the world’s top bunkering port and the world’s busiest port in terms of vessel arrival tonnage, Singapore is also home to 5,000 maritime entities, including more than 130 international shipping groups. MPA recognises that a skilled and competent maritime workforce is integral to supporting the growing maritime industry and continues to enhance Singapore’s maritime education and training landscape.

As part of MPA’s ongoing efforts, MPA made gifts in support of the MPA Professorships in Maritime Law and Shipping Economics at NUS. The Professorships allow NUS to bring in visiting experts in Maritime Law and Shipping Economics from renowned overseas universities to conduct courses for students, as well as share their knowledge and experience with the maritime community in Singapore via workshops and conferences. The visiting experts also work together with NUS to develop local teaching expertise in the area of Maritime Law and Shipping Economics. Singapore’s strong reputation for rule of law and position as the maritime gateway to Asia lends itself an opportunity to be the voice of commercial maritime law in the region and the MPA Professorship in Maritime Law supports this effort. Similarly, the MPA Professorship in Shipping Economics complements the development of commercial activities as Singapore continues to establish itself as a leading international maritime centre.

Former President Mr S R Nathan is a man of the people. In his six decades of service to the nation, from medical social worker to the country’s president, he kept his community consciousness intact.

One of the first eight students to join the Department of Social Work at the University of Malaya (NUS’ predecessor institution) in 1952, Mr Nathan's Final Year dissertation laid bare how lodging-house keepers were running a system that amounted to debt enslavement of Asian seamen awaiting their next employment. These findings led to the setting up of the Seamen’s Registry to regulate the engagement of local seafarers in Singapore. During his Presidency, the President’s Challenge, which raises funds for charities, and the President’s Social Service Award were set up.

His empathy for the disadvantaged has its roots in his own youth. Born in 1924, Mr Nathan lost his father at the age of eight amid financial hardship. He fended for himself from the age of 16 and after World War II, joined the University with the help of a bursary provided by Shell Group of Companies.

Mr Nathan takes pride in his credentials as a social worker. After the ‘Laju ferry hijacking incident’ in 1974, a reporter asked him how he remained so calm and confident during the negotiations. Mr Nathan replied, “Because I am a trained social worker.”

NUS established the S R Nathan Professorship to commemorate Mr Nathan’s commitment to social service. The Professorship will allow the University to bring in renowned academic leaders to advance social education and research among scholars in Singapore and Asia on issues related to social development, poverty, family development and asset building. The Professorship is supported by gifts from the Tote Board, Temasek Holdings (Private) Limited, Ngee Ann Kongsi, Singapore Press Holdings as well as four other esteemed benefactors. The Professorship was announced on the occasion of the Department’s 60th anniversary.

Tan Sri Dr Tan Chin Tuan worked at OCBC Bank for 58 years; going from junior bank clerk at the age of 17 to Chairman (1966–1983) and then Honorary Life President. Dr Tan said, “I don’t know what are my winning qualities. All I know is that in any endeavour, I muster my energy, I bring a sharp eye and inject a strong dose of commonsense into it.” The truth of this is seen in the impact he made in every position he held. During the war years, Dr Tan played a key role in protecting the bank’s assets. In 1945, as sole managing director, he began rebuilding the company. He later said, “After the Japanese war, one of the first things I set out to do was to get and retain, as far as possible, the best people.” By 1966, OCBC had become Singapore’s largest bank, investing in companies that are household names today – Great Eastern Life, Raffles Hotel and Straits Trading.

Dr Tan, who was born in 1908, lost his father at the age of 14. The family then fell on hard times. His experiences of the vagaries of fortune moulded his philosophy of life. He said, “I believe my contribution to all these companies is the promotion of their sure and steady growth.” He coupled this conservatism with an unwavering integrity, saying “Making money is one thing, but making it scrupulously and honestly is the most important.”

NUS honoured this outstanding individual with the establishment of the Tan Chin Tuan Professorship in Banking and Finance. The Professorship in Banking and Finance, which is supported by a gift from OCBC Bank, enables the University to bring in distinguished academics in the areas of Monetary Economics, Financial Economics or Banking and Finance to share their expertise, contribute to research and teaching and give public lectures.

Race and religion are important issues facing all societies. The legacy of Encik Yusof bin Ishak offers optimism for successfully negotiating the challenges of race and religion in the present.

Born in 1910, Singapore’s first President lived through wars, freedom struggles, civil unrest and race riots, staying committed to his worldview of a multi-cultural and democratic society – one which he championed throughout his life. As Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong noted in his National Day Rally 2014 speech, “He was an outstanding pioneer who stood for the values that underpin Singapore’s success – meritocracy, multi- racialism and modernity.”

Born in Perak, Malaysia, Encik Yusof bin Ishak rose from humble beginnings to become the first Malayan- born Yang Di-Pertuan Negara in 1959 and later, the first President of the Republic of Singapore on 9 August 1965. He was an outstanding student and sportsman.

A distinguished journalist and editor, Encik Yusof took a keen interest in understanding and fostering multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and multi-religious thought in the national consciousness. He was a prominent patron of the arts, a member of the Films Appeal Committee, the Nature Reserves Committee and the Malaynisation Commission. His exemplary career was also marked in his appointment as the Chairman of the Public Service Commission in July 1959. As Chancellor of the University from 1965 to 1970, Encik Yusof urged the University community to focus on nation-building in addition to becoming a center for scholarship.

NUS established the Yusof Ishak Professorship in Social Sciences at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. The Professor is expected to assume stewardship for enhancing cutting-edge research in one or more of the following fields of study: race, ethnicity and community studies and multi-culturalism; communication and civic engagement; and studies of religion and religious diversity. The Professorship is supported by donations from various organizations and individuals.

Mr Amaladass came late to the study of law. He was already 45 years old; a retired police assistant Superintendent. He had started his career as a police constable in 1958. After his retirement, he studied law in London and was called to the Bar in 1980.

His determination and integrity won him the admiration of friends and colleagues. In fact, after his sudden death from a heart attack in 2008, one of his close friends made a gift to the National University of Singapore in his memory. The donor, who prefers to remain anonymous, knew Mr Amaladass for 30 years. He says, “I found him to be very reliable, a principled man, full of humility. I admired his perseverance in going about to achieve his goals that he set for himself.” The gift to NUS is meant to “show future lawyers that even though you may be an ordinary practitioner doing work, as long as you lead a good life, be upright in your dealings with people and be a principled man, people will still remember you and appreciate what you stand for”. Senior Counsel Sant Singh, who had known Mr Amaladass for more than 40 years, said, “He took his practice of law very seriously and did his best. People remember you by the little things you do and not how much money you make in life.”

The Amaladass Professorship builds on the Amaladass Fellowship, first established in 2009 to commemorate Mr Amaladass’ life and work in criminal law. With a second gift in 2013, the Fellowship was converted to the Amaladass Professorship. The donor hopes that the professorship will promote research in criminal law in Singapore while encouraging NUS Law students to consider a career in that field.

Lawyer and philanthropist Mr Koh Choon Joo was a reticent man of many talents – as adept in legal principles as he was in the works of Aristotle and Socrates and the world of art. Described as a ‘gentleman lawyer’ by retired High Court Judge Mr Choor Singh, Mr Koh’s quiet wisdom inspired great loyalty among his clients. Well-known lawyer Mr Harry Wee, who worked at Mr Koh’s firm C J Koh & Co, reminisced that Mr Koh’s clients would refuse to consult anyone else in his absence. Mr Koh read widely, often jotting down his observations in a scrapbook. He said, “To know when and where to do a thing is one of the keys to success in life…A trained mind is a desideratum.”

His success benefited many as Mr Koh gave generously of his time and money. He was Magistrate of the Junior Court, an honorary position. He gave regularly to the Salvatio Army and Boys’ Town. He made generous gifts to NUS to build and develop the Law Library and support students and faculty. Mr Koh wrote fiction and poetry. He also painted and collected art.

Born in Indonesia in 1901, Mr Koh was sent to England at the age of six. He was admitted to the Middle Temple in 1925. After being called to the Bar, he came to Singapore where he joined Sir Ong Siang Song at his law firm. He later set up his own firm. Mr Koh passed away in 1997.

NUS established the CJ Koh Professorship in his honour. The Professorship will enable the Faculty of Law to engage eminent legal experts, who will teach and participate in research, bringing their knowledge and unique perspectives to the NUS community and to Singapore to further its ever-growing regional and international role. The Professorship is supported by a gift from the Estate of CJ Koh.

It was said, “Marshall never loses.” David Saul Marshall, Singapore’s first Chief Minister and later diplomat, was a criminal lawyer par excellence. Tall, handsome, with the finely modulated voice of a Shakespearean actor, Mr Marshall was a formidable performer in court. Famous trial lawyer Mr Harry Elias said, “To have seen David in action was to be treated to an exercise of utmost exhilaration. To take part in a case with David was an adventure.” To Mr Marshall, law was a calling. He said, “Justice is a meld of law and humanity”. He worked tirelessly even for hardship cases, where he was paid nothing or a token fee. On trial days, he would rise at 2 am to prepare. He once said, “I’ll give a dollar to anybody who knows more about my case…than I know….”

Mr Marshall was born in Singapore to a Jewish family from Iraq. He received his LLB degree from the University of London and Barrister-at-Law from the Middle Temple. His strong sense of social justice led him into the political arena. He resigned as Chief Minister after 14 months, but many of his ideas were built upon by successive governments, such as meet-the-people sessions and multilingualism. He passed away in 1995.

NUS established the David Marshall Professorship to honour an exceptional lawyer. The Professorship enables the Faculty to engage eminent professors to co-operate in research and education with other faculty members and share their expertise. They bring their unique perspectives and insights to legal education as well as to Singapore and its ever-growing regional and international role. The appointment is done by the Dean of the Faculty of Law and is usually on a short-term and full-time basis. The David Marshall Professorship was supported by generous gifts from the Far East Organization, Lee Foundation, Lien Foundation, Reuben Meyer Trust Fund, as well as other companies and individuals.

Legal scholar, teacher and Dean, Professor Geoffrey Bartholomew spent just 13 years in Singapore, but the relationship was for life. Not only did those years set off a life-long passion for Singapore’s legal system and history, he set alight the minds of his students, who went on to glittering careers – 10 Supreme Court judges, Police Commissioners, Ambassadors, academics and politicians. Among them were Ambassador-at-large Prof Tommy Koh (’61), Senior Minister Prof S Jayakumar (’63) and former Supreme Court judge and CapitaLand Director Dr Philip N Pillai (’71).

Considered the most important post-War historian of Singapore’s legal history, Prof Bartholomew came to Singapore in 1960 to teach commercial and family law at the University of Malaya (NUS’ predecessor institution). He was Dean of the Faculty of Law from 1966 to 1968. He remained as professor till 1976. His seminal research and writing form the substantial part of the foundations of legal literature and legal history in Singapore and Malaysia. As a teacher, Prof Bartholomew was “refreshing, provocative and stimulating”, said Mr Chan Sek Keong (’61), retired Chief Justice of Singapore. He had an encyclopaedic mind and spoke spontaneously. His classes involved neither lecture notes nor a suggested reading list, which greatly discomfited his Conflicts of Law class, recalled Dr Pillai. But he challenged his students intellectually to look beyond the material they were studying. He passed away in 2005.

NUS established the Geoffrey Bartholomew Professorship to further inspirational legal scholarship and teaching. It enables the Faculty to engage legal experts to teach and help ensure that the faculty consistently provides the best legal education possible to the students. The drive to establish the Professorship was spearheaded by Dr Pillai and received gifts from the pillars of the legal profession in Singapore, including Dr Pillai, Rajah &Tann LLP, Allen & Gledhill LLP, Drew & Napier LLC and Shook Lin & BokLLP.

Madam Kwa Geok Choo led a life of many ‘firsts’. The first Asian woman to graduate with a First Class Honours degree in Law at Cambridge University (in 1949), she later co-founded Lee & Lee, which became one of Singapore’s biggest law firms.

Born in 1920, Madam Kwa broke boundaries from a young age, but with quietude and dignity, which were to remain the hallmarks of her personality. She participated in the tumultuous birth and progress of a nation as the wife of Singapore’s first Prime Minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew. Described as “steel and silk in equal parts”, she had been the only girl at Raffles Institution. She stood first in the Senior Cambridge Examination in Malaya and Singapore. She joined Raffles College (NUS’ predecessor), graduating with a First Class Diploma in Arts and winning the Queen’s Scholarship to Cambridge University.

Madam Kwa was a highly respected conveyance lawyer for more than 40 years. A founding member of the People’s Action Party, Madam Kwa helped draft its constitution. When Singapore separated from the Federation of Malaysia, she helped draft the constitutional provisions guaranteeing the two Johor Water Agreements.

A devoted wife, who once joked that she walked two steps behind her husband metaphorically, she was nonetheless one of the pioneer advocates for Singapore women’s rights. Many of the ideas she advocated – legal protection for women and equality at the workplace – led to the introduction of the Women’s Charter in 1961.

NUS established the Kwa Geok Choo Professorship in Property Law to honour the memory of a leading property lawyer and her values of excellence and integrity. The Professorship will contribute to the research and teaching of Property Law, which is of vital interest, especially in a land-scarce country like Singapore. The Professorship is supported by gifts from Ngee Ann Kongsi, Keppel Corporation Limited, Singapore Press Holdings Limited, Sembcorp Industries Limited and Rajah & Tann Foundation.

The Founding Dean of Singapore’s first Faculty of Law, Professor Lionel A Sheridan’s personality and vision loomed large over his students. This is especially true of the pioneer batch of 22 law students (’61), now some of the country’s luminaries, who witnessed the school’s transition from a new department to full Faculty of Law, championed by Prof Sheridan. This illustrious cohort – among whom are former Chief Justice Chan Sek Keong and Professor Tommy Koh (Ambassador-at-Large and former Dean) – initiated a fundraising campaign to set up a Professorship in honour of their Dean. The campaign was launched on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of their graduation.

Prof Sheridan, who received his PhD from Queen’s University, Belfast, came to Singapore in 1956, aged 29. Singapore needed locally trained lawyers and Prof Sheridan set about building the law school on a shoestring budget. The Department of Law was set up in what was then the University of Malaya (NUS’ predecessor institution), with Prof Sheridan as Head of Department. As the first Head of Department of Singapore’s first law school, Prof Sheridan shaped the study and teaching of law in the country. He directed the curriculum, set up a law library and negotiated for professional recognition of local law graduates. He actively campaigned for the Department to become a full Faculty, which it did in 1959, with Professor Sheridan as Founding Dean. As former Chief Justice Chan said at a gathering of his cohort, “If Sheridan had not started classes then, all of us might not be here today.”

The gifts to set up the Lionel A Sheridan Professorship reflect a similar optimism for a new generation of law students and perpetuate the legacy of Singapore’s first Law Dean. The Professorship will contribute to the Faculty’s continued progress and development as a leading law school.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) was established in 1996 with the mission to develop Singapore as a premier global hub port and a leading international maritime centre, and to advance and safeguard Singapore’s strategic maritime interests.

Today, Singapore’s maritime industry contributes about 7 per cent of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employs more than 170,000 people across key sectors such as port, shipping, maritime services as well as offshore and marine engineering. In addition to being the world’s top bunkering port and the world’s busiest port in terms of vessel arrival tonnage, Singapore is also home to 5,000 maritime entities, including more than 130 international shipping groups. MPA recognises that a skilled and competent maritime workforce is integral to supporting the growing maritime industry and continues to enhance Singapore’s maritime education and training landscape.

As part of MPA’s ongoing efforts, MPA made gifts in support of the MPA Professorships in Maritime Law and Shipping Economics at NUS. The Professorships allow NUS to bring in visiting experts in Maritime Law and Shipping Economics from renowned overseas universities to conduct courses for students, as well as share their knowledge and experience with the maritime community in Singapore via workshops and conferences. The visiting experts also work together with NUS to develop local teaching expertise in the area of Maritime Law and Shipping Economics. Singapore’s strong reputation for rule of law and position as the maritime gateway to Asia lends itself an opportunity to be the voice of commercial maritime law in the region and the MPA Professorship in Maritime Law supports this effort. Similarly, the MPA Professorship in Shipping Economics complements the development of commercial activities as Singapore continues to establish itself as a leading international maritime centre.

