Remembering
Professor
Leong Ching

Prof Ching, You were such an important part of our shared time at LKYSPP. You lived a meaningful life and contributed greatly to the causes you believed in. Everyone who met you, at whatever point in their lives, will remember your kindness and generous spirit. May your soul rest in peace. My prayers are with your bereaved family.

We remember her as a guiding light, always there with a warm smile whenever we needed her. No task was ever too much for her, and her kindness touched everyone around her. She will be deeply missed. Please accept our heartfelt condolences, Prof, and may you and your family find comfort in the memories you shared with her.

Prof Leong, Thanks for taking us to Indonesia on a charter flight through the Seletar Airport. It was a fun and memorable trip just like the way you believe in. May your soul be liberated by God Almighty.

Professor Leong Ching is one of the few professors I remained in close touch with, years after leaving the school. Her course, Water Governance, evoked my undying interest in behavioral public policy. She, without hesitation, wrote a glowing recommendation for me when I asked for one, for a programme I was going for. This loss is personal. Prof. Ching will forever be remembered as an important part of my Singapore experience. She will be sorely missed.

I had the privilege of seeing her in action as a moderator at KRMF last year, alongside SM Lee Hsien Loong. A remarkable presence and a memorable occasion. Rest in Peace, Prof Leong. You will be missed.

I just visited Prof Ching at her home around 2 weeks ago. Just so recently, she was so lively and energetic, and it was a profound shock to find out that she had passed away suddenly. I first met Prof Ching around 7 years ago, when I was applying to be a Resident Assistant at College Green. I come from a financially and emotionally abusive family, and with COVID happening, I was struggling just to stay afloat even as the circuit breaker Prof understood my situation (and I never knew how well she understood it until she told me 2 weeks back she had helped put in a word with LKYSPP management for me, after all these years). I got the RA role, Prof entrusted me with the CG community. I managed to move out and have a fresh start. Prof also ensured I attended counselling. My mental well being improved significantly. I have always been grateful for the fresh start in life. We kept in touch after I graduated from LKYSPP and after my CG days, and I visited her regularly over the years. Just 2 weeks back, I told Prof, I have finally transitioned to self employment! My time is now more flexible, and I can finally spend a bit more time with people I care about, so I can visit her a bit more often. She told me how proud she was of me for building something to be proud of, and welcomed my suggestion to visit her more. She started called me "Boss!". But sadly, that was her very last words to me. That night, I wanted to pick up my phone to text her and thank her again for helping me find a new start in life, both in CG and helping me to heal through counselling. I put it off as I felt it would be awkward to spam her with messages. I did regret it since, I should have sent the message while I had the chance. Thank you, Prof.

I am in sorrow and deep shock to learn of the sudden passing of Prof. Leong Ching. My heartfelt condolences to her family, loved ones and to the NUS community. Prof. Leong was a special person who touched those whom she engaged with. I witnessed how as NUS Vice Provost she cared for our students and our Residential Colleges. In her role as Acting Dean of the LKYSPP, I remember with deep appreciation her generous citation of me at the Special NUS Commencement Ceremony in 2025. We had many warm and joyful interactions including professionally. She impressed me with her wide interest on so many topics and we shared discussions from peace to sustainability, and multilateral governance. My deepest condolences to her family and loved ones. She will always be remembered and honoured for her goodness, her grace and the knowledge she bought into our world. May she rest in eternal peace. Noeleen Heyzer. Rector, Ridge View Residential College, NUS.

As I celebrate Professor Ching’s life, three things or metaphors came to mind: a dinner, a green papaya and a steak-and-wine combo. All about food. When she learned my family was visiting Singapore for a week, she gladly offered to treat us to dinner. I thought this would only be at College Green. Instead, she brought us to the Singapore Island Country Club. It was a moment beautifully etched in my family's memory. For someone passionate about introducing Singapore to the world, she welcomed us wholeheartedly. She didn’t just open the door; she opened it wide enough so many could enter. She gave us a beautiful memory of Singapore, and perhaps, to many of her colleagues, friends and students. One afternoon, she messaged me and asked if I could pick up a green papaya she grew in her yard at College Green. As I was preoccupied with delivering courses that day, she came to my workstation and personally gave it to me. What a great addition to the chicken soup I prepared that night! Beyond academic prowess and intellectual brilliance, I will treasure Ching’s kindness and care towards everyone. While overseas delivering a course, she invited me and a colleague to a steak and wine night. Ching’s zest for life and living in the moment resonates with me until today. She also taught me one important lesson from wine: swirl the goblet first to breathe before taking a small sip! Because just like in life, we pause and think first before getting things done. And lest I forget, the fourth metaphor: Water. After learning about her work on Water issues in Singapore, I have never looked at Water the same way. Beyond the behaviours, emotions, and narratives surrounding it, Ching’s work reminded me that water is a vital welfare resource that benefits the poor and marginalised sectors of society. Talk about social justice! Rest in power, Ching! Farewell. Thank you! Your death leaves behind a grateful community. Please accept my condolences and prayers for the family's strength.

