Thought Leadership

Some of the world’s leaders, and leading thinkers from NUS and overseas, regularly gather and add to the rich diversity of thoughts and ideas on our campuses, in Singapore and across the globe.
Here’s what they had to share.

No, Singapore’s vape ban didn’t cause the etomidate crisis

No, Singapore’s vape ban didn’t cause the etomidate crisis

Speaker: Prof Teo Yik Ying 4 Sep 2025

Singapore is facing an “etomidate crisis”. In recent months, authorities have seized thousands of illicit vapes, with lab tests revealing that about one in three were laced with etomidate - prompting its classification as a controlled substance and the introduction of strict penalties for traffickers. Prof Teo Yik Ying, Vice-President for Global Health and Dean of the NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, remarks that long-term harms of vaping are only beginning to emerge, but already show links to chronic lung diseases.

Learn more

Trump’s Board of Peace: Should we take it literally or seriously?

Trump’s Board of Peace: Should we take it literally or seriously?

Speaker: Speaker: Prof Simon Chesterman | 16 February 2026

Income growth alone won’t sustain social mobility here

Income growth alone won’t sustain social mobility here

Speaker: Speaker: Dr Mathew Mathews | 11 February 2026

Flexible multilateralism for a world in flux

Flexible multilateralism for a world in flux

Speaker: Speakers: Ms Jesslene Lee, Researcher, and Professor (Practice) Paul Cheung | 10 February 2026

Why healthcare innovation must be a team sport

Why healthcare innovation must be a team sport

Speaker: Speaker: Asst Prof Rena Dharmawan | 7 February 2026

Preparing for a future where water costs more

Preparing for a future where water costs more

Speaker: Speaker: Asst Prof Tan-Soo Jie-Sheng | 3 February 2026

Singapore as a super-aged society: Can its health system cope?

Singapore as a super-aged society: Can its health system cope?

Speaker: Speaker: Prof Teo Yik Ying | 2 February 2026

India-EU’s ‘mother of all deals’ is much more than just a trade pact

India-EU’s ‘mother of all deals’ is much more than just a trade pact

Speaker: Speaker: Dr Amitendu Pali | 29 January 2026

The life-changing turning points out of homelessness

The life-changing turning points out of homelessness

Speaker: Speaker: Dr Harry Tan | 18 January 2026

How you gain if doctors can call up all your health records

How you gain if doctors can call up all your health records

Speaker: Speaker: Prof Teo Yik Ying | 14 January 2026