A new professorship honouring Dr Goh Keng Swee at the East Asian Institute ensures that his thought leadership lives on through the sharpest minds, with Mr Kuok Khoon Hong of Wilmar International Limited among those championing the cause.

The late Dr Goh Keng Swee (1918 - 2010) wore many hats: Minister for Finance, Defence and Education, and Deputy Prime Minister. As the architect of Singapore’s economic transformation and key figure behind its national security and education initiatives, Dr Goh stands as a true giant in Singapore’s history.

Though Mr Kuok Khoon Hong, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Wilmar International Limited, never met him, Dr Goh’s legacy left an indelible mark. “I know of people who have worked for Dr Goh,” Mr Kuok shared. “All of them have tremendous respect for his ability and integrity.”

When approached to support the Goh Keng Swee Professorship in China Studies, Mr Kuok readily agreed, making gifts both personally and through Wilmar. “His contributions to Singapore have been underappreciated,” he added, underscoring the need to preserve such legacies.

Wilmar International Limited’s generous gift to support the Goh Keng Swee Professorship in China Studies will honour Dr Goh Keng Swee’s legacy.

Launched in April 2025, the Professorship is funded by a multi-donor endowment under the Goh Keng Swee Fund for China Studies. It seeks to honour Dr Goh’s legacy by fostering scholarly excellence in analysing China’s economic, social and political evolution. Its annual lecture series, featuring key speakers such as former Foreign Minister George Yeo, ensures Dr Goh’s intellectual curiosity continues to inspire. Donors also actively participate in research conducted at the East Asian Institute (EAI), which Dr Goh founded as a hub for understanding China’s rise. This synergy between academia and philanthropy reflects his collaborative spirit.

Beyond Academia: A Strategic Alliance

In an era of heightening US-China tensions, Singapore’s nuanced understanding of Beijing is a strategic advantage. EAI, with its government ties, has long been a conduit for such insights. The Professorship deepens this role, fostering dialogue between global scholars and regional stakeholders. As a platform hosting leading thinkers, the EAI not only advances research but also informs policymaking and business strategy.

As the Professorship’s inaugural holder, Professor Jean C. Oi began her year-long tenure with EAI in September 2025. During this time, the widely respected academic, who is also the William Haas Professor in Chinese Politics at the Department of Political Science and a Senior Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies at Stanford University, will collaborate with EAI researchers on studies of China in the global economy and regional geopolitics. Prof Oi will also engage in exchanges with the policy, diplomatic, academic and business community in Singapore via lectures, roundtables and joint research projects.

Prof Jean C. Oi is the inaugural Goh Keng Swee Professor in China Studies at EAI.

Prof Oi stresses the significance of this mission: “The task of studying and understanding China has become more important than ever amid the uncertain geopolitical backdrop,” she explained. “The Professorship is a valuable opportunity to engage in meaningful academic exchange and collaboration with scholars at the East Asian Institute, and the broader academic community in Singapore.”

The Professorship exemplifies how strategic endowments can extend a legacy’s impact across generations – not just in Singapore’s institutions, but in the minds they shape. Through enriching Singapore’s intellectual landscape in relation to China studies, the Professorship thus serves as a fitting tribute to Dr Goh, ensuring that the right people continue his work, long into the future. 

You too could play a part in empowering the next generation of thinkers and policymakers. Make a gift today to lend your support to the Goh Keng Swee Fund for China Studies.