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.

What a 121km trek across the Gobi Desert taught us about transformation

What a 121km trek across the Gobi Desert taught us about transformation

Speaker: Prof Tan Eng Chye 6 Dec 2024

Transformation is a passage for the bold and willing – it can be nudged in the right direction but the motivation must come from within. NUS President Prof Tan Eng Chye who was part of the NUS team that participated in the 19th Gobi Desert Challenge recounted his rewarding experience and the new lessons learnt. Prof Tan also spoke about the university’s role as an institute of higher learning to fuel the motivation for self-transformation.

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Saving giant clams in South-east Asia: Halt poaching, raise funds

Saving giant clams in South-east Asia: Halt poaching, raise funds

27 April 2026

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

Why the right of passage through Strait of Hormuz matters to everyone, not just Singapore

Why the right of passage through Strait of Hormuz matters to everyone, not just Singapore

Speaker: Speaker: Dr Tara Davenport | 15 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

If super-tall HDB blocks are coming, here’s what needs to be considered

If super-tall HDB blocks are coming, here’s what needs to be considered

Speaker: Speaker: Dr Woo Jun Jie | 1 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

From Managing Resources to Governing Intelligence: Navigating the Shift to VUCA 2.0

From Managing Resources to Governing Intelligence: Navigating the Shift to VUCA 2.0

Speaker: Speaker: Prof Vu Minh Khuong | 11 March 2026