Over the last 50 years, Emeritus Professor of Law Peter Ellinger has been a witness and expert commentator on Singapore’s financial and banking world. His formidable legal mind has enriched our understanding of the intricacies of financial law and practice.

Professor Ellinger, a world-renowned expert in banking and financial law, came to Singapore after two years as a Ph.D student in Oxford in 1961 at the age of 28 to teach at the University of Singapore (NUS’ predecessor). Singapore’s retail banking world was then dominated by British-based banks like Chartered Bank and Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation. Over the next five decades and more, much of which Professor Ellinger spent in Singapore and NUS, he published books, chapters in leading commercial law texts and numerous articles in regional law reviews as well as in the United Kingdom, Australasia, North America and in Europe. He delivered lectures and conducted seminars in his areas of specialisation, acquired an extensive experience in opinion work and drafting of documents, appeared as an expert witness in local and foreign courts, and undertook commercial arbitration. His influence on banking law and practice was tremendous.

Professor Ellinger, who obtained his doctorate from Oxford in 1964, taught at NUS from 1961 to 1966 and again from 1986. In 1998, he was designated Emeritus Professor at NUS. Among his many illustrious students is Attorney-General of Singapore VK Rajah.

NUS established the Peter Ellinger Visiting Professorship at the Faculty of Law to honour his immense contribution to the development of legal education in Singapore. The Professorship will enable the University to invite international scholars in banking and finance law to teach and conduct research at the University. The Professorship is supported by former students and colleagues of Professor Ellinger.

Lawyer and businessman Sat Pal Khattar (’66) says, “Somehow, law took to me; I took to law.” It was a fortuitous union, leading to the establishment of KhattarWong LLP, one of Singapore’s largest law firms, and an illustrious career in law.

Mr Khattar was born in India in 1942. His family suffered in the Partition and moved to Singapore in 1949. Mr Khattar was supposed to run his father’s sports goods business, but he joined the Law Faculty at the University of Singapore (NUS’ predecessor) and took to it “like a fish takes to water”, he says. He continued to juggle studies and his family business, especially after his father passed away six weeks before his Second Year exams. Despite the challenges, he was called by the Legal Service on the strength of his Final Year grades. “My ego got the better of me”, he says. He handed over the family business to a relative and became Deputy Public Prosecutor before joining the Tax Department. His background in business stood him in good stead and he became one of the youngest ‘superscale’ officers before turning 30.

A few years later he set up a one-man tax firm, which became KhattarWong. The firm has more than 120 lawyers now. Mr Khattar, who resigned from the company in 2000 to pursue business interests, received the Public Administration Medal (Silver) at the National Day Awards in 1972, the NTUC Friend of Labour Award in 1979, the Meritorious Service Award in 1987, the Distinguished Service Award in 1994, and the Distinguished Service (Star) Award in 2001.

NUS established the Sat Pal Khattar Professorship in Tax Law in his honour. The Professorship is supported by a generous gift from Mr Khattar. He says, “I am what I am because of my education …” The Professorship is a “good thing because tax is virtually a forgotten speciality”.

Named as one of 48 Heroes of Philanthropy by Forbes Asia, Professor Saw Swee Hock (’57) gave extensively to educational institutions in Singapore, China, Hong Kong and the UK. He was recognised as one of the world’s foremost experts in statistics and population and investment management. Prof Saw firmly believed in the power of education to improve lives, and his generosity had a significant impact, particularly on the NUS community, which was his alma mater. He established medals, bursaries, professorships, a research centre, and the School of Public Health at NUS.

Prof Saw, who was a Professorial Fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies and President’s Honorary Professor of Statistics at NUS, received his BA and MA degrees from the University of Malaya (NUS’ predecessor) and his PhD degree from the London School of Economics. He served as a visiting professor at some of the world’s top universities, advised governments and international organisations, including the United Nations, and written 50 books.

One of the pillars of the NUS community, Prof Saw’s relationship with NUS took root at least 60 years ago, growing shoots and offshoots over the decades. Many of his family are associated with NUS, including his wife, NUS alumna Dr Cheng Siok Hwa, who was a faculty member at the Department of History and his daughter Seang Mei, who is a Professor in the School of Public Health. From 2006 to 2015, Prof Saw served as a member of the NUS Board of Trustees.

Prof Saw received from NUS the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2005, the Outstanding Service Award in 2007, and an Honorary Doctor of Letters in 2015. Prof Saw was conferred the Public Service Medal by the President of Singapore in 2013.

NUS established the Saw Swee Hock Centennial Professorship in Law to honour the many contributions of an illustrious alumnus, teacher and philanthropist. The Professorship enable the Faculty to support a strategic hire to raise the quality of education and research in Law to greater heights. The Professorship is supported by a gift from Professor Saw Swee Hock.

Mr Yong Shook Lin was the first Chinese to be called to the Bar of the Federated Malay States. His practice, Messrs Yong Shook Lin, now Shook Lin & Bok, set up in 1918, is one of Malaysia’s oldest law firms. A brilliant Cambridge-trained lawyer with a strong social conscience, Mr Yong played an active part in public affairs. He was a member of the Federal Legislative Council, a prominent figure in the Malaysian Chinese Association and Chairman of the Bar Council of Malaya.

The opportunity to contribute to society is what motivated Mr Yong, says his daughter Madam Phyllis Yong. After hearing that 60 to 70 people were living crammed into fire-hazardous squalid shophouses, Mr Yong was instrumental in setting up Petaling Jaya, Kuala Lumpur’s first satellite town, to resettle lower income workers. Yong Shook Lin Road in Petaling Jaya was named in his honour.

Born in 1898 in Kuala Lumpur, Mr Yong was conferred the Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) by Queen Elizabeth II. At his passing in 1955 at the age of 57, the Attorney General said,“He was a man of firm principles. When he decided that a particular course was right and proper, he followed that course with unrelenting determination and he met criticism fairly and boldly.”

NUS established the Yong Shook Lin Professorship in Intellectual Law to honour a pioneer of his profession. The Professorship enables the University to bring in eminent academics in the field of Intellectual Property Law and increase the number of subjects offered in this field. The Professorship is supported by a generous gift from Mr Yong’s son, Mr Yong Pung How, former Chief Justice of Singapore, and his wife. Mr Yong Pung How, also educated at Cambridge, had been a partner at Shook Lin & Bok.

The Class of ’62 was the bearer of hope; the first to step out into a world that would be theirs to make as they dreamt. Singapore stepped out of the colonial shadow that year and the University of Singapore (NUS’ predecessor), too, found its place in the sun, its own identity after separating from the University of Malaya.

The first cohort lived true to the dreams of the nation. Among them were brilliant doctors, lawyers, civil servants, educators, scientists and the country’s current President Dr Tony Tan – who all contributed much to Singapore’s meteoric rise over the next few decades. To name a few – Mr Dennis Tay, Dr Stephen Chee, Dr Edward Jacob, Mr Lee Ong Pong, Assistant Professor Edwin Lee, Miss Lim Hsiu Mei, Mr Peter Szeto, Professor Augustine Tan, Dr Wong Sze Tai and Dr Wong Yew Cheong – all of whom were members of the fundraising committee. In 1997, the illustrious cohort gathered to make a gift to their alma mater to celebrate 35 years since their graduation and pass on the riches of a university education to successive generations. Dr Tan, then Deputy Prime Minister, was the patron of the fund.

NUS established the Class of ’62 Professorship in their honour. This was the first alumni class gift towards a professorship. The gift enables the University to welcome eminent professors to the Faculty of Science to teach, conduct research and share their wealth of knowledge with the University community and the country at large. This helps further develop the quality of science graduates and enhances Singapore’s position as a center of excellence in science and healthcare.

Dedicated to the Chinese Goddess of Mercy, Kuan Yin or Guan Yin, the Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple has been providing succour to those in need since 1884. One of the oldest Buddhist temples in Singapore, it was a place of refuge during the Japanese Occupation of Singapore. For many decades now, it has been offering support to the sick and disadvantaged as well as to society at large through its many acts of philanthropy.

Dr Tan Choon Kim, Chairman of Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple, said, “We want to give bright, promising students the opportunity to learn from and be inspired by the best brains in their fields. Exceptional teachers are catalysts for the success of the next generation.” The Professorships are supported by gifts from Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple.

In 2012, NUS established the Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple Professorship in Conservation. The Professorship is the first that supports the teaching of integrated biodiversity and environmental courses, and the training of a new generation of environmental scientists and managers. 

Professor Leo Tan (’69) has worn many hats in an outstanding career – teacher, researcher, administrator – but he is, essentially, a man of science who loves nature and has given his all to preserving Singapore’s natural treasures for the enjoyment and education of future generations.

Prof Tan has always fought the odds and emerged triumphant. His quiet manner and gentle smile belie a fierce resolution. He fought for 40 years for the preservation of Labrador Park, Singapore’s only rocky coast, from development. As Director, he turned the sleepy Singapore Science Centre into one of the world’s top 10 science centres. As Chairman of NParks, he championed the idea of densely populated Singapore as a City in a Garden and the Gardens by the Bay because “nature heals”. And he championed the massive Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum to house the vast collection of Southeast Asian flora and fauna dating back to the 1800s from the historic Raffles Museum and raised the funds to turn his dream into a sustainable reality. As he says, “Science is culture, just as art is culture. It is our heritage, our natural heritage.”

Prof Tan received the Public Service Medal in 1995, the Public Service Star in 2001 and the President’s Award for the Environment in 2007, among other accolades. He received his B.Sc and PhD degrees from the University of Singapore (NUS’ predecessor). He is the Director (Special Projects), Dean’s Office, Faculty of Science and advisor to Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum.

NUS established the Leo Tan Professorship in Biodiversity Science to honour an eminent alumnus and faculty member.  The Professorship will enable the University to strengthen the important discipline of biodiversity, natural heritage and conservation. The Professorship was spearheaded by former President Mr S R Nathan and supported by generous gifts from the Lee Foundation, Stephen Riady Group of Foundations and other individuals.

Professor Saw Swee Hock (’57) was Singapore’s pioneer statistician and one of the world’s foremost experts on demography. With almost 50 books to his name, Prof Saw was a population policy and investment management pundit whose opinions were sought at home and abroad. A man of great erudition, Prof Saw excelled in every role he had undertaken – teacher, author, civil servant, researcher, advisor and philanthropist – over an illustrious career spanning almost six decades.

Prof Saw received his BA and MA degrees from the University of Malaya (NUS’ predecessor) in Singapore and his PhD degree in Statistics from the London School of Economics.

In 1969 he became the Founding Professor of Statistics at the University of Hong Kong before taking on the position of Founding Chairman of the National Statistical Commission of Singapore in 1972. In 1975 he returned to his alma mater where he was Professor of Statistics till 1991, and President’s Honorary Professor of Statistics, Professorial Fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, and a member of the NUS Board of Trustees from 2006 until 2015.

Prof Saw received NUS’ Distinguished Alumni Service Award in 2005 and the Outstanding Service Award in 2007. In 2013, he received the President’s Award for Philanthropy and the Public Service Medal, a national honour, in recognition of his many contributions to Singapore. He was conferred an Honorary Doctor of Letters by NUS in 2015.

NUS established the Saw Swee Hock Professorship in Statistics to honour an outstanding member of the NUS community, who had given so much to his alma mater and his country. The Professorship has enabled the University to attract world-renowned statisticians on short-term visits to the Department of Statistics and Applied Probability at the Faculty of Science, to interact with faculty, guide statistics students and help create a more vibrant research environment. The Professorship is supported by a gift from Professor Saw Swee Hock.

The Lee Foundation, established in 1952 by pre–eminent businessman and philanthropist Dr Lee Kong Chian, channels three-fourths of its gifts towards education and learning institutions. The Lee Foundation continues to build on the legacy of Dr Lee, who was passionate about education and gave generously to educational and research institutions. He was called “a superlative friend to education”. The son of a first-generation immigrant, he came to Singapore with little formal education but went on to win a scholarship to China and study engineering. When his education was disrupted by the 1911 revolution, he came back to Singapore and started working as a teacher, while continuing to study after work. He was the first Chancellor of the University of Singapore, NUS’ predecessor institution. Dr Lee passed away in 1967.

The Lee Foundation has made transformative gifts to the National Library, NUS and other educational institutions, supporting scholarships, bursaries, professorships, medical studies and other initiatives and programmes.

NUS established the Lee Foundation Professorship in China-US Relations to honour an organisation that has worked for the betterment of lives and society through education for more than six decades. The Professorship enables the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP) at NUS to welcome an eminent academic with deep insights into the bilateral relations of two of the world’s largest powers. The interaction between the countries exerts a fundamental impact on global peace and prosperity. Asia-Pacific is a key arena for both superpowers, which places LKYSPP in an ideal position to study and teach the dynamics between the two countries and their implications. The Professorship is supported by a gift from the Lee Foundation.

Hong Kong business magnate and philanthropist Mr Li Ka-shing lost his father at the age of 15 to tuberculosis. Speaking about his childhood hardships, he said, “The burden of poverty and this bitter taste of helplessness and isolation sort of branded on my heart forever the questions that still drive me. Is it possible to reshape one’s destiny?…” The answer, he believes, lies in education. Due to his family circumstances, Mr Li, a high-school dropout who was forced to quit school at an early age, established the Li Ka-Shing Foundation in 1980 to bring about societal changes by supporting education and healthcare initiatives. Speaking about the Foundation, which he calls his “third son”, Mr Li said, “… I have dedicated to this son not only my assets but all my heart … committed as I am to serve his causes, reshaping destiny through education and seeking efficient initiatives that can forever help those in need.” As of February 2015, the Foundation has made grants in excess of US$1.92 billion with approximately 44 per cent going toward projects that advance education.

Commonly referred to as ‘Superman’ for his outstanding business prowess, Mr Li started work in a plastics factory and later manufactured plastic flowers for export. Today, as the Chairman of Cheung Kong and Hutchison Group, he heads a conglomerate whose interests touch every aspect of life in Hong Kong and around the world including ports and related services, property and hotels, retail, infrastructure, energy and telecommunications.

In 2007, NUS established the Li Ka-Shing Professorships at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. Mr Li has spoken about his respect for Mr Lee, who “has dedicated his own life to serving others, to building a nation of peace, opportunity, and promise”. The Professorships enable the School to welcome illustrious individuals who share their expertise in their respective fields with students and faculty and contribute to Singapore’s knowledge base. Their insights in these key areas – International Relations, Economics and Public Management – will also support the country’s expanding role in the region and beyond.

Hong Kong business magnate and philanthropist Mr Li Ka-shing lost his father at the age of 15 to tuberculosis. Speaking about his childhood hardships, he said, “The burden of poverty and this bitter taste of helplessness and isolation sort of branded on my heart forever the questions that still drive me. Is it possible to reshape one’s destiny?…” The answer, he believes, lies in education. Due to his family circumstances, Mr Li, a high-school dropout who was forced to quit school at an early age, established the Li Ka-Shing Foundation in 1980 to bring about societal changes by supporting education and healthcare initiatives. Speaking about the Foundation, which he calls his “third son”, Mr Li said, “… I have dedicated to this son not only my assets but all my heart … committed as I am to serve his causes, reshaping destiny through education and seeking efficient initiatives that can forever help those in need.” As of February 2015, the Foundation has made grants in excess of US$1.92 billion with approximately 44 per cent going toward projects that advance education.

Commonly referred to as ‘Superman’ for his outstanding business prowess, Mr Li started work in a plastics factory and later manufactured plastic flowers for export. Today, as the Chairman of Cheung Kong and Hutchison Group, he heads a conglomerate whose interests touch every aspect of life in Hong Kong and around the world including ports and related services, property and hotels, retail, infrastructure, energy and telecommunications.

In 2007, NUS established the Li Ka-Shing Professorships at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. Mr Li has spoken about his respect for Mr Lee, who “has dedicated his own life to serving others, to building a nation of peace, opportunity, and promise”. The Professorships enable the School to welcome illustrious individuals who share their expertise in their respective fields with students and faculty and contribute to Singapore’s knowledge base. Their insights in these key areas – International Relations, Economics and Public Management – will also support the country’s expanding role in the region and beyond.

