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.

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When the gates close designing the resilient city

When the gates close designing the resilient city

Speaker: Speaker: Associate Professor Nirmal Kishnani , Professor (Practice) Wong Mun Summ | 17 April 2026

Turning AI factories into climate assets

Turning AI factories into climate assets

Speaker: Speaker: Professor Lee Poh Seng | 10 April 2026

A gentler climb with shorter steps for our most vulnerable families

A gentler climb with shorter steps for our most vulnerable families

Speaker: Speaker: Dr Wong Chin Yi | 5 April 2026

How to redirect the ‘responsible parent’ script in Singapore’s education system

How to redirect the ‘responsible parent’ script in Singapore’s education system

Speaker: Speaker: Dr Mathew Mathews and Dr Melvin Tay | 25 March 2026

AI may reshape the labour market, but the deeper disruption is in education

AI may reshape the labour market, but the deeper disruption is in education

Speaker: Speaker: By Ben Chester Cheong | 19 March 2026

Market volatility highlights Indonesia’s overlooked climate and resource risks

Market volatility highlights Indonesia’s overlooked climate and resource risks

Speaker: Speaker: By Prof Johan Sulaeman | 12 March 2026