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.

Resolved to earn more money in 2023? Richer doesn’t mean happier

Resolved to earn more money in 2023? Richer doesn’t mean happier

Speakers: Dr Mathew Mathews and Mr Melvin Tay 5 Jan 2023

Singapore has the sixth-highest gross domestic product per capita in 2022 globally and was ranked 27th happiest among 146 societies and the second-happiest Asian society in 2022 after Taiwan. Dr Mathew Mathews, Head of the Social Lab and Principal Research Fellow, and Mr Melvin Tay, Research Associate, both from the Institute of Policy Studies, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at NUS, say that the pursuit of wealth and the growth of workaholism can be unproductive, as they take away time better spent on building trusting relationships, finding inner peace, and engaging in leisure – all of which are important determinants of happiness. 

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The China discount now carries a premium

The China discount now carries a premium

Speaker: Speaker: Professor Ramkishen S. Rajan | 14 August 2026

How BYD disrupted Singapore's car market - and why the strategy is turning on itself

How BYD disrupted Singapore's car market - and why the strategy is turning on itself

Speaker: Speaker: Professor Andrew Delios | 11 August 2026

The carbon case for going green is only half the story

The carbon case for going green is only half the story

Speaker: Speakers: Associate Professor Alberto Salvo, Associate Professor Timothy Wong and Mr Zhihao Han | 30 July 2026

US-Iran war has unleashed forces that will reshape the Gulf

US-Iran war has unleashed forces that will reshape the Gulf

Speaker: Speaker: Professor Joseph Chinyong Liow | 24 July 2026

The other recession risk that Singapore should be wary of

The other recession risk that Singapore should be wary of

Speaker: Speakers: Mr Nicholas Thomas and Mr Wilson Goh | 22 July 2026

The education arms race cannot be solved by MOE alone

The education arms race cannot be solved by MOE alone

Speaker: Speakers: Mr Nicholas Thomas | 10 July 2026

We can’t wait for an AI crisis before taking action

We can’t wait for an AI crisis before taking action

Speaker: Speaker: Professor Simon Chesterman | 6 July 2026