Remembering
Professor
Leong Ching

I was shocked and saddened to hear of Professor Leong's sudden passing. She was truly a dedicated and passionate educator and researcher - I have fond memories of her classes and how she would always encourage us and challenge us academically. I am also grateful that I had the opportunity to be her teaching and research assistant while at LKYSPP, allowing us to cultivate a mentor-mentee relationship where she would take the time to share career guidance and advice. I'm keeping her family and loved ones in my prayers as they go through this undeniably difficult period. Professor Leong, rest in peace. You will be missed.

Dear Prof Leong, Thank you so much for your kindness and generosity of love and knowledge for all student community. We are truly indebted to you. Thank you for your forum sharings, carefree spirit and easy going nature. Truly honourable and may your legacy be remembered. Thank you.

Professor Ching was not just an erudite scholar, she was an amazing soul and warm personality. I recall vividly how she taught and related with students with passion and dedication. Her supervision during our GSP project in 2019 and other memories is something that I will continue cherish. So sad you bowed out too soon. You will be greatly missed. Rest in peace 🕊️.

My condolences to the family of Prof Leong during this difficult time. I had the privilege of meeting Prof Leong at the NUS Achievement Awards (NAA) ceremony just 2 weeks ago. Her encouragement for me during the NAA awards ceremony reception that she remembered my song, even though it was for just a brief moment of interaction, was genuinely heartening and made an impact. She made me feel that we as students are valued and that we as a community should be uplifted through compassion. I would like to thank her for her kindness and support for student life by recognizing student achievements, however big or small.

Though I never had the privilege of knowing you personally, it is deeply moving to realise how many lives you have touched and how many hearts you have left a lasting impression on. Perhaps that is the true measure of a life well lived — not how many people knew you, but how many lives became better because you were in them. Your kindness, your presence and the difference you made will continue to live on through the people whose lives you have touched. While words may never be enough to ease the sorrow of those who knew and loved you, may they find comfort in the beautiful legacy you leave behind. My deepest condolences to your family and loved ones. May they find strength in their grief and comfort in knowing that your life mattered to so many, even to those who never had the chance to know you. Rest peacefully.

I was really surprised when Prof Leong Ching gave me an immediate offer to work as her research assistant from 2019 to 2020. I will always be grateful to her for this offer as I was in the final year of my PhD candidature and my scholarship had ended, so the work helped me out financially. More importantly, the scope of what she asked me to research on allowed me to learn much more Singapore's water history and public policy from various angles, topics that I wasn't trained in. I am really grateful for that learning experience, and, most significantly, her trust in me to undertake the research. May she rest in peace and my deepest condolences to her family and friends.

Remembering Prof Leong Chin I still find it hard to believe that she is gone. I got to know Prof Leong Chin during COVID. While I was overseeing part of the operations at PGPR GQF, and subsequently CRF, she was one of those quietly working behind the scenes, keeping in touch with me almost every day. She contributed her voice, ideas and perspectives, and more importantly, she genuinely cared. She cared deeply about the students and the migrant workers, and always found ways to reach out and make a difference. I still remember the video she did with her son, which I had the privilege of sharing with our community. It was such a personal and meaningful gesture. Over the years, our relationship grew beyond work. We became close, often texting each other just for fun, sharing little moments and having our own conversations. She was always generous with her support, helping me during her time at OSA and continuing to do so even after she had moved on. Just two weeks ago, I met her again at the NUS Achievement Awards. As always, that familiar smile, warmth and charm were there. Little did I know that it would be the last time I would see her. It is difficult to comprehend that someone who was so full of life, warmth and kindness is no longer with us. I will remember her not just for her contributions to NUS, but for the person she was...caring, thoughtful, generous with her time and always ready with a smile. Thank you, Prof Leong Chin, for the friendship, the conversations, the laughter and the many little ways you made a difference. You will be deeply missed. Rest well. Rest in love.

Ching is a friend and mentor to me, and a visionary influencer for NUS Libraries. She was passionate about making NUS a better place, and exceptional in her understanding of the roles that the library could play. The most recent example - The Reading Club - had been inspired by her, before the ReadSG movement started in Singapore. Her care and concern for student development is unparalleled, and she will be deeply missed.

You were a formidable dragon lady. Many quake in your wake, not just from your impact, but your insights.

Deepest condolences to Ching's dear family. Ching was one of the first who encouraged me to write - placing my essay in “Chicken Soup for the Soul / Singapore". She was confident that it would good. Thank You for the trust and encouragement. Later on, I had the privilege to co-teach a module at CAPT with Ching. We did "Community Leadership" as a class for 2nd year undergrads . Ching brought in hawkers and grassoot volunteers to share with us about the complexities that hawkers faced when hawker centres are closed for mandatory cleaning - opened a whole new world for us. Will miss your insights, frank conversations, and the smile that says "Are you sure?" Thank you for your leadership and friendship . We will miss you.

Professor Leong Ching was one of a kind. Her teaching style, her warm communication and her wonderful lectures had a huge positive impact both in my personal and professional life. Even earlier this year she gave me time to advice on my future career direction and I am truly grateful to be her student. Always and forever in our hearts, farewell Professor Leong Ching we will miss you ❤️❤️

May we continue to build a community of Dr Spocks. Thank you for everything.

A sad loss for the NUS community. Prof Leong Ching will be remembered not only for her contributions, but also for the passion and commitment she brought to her work and the people whose lives she touched. May her legacy live on through those she inspired.

Dear Prof Leong, I am deeply saddened to hear of your passing. My heartfelt condolences go out to your family and loved ones during this difficult time. I feel truly fortunate to have had several meaningful conversations with you. I will always remember you as a kind, graceful, and compassionate person, as well as a dedicated and professional educator. Your warmth, wisdom, and sincerity have left a lasting impression on me. I will carry the lessons I have learned from you, strive to embody your kindness and professionalism, and continue to uphold the values you exemplified as an educator. Thank you for everything, Prof Leong. You will be deeply missed and fondly remembered. Rest in peace. Zi-Lun

You will be remembered for your work and voice that advocate for those whom you truly cherish. Rest in peace, Ching.

Full of admiration for Ching’s razor sharp mind, ability to navigate complex issues and frame arguments, and her deep sense of empathy. She will be missed by so many.

Heartfelt condolences to Prof Leong's family, friends and all those who had the privilege of knowing her. She will be dearly missed.