When I think of Ching, three qualities stand out in my memory. Her brave heart. I was always struck by the way she handled complex and difficult student issues — bravely, unflinchingly, and never shying away from tough situations. Her vision. I remember her vision for YIH, PGPR and other initiatives. It is heartening to see those visions come to fruition. Today, YIH is a vibrant student space, the various Houses in PGP and ‘Wed afternoons off for UGs’ are lasting reminders of what she had envisioned years ago. Her gift with words. She was the finest wordsmith I had come across in NUS. She had that rare ability to present facts while weaving in human emotions, making even official communications feel personal and meaningful. Even after we stopped working together, I could sometimes recognise her handprints in certain official communications. I would smile to myself, knowing that must have been her work. I will always remember her for her courage, vision and remarkable gift with words. She has left her mark on NUS in ways that will endure. May she rest in peace. Florence Ling NUS VPSL (2018 - 2020)

Prof Ching was not only an exceptional academic mentor but a deeply cherished friend whose impact on my life and career continues to resonate. Her guidance was defined by a rare generosity; she welcomed me into her home for many wonderful meals, helped allay my self-doubts and later provided unwavering encouragement and support when I transitioned to establish my own work in India. Beyond her academic brilliance, Prof Ching’s greatest lessons were those of character—specifically, the profound value of kindness and the duty of mentorship. Whenever I asked how I could ever properly thank her for her immense support, she would always give the same selfless reply: "pay it forward to someone else." I hope to honor her memory best by carrying her lessons and continuing to pay her kindness forward.

I am deeply saddened by the passing of Prof Ching. I was privileged to be in one of the first cohorts of her Moral Reasoning and Policy Communication class. She was more than a teacher; she was a mentor and a confidant. I fondly remember how she challenged my policy thinking as I prepared to join the Singapore civil service, and how she gave me clear, candid advice as I weighed roles across different Ministries, gently guiding me to balance my values with my career aspirations. She cared deeply for her students. I remember a small group dinner with her and fellow LKYSPP students at College Green, where she opened up her home and her world to us. I had planned to attend her lecture at LSE in March this year, and I regret letting work keep me from that chance to see and hear her in London. I will always cherish the few but meaningful moments I shared with her at LKYSPP.

I met Professor Leong Ching at a seminar just this June. I still vividly remember her thought-provoking questions, warm smile, and vibrant presence. I was deeply shocked and saddened to learn of her sudden passing. May she rest in peace. She will be deeply missed as an outstanding scholar and colleague.

I had the privilege to be Prof Ching’s TA and observed first-hand how passionate and committed she was to help students critically understand and apply Moral reasoning to societal issues. Outside class, Prof Ching’s concern and warmth for me and my classmates were keenly felt through her caring actions and conversations. Deeply saddened by her sudden passing. Her legacy and inspiration lives on in each and every one of us. Deepest condolences to Prof’s family and loved ones. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this very difficult time.

It was with deep sadness that I learnt of Prof. Ching’s passing. I had the privilege to work for her as a research assistant during my Master's program at LKYSPP. I will always cherish the memory of her curiosity, which made her such a sharp and witty researcher, and of her joy and wonderful sense of humor. Her commitment to her students was at the heart of her rise to leadership at LKYSPP. She loved being among them, and she kept a youthful spirit that inspired people around her. My thoughts are with her family at this difficult time. May she rest in peace.

Condolences to Prof Leong's family and loved ones She was a helpful ally towards navigating the matters of students and the administration while providing a voice of reason behind the backdrop of opposing figures and voices. Without her, the welfare and voices of students will be diminished. Thank you for the work done.

Although I do not know Prof Leong personally, I have heard so much about her from others within NUS. I attended one the NUS events which Prof Leong was the moderator for the panel and she was so brilliant with all the discussions, questions, answers and then provided summary for every point. That was my first time seeing such an exciting and forward thinking conversations between her and the panelists although I have attended multiple fireside chats etc. It is indeed a shock to all of us and deepest condolences to her family and love ones. RIP, Prof Leong and you will be missed.

Deeply saddened by Professor Leong's sudden and unexpected passing. I've had the pleasure of attending and speaking with Prof Leong at several events at the LKY School of Public Policy, and learnt so much from her at each session. She was also always so warm and kind whenever my classmates and I saw her around school. She will be dearly missed. I offer my most sincere condolences to her family and loved ones.

I am in Antalya, Turkiye for the COP31 Meeting, when I heard the passing of my good friend Leong Ching. I am saddened by the news as I had known Leong Ching for more than 20 years, when she was with Straits Times and supported many NYAA youth projects. She was a kind and passionate person and always willing to go the extra mile to help those in need. I met her recently at the NUS Achievement Awards Ceremony two week ago and was shock that she has left us. May her soul rest in peace. My sympathy and condolences to her family. James Soh Executive Director National Youth Achievement Award Council

I had the privilege of taking Prof. Ching’s course on Moral Reasoning over a decade ago, and her teaching has stayed with me ever since. She had a remarkable gift for making difficult questions of morality come alive, even taking us beyond the classroom to visit the SG central prison and the Geylang district. I also fondly remember being invited to her home for dinner, where she and her husband treated us to a special durian ceremony to end the evening. These are memories I will always cherish. Prof. Ching touched lives in ways that extended far beyond the classroom and left a lasting mark on the NUS community. Gone far too soon, but remembered with deep gratitude and affection.

Professor Leong Ching’s compassion, generosity and unwavering dedication to making NUS a better place have touched and enriched so many lives. I am deeply grateful for her kindness, humility and the genuine care she always showed towards staff. Her thoughtfulness and quiet strength made a lasting difference, and I feel privileged to have known and experienced her warmth. Her legacy will live on in the hearts of many. She will be dearly missed. Thank you, Professor Leong, for all that you have given and for the difference you have made. My deepest and heartfelt condolences to your family and loved ones.