Hong Kong business magnate and philanthropist Mr Li Ka-shing lost his father at the age of 15 to tuberculosis. Speaking about his childhood hardships, he said, “The burden of poverty and this bitter taste of helplessness and isolation sort of branded on my heart forever the questions that still drive me. Is it possible to reshape one’s destiny?…” The answer, he believes, lies in education. Due to his family circumstances, Mr Li, a high-school dropout who was forced to quit school at an early age, established the Li Ka-Shing Foundation in 1980 to bring about societal changes by supporting education and healthcare initiatives. Speaking about the Foundation, which he calls his “third son”, Mr Li said, “… I have dedicated to this son not only my assets but all my heart … committed as I am to serve his causes, reshaping destiny through education and seeking efficient initiatives that can forever help those in need.” As of February 2015, the Foundation has made grants in excess of US$1.92 billion with approximately 44 per cent going toward projects that advance education.

Commonly referred to as ‘Superman’ for his outstanding business prowess, Mr Li started work in a plastics factory and later manufactured plastic flowers for export. Today, as the Chairman of Cheung Kong and Hutchison Group, he heads a conglomerate whose interests touch every aspect of life in Hong Kong and around the world including ports and related services, property and hotels, retail, infrastructure, energy and telecommunications.

In 2007, NUS established the Li Ka-Shing Professorships at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. Mr Li has spoken about his respect for Mr Lee, who “has dedicated his own life to serving others, to building a nation of peace, opportunity, and promise”. The Professorships enable the School to welcome illustrious individuals who share their expertise in their respective fields with students and faculty and contribute to Singapore’s knowledge base. Their insights in these key areas – International Relations, Economics and Public Management – will also support the country’s expanding role in the region and beyond.

In an era when relations with China have grown increasingly complex, there is one man whose opinions are inevitably sought. This is Professor Wang Gungwu, widely recognised as one of the foremost experts on China and the Chinese communities of Southeast Asia. Arguably Asia’s greatest scholar in his field, Prof Wang’s pioneering research has greatly influenced those following after. Many of his books are now considered classics, and his talks are well-attended by international thought-leaders.

His accolades and achievements today belie the fact that Prof Wang’s education was twice disrupted – in his early years by the Japanese Occupation, whereupon he learnt classical Chinese from his father; and later at the National Central University in Nanjing, by the outbreak of civil war.

Back in Singapore, the Surabaya-born and Ipoh- raised intellectual became one of the very first students at the newly-formed University of Malaya, the National University of Singapore’s predecessor. It was the start of Prof Wang’s outstanding relationship with the University. His career began as a lecturer with it, before leading him to a Dean’s appointment at the Kuala Lumpur campus. After successful stints at the Australian National University and the University of Hong Kong, Prof Wang came back to NUS, holding posts as director of the East Asian Institute, and chairman of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKY School) and the ISEAS- Yusof Ishak Institute.

Referring to his illustrious career, Harvard’s Professor Philip Kuhn noted only Prof Wang “could have filled the indispensable roles of authoritative historian, cultural intermediary, academic leader, and teacher-mentor that the times and the region required”.

The Wang Gungwu Professorship on East Asian Affairs was instituted in 2017 to honour Prof Wang’s contributions not just to the LKY School but also to Singapore-China relations. Funded by various donors, including Dr Mochtar Riady and Wilmar International Limited, the Professorship seeks to attract top scholars who can continue the academic discourse and outreach, while providing intellectual leadership for the school.

Wilmar International Limited (‘Wilmar’) is Asia’s leading agribusiness group with interests in oil palm, sugar, fertilizer and grain. From oil palm plantations in Indonesia, Malaysia and Africa, to oil seeds crushing and edible oil refining plants across Asia, to sugar operations in Mumbai, Myanmar, Africa, and Australia, Wilmar’s businesses span the breadth of Asia and beyond, with over 450 manufacturing plants and an extensive distribution network over some 50 countries. Headquartered in Singapore, the Group’s integrated business model encompasses the entire value chain of the agricultural commodity processing business, from origination and processing to branding, merchandising and distribution of a wide range of agricultural products. The Group employs a multinational workforce of about 90,000 people.

Wilmar is committed to environmental and social stewardship. The Group pledges to a strict ‘No Deforestation, No Peat and No Exploitation’ policy that strives to delink its entire supply chain from environmental degradation and human rights abuse. Furthermore, the Group also benchmarks its own practices against international sustainability standards such as the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) and the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) standards framework. These commitments ensure responsible business practices ranging from no burning to clear land for development, climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation to obtaining free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) from local communities for land development and community empowerment in areas where it operates.

On the social front, Wilmar adopts a three-prong approach that aims to empower, nurture, and advance society, providing education, healthcare, and disaster relief support to local communities around and beyond its areas of operations.

In recognition of a generous gift from Wilmar International Limited, NUS established the Wilmar Professorship on Asian Studies at the NUS Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. The Professorship underlines the School’s commitment to the study of Asia and serves as a platform for research on Asia’s international politics, China-India relations, and India’s foreign policy.

A man who wears many hats, Mr Yong Pung How was a successful lawyer, banker, and senior government official before he became Singapore’s Chief Justice in 1990. To every position, he brought efficiency and focus and here, too, he set about clearing the backlog of 2,000 cases in an overwhelmed system. Mr Yong introduced aggressive case management with alternative methods of dispute resolution and the use of technology. He increased the number of courts and created the Justice’s Law Clerk scheme. By the mid ’90s, the backlog had cleared and Singapore’s legal system was on track to becoming one of the world’s finest.

In a varied career, Mr Yong was, among other positions, Chairman and CEO of OCBC Bank, and head of the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC) and Monetary Authority of Singapore, where he streamlined the use of foreign reserves. But the law ran in Mr Yong’s veins. He is the only son of pioneer lawyer Yong Shook Lin.

Born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 1926, Mr Yong studied law at Cambridge,where he became friends with Mr Lee Kuan Yew and Ms Kwa Geok Choo (who later became Mrs Lee Kuan Yew). Their paths crossed again in 1953 when Mr Yong was appointed sole arbitrator in a labour dispute between the government and workers. The lawyer who represented the union was none other than Mr Lee.

NUS established the Yong Pung How Professorship at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy to honour an eminent alumnus and legal mind as well as the friendship of two patriots – Mr Lee and Mr Yong. The Professorship enables the School to attract top public policy talent to facilitate the exchange of ideas and research on the latest global public policy developments. The Professorship is supported by a gift from the Yong Shook Lin Trust.

The CEO of Asian conglomerate Lippo Group, Dr James Riady’s business interests range from property and retail to financial services, telecommunications, and healthcare. But a cause particularly close to his heart is education. “Education is the basis for nation-building”, said Dr Riady, “It can, through developing a nation’s human resources, improve the nation’s welfare, and this is how my family and I can contribute.” Dr Riady saw that even though a lot of wealth was created in Asia’s boom years of 1975–1995 and later, growth was not sustainable because of “gaps in our society – between the rich and the poor, the educated and the uneducated, the healthy and the malnourished…the key was education”.

The Lippo Group started as a bicycle shop set up in 1950 by Dr Riady’s father, Mochtar Riady, who later set up Bank Lippo. Dr Riady has played a key role in expanding the company’s interests across Asia and the US. The company recently bought the 72-storey US Bank Tower in Los Angeles. Dr Riady also introduced professional management practices, bringing in external expertise, lucrative partnerships and investments.

But increasingly, Dr Riady has been looking beyond economic profit to making a social impact. His non-profit organisation Pelita Harapan Educational Foundation is setting up schools across Indonesia, as well as universities and teacher-training colleges. The aim is to move beyond rote learning to a more holistic development of the student. Dr Riady says, “I hope that when I finish my life, the biggest impact I have made will be in education.”

The James Riady Distinguished Professorship established at NUS Business School enables the School to enhance its capacity to nurture future generations of leaders for the global marketplace by attracting distinguished academics to share their expertise, and cooperate in research and education. The James Riady Distinguished Professorship is supported by a gift from the Lippo Group.

From a family-owned business that dealt in sundries like soap and nutmegs, to one of Singapore’s largest corporations whose name is synonymous with excellence – the 116-year history of Jardine Cycle & Carriage offers many lessons on what it takes to build a successful organisation.

Singapore’s leading automotive group started as Federal Stores that was set up by the Chua brothers in 1899 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The first modern car, designed by Karl Benz in 1886, had just made an appearance. The Chua brothers started selling bicycles, motorcycles and then cars, under the ‘Cycle & Carriage’ banner. The company moved its headquarters to Singapore in 1926. The company encountered many obstacles in its path to success – World War I, the Great Depression of the 1930s, World War II, as well as the separation of Malaysia and Singapore. But the company rebounded after every adversity, winning the Mercedes-Benz franchise in 1951. In 2000, an opportunity arose for the company to purchase an interest in PT Astra International Tbk in Indonesia, the largest vertically integrated automotive player in Southeast Asia and a leader in other industries. In 2002, Cycle & Carriage became a subsidiary of the Jardine Matheson Group.

Today, the Jardine Cycle & Carriage Group represents some of the world’s leading automotive names in Singapore and the region and has diverse business interests ranging from automotive, financial services, agribusiness, heavy equipment and mining, infrastructure, logistics to information technology. It employs 245,000 people across Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam and Myanmar. Resilience, efficiency and commitment to excellence are consistent attributes in the company’s trajectory and are key to its continued success.

The Cycle & Carriage Professorship in Business Administration was established at NUS Business School on the company’s 85th anniversary. The Professorship enables the University to engage eminent professors in management to teach on visiting appointments.

Singapore’s public housing system is a coveted model for other countries, but it was a different story in the early ’60s when Mr Lim Kim San became Chairman of the Housing & Development Board (HDB) on a voluntary basis. The country faced a dire housing shortage with more than 400,000 people living in ramshackle buildings. Under Mr Lim’s leadership, HDB built up to 13,000 units annually, a five-fold increase over previous years. Mr Lim ascribed his success to three things: “We broke the contractors’ cartels, decided to do our own earthworks, and the third decision was standardisation.”

Born in 1916, Mr Lim received a Diploma in Economics from Raffles College and made his first million by the age of 34. He was also a director at United Chinese Bank (later UOB). But a visit to a shophouse in Upper Nanjing Street, home to 200 people, inspired him to make a difference. He later recalled, “It was an inhuman and degrading existence. My God, I thought, I must really help these people.”

Mr Lim went on to hold key positions, among them Minister for National Development, Chairman of the Public Utilities Board, and Chairman of the Port of Singapore Authority. To each role, he brought an entrepreneurial approach, saying, “The whole thing boils down to two things: understanding our objective, and man-management.”

The Lim Kim San Professorship in Business Policy was established in 2000 to honour the late eminent alumnus. The Professorship supports renowned academics in business policy to lecture, share ideas and carry out research on collaborative projects. Their contributions help Singapore play a significant role in regional and international business sectors. The Lim Kim San Professorship in Business Policy received significant contributions from corporations such as Singapore Press Holdings, where Mr Lim was then Executive Chairman. Several eminent Singaporeans led by Dr Wee Cho Yaw, then the Chairman of United Overseas Bank Limited, championed the fundraising for this Professorship.

Dato’ Low Tuck Kwong, Founder and Chairman of Indonesia-based mining company PT Bayan Resources, was named one of South-east Asia’s Heroes of Philanthropy by Forbes magazine.

A self-made man, Singapore-born Dato’ Low has always given generously to help people. He is passionate about supporting education, as evident in his generous donations to universities in Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines. He contributes to various charitable groups in the region, helps in disaster relief and also maintains a zoo for animals made homeless by the destruction of their habitat.

Dato’ Low started a construction company in Indonesia in 1973, before venturing into coal mining in 1988. Under his astute guidance, PT Bayan Resources has gone from strength to strength, with exclusive rights to mine a total concession area of over 81,265 hectares. The company’s vision of delivering premium products, high quality service and sustainable growth while minimising environmental impact has made it one of the country’s success stories.

The Low Tuck Kwong Distinguished Professorship was established at the NUS Business School to honour Dato’ Low as a dynamic entrepreneur and philanthropist. The Professorship enables the School to appoint a leading academic who has demonstrated excellence and international recognition in the field of Finance, Accounting or Business Strategy, especially one with an interest in the area of energy resources. The Low Tuck Kwong Distinguished Professorship is supported by a gift from Dato’ Low Tuck Kwong.

Banking industry pioneer Mr Lin Jo Yan’s career in the industry dates back to the early 1930s, the founding days of Singapore’s longest-established local bank, OCBC Bank. He had just completed his Senior Cambridge exams, the equivalent of the latter-day GCE ‘A’ Level exams and entered the workforce. OCBC was just set up with the merger of three banks – Chinese Commercial Bank, Ho Hong Bank and Oversea-Chinese Bank. The world was in the grip of the Great Depression. With great foresight, the three banks had merged to better withstand the oncoming economic shocks, as prices of Malaya’s commodities plunged and debtors defaulted on payments. Mr Lin started at OCBC as a clerk with a princely salary of $35 a month. More than four decades later, he retired as general manager of what was then the largest banking organisation in Singapore.

He saw himself as a “practical banker”, someone who had learnt the ropes of the industry from the ground up. Ever modest, he attributed his success and illustrious career to “honesty and hardwork”. “These were what brought me to where I am today”, he said.

Mr Lin was chairman of the Association of Banks in Malaya and Singapore for eight years before the countries separated. He was an advocate of strong management and staff relations, a key tenet in the bank’s values system to this day. “It almost goes without saying that the staff of a bank will only be courteous to customers provided the company treats its own staff well.”

The Mr and Mrs Lin Jo Yan Professorship in Banking and Finance was established at NUS Business School to honour him as one of the industry’s pioneers and founding bankers. The Mr and Mrs Lin Jo Yan Professorship enables our School of Business to attract and retain world-class faculty to conduct impactful research, and to teach and groom our undergraduates to become the next generation of finance and banking industry leaders in Singapore and the region, as was Mr Lin Jo Yan more than four decades ago.

Musim Mas, whose business spans the entire palm oil supply chain, takes its sustainability mission very seriously. As one of the largest players in the palm oil industry, Musim Mas believes that the best strategy to ensure its continued success is to be the leading sustainable and responsible company in its industry.

The core of its sustainability strategy is the Sustainability Policy that extends to its global operations, including its third-party suppliers. The Musim Mas Sustainability Policy covers vital issues that have been raised by stakeholders regarding the production of palm oil. These issues include protecting forests and biodiversity, establishing traceable and transparent supply chains, and having a positive impact on local communities.

First started in 1932 as a modest soap factory, the Singapore-based Group has grown to become one of the top players in the global palm oil industry. It employs 28,500 people worldwide and produces a wide range of palm oil and derivative products, such as cooking oil, personal care products, biodiesel and oleochemicals.

The Musim Mas Professorship in Sustainability at the NUS Business School enables the school to attract serious intellectuals who can contribute positively to emerging sustainability topics. This Professorship includes a broad scope of cross-disciplinary lessons and research, thus transforming Singapore into a more prominent research hub in this part of the world. The Musim Mas Professorship in Sustainability is supported by a gift from Musim Mas.

The brand OSIM is synonymous with a host of health and well-being products such as massage chairs, fitness equipment, vitamins and luxury tea. In fact, an independent survey identified OSIM as the number one Healthy Lifestyle products brand in Asian consumers’ minds.

According to brand aficionado Ron Sim, Founder, Chairman and CEO of OSIM, “Building your own brand is an important way to drive new growth. But you have to be very innovative, competitive and effective. It’s not just about chasing new growth.” The company has focused on innovative products to attract customers, as well as brand endorsements from celebrities such as Andy Lau and Gong Li. “The key for us is to continue designing new products that drive demand”, added Mr Sim.

Mr Sim honed his business acumen in the school of hard knocks. He sold noodles on the streets of Singapore as a boy. To fund his education, he worked at various odd jobs and discovered he was a talented salesman. He set up a household appliances company in 1979 when he was in his 20s, and later turned his attention to selling healthy lifestyle products under the OSIM brand – a name he chose for being memorable and marketable. Today OSIM is a global brand operating 842 outlets in 30 countries.

The OSIM Professorship in Branding and Strategic Marketing established at NUS Business School enables the school to engage international brand experts to teach and conduct research, as well as infuse new ideas into the present curriculum and pedagogical approaches. The Professorship enables more in-depth research in branding and strategic marketing in Singapore, adding to the body of knowledge available in the field in this part of the world. The OSIM Professorship in Branding and Strategic Marketing is supported by a gift from OSIM International Limited.

Mr Suppiah Dhanabalan was born in 1937, the third child and eldest son of a construction worker. He graduated with an Honours degree in Economics from the University of Malaya and thereafter began an illustrious career in the civil service.

Mr Dhanabalan was responsible for many firsts in the country’s nation-building. He was part of a small team that worked on the formation of the Economic Development Board in 1961 and became its first industrial economist. As Singapore grew, and along with it the need for industrial capital, Mr Dhanabalan helped establish the Development Bank of Singapore (DBS) in 1968, where he was Executive Vice President from 1970 to 1978.

In 1976, Mr Dhanabalan made the move from banking to politics out of a sense of responsibility. Over the next two decades, he went on to serve in the Cabinet as Senior Minister of State for National Development (1978 to 1979), Minister for Foreign Affairs (1980 to 1988), Minister for Culture (1981 to 1984), Minister for Community Development (1984 to 1986), Minister for National Development (1987 to 1992) as well as Minister for Trade and Industry (1992 to 1994). He retired from Parliament in 1996 and his years in office gained him wide respect. He was appreciated not just for his intellect and integrity, but also for his down-to-earth, consultative style of management and concern for the underprivileged. 

Mr Dhanabalan was also a valued adviser to three of Singapore’s Presidents for 18 years until 2022—the longest-serving member on the Council of Presidential Advisers – and is a permanent member of the Presidential Council for Minority Rights. 

Since 1981, Mr Dhanabalan served on the boards of several large corporations, including the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC), and as Chairman of the boards of Temasek Holdings Limited, Singapore Airlines, DBS, Temasek Trust and Mandai Park Holdings. He also contributed to academia, serving as the inaugural Chairman of the NUS Business Management School Advisory Board from its formation in 2009 to 2017. A staunch advocate of hiring right and developing talent, Mr Dhanabalan also spent considerable effort engaging in fireside chats with senior executives in the Asia Leaders in Financial Institutions (ALFI) programme at the NUS Business School. 

Dr Stephen Riady, Executive Chairman of OUE Limited, made his first million at the age of 22 while still at university. He was already involved in the businesses set up by his father, Mochtar Riady, and would spend his holidays learning the ropes in Jakarta. A savvy investor and businessman, he believed in the Government’s vision to make Singapore the best city to work, play, and live. Today, OUE owns a glittering portfolio of iconic landmarks such as Mandarin Orchard Singapore, One Raffles Place, and Crowne Plaza Changi Airport, to name a few.

Dr Riady said, “If you see something that you believe in, will you just wait? No.” He has always believed in Singapore and has a longstanding relationship with the city-state. He came here to study at the age of 10. He now lives in Singapore and gives generously to many causes, especially education, humanitarian causes and community development.

Dr Riady, who launched the Stephen Riady Group of Foundations in 2012, attributes his philanthropy to personal and family values, with his father as an inspiration. He is also motivated by his faith to be a channel of blessing to others in the community. “The joy and satisfaction is much greater when you give”, he said. The Stephen Riady Group of Foundations comprises 11 foundations in Singapore and Hong Kong, and has given millions of dollars to various causes in Singapore.

The Stephen Riady Distinguished Professorship was established at NUS Business School to honour an exceptional businessman committed to Singapore. The Professorship will enhance the School’s capacity to nurture future generations of leaders for the global marketplace by attracting distinguished academics to share their expertise and experience. It is also important that their contributions and insights can enhance the research and teaching efforts of the School by collaborating with other faculty members. The Stephen Riady Distinguished Professorship is supported by a gift from Lippo Group.

Community leader Tang Peng Yeu is remembered for his many acts of service and generosity to the many community groups. He was particularly keen on the cause of education.

A self-made man, he attained his accounting qualification through a correspondence course. As an accountant, he helped run many community organisations. He was chairman and committee member of Yeung Ching School from 1953 to 1965; he chaired the Kong Chow Wai Koon and the Kwong Wai Siew Pek San Teng in the 1950s and was a trustee for the latter organisation from 1953 to 1985; he was a member of the Singapore Chamber of Commerce from 1952 to 1957; and was an elected member of the Singapore City Council from 1957 to 1958.

A keen advocate for education, Mr Tang not only educated his own daughter, who is an alumna of NUS and a practising dentist, but he also financed the overseas education of his nephews and nieces. One of his nephews, Mr Tang See Chim, went on to become a lawyer, Minister of State for Finance (1970–1972) and Deputy Speaker of Parliament (1972–1981).

Mr Tang Peng Yeu passed away in 1984. On the 10th anniversary of Mr Tang Peng Yeu’s passing, the Tang Peng Yeu Professorship in Accountancy and Finance was established at the NUS Business School. The Professorship enables the University to engage eminent professors to share their expertise and experience. Particular emphasis is given to the contributions and insights they can offer to Singapore and its ever-growing regional and international role. The Professor also cooperates in research and education with other faculty members. The Professorship is supported by a gift from Mr and Mrs Tang See Chim and their family members.

His peers refer to him as “a true surgical hero”, but it is more than Professor Abu Rauff’s technical skills that they admire. Rather, words like “selfless” and “dedicated” are brought up by those he has mentored, many of whom are top surgeons in practice today. Anecdotes abound of how Prof Rauff has stepped in time and again to unravel complex issues in the operating room. Indeed, in his citation for Prof Rauff’s Honorary SMA Membership, Professor Ngoi Sing Shang related how Prof Rauff has guided and encouraged him “as a student, as a trainee surgeon and even as a consultant”. Prof Rauff shares that he himself was “fortunate to have had very good mentors at each phase of my career; people who instilled excellent values and were role models”. He wears that mantle today, actively mentoring undergraduates and postgraduates at the National University Hospital (NUH) up to three times a week. It is why colleagues, alumni, former students and friends have stepped up to pay tribute, contributing towards a Professorship in his name. It is only apt for a man who has played an instrumental role at the University for over 40 years.

Since joining NUS in 1972, Prof Rauff has been Chair for Surgery at the Singapore General Hospital from 1985 to 1988, and at NUH from 1988 to 1992. He participated in Singapore’s first liver transplant. Now in private practice, Prof Rauff is passionate about demonstrating that those in private healthcare can contribute to public hospitals.

The Abu Rauff Professorship in Surgery was established in 2016 to mark NUS Medicine’s 110th anniversary, with the fundraising led by Professors Chuen Neng Lee, Ngoi Sing Shang, Walter Tan and Wong Peng Cheang. The Professorship accelerates the development of surgical expertise through education and mentorship of undergraduate and postgraduate students, while supporting translational research. It promotes affordable, world-class healthcare within and beyond Singapore.

The Alumni Association was established more than 90 years ago as the Singapore Medical College Graduates’ Association. They were later joined by dentistry and pharmacy graduates, sister-disciplines.

In the early years of its proud history, the Association fought for professional recognition for medical officers in the government in terms of salary, status, working conditions and post-graduate study leave. The Medical Service was the first to do away with discrimination between expatriate and local doctors, paving the way for other Civil Service branches to follow in it wake. The birth of the University of Malaya (NUS’ predecessor) also owes much to the Association whose prominent members, like Dr Chen Su Lan and Dr K Shanmugaratnam, pressed the colonial government to setup the University with the amalgamation of the King Edward VII College of Medicine and Raffles College.

With the establishment of separate professional bodies, the Association moved away from its role as ‘professional guardian’ to a social platform. From 1997, students were welcomed to meet, learn and share ideas with their seniors. It is an egalitarian club. Students and young doctors mingle with deans, consultants and vice-chancellors in a friendly atmosphere regardless of seniority and rank. The Association organises reunions, field trips, dinners, talks and outings and brings doctors, dentists and pharmacists together to network and share experiences.

On the occasion of the Association’s 75th anniversary, its members decided to further strengthen their bond with the alma mater, and they backed up this commitment by supporting the establishment of a professorship at NUS. NUS established the Alumni Association Rotating Visiting Professorship. As the Association consists of medical doctors, dental surgeons and pharmacists, the Professorship rotates between medical, dental and pharmacy Faculties, enabling the University to bring in distinguished visiting professors in these areas. The Professorship is supported by the Singapore National Eye Centre and members of the Alumni Association of Medicine.

“Let the dead teach the living” was the motto of eminent forensic pathologist Dr Chao Tzee Cheng. Dedicated to uncovering the truth in the bodies he examined, Dr Chao repeatedly proved that dead men do tell tales and that these learnings can be used for the good of humanity. His medical investigations helped to solve such famous cases as the Scripps body parts murder and the Flor Contemplacion case, earning him the title of Justice of Murder. He also undertook investigations in mass tragedies, such the Cable Car tragedy of 1983 and the SilkAir crash, and championed child safety, educating people about behaviours that can result in fatal accidents.

Trained at the University of Hong Kong and Hammersmith College, London, Dr Chao carried out 25,000 autopsies over an illustrious career. He was a Clinical Professor at NUS, President of the Singapore Society of Pathology, Founder of the Medico-Legal Society, and Founding Director of the world-class Institute of Science and Forensic Medicine, which brought together a range of forensics specialities from ballistics to DNA testing.

A powerful orator with a keen eye for detail, Dr Chao’s ability to solve challenging cases raised Singapore’s profile in forensic pathology and elevated its criminal justice system. Dr Chao also helped develop the next generation of pathologists. He was awarded the Public Administration Silver and Gold medals. Dr Chao passed away in 2000.

With support from a fundraising committee chaired by Professor Tan Ser Kiat and from other individuals and organisations who were inspired by Dr Chao, NUS established the Chao Tzee Cheng Professorship to honour Dr Chao. The Professorship enables the University to engage eminent professors in the field of pathology and forensic science to share their expertise, cooperate in research and education with faculty members and contribute to Singapore’s ever-growing regional and international role.

Born in Fuzhou in 1885, Chen Su Lan enrolled in the newly established Medical School in Singapore, topped his class and was in the pioneer group of the first seven medical graduates in 1910. He served on the Council of the King Edward VII College of Medicine, was president of the Malayan branch of the British Medical Association, the first president and later President Emeritus of the Alumni Association.

While practising full-time as a physician, Dr Chen worked tirelessly to improve the social conditions of his day. He was best known for his anti-opium work. He initiated a fundraising campaign and established the Anti-Opium Clinic in 1933. With the assistance of volunteer doctors, some 7,000 addicts were rehabilitated. To combat the post-war social problems of poverty, unemployment and crime, he saw a need to reach out to the Chinese-speaking youth and started the Chinese YMCA (now known as the Metropolitan YMCA) in 1946, serving the organisation until his retirement at the age of 80. He spearheaded the drive by the Medical Alumni Association for the establishment of a university for Malaya.

Elected to the first Court of the new University of Malaya in 1949, he was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Laws in 1952. Dr Chen passed away in 1972. A man of vision, prodigious energy and moral conscience, the ethos of service to the community was the emanation of his Methodist faith and the central leitmotif of his life.

The Chen Su Lan Centennial Professorship in Medical Ethics was established in 2005 with a gift from the Chen Su Lan Trust to foster humanitarian and ethical values in the practice of Medicine and to equip young doctors with the ethical framework to meet the challenges of the 21st century. This Professorship is in keeping with Dr Chen Su Lan’s commitment to the qualities of professionalism, integrity and ethics in the practice of medicine.

The Courage Fund was initially set up as the Severe Acute Respiratory Symptoms (SARS) relief fund by a group of young junior doctors to provide financial relief to those affected by SARS in Singapore during the outbreak in 2003. The disease had an unprecedented impact on not just public health but all sectors of Singapore’s society and economy.

The worst of the impact was on healthcare workers, who were on the frontline against what was described as the first emerging infectious disease of the 21st century. When the Courage Fund was set up in April 2003, contributions flowed in from many sources – ordinary Singaporean men, women, and children; corporations; overseas Singaporeans; and community organisations. It was a tremendous gesture of support for those affected by this novel emerging virus.

The SARS Relief Fund was subsequently merged into the Courage Fund, which was then managed by the National Healthcare Group, Singapore Health Services, Singapore Medical Association, Singapore Nurses’ Association, and Singapore Press Holdings. The Fund continues today as a tribute to healthcare workers. It offers bursaries to selected health professionals seeking further education and provides awards for outstanding healthcare workers. It also supports programmes that protect the wider community from the risk of widespread infectious diseases.

With support from the Courage Fund, NUS established the Courage Fund Visiting Professorship/ Fellowship in Infectious Disease and Epidemiology. This professorship enables the University to appoint eminent international experts in infectious disease and epidemiology, who can contribute to various initiatives that build up Singapore’s capability in epidemiology and infectious disease management and control. Appointed professors may conduct teaching and/or research programmes at NUS, the Communicable Disease Centre and other suitable institutions. They also share their knowledge with Singapore’s healthcare professionals to promote capabilities in these critical clinical areas.

In 1928, a young man arrived in Singapore from China, carrying nothing but a mat and a quilt. He started working at a hardware store, improving his reading and writing in the evenings. His future was unclear, but he knew that better education would help him succeed in life. Thirteen years on, Mr Kwek Hong Png had set up Hong Leong, which is today one of Asia’s largest conglomerates. A daring entrepreneur, Mr Kwek Hong Png navigated the economic swells and eddies with spectacular success. Since then, the second generation of the Kwek family has further grown the business. Today, Hong Leong Singapore has gross assets of over $40 billion. The group’s core businesses are in real estate, hospitality, financial services, trading and manufacturing.

Mr Kwek Hong Png established Hong Leong Foundation in 1980 on the belief in “giving back to society what one has gained from it”. The Foundation fosters education, helps the needy elderly (including making annual cash gifts), and is a long-time supporter of heritage and the arts. The group’s community consciousness is also seen in the Hong Leong-National Kidney Foundation Dialysis Centre, their support of the Young Entrepreneurs Programme, as well as green initiatives.

On Mr Kwek’s 80th birthday in 1991, Hong Leong Group made a gift to support ophthalmology teaching and research. NUS established the Hong Leong Professorship in Ophthalmology to honour his spirit of philanthropy and the social awareness of the company he founded. This gift has allowed the University to invite distinguished experts in a wide variety of eye diseases to share their expertise with the Singapore ophthalmology community. It has also supported research and clinical services in diverse fields such as myopia, glaucoma, age-related macular disease, diabetic eye disease and ocular oncology.

Isabel Claire Chan was the dearly loved youngest daughter of retired Chief Justice Chan Sek Keong and Mrs Elisabeth Chan. Isabel lost her battle with cancer in 2008. She was 34 years old. Isabel fought the disease with the same determination and courage that she displayed in other aspects of her life.

After graduating from the London School of Economics with a BSc. in Economics, Isabel realised her true calling lay in the culinary arts. She then attended the Prue Leith School, an establishment noted for its modern approach to food and nutrition. Isabel returned to Singapore and, after gaining experience in several food and beverage outlets, she opened her own restaurant, Butterbean Bistro in Purvis Street. She ran the Bistro until the disease took hold of her.

The gift in 2009 to the National University of Singapore by her parents led to the establishment of the Isabel Chan Professorship in Medical Sciences. The Professorship aims to attract leading doctors and scientists to Singapore to mentor our best and brightest medical personnel and to give crucial support to the advancement of healthcare. In this way, her parents hope her memory will be honoured and remembered.

He witnessed the agonising death of his brother from chronic kidney failure and was determined to save others from a similar fate. That resolution, made by Dr Khoo Oon Teik, ‘Father of Nephrology’ and founder of the National Kidney Foundation (NKF), was to save the lives of many kidney patients.

Before dialysis became available in Singapore, 200 patients used to die every year from kidney failure. In 1961, Dr Khoo brought the first dialysis machine to Singapore and organised training for doctors and nurses. He also set up the country’s first renal unit at Singapore General Hospital (SGH), which has since trained many of Singapore’s nephrologists. Dr Khoo soon realised that dialysis charges were unaffordable for many. In 1969, he set up NKF to help those who could not afford the treatments. He advocated for publicly funded rehabilitation programmes and subsidised dialysis. Dr Khoo’s leadership and far-sightedness were critical factors in the steady growth of NKF. Today, it is the largest dialysis provider, serving more than 90 per cent of needy kidney failure sufferers in Singapore.

Born in Penang, Malaysia, in 1912, Dr Khoo came to Singapore to study medicine at the King Edward VII School of Medicine (NUS’ predecessor) at the age of 16. He later taught at NUS and became Chairman of the Department of Medicine. He passed away in 2012.

With support from NKF, NUS established the Khoo Oon Teik Professorship in Nephrology. This Professorship enables the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, in close collaboration with NKF and other renal care providers, to perform research on the mechanisms responsible for renal disease and its progression; identify those at higher risk of developing chronic kidney failure; find ways to mitigate the progression of kidney disease; and develop strategies to improve treatment for end-stage renal disease. It also funds visits by world-class experts to advise local doctors and researchers.

In a three-decade-long diplomatic career, Professor Kishore Mahbubani has served two tours of duty as Singapore’s Ambassador to the United Nations (UN), been the President of the UN Security Council as well as undertaken postings to Cambodia, Malaysia, Washington DC, and New York. The author of 8 books was also Permanent Secretary of Singapore’s Foreign Ministry (1993-1998).

In 2004, he launched his second career in academia as the Founding Dean of the NUS Lee Kuan Yew of School of Public Policy. Professor Mahbubani is a Distinguished Fellow of the NUS Asia Research Institute and through his writings, attempts to explain the Asian perspective to Western intellectuals, while advocating for the strengthening of multilateral institutions, including the World Health Organization. He is also the Chairman of the NUS Medicine International Council (NIC).

Named after Professor Mahbuhani, a veteran diplomat and one of Singapore’s most celebrated global thinkers and prolific writers, the Professorship aims to recognise and nurture leaders in Medicine and public health policy as well as catalyse the formation of partnerships with experts from various disciplines to address healthcare challenges of the day. The Professorship is supported by gifts from various donors. Through it, the School hopes to nurture a new generation of healthcare professionals who think creatively.

Dedicated to the Chinese Goddess of Mercy, Kuan Yin or Guan Yin, the Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple has been providing succour to those in need since 1884. One of the oldest Buddhist temples in Singapore, it was a place of refuge during the Japanese Occupation of Singapore. For many decades now, it has been offering support to the sick and disadvantaged as well as to society at large through its many acts of philanthropy.

Dr Tan Choon Kim, Chairman of Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple, said, “We want to give bright, promising students the opportunity to learn from and be inspired by the best brains in their fields. Exceptional teachers are catalysts for the success of the next generation.” The Professorships are supported by gifts from Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple.

In 2015, the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine established the Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple Professorship in Anatomy, which will support prominent academics in the teaching and research related to human anatomy at NUS Medicine.

Entrepreneur and philanthropist Dr Lien Ying Chow was orphaned at the age of 14 and never had the opportunity of a formal education. It was a loss he felt keenly, both for himself and others like him. Arriving in Singapore in 1920 with just 10 Hong Kong dollars in his pocket, Dr Lien started giving a portion of his income to education from the age of 22, which was to become a commitment or a lifetime.

Dr Lien went from an assistant at a ship chandler to a successful businessman, banker, hotelier and property tycoon. In 1947, he founded Overseas Union Bank with just 27 employees. Within 10 years, they had branches across Singapore, and in Hong Kong, Tokyo and London. It was the first Singapore bank to open in New York in 1973. Pursuing his twin goals of education and community development, Dr Lien contributed to various aspects of Singapore’s development and success. He was part of the post-World War II relief efforts, advocated for the political rights of immigrants and supported Malaya’s bid for independence.

In 1966, he became the newly independent Singapore’s High Commissioner to Malaysia, helping to heal the fractured relationship between the two countries. He established and supported schools, and played a lead role in the founding of Nanyang University and, later, in its merger with the University of Singapore (NUS’ predecessor). He became Pro-Chancellor of NUS in 1992 and received an Honorary Doctor of Letters from the University.

In 1980, he set up the Lien Foundation to help the socio-economically deprived. With support from the Lien Foundation, NUS established the Lien Ying Chow Professorship in Medicine. The Professorship is expected to provide leadership in medical research and education. His or her influence will extend to the shaping of Singapore’s healthcare landscape, including areas of chronic disease management and end-of-life issues, which are the key priorities of the Lien Foundation.

“I was born in the Year of the Bull and so was destined to work long and hard for someone else,” Mr Lin Jo Yan once quipped. Indeed, it was hard work that Mr Lin also named as an important value that brought him success with the Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation (OCBC) in the five decades of his career there.

Mr Lin joined OCBC in 1932 as one of its first employees, a humble clerk earning all of $35 a month. Singapore’s oldest bank was to be his one and only employer, for Mr Lin rose quickly through the ranks, working through its crucial growing years to eventually lead it as General Manager and Director. As the largest local banking organisation in the 1960s, OCBC played an active role in the economic development of Malaysia and Singapore, a time that gave Mr Lin great satisfaction. Until the two countries separated, he also held the post of Chairman of the Association of Banks in Malaysia and Singapore for eight years. Under Mr Lin’s leadership, OCBC continued its surge forward, with a newspaper calling it “solid as a rock” in a tribute. He retired in 1977 but stayed on the bank’s board for another ten years before stepping down. Mr Lin always described himself firmly as “a practical man”. Although not given to sentimentality, Mr Lin cared greatly about good relations between management and staff, and between staff and customers.

The Lin Jo Yan and Yeo Boon Khim Professorship in Mental Health was established by an anonymous donor in 2017 to commemorate Mr Lin and his wife Madam Yeo. With the endowment, NUS Medicine aims to appoint an expert in psychiatric and psychological medicine to advance the field. The role will be pivotal in enhancing the Department of Psychological Medicine’s ongoing efforts to develop mental health in young Singaporeans and energise collaboration with other specialities such as paediatrics and adult psychiatry. The post encompasses the teaching and supervision of students as well as translational research.

Dr Ling Chaw Ming was born in Sitiawan, Malaysia. He was a student at the then University of Singapore’s Medical School graduating in 1965 during the tumultuous sixties when Orthopaedics could improve the lives of thousands of patients afflicted with handicaps resulting from illnesses such as tuberculosis of the spine, poliomyelitis and leprosy. He embarked on a quest to improve these lives, becoming a pioneer in the University’s Department of Orthopaedics. Having earned a Commonwealth Scholarship to the UK for further training, Dr Ling later returned to the Department as a lecturer in 1971.

Over the next decade, the Associate Professor would work alongside other notables such as Professor VK Pillay and Professor Pesi Chacha, and leave a strong impression on his colleagues and those he trained. In Professor K Satku’s inaugural lecture, Of Role and Role Model, at the College of Surgeons in 2005, he named Dr Ling as one of the teachers who “by their individual efforts, laid the foundation for many of us to become surgeons.”

Dr Ling subsequently went into private practice, also serving as Visiting Consultant at Tan Tock Seng Hospital – an appointment he continued for almost two decades.

Dr Ling was known to be strict and firm, passionate about sharing his knowledge and experience with younger doctors and winning great respect for his mentorship and integrity. It was for his compassion and humanity towards all his patients, though, that he is best remembered in the Orthopaedic community.

Supported by a generous gift from the Ling family, the Ling Chaw Ming Professorship in Orthopaedics was established in 2017 in his honour, to enable the University to advance the field of orthopaedics. It commemorates Dr Ling’s lifelong dedication to the discipline and seeks to develop orthopaedic expertise through the education and mentorship of undergraduate and postgraduate medical students. The Professorship also facilitates translational research so that healthcare in Singapore can continue to progress, as it did during the time of Dr Ling.

Singapore’s current expertise in the field of orthopaedics owes much to pioneering orthopaedic surgeon Professor N Balachandran. Born in Kota Tinggi, Malaysia, Professor Balachandran graduated from the University of Malaya in 1956, and was one of the first few local doctors to be trained in orthopaedic surgery.

Over a 45-year career, Prof Balachandran raised the bar of excellence, committed to offering the best possible care to patients, many of whom were handicapped or had spinal injuries or congenital deformities. He set high standards in orthopaedic surgery and trained a generation of doctors who built on the skills he taught them. Prof Balachandran imparted not just medical skills, but life skills to doctors, nurses and hospital staff, influencing them with his generosity of spirit. He said, “To be allowed to teach and train is a privilege and an honour. How wonderful it would be for all of us to learn something new from our students.”

Prof Balachandran helped set up orthopaedic units across Singapore and advocated for orthopaedic research. All who came in contact with him remember his integrity, his commitment to his patients and his humanity. He felt that “sharing and caring must be the hallmark of the medical profession and should be taught by example.”

In recognition of a gift from Prof Balachandran’s wife, Mrs Rita Lucia Balachandran, NUS established the N Balachandran Professorship in Paediatric Orthopedics, named for the distinguished clinician and educator. The Professorship enables the University to appoint international experts as visiting professors in paediatric orthopaedics. The visiting professors contribute to various initiatives to further develop Singapore’s capability in this field. These initiatives include teaching and research at the University, National University Hospital and KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital; as well as providing content and serving as a speaker for conferences and public seminars on paediatric orthopaedics.

In 1991, Mr Nasrat Muzayyin made his way over from the United States to Singapore. He found it “a great place to live”, ended up marrying a local, became a Singaporean, where he has been raising his family ever since.

He is the Founder and CEO of Sebrina Holdings, the local office he set up in 1995 to manage the family’s investments and businesses. Sebrina’s portfolio ranges from oil and gas to real estate, trade finance and venture capital. Under his leadership, the Group has grown into a multi-billion dollar company.

“I believe we must have passion for everything that we do, whether business, sports or personal pursuits,” Mr Muzayyin says. “That is what makes it a success.” Indeed, passion marks his many ventures in life.

As a carefree 17-year-old, he was “flipping” houses with friends—continuing a three-generational family history of acquiring and redeveloping luxury homes across the US and Europe. While the young Mr Muzayyin’s projects were on a more modest scale, with the teens doing the roofing, flooring, stonework and plumbing by themselves, the interest in property has carried over into his thriving real estate business today. Mr Muzayyin then earned a Chemical Engineering degree from the University of Southern California and a Masters in Mechanical & Chemical Engineering from California State University, skills which have aided his savvy investments in the energy market. As for sports, the avid sports car racer has regularly featured in the Blancpain GT World Challenge Asia and Asian Le Mans Series.

Mr Muzayyin also invests in people and ideas. As a member of the NUS Medical International Council (NIC), he has regularly supported NIC fundraising events. This Professorship was endowed by him to further strides in Medicine and Technology.

“Do you need a reason to help others?” Dr Oon Chiew Seng once retorted when asked what prompts her generosity. For generous the centenarian had always been in all aspects of her being. She was generous with her wealth, in funding medical research; with her time, such as when she stayed awake through 48 hours to care for a patient; and with her efforts serving on many medical committees and organisations.

Born in Penang, Malaysia in 1916, the youngest of 10 children was a nurse before retaking her Senior Cambridge exams and learning Latin so that she may qualify for medical school. The war forced her to continue her studies in India, where crowded in a flat with 16 other children, she studied late into the night under a kerosene lamp. After her return to the Medical College of Singapore, Dr Oon received not only her medical degree but also a Queen’s Fellowship to train in England. She went on to become one of the first women in the region to specialise in Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

Dr Oon’s distinguished career began at Kandang Kerbau Hospital, and in 1959, she broke new ground once again as the first gynaecologist to go into private practice. After retiring from private practice at 75, Dr Oon remained active with the Sree Narayana Mission Home for the Aged Sick, where her medical interest evolved into the area of ageing. In 1999, at the age of 83, Dr Oon bravely took the lead to pioneer and chair the Apex Harmony Lodge – Singapore’s first home for dementia patients. She stayed keenly involved for many years thereafter. Dr Oon was an active advocate and philanthropist.

In 2018, NUS established the Oon Chiew Seng Professorship in Medicine, Healthy Ageing and Dementia Research to honour Dr Oon and her work in developing new approaches to the long-term care of the elderly. The Professorship aims to help those with neurodegenerative conditions such as dementia, and to inform the thinking and work of policy makers and community service organisations.

Life expectancy in Singapore is among the highest in the world. In 2014, 11.2 per cent of the population were aged 65 and above. By 2030, the elderly will comprise up to 20 per cent. Ageing brings medical problems like loss of vision and hearing, osteoporosis, recurrent falls, dementia, depression and cancer. There is a continuing need to develop better geriatrics care with changing population dynamics and needs, including interdisciplinary approaches to support the elderly’s physical, mental, and social well-being.

As Singapore’s largest private healthcare provider, Parkway Pantai has always been acutely aware of the challenges and issues in this field. In 2000, it donated $1.5 million to establish the Parkway Professorship in Geriatrics at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine. The Professorship enabled the University to engage eminent academics and clinicians, who helped advance geriatric medicine in Singapore by facilitating teaching and research, and the development of clinical and community care in geriatrics. The University’s Gerontology Research Programme helps promote understanding of issues such as depression and dementia.

The strong partnership between Parkway Pantai and NUS was reaffirmed in 2015 with an additional $3 million donation to establish the new Parkway Pantai Professorship in Medicine and Healthy Ageing. This builds on existing expertise to support more extensive research into the causes, prevention and treatment of age-related disorders. Knowledge in these areas will lead to improved practices to keep the elderly healthy.

Parkway Pantai, a wholly-owned subsidiary of IHH Healthcare Berhad (IHH), runs a network of 21 hospitals throughout Asia. In Singapore, it owns the world-class Mount Elizabeth, Mount Elizabeth Novena, Gleneagles and Parkway East Hospitals, and offers the full spectrum of healthcare services, including diagnostic laboratories and education facility. IHH is the world’s second largest healthcare provider by market capitalisation, with a focus on markets in Asia and the CEEMENA region. Parkway Pantai is committed to local communities through its ‘Life Renewed’ programme which offers free medical treatments to the needy, and supports medical education through the NUS Professorships and the Mount Elizabeth- Gleneagles Medical Scholarship Fund.

Life expectancy in Singapore is among the highest in the world. In 2014, 11.2 per cent of the population were aged 65 and above. By 2030, the elderly will comprise up to 20 per cent. Ageing brings medical problems like loss of vision and hearing, osteoporosis, recurrent falls, dementia, depression and cancer. There is a continuing need to develop better geriatrics care with changing population dynamics and needs, including interdisciplinary approaches to support the elderly’s physical, mental, and social well-being.

As Singapore’s largest private healthcare provider, Parkway Pantai has always been acutely aware of the challenges and issues in this field. In 2000, it donated $1.5 million to establish the Parkway Professorship in Geriatrics at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine. The Professorship enabled the University to engage eminent academics and clinicians, who helped advance geriatric medicine in Singapore by facilitating teaching and research, and the development of clinical and community care in geriatrics. The University’s Gerontology Research Programme helps promote understanding of issues such as depression and dementia.

The strong partnership between Parkway Pantai and NUS was reaffirmed in 2015 with an additional $3 million donation to establish the new Parkway Pantai Professorship in Medicine and Healthy Ageing. This builds on existing expertise to support more extensive research into the causes, prevention and treatment of age-related disorders. Knowledge in these areas will lead to improved practices to keep the elderly healthy.

Parkway Pantai, a wholly-owned subsidiary of IHH Healthcare Berhad (IHH), runs a network of 21 hospitals throughout Asia. In Singapore, it owns the world-class Mount Elizabeth, Mount Elizabeth Novena, Gleneagles and Parkway East Hospitals, and offers the full spectrum of healthcare services, including diagnostic laboratories and education facility. IHH is the world’s second largest healthcare provider by market capitalisation, with a focus on markets in Asia and the CEEMENA region. Parkway Pantai is committed to local communities through its ‘Life Renewed’ programme which offers free medical treatments to the needy, and supports medical education through the NUS Professorships and the Mount Elizabeth- Gleneagles Medical Scholarship Fund.

In many ways, Emeritus Professor S S Ratnam put Singapore on the international map in the field of obstetrics and gynaecology.

Besides performing Singapore’s first sex-change operation in 1971 and leading the team that produced Asia’s first test-tube baby in 1983, he helped to achieve many other firsts that brought hope to childless couples around the world. These included Asia’s first Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer (GIFT) baby in 1986, Asia’s first live birth from a frozen embryo in 1987, the world’s first live birth after microinjection in 1989, and the world’s first infant born via human ampullary coculture in 1991.

Prof Ratnam was Head of the NUS Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and was responsible for developing a world-class centre for feto-maternal medicine. It was the first in the Asia Pacific region to perform fetal therapy and surgery. He was later the Director of the School of Postgraduate Medical Studies. Bringing together clinicians and scientists, he enabled the Department to offer an outstanding level of service, research and training. He trained a generation of doctors and laid a solid foundation in Assisted Reproductive Technology that others could build and innovate on.

A formidable figure in his field, Prof Ratnam was a giving person, who tried never to say no to people. His mother was his inspiration.

With the support of various donors and organisations that worked with Prof Ratnam and benefited from his expertise, NUS established the S S Ratnam Professorship in Obstetrics and Gynaecology to honour the medical pioneer. The Professorship enables the University to engage eminent professors and experts, who are internationally recognised for their contributions to the field of obstetrics and gynaecology, for periods ranging from three months to a year or more. These renowned academics share their expertise and collaborate with faculty members in research and educational initiatives in areas such as reproductive health, maternal welfare, as well as fertility and infertility.

Dr Seow Li Jin played an important role in the practice of otolaryngology in Singapore. A pioneering ear, nose, and throat (ENT) surgeon, Dr Seow introduced ENT microsurgery to Singapore, paving the way for the high standard of care that is available in the country today.

Born in 1922 in Kuala Lumpur, Dr Seow came to Singapore to study medicine at the King Edward VII School of Medicine, NUS’ predecessor institution. His studies were interrupted by the Japanese Occupation, but he persevered in his dream of being a doctor and, in fact, remained a life-long learner. The practice of ENT was then in its infancy, and Dr Seow was hungry for knowledge and the latest expertise. This was hard to come by locally. However, while working at Singapore General Hospital’s (SGH) ENT section, Dr Seow, then in his early 30s, won a three-year medical scholarship to the UK. This experience, which brought him up close to the latest medical breakthroughs, underscored his belief in continuous training for doctors. Throughout his life, he continued to travel abroad every two years to keep abreast of the latest treatments.

In 1958, Prof Seow became Head of ENT, reorganising the Department and introducing new procedures. He also introduced better septoplasty procedures and improved surgical methods to treat cancer of the maxilla and cancer of the ear, which were previously associated with a high fatality rate. In 1964, he entered private practice. Dr Seow passed away in 2008.

In recognition of a gift from medical pioneer and alumnus Dr Seow, NUS established the Seow Li Jin Professorship in Otolaryngology. Since 2011, the Professorship has been linked to the headship of the Department.

Singapore has one of the world’s most rapidly ageing populations. By 2030, the elderly will comprise up to 20 per cent of Singapore’s population. The understanding and management of cognitive disorders in the elderly are of crucial importance to the country and is one of the areas that will benefit from the establishment of the Tan Geok Yin Professorship at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine’s Department of Psychology. The Professorship is named after Madam Tan Geok Yin, the first wife of Tan Sri Khoo Teck Puat.

Mr and Mrs Khoo married when he was just 16 years old in 1934. She was a devoted wife and mother, instilling values and ethics to her seven children – two boys and five girls. Madam Tan passed away in 1972.

The research team at the Department studied aspects of cognitive impairment in the elderly and determined the impact of risk factors such as nutrition, cardiometabolic factors, gene interactions, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory biomarkers on cognition. The team reaches out to the community to identify the elderly at risk of cognitive decline and explore psychological, social and lifestyle measures to pre-empt potential cognitive disorders. They have also developed interventions, such as Brief Integrative Psychological Therapy and Mindfulness Therapy.

The Department also runs the Gerontology Research Programme, which aims to help the understanding of population ageing transition and provide the scientific information needed for formulating strategies of disease prevention and health promotion. Multi-disciplinary research groups establish cohorts of elderly subjects, both healthy and ill, for research, addressing all levels of intervention and care: primary preventive, primary care, hospital, community hospital, and nursing homes. Projects include: dementia, depression, mind-body nexus and active ageing.

The Tan Geok Yin Professorship will help the University build on its achievements in the areas of ageing, psychiatry and neuroscience over the next few years. The Professorship is supported by a gift from an anonymous donor.

Dr Toh Chin Chye is remembered primarily as a politician. But what is often overlooked is Dr Toh Chin Chye, the man of science, who paved the way for Singapore’s rise to the science and technology powerhouse it is today. Dr Toh received a Diploma in Science from Raffles College (NUS’ predecessor) and a PhD from the National Institute for Medical Research, London.

Besides being Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Toh also served as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Singapore (NUS’ predecessor). He believed that the knowledge housed in the University should help advance society and achieve national goals. Hence, he advocated for research and secured international recognition for the University’s post-graduate medical degrees. He also initiated the establishment of the National University Hospital.

Dr Toh encouraged closer interaction between the different branches of medicine, believing that ‘the patient needs to be presented to the medical students as an integrated human being’. He also felt that clinical practice should keep pace with research advances, saying, “It is the explosion of knowledge in the biological sciences that threaten to widen the gap between clinical practice and the teaching of the medical sciences…Today, molecular biology has taken on a new significance.”

NUS established the Toh Chin Chye Professorship in Molecular Biology to honour Dr Toh, who shaped Singapore’s political and higher education landscapes. Support for the Professorship came from corporations such as the Lee Foundation, Tote Board, Keppel Corporation, Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple, Singapore Press Holdings, and individuals such as Dr Albert Hong Hin Kay and Mr Lim Soo Peng. The Professorship promotes multi-disciplinary research by leveraging on the expertise of various Faculties, hospitals and research institutes. It enables internationally eminent professors in different areas of molecular biology to spend time at the University, engaging in collaborative research and sharing insights with faculty and students.

The Viva Foundation for Children with Cancer was established in 2006 by Mrs Jennifer Yeo, who continues to serve as its Director and Chairman, to save the lives of children with cancer. The Goh Foundation was set up in 1994 by the founder of Wuthelam Holdings, Mr Goh Cheng Liang, a businessman and philanthropist. Together, the two foundations are committed to improving the quality of life of paediatric cancer patients by supporting initiatives in medicine, education and development. Better treatments lead to better cures. Better research leads to better treatments.

Hence Viva Foundation’s focus on life-saving innovative research, medical care and education to save the lives of children affected by cancer. Viva’s multi-pronged approach to tackling paediatric cancer involves building strategic capacities and capabilities in Singapore. Among them are the Viva-University Children’s Cancer Centre, a one-stop treatment centre in NUH; Viva-NUS Centre for Translational Research in Acute Leukaemia; the Paediatric Oncology Nursing Course; the annual St Jude-Viva Forum, which brings together oncologists from around the world to exchange ideas and collaborate on research; and research programmes in Advanced Cellular Therapy, Cancer Immunology and Clinical Research.

With support from Viva Foundation and the Goh Foundation, NUS established the Viva-Goh Foundation Professorship in Paediatric Oncology. Cancer research is one of NUS’ flagship programmes. The Professorship helps advance knowledge in the treatment of childhood cancer, under the Viva Children’s Cancer Programme. A key breakthrough has been the use of genetic information to identify children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia with a good prognosis, enabling effective treatments to be tailored so that the majority of children with favourable-risk leukaemia can be cured with minimal long term side-effects. The gift will also fund four research programmes in bone marrow transplant, childhood leukaemia, bone cancer and after-completion-of-therapy.

The late Emeritus Professor Wong Hock Boon, one of Singapore’s most prominent paediatricians, trained a whole generation of Singapore’s paediatricians. Professor Wong, who was Singapore’s first Professor of Paediatrics and founded the Department of Paediatrics at the University of Singapore, a predecessor of NUS, taught his students by example. His ward rounds, which started at 7:30 am every day, 365 days a year, were as legendary as his zest for solving his patients’ problems. He would record challenging cases and research the latest medical advances to determine the best treatments. This led to the publication of 52 volumes of Paediatric Clinical Conference Notes, which became an invaluable resource for medical students. He headed the department for 26 years, from 1962 to 1988. Today, Singapore’s excellent child health record owes much to Prof Wong.

Among his many contributions was his tireless promotion of breastfeeding to prevent childhood malnutrition and diarrhoeal diseases. His pioneering research includes identifying enzyme deficiencies to reduce the occurrence of severe jaundice in new-born; his characterisation of inherited anaemia in Singaporeans, and his introduction of rice water as an oral rehydration agent in cases of serious childhood digestive tract infections.

Prof Wong was also the first Director of the School of Postgraduate Medical Studies, NUS, and helped to establish organisations such as the Spastic Children’s Association in Singapore and the Singapore Children’s Society.

After his retirement, he continued to support paediatrics by making a generous gift to NUS to establish a professorship in paediatrics. This professorship enables the University to engage eminent professors to share their expertise, and collaborate in research and education. In recognition of his generous gift, the University named the professorship the Wong Hock Boon Professorship in Paediatrics. In celebration of Professor Wong’s 80th birthday, a group of his students made additional contributions to the Wong Hock Boon Professorship in Pediatrics to honour their teacher and recognize his contributions to the field of paediatrics in Singapore.

The first to perform closed heart surgery in Singapore (1957). The first to perform open-heart surgery under hypothermia (1960).The first local Professor of Surgery at the University of Malaya (1955–62), as NUS was then known. Pre-eminent surgeon Professor Yeoh Ghim Seng was a trailblazer. He was also instrumental in the introduction of the Primary F.R.A.C.S. Examination in Singapore, which helped to establish qualified local surgeons in Singapore and the region.

Prof Yeoh, born in 1918 in Ipoh, Malaysia, saw the patient-doctor relationship as ‘a vital force’, viewing “the human being and his suffering” as the “raison d’etre of this profession”. He studied at the University of Cambridge, St Thomas’ Hospital, London, and obtained his FRCS after training as a surgeon in various hospitals in England. In 1950 he joined the General Hospital (now SGH), contributing enormously to medical practice and education by training younger doctors. He founded the Academy of Medicine, Singapore, in 1957, with Professor Gordon Arthur Ransom and former President of Singapore Dr Benjamin Henry Sheares. Professor Low Cheng Hock, Emeritus Consultant at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, reminisced, “Prof Yeoh was a great surgeon who was clear in his thoughts and teaching, confident in action, caring in spirit and precise in his surgery.” Prof Yeoh passed away in 1993.

Prof Yeoh had always maintained a close relationship with NUS, as the first local Professor of Surgery and later as Chairman of the University Council. The University conferred the honorary Doctor of Letters degree upon him in 1981.

To celebrate his outstanding achievements, NUS established the Yeoh Ghim Seng Professorship in Surgery. The Professorship was supported by gifts from friends, former students and patients, led by Professor Arthur Lim, Southeast Asia’s father of ophthalmology. The Professorship has enabled the University to welcome eminent professors from around the world to share their expertise as well as to collaborate in research and education with the University community.

Dr Yong Loo Lin was a successful doctor and businessman, who was a committed advocate for education. The third son of businessman Yong Nee Chai, who came to Southeast Asia from China in the 1890s in search of a better life, Dr Yong trained as a doctor at the University of Hong Kong. He subsequently became a successful businessman. His love of education could be seen in the keenness with which he supported the education of his daughters, Yong Siew Yoon and the late Yong Siew Toh. His commitment to education lives on through the Yong Loo Lin Trust, which supports educational causes ranging from medicine to music, with transformational gifts.

With support from Yong Loo Lin Holdings Private Limited, NUS established the Yong Loo Lin Professorship in Medical Oncology in Dr Yong’s honour. The Professorship recognizes the growing importance of cancer research and clinical care in Singapore. Cancer is the leading cause of death among Singaporeans. As the population ages and the expectations and demands for advanced care increase, the need for Singapore to continue to build up its cancer expertise is greater than ever.

The Professorship enables the University to engage eminent professors to share their expertise and experience in Medical Oncology. Particular emphasis is given to the contributions and insights they can offer to Singapore and its ever-growing regional and international role. The Professor also co-operates in research and educational initiatives with other faculty members.

Dedicated to the Chinese Goddess of Mercy, Kuan Yin or Guan Yin, the Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple has been providing succour to those in need since 1884. One of the oldest Buddhist temples in Singapore, it was a place of refuge during the Japanese Occupation of Singapore. For many decades now, it has been offering support to the sick and disadvantaged as well as to society at large through its many acts of philanthropy.

Dr Tan Choon Kim, Chairman of Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple, said, “We want to give bright, promising students the opportunity to learn from and be inspired by the best brains in their fields. Exceptional teachers are catalysts for the success of the next generation.” The Professorships are supported by gifts from Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple.

In 2000, NUS established the Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple Professorship in Computing, which enables the University to appoint eminent academics to enhance teaching and research in IT and strengthen the University’s international network in the field.

Few have achieved what Assistant Professor Sung accomplished. An outstanding scholar, researcher, and educator, he completed his undergraduate, graduate school and postgraduate studies in MIT. He attained five degrees from MIT: two SBs from the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science in 1986, an SM and EE in 1992 and a PhD from the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science in 1996.

Prof Sung's seminal work on face-detection technology (Example-based learning for view-based human face) had a significant impact on research in that field and has been cited 2,191 times to date. Together with a colleague, he holds a US patent on a technique for image screening and feature detection.

His excellence in research and teaching continued following his tenure in NUS from 1997. Asst Prof Sung won the Faculty Teaching Excellence Award for three consecutive years from the School of Computing. He was also instrumental in revamping and developing the curriculum university wide. His research work has continued to be recognised by his peers, such that his cumulative citations have exceeded 3,000.

Asst Prof Sung tragically lost his life in the Singapore Airlines crash in Taiwan in 2000. He was on his way to Los Angeles to attend the Association for Computing Machinery Multimedia Conference. In his memory, NUS established the Sung Kah Kay Assistant Professorship with gifts from his family and friends.

His parents, Drs Sung Wing Huen and Sung-Yap Siew Khim, said, “To us, it was a meaningful way of making our memory of Kah Kay come alive. His untimely departure was a great loss to us. But besides our loss, Kah Kay’s own loss was his unfulfilled dream of computer research work which was his life and passion.” Asst Prof Sung’s research interests included computer vision, graphics, machine learning, and neural networks. The Assistant Professorship aims to attract and retain outstanding scholars in Computer Science and strengthen NUS’ position as an intellectual leader in the research and teaching of this subject.

For nine decades now, the name Shaw has stood for movie magic. Pioneer movie moghul Tan Sri Dr Runme Shaw came to Singapore from Shanghai in 1924, setting up Shaw Organisation. Joined soon by his brother Sir Run Run Shaw, the duo – facing much opposition from the local film cartel – took over The Empire cinema at Tanjong Pagar in 1927, showing silent films produced by their company Unique Film Productions. The seats were wooden benches (50 cents each) and the images flickered on a white cloth hung from the ceiling, but audiences were mesmerised. Within the next 10 years, the iconic Shaw Brothers were operating 136 cinemas across the region, producing ‘talking films’ in Malay and Chinese as well as distributing films from America.

Tan Sri Dr Runme Shaw was born in 1901, the third of seven siblings. He loved the movies as did his brothers. They cobbled together their savings to buy a camera to film one of their brother’s plays, The Man from Shensi. From such modest beginnings, Tan Sri Dr Runme Shaw built an Asia-wide entertainment empire that launched the careers of film gurus like John Woo and Chow Yun-Fatt. “I believe success is only one thing–hard work”, said Tan Sri Dr Runme Shaw. “Of course, luck must be with you.”

Tan Sri Dr Runme Shaw established the Shaw Foundation in 1957, living true to his name, which mean ‘kindness’. “We make money from the public, we want to give money back to the public”, he said simply to explain the Foundation’s purpose.

NUS established the Tan Sri Runme Shaw Senior Professorship in Computer Science to honour a visionary. The Professorship enables the NUS School of Computing to attract world-class scholars and eminent professors to share their expertise, as well as to enhance research and teaching efforts. The Professorship is supported by a gift from the Shaw Foundation.

A discussion about shipping safety in an English coffee house in London 260 years ago took on a life of its own, broadening in scope and spanning the centuries and the globe to reach Singapore’s shores centuries later. The conversation about issues concerning risk continues today at NUS, and the Lloyd’s Register Foundation Professorship in the Public Understanding of Risk, established in 2016, will be the trusted and authoritative voice on this important subject.

Lloyd’s Register Foundation is an independent, global charity whose aim is to protect life and property and support education, engineering-related research and public engagement. Through the years, the Foundation has advanced engineering-related safety and education, benefiting critical infrastructures that modern society relies on.

Today, Lloyd’s Register’s trading company conducts safety inspections on thousands of ships and structures each year, establishing rules for the safe construction and operation of onshore and offshore assets across many sectors. It was this focus on reducing harm and increasing safety that the Lloyd’s Register Foundation created its Institute for the Public Understanding of Risk at NUS in 2016, along with an endowed professorship that aims to enhance public dialogue in this area. Its goal is to better help policymakers, business leaders, scientists and the general public make sound, evidence-based decisions centred upon the appreciation of what risk means to them and how best to manage it. It is a timely partnership.

With the Asian economy growing at pace, this first academic and public outreach institution of its kind in Asia has set on the course to meet a significant need. What does risk mean to people in the region? NUS researchers revealed the results of a recent study in China and India, which not only highlighted the disparity between actual and perceived risks, but also how cultural differences in the region influenced how people perceive risk.

The Lloyd’s Register Foundation Professorship in the Public Understanding of Risk is awarded to the Director of the Institute and presents a genuine opportunity to influence risk communication globally with a particular focus on Asia. It is seeking a visionary leader who can grow the Institute into the world-leading research Centre of Excellence it is designed to be.

1973, and work had just begun on a new site for the then-University of Singapore. Over the next nine years, Lum Chang Building Contractors would construct much of what is now the extensive home campus of the National University of Singapore.

Four-and-a-half decades on, Lum Chang is still building a future for the students at Kent Ridge. This time, with the gift of a Professorship that promises to deepen cutting-edge expertise and promote a culture of innovation for a sustainable world.

Founded in the 1940s by the late Mr Lum Chang, the construction firm has since evolved to include property development and investment, with operations in Malaysia and the United Kingdom. Lum Chang was listed on the Singapore Exchange in 1984 and its expansive portfolio encompasses projects in every property sector, including infrastructure, industrial, residential and commercial developments.

Today, Lum Chang’s many impressive construction and development properties are dotted across the island. The Group’s commitment is towards global sustainability, safety, quality excellence and value creation, as etched in its corporate mission statement. Its legacy is one of social responsibility, started since the days of Mr Lum Chang. As a progressive company built upon a heritage of traditional values, it has ploughed its successes back into society, supporting many local community projects and social causes, including the provision of a grant under the BCA- Lum Chang Built Environment Undergraduate Scholarship Scheme.

Long an advocate for attracting talent and developing a strong workforce for the industry, Lum Chang has continuously advanced the built environment as a field of opportunity for challenging and fulfilling careers. In 2015, NUS established the Lum Chang Professorship with the support of a generous gift from Lum Chang Holdings Limited.

The Professorship seeks to attract world-class academics and intellectual leaders who can contribute new research and pedagogies as well as push the knowledge frontiers in the sphere of sustainable built environment. At the Institute of Real Estate Studies, areas of focus will include, amongst others, sustainable development, urban planning and green buildings.

Mr Muhammad Alagil, CEO of Jarir Investments and Chairman of the Jarir Group of Saudi Arabia is fired with a passion to revive the ancient ties and deep human exchanges that were the foundation of the rich trading relationships between Arabia and Asia centuries ago.

He believes that the recognition and revival of this shared experience, which led to an osmosis of ideas and beliefs and the creation of families across cultures, will enrich and pave the way for the future. And he thinks that the route to such a revival lies in research, rediscovery and education.

“Connections between cultures enlarge the hearts and horizons of individuals and of countries over centuries”, he says, adding that much of the Arabia – Asia relationship is today refracted through Western eyes and perspectives and Asia needs to reclaim that narrative.

Born in Saudi Arabia and educated in both Arabia and the United States, Mr Alagil says that generations of Arabians have seen Asia as a place for growth, enrichment and adventure. He expressed deep admiration for Singapore, stating that he shares in the values of “broad vision and persistent, reliable execution” that have powered the country’s success.

NUS established the Muhammad Alagil Distinguished Professorship in Arabia Asia Studies at the Asia Research Institute, which is at the forefront of inter-Asia connections and comparisons. The Professorship will enable the University to appoint an eminent academic to share his insights within and outside the University.

The Professor will promote research in social, cultural, historical and contemporary Arabia-Asia relations, provide an authoritative academic view on Arabia-Asia relations, and inspire a new generation of academics in this field of study. The Professorship is supported by Mr Alagil.

Mr Ng Teng Fong, the founder of the Far East Organisation and Sino Group, always considered himself simply an ‘ordinary working man’. Working 18-hour days, Mr Ng built up a multi-billion dollar property enterprise in Singapore and Hong Kong, acting on an unerring instinct for gauging economic and property trends. He used to read property reports even in cinema halls, aided by a penlight. Many of Singapore’s storied landmarks are associated with Mr Ng and Far East Organization, such as Hilton Hotel, Lucky Plaza, Watten Estate, and The Fullerton Hotel Singapore.

Mr Ng, born in 1928 in Fujian province, came to Singapore at the age of 6. His first foray into business – a provision shop – ended in failure. He persevered in his dream of working in property development and raised enough capital to set up Far East Organization in 1960. He was an eternal optimist, who had the courage to step into markets when others dithered. He went into the Hong Kong property market in a big way in the1970s when even local players dared not.

Today, Far East Organization’s Hong Kong-based sister company, Sino Group holds a well-regarded portfolio of properties there. NUS established the Ng Teng Fong Professorship in Real Estate to honour a pioneer in property development. The Professorship is supported by a generous gift from Far East Organization, in memory of its founder and the grace of God upon his life.

This Professorship seeks to attract outstanding academics, who are able to combine research initiatives in the fields of real estate economics and finance with teaching, so as to equip students for the challenges of an increasingly sophisticated real estate industry. It also supports research in areas such as sustainable real estate developments in Singapore and Asia, Asia’s ageing population and its impact on housing markets, housing policy, financial stability, real estate finance, and capital markets.

The NUS Risk Management Institute (RMI) was established in 2006 as a research institute dedicated to the area of financial risk management. RMI’s establishment was supported by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) under its programme on Risk Management and Financial Innovation. The NUS-RMI Professorship in Risk Management (RMI Professorship) is a Named Professorship established during the inception of the institute. The appointment is funded through an endowment from MAS.

The RMI Professorship fosters teaching and research collaborations with top international scholars by hosting Distinguished Chairs and Full Professors in Economics, Finance and related fields from around the world. Scholars appointed under the RMI Professorship Scheme also provide research direction and leadership for RMI, thus benefitting NUS academics and students alike.

Dr Lee Kong Chian’s spectacular business success is surpassed only by his legacy of philanthropy. The man who would earn the title ‘Prince of Philanthropy’ came to Singapore from Fujian, China, in 1903 as a poor 10-year-old boy of little education. He went on to establish a multi-million dollar business, was Chairman of OCBC Bank till his death in 1967, and was the first Asian Chancellor of the University of Singapore (NUS’ predecessor institution).

But what Dr Lee is remembered for most is his generosity to a host of causes, particularly education. The Rt Hon Malcolm Macdonald, former Chancellor of the University of Malaya, called Dr Lee “a superlative friend to education”. One of NUS’ principal benefactors, Dr Lee gave generously to the University of Malaya, the National Library, and the Singapore Medical Research Fund to set up the Institute of Medical Specialities at Singapore General Hospital, and many other educational institutions in China and Malaysia as well as social causes.

The Lee Foundation, which he established in 1952, carries on his sterling legacy. NUS established the Lee Kong Chian Centennial Professorship and the Lee Kong Chian Centennial Professorship in Cardiovascular Research to honour one of the country’s legendary figures. The Lee Kong Chian Centennial Professorship is awarded to eminent academics, who have demonstrated an exceptional level of achievement in their field of study and work at the forefront of intellectual enquiry. They contribute substantially to teaching, provide leadership in research and entrepreneurship and build industry partnerships. The Professorship is supported by gifts from the Lee Foundation.

Dr Lee Kong Chian’s spectacular business success is surpassed only by his legacy of philanthropy. The man who would earn the title ‘Prince of Philanthropy’ came to Singapore from Fujian, China, in 1903 as a poor 10-year-old boy of little education. He went on to establish a multi-million dollar business, was Chairman of OCBC Bank till his death in 1967, and was the first Asian Chancellor of the University of Singapore (NUS’ predecessor institution).

But what Dr Lee is remembered for most is his generosity to a host of causes, particularly education. The Rt Hon Malcolm Macdonald, former Chancellor of the University of Malaya, called Dr Lee “a superlative friend to education”. One of NUS’ principal benefactors, Dr Lee gave generously to the University of Malaya, the National Library, and the Singapore Medical Research Fund to set up the Institute of Medical Specialities at Singapore General Hospital, and many other educational institutions in China and Malaysia as well as social causes.

The Lee Foundation, which he established in 1952, carries on his sterling legacy. NUS established the Lee Kong Chian Centennial Professorship and the Lee Kong Chian Centennial Professorship in Cardiovascular Research to honour one of the country’s legendary figures.

The Lee Kong Chian Professorship in Cardiovascular Research is designated to Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School and the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine. This professorship helps improve outcomes of treatment in many of today’s complex and often difficult to manage cardiac and vascular problems in our rapidly ageing population. The Professorship is supported by gifts from the Lee Foundation.

As Singapore’s central bank, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has a mandate to foster a sound and progressive financial services sector in the country. Among its many responsibilities is the close macroeconomic surveillance of emerging trends and potential vulnerabilities. It also seeks to formulate appropriate policies that address the complex economic and financial challenges confronting Singapore and the region today.

To keep the industry dynamic and competitive, the MAS collaborates closely with partners such as NUS, with the aim of strengthening Singapore’s financial and economic research infrastructure.

In 2009, MAS established a Term Professorship in Economics and Finance to achieve this. Since then, says Mr Edward Robinson, Deputy Managing Director of Economic Policy and Chief Economist at MAS, the programme “has facilitated knowledge spill-overs from the frontiers of economics and finance”, helping advance the debate on key monetary and global finance policy issues.

The Professorship allows distinguished Visiting Professors to be hosted at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP), NUS Department of Economics or the NUS Business School. It promises a vibrant research community, where academics, industry practitioners and policymakers can engage with top international scholars. Already, it has spurred notable collaborative undertakings at the LKYSPP, NUS Business and NUS Economics, which have greatly benefitted both faculty and students. Not least, the opportunities presented enhance the University’s strong research standing and Singapore’s reputation as an international financial hub.

Singapore’s foremost graduate club, the National University of Singapore Society (NUSS), aims ‘to foster a lifelong relationship with NUS and the wider graduate community’. Established in 1954, it brings together NUS alumni over the decades to socialise, connect with one another and contribute to their alma mater and to society at large. The alumni are eminently placed to do so. The club’s members include many of Singapore’s best and brightest – ministers, doctors, lawyers, civil servants, artists, and more. NUSS’ recreational, academic, political, social and cultural activities enrich the campus and offer a platform for new ideas and discussions for the long-term growth of NUS and Singapore.

The Professorship is part of NUSS’ efforts to contribute to the development of meaningful interactions with its alma mater through academic pursuits. It enables the University to engage eminent professors from different disciplines, who share their expertise and experience with the NUS community as well as the general public. The Professorship is open to all NUS Faculties, and the professors offer their insights to Singapore and its ever-growing regional and international role in various fields. The NUSS Professor will also give one public lecture in his/her area of expertise. The NUSS Professorship is supported by a gift from NUSS.

Throughout his life, Mr S R Nathan’s sense of duty to country never wavered. It was what endeared him to Singaporeans as the Republic’s sixth and longest- serving president. Mr Nathan spent much of his varied career endeavouring to improve the lives of his countrymen.

From his early days as a medical social worker, through years in the civil service, he kept the needs of Singaporeans close to his heart and his passion for social causes was plain. Mr Nathan also constantly encouraged people from all walks of life to contribute to society. As President, he initiated both the President’s Challenge and the President’s Social Service Awards, bringing together and inspiring Singaporeans of different cultures and religions in service to one other.

Mr Nathan was also a champion for education, through fundraising efforts and support for education and research initiatives. When Chancellor of NUS, he made himself available to students, and was generous in sharing his perspectives and experiences. His ties to the University went far back – as a pioneer Social Work student at the then University of Malaya, Mr Nathan was so outstanding that the University added a retrospective clause to the regulations to record that his performance was “with Distinction”.

Wherever he found himself, Mr Nathan made a name as pioneer, leader and change agent. Having been at the frontline during Singapore’s developing years, he would point to how “innovation has been a cornerstone of our growth”, further commenting “how critical it is for us to develop our own human capital.” His progressive outlook resonates in the S R Nathan Professorship in Health Innovation. Just as Mr Nathan strove to reach out to all Singaporeans, the work of this Professorship aims to better the lives of all citizens. It will attract and support top academics who can contribute to innovations which will significantly enhance the quality and delivery of healthcare in Singapore. The Professorship is supported by gifts from an anonymous donor.

Tan Sri (Dr) Tan Chin Tuan was a prominent banker and philanthropist. Dr Tan enjoyed an illustrious career steering Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation (OCBC), and many other blue-chip companies in Singapore, towards success. Today, OCBC Bank is considered to be one of the world’s strongest banks.

In addition to being a great businessman, Dr Tan was a man of wisdom and compassion who believed that the more fortunate have a responsibility to help the weak and less privileged in society. There are countless anecdotes by men and women at all levels of society who benefited from Dr Tan’s help in their time of need. Dr Tan’s beliefs led to the establishment of the Tan Chin Tuan Foundation in 1976.

In 2005, the Foundation made a landmark gift to NUS to elevate the quality of education and research at the University. This gift made possible the establishment of four Tan Chin Tuan Centennial Professorships. These prestigious appointments are bestowed upon professors who have demonstrated an exceptional level of achievement in their field of study. Open to local or foreign academics, the Tan Chin Tuan Centennial Professorships lead in opening up diverse opportunities for intellectual and professional growth in Singapore, initiating and co-leading education and research programmes both in academia and the industry.

Tan Sri (Dr) Tan Chin Tuan was a prominent banker and philanthropist. Dr Tan enjoyed an illustrious career steering Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation (OCBC), and many other blue-chip companies in Singapore, towards success. Today, OCBC Bank is considered to be one of the world’s strongest banks.

In addition to being a great businessman, Dr Tan was a man of wisdom and compassion who believed that the more fortunate have a responsibility to help the weak and less privileged in society. There are countless anecdotes by men and women at all levels of society who benefited from Dr Tan’s help in their time of need. Dr Tan’s beliefs led to the establishment of the Tan Chin Tuan Foundation in 1976.

In 2005, the Foundation made a landmark gift to NUS to elevate the quality of education and research at the University. This gift made possible the establishment of four Tan Chin Tuan Centennial Professorships. These prestigious appointments are bestowed upon professors who have demonstrated an exceptional level of achievement in their field of study. Open to local or foreign academics, the Tan Chin Tuan Centennial Professorships lead in opening up diverse opportunities for intellectual and professional growth in Singapore, initiating and co-leading education and research programmes both in academia and the industry.

Tan Sri (Dr) Tan Chin Tuan was a prominent banker and philanthropist. Dr Tan enjoyed an illustrious career steering Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation (OCBC), and many other blue-chip companies in Singapore, towards success. Today, OCBC Bank is considered to be one of the world’s strongest banks.

In addition to being a great businessman, Dr Tan was a man of wisdom and compassion who believed that the more fortunate have a responsibility to help the weak and less privileged in society. There are countless anecdotes by men and women at all levels of society who benefited from Dr Tan’s help in their time of need. Dr Tan’s beliefs led to the establishment of the Tan Chin Tuan Foundation in 1976.

In 2005, the Foundation made a landmark gift to NUS to elevate the quality of education and research at the University. This gift made possible the establishment of four Tan Chin Tuan Centennial Professorships. These prestigious appointments are bestowed upon professors who have demonstrated an exceptional level of achievement in their field of study. Open to local or foreign academics, the Tan Chin Tuan Centennial Professorships lead in opening up diverse opportunities for intellectual and professional growth in Singapore, initiating and co-leading education and research programmes both in academia and the industry.

Tan Sri (Dr) Tan Chin Tuan was a prominent banker and philanthropist. Dr Tan enjoyed an illustrious career steering Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation (OCBC), and many other blue-chip companies in Singapore, towards success. Today, OCBC Bank is considered to be one of the world’s strongest banks.

In addition to being a great businessman, Dr Tan was a man of wisdom and compassion who believed that the more fortunate have a responsibility to help the weak and less privileged in society. There are countless anecdotes by men and women at all levels of society who benefited from Dr Tan’s help in their time of need. Dr Tan’s beliefs led to the establishment of the Tan Chin Tuan Foundation in 1976.

In 2005, the Foundation made a landmark gift to NUS to elevate the quality of education and research at the University. This gift made possible the establishment of four Tan Chin Tuan Centennial Professorships. These prestigious appointments are bestowed upon professors who have demonstrated an exceptional level of achievement in their field of study. Open to local or foreign academics, the Tan Chin Tuan Centennial Professorships lead in opening up diverse opportunities for intellectual and professional growth in Singapore, initiating and co-leading education and research programmes both in academia and the industry.

“Supporting education is at the very heart of Ngee Ann Kongsi’s values”, says the organisation’s President Dr Lim Kee Ming. The history of non-profit organisation Ngee Ann Kongsi in Singapore goes back to 1845 when it was set up by a group of prominent Teochew leaders. Their initial aim was to preserve the customs of their community and help poor Teochew immigrants. But as the community put down roots in Singapore, they realised the need to support and develop educational opportunities for their children. This has since been a key priority. From 1933, when the Kongsi formally became a charity, it established schools and offers numerous bursaries and scholarships. The revenues generated from its properties such as Ngee Ann City in Orchard Road is channelled into educational and welfare projects.

Ngee Ann Kongsi has supported many of NUS’ endeavours by giving towards bursaries, scholarships and educational programmes. To honour the organisation’s commitment to furthering the cause of education, NUS established the Ngee Ann Kongsi Distinguished Professorships at NUS University Town. NUS University Town, which redefines how students learn and live on campus, offers a multi-disciplinary academic programme in a residential college setting. It is part of NUS’ long-term plans to develop collaborative learning communities to maximise the potential of the brightest young minds.

The Professorships enable the university to attract leading academics, who are internationally recognised in research or creative activity and have a track record of impactful leadership. The Professors design and teach modules at the Residential Colleges to promote independent and critical learning. The students, along with the teacher, pursue a variety of intellectual, cultural and social endeavours, which integrate in-class learning with out-of-class experiences, looking both within and outside the curriculum. They will teach and mentor students in University Town. The Professorships are supported by a generous gift from Ngee Ann Kongsi to NUS University Town.

One of Singapore’s founding fathers, Dr Toh Chin Chye was described by the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew as ‘a historic figure in our fight for justice and independence’. Dr Toh was at the forefront of Singapore’s journey to self-governance and nation-building. He played critical roles in some of the country’s iconic moments – among them, his casting vote gave the Prime Ministership to Mr Lee; the fight against the Communists; the choice of Majulah Singapura as the anthem; and the design of the Singapore flag. Dr Toh, Deputy Prime Minister (1959 – 1968), was Vice Chancellor of the University of Singapore (1968 – 1975).

Dr Toh believed that the University should be a source of high-level manpower and ideas that support the country’s goals and contribute to the community. With that in mind, he established the faculties of engineering and architecture at the University, and launched the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences to promote the flow of talent and ideas across a larger community. Faculty members were encouraged to serve on statutory boards and extend their service to the nation. And, he brought all the departments together on the new Kent Ridge campus.

NUS continues to build on those ideas, as seen in NUS University Town. This innovative educational model offers students the skills they need to be effective citizens for the next stage of the country’s growth. Students live and learn in multi-cultural residential colleges alongside peers and professors. The approach is multi-disciplinary and much of the learning takes place outside the classroom – through discussions and real-life projects.

NUS established the Toh Chin Chye Visiting Professorship/Fellowship to honour an alumnus and thought leader. The Professorship enables the University to bring in the finest minds from around the globe to mentor, educate and reside with our students. The Professorship is supported by gifts from Tote Board, Lee Foundation and other individuals.

“He was a great teacher, sharp, analytical …”, said Mr Goh Chok Tong, former Prime Minister of Singapore, about Professor J Y Pillay, his one-time boss at the Ministry of Finance.

The self-effacing Professor Pillay has described himself as just a “government wallah” but nevertheless, this outstanding civil servant and corporate leader has helped shape many of Singapore’s eminent institutions. With him as Chairman, Singapore Airlines went from a small company with 12 aircraft to a world-class carrier with a network in 41 countries. (Of that achievement, in his typically modest manner, Prof Pillay would only say that he is proud of the legacy of strong management he left behind.)

He became Chairman of the Development Bank of Singapore in 1979. By 1984, the bank’s after-tax profits had almost tripled. After his retirement from the civil service, Prof Pillay oversaw the creation of the Singapore Exchange (SGX). To every job, Prof Pillay brought outstanding analytical skills and steely focus. He would tell colleagues, “Whenever you embark on anything, please tell me what is your object. And there must be one.”

Born in Klang, Malaysia, in 1934, Prof Pillay studied engineering at the University of London’s Imperial College of Science and Technology. He joined the Ministry of Finance in Singapore in 1961. Prof Pillay is currently Rector of NUS University Town’s College of Alice and Peter Tan and Adjunct Professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, among other responsibilities.

NUS honoured Prof Pillay, a role model for students, by establishing the J Y Pillay Global Asia Programme, which incorporates two Distinguished Professorships, one Fellowship and also innovative academic and student programmes. The Programme is supported by gifts from Singapore Airlines, Singapore Exchange, BinjaiTree, Low Check Kian, Dilhan Pillay Sandrasegara, John Tan Kwang Kherng, ACR Capital Holdings, Allen & Gledhill and other donors who prefer to remain anonymous.

Dedicated to the Chinese Goddess of Mercy, Kuan Yin or Guan Yin, the Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple has been providing succour to those in need since 1884. One of the oldest Buddhist temples in Singapore, it was a place of refuge during the Japanese Occupation of Singapore. For many decades now, it has been offering support to the sick and disadvantaged as well as to society at large through its many acts of philanthropy.

Dr Tan Choon Kim, Chairman of Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple, said, “We want to give bright, promising students the opportunity to learn from and be inspired by the best brains in their fields. Exceptional teachers are catalysts for the success of the next generation.” The Professorships are supported by gifts from Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple.

In 2012, Yale-NUS College established the Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple Professorship in Humanities, which enables the College to welcome renowned scholars of cross-cultural philosophy, art, and literature. 

Uber banker, captain of industry and philanthropist Tan Sri Dr Tan Chin Tuan gave generously to various causes throughout his life. He also took pride in his Chinese heritage, which is reflected in his significant collection of books on Chinese history. A keen supporter of education, including Chinese studies and culture, Dr Tan supported the building of the East Asian History of Science library at Needham Research Institute in Cambridge. The library houses a treasure trove of priceless Chinese books, including the work of science historian-sinologist Dr Joseph Needham on the history of science, technology and medicine in Chinese culture.

Born in 1908 in Singapore, Dr Tan lost his father while still schooling and started working at the Chinese Commercial Bank (later to become OCBC Bank) at the age of 17. He joined as a junior clerk and retired as Chairman in 1983. Under his stewardship, OCBC became one of the world’s top banks.

Dr Tan was educated in English but neither rejected nor replaced one culture with another. Instead, he saw the strengths of both and strove to bridge the two cultures among different groups in Singapore. This is the same multiculturalism that the Tan Chin Tuan Foundation would like to see in our young people.

NUS established the Tan Chin Tuan Professorship in Chinese Studies to honour a larger-than-life individual, whose legacy of philanthropy is transforming lives even today through the Tan Chin Tuan Foundation. The Professorship enables the University to attract an eminent academic in the field of Chinese History or Philosophy, or the field of Economics, Sociology, Politics/International Relations, Geography, or Environmental Studies, with a special expertise in China. The Professor provides strong leadership to enhance the College’s capabilities and impact in this area, and promote cross-cultural understanding of Chinese and Western influential ideas. The Professorship is supported by a gift from the Tan Chin Tuan Foundation.

At the crucial juncture when the National University of Singapore was corporatised, it took a man with strong leadership and vision to drive the change. Mr Wong Ngit Liong not only oversaw the University's evolution from a respected local teaching institution to one ranked among the world’s best for scholarship and research, but as the former Chairman of its Board of Trustees, he also instilled a spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship that continues to thrive among students and researchers today. This recognition is evident in the words of former President Tony Tan and former Minister for Education (Higher Education and Skills), Mr Ong Ye Kung, who is currently the Minister for Health. Their acknowledgment speaks volumes about the unassuming businessman, known for his modesty. In his 12 years at the helm, from 2004 to 2016, Mr Wong helped distinguish the University, much as his own life is distinguished.

A stellar student who topped his cohort in school, Mr Wong obtained first-class honours from the University of Malaya, followed by a Master’s degree from UC Berkeley as a Fulbright Scholar, and an MBA with Distinction under the Canadian Commonwealth Fellowship.

Early in his career, he made a name for himself at the HP headquarters in the US, later returning to set up HP sites in Singapore and in Malaysia. However, it is as Chairman and CEO of Venture Corporation that Mr Wong is best known, for under his leadership, the humble start-up grew into a major global provider of technology products and solutions. Admired for his keen business acumen and deep insights into the workings of government and industry both in the US and Asia, Mr Wong went on to hold several key appointments in agencies such as the Economic Development Board, the Singapore Exchange and International Enterprise Singapore. Numerous awards recognise his achievements.

In 2017, friends of his came together to endow the Wong Ngit Liong Professorship at Yale-NUS College in support of outstanding professors. It honours the man who, in the words of Dr Tony Tan, “embodies the best qualities that we see in NUS today”.

What must a young person learn in order to live a responsible life in this century? Answering this need is the trail-blazing Yale-NUS College, as it redefines the liberal arts and sciences to educate a new generation of global citizens. Drawing on the resources and traditions of the two great universities, Yale University and NUS, programmes at Yale-NUS meld American liberal arts pedagogy with an Asia-centric perspective.

The College has drawn students from around the world – young people who find not just its unique curriculum compelling but who are also attracted by the opportunities it represents. The faculty at Yale-NUS are key to delivering this powerful education. Recruited from around the globe, these subject specialists are as diverse as the expertise and experience they bring with them. Among them are faculty from Yale University in New Haven, USA. From the time Yale-NUS was conceived, faculty from Yale University were instrumental in building the young College’s distinctive syllabi with a particularly significant presence.

Madam Kay Kuok, Yale-NUS’s Founding Governing Board Chair, and Mr Wong Ngit Liong, former Chair of the NUS Board of Trustees, both appreciate the value of Yale faculty at Yale-NUS. In 2017, Mdm Kuok and Mr Wong jointly made gifts to the College to support the Yale Faculty Visiting Professorship. The endowed gift aspires to help bring eminent scholars from Yale University to Yale-NUS as Visiting Professors for a semester or more. Students stand to benefit from such visits, which offer exposure to the exceptional intellectual habits and critical knowledge they aim to acquire.

Reverend Dr Yap Kim Hao prayed alongside a Buddhist monk under the historic Bodhi tree, a sapling of the original tree under which Gautama Buddha gained enlightenment. He fasted alongside Muslims during Ramadan and offered prayers at the Eyüp Sultan Mosque in Turkey. The first Asian Bishop (1968 –1973) of the Methodist Church in Singapore and Malaysia, Rev Dr Yap was the former Vice-President of the Inter-Religious Organisation (Singapore) and Pastoral Advisor of the Free Community Church, Singapore. He is also the Convenor of Singapore Interfaith Network on AIDS and former Chairman of the Chen Su Lan Trust. He retired from full-time Christian ministry but continues to advocate for inter-faith dialogue. He says,“Mere tolerance and an uneasy co-existence are not sufficient. We need to be pro-active and vigilant in promoting a mutual understanding of one another’s faiths, and work together for the common good in a diverse and inclusive community.”

A man of deep scholarship, Rev Dr Yap (born in 1929) holds a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Theology degrees from Boston University, US. Rev Dr Yap did his undergraduate studies at Baker University in Kansas. Rev Dr Yap preaches a message of inclusion and acceptance, emphasizing “common spiritual values”. He is a spirited defender of the oppressed and the marginalized. At the age of 15 he was beaten up by a group of Japanese soldiers, which left him disabled and keenly aware of the powerlessness of the victim.

Yale-NUS College established the Yap Kim Hao Professorship in Comparative Religious Studies in his honour. Rev Dr Yap says, “The issue of religion is increasingly important and a study of comparative religion is absolutely necessary to reduce religious conflicts and promote religious harmony. A Professor of Comparative Religious Studies is a breakthrough in tertiary education and augurs well for our common future.” The Professorship is supported by a gift from an anonymous donor.

The Madeline Goh Professorship in Piano, announced on 2 May 2019, is an endowed gift made by Mr Goh Geok Khim in support of piano education at the Yong Siew Toh (YST) Conservatory of Music.

Mrs Madeline Goh studied piano at the Royal Academy of Music from 1952-1956, receiving a Graduate of the Royal Schools of Music (London) degree. She taught music and gave piano lessons in Singapore, before going to work with Mr Goh Geok Khim in the stockbroking industry in the late 1960s.Mr Goh Geok Khim and Mrs Madeline Goh are the parents of Mr Goh Yew Lin, founding Chairman of the YST Conservatory, whose vision and advocacy was key in establishing YST as an integral part of NUS and Singapore’s music ecosystem. Mr Goh Yew Lin previously also donated a Paul McNulty fortepiano to YST.

The inaugural Madeline Goh Professorship in Piano is held by Prof Thomas Hecht, the Conservatory’s founding Head of Keyboard Studies, who has provided leadership and vision for the Piano area since 2003. Among Dr Hecht’s many initiatives are the establishment of the YST Electone Orchestra, which brings symphonic music to life under the hands of Piano majors, and his successful launching of the Conservatory’s first SMART teaching studio. Two of his Singaporean protégés have been named Young Steinway Artists. The Professorship will continue to support initiatives that enrich piano education for YST students as well as the community.

Mr Ong Teng Cheong, Singapore’s fifth President and the first to be popularly elected, was an accomplished musician and arts lover.

Over a 20-year political career from Minister for Communications and Culture to Deputy Prime Minister and President, Mr Ong played major roles in the establishment of some of the country’s cultural icons – the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, the National Arts Council and the Esplanade, which took shape after his recommendation for a new performing arts centre. He created the country’s highest cultural honour, the Cultural Medallion, and during his presidency, started an annual series of charity shows, including the President’s Charity Art Exhibitions.

A talented pianist, Mr Ong played in public for various charity events, such as his performance of a Teresa Teng classic at the 1999 President’s Star Charity, which raises millions of dollars every year for causes in need. He also, on occasion, conducted the Singapore Symphony Orchestra.

A life-long arts lover, Mr Ong’s love of Chinese poetry as a teenager studying at Chinese High School attracted Ling Siew May, who would later become his wife. He was 16, she 15. Years later, they still enjoyed reciting verses of Chinese poetry together.

NUS established the Ong Teng Cheong Professorship in Music to honour his contribution to the development of music and the arts in Singapore. The Professorship enables the University to invite internationally eminent musicians to NUS to teach and share their expertise with students at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music and other young musicians in Singapore and enhance the artistic life of the country and the region. The Professorship is supported by gifts from the Singapore Totalisator Board and the Lee Foundation.