Remembering
Professor
Leong Ching

Prof Ching is one of those with a gentle soul and a kind heart. Her presence calms you and reassures you, even without saying much. I looked forward to classes because of Prof Ching. I am grateful to have been taught by her, and to have been at the receiving end of her kindness. Prof Ching, your absence will be felt deeply. I recently came across Minister Desmond Lee’s post about Prof Ching’s passing, where she reminded him of William Ernest Henley’s poem, Invictus: “Out of the night that covers me Black as the pit from pole to pole, I thank whatever gods may be For my unconquerable soul. In the fell clutch of circumstance, I have not winced nor cried aloud. Under the bludgeonings of chance My head is bloody, but unbowed. Beyond this place of wrath and tears Looms but the Horror of the shade, And yet the menace of the years Finds, and shall find, me unafraid. It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.” I do not know if Prof Ching saw herself in the words of this poem, but I hope she knew how much she meant to the people whose lives she touched. Some people leave an impression not through grand gestures or loud words, but through the quiet kindness they extend to others. Prof Ching was one of those people. I will miss her dearly. Rest peacefully, Prof.

A fierce advocate for students, not to mollycoddle them but to teach them, in the most eloquent and unforgettable way, how to live in an upright and passionate way. It has been my utmost privilege to have worked for Prof Leong. I will always take from her the lessons not to punch down and to speak and write with utmost care and precision. RIP Prof Leong.

Dear Ching, I will always cherish the memory of having worked with you, a wise university leader, wonderful colleague, friend: one who combined a deeply caring heart with an unwavering commitment to careful thought and plain speaking. You left behind big shoes to fill and a hole in the community's heart. My deepest condolences to your family and loved ones. May they find comfort in knowing how much you meant to so many, and how fondly you will be remembered!

In Loving Memory of Prof. Leong Ching A mentor whose kindness changed the course of my life. Some people enter our lives as teachers and remain with us long after we leave the classroom. Prof. Leong Ching was one of those rare people. During my graduate studies at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, NUS, she became more than a professor. She believed in me, challenged my thinking, and cared about where life would take me. She taught me to write better, appreciate Singapore’s many sides, and understand the Philippines’ water challenges. She often quoted Prof. Tommy Koh in her lectures, always with admiration. She questioned my plans after graduation and worried when I chose Japan. But even when she disagreed, she believed in me. She taught me that caring doesn’t always mean agreeing. She nominated me for the Dean’s Leadership Award at NUS, during Dean Kishore’s time. We won it. That recognition opened doors after graduation and still gives me courage nine years later. When I graduated, she gave me a beautiful ruby necklace for courage and protection. Knowing Singapore’s strict gift declaration rules, I jokingly asked whether I needed to declare it at Singapore Customs. I remember the laughter, but more importantly, the thought behind her gift. She wanted me to be brave wherever life took me. Generous, thoughtful, and effortlessly classy. That was Prof. Ching. Recently, I was honored to be selected as one of the 50 Leading Lights Asia Pacific 2026, recognizing kindness in leadership. I had almost missed the ceremony because of work commitments. But after learning of her passing, I remembered the award she once nominated me for. I could almost hear her telling me to go. So I changed my plans. I dedicate this recognition to Prof. Leong Ching. Not because I have mastered kindness or leadership. I’m still learning and making mistakes. But because she showed me what kindness in leadership looks like. She challenged without discouraging, guided without controlling, and believed in her students long after they left her classroom. The older I get, the more I realize that very little of what we accomplish is ours alone. Someone opened a door. Someone believed in us when we were still finding our way. For me, that person was Prof. Ching. Thank you for believing in me, for the lessons, laughter, and beautiful memories. I hope to become the kind of mentor to others that you were to me. Whenever I need courage, I’ll remember that ruby necklace and the wonderful woman who gave it to me. With love and a lifetime of gratitude. Rest peacefully, dear Prof. Ching. 💛

Prof Leong is a great professor and I got to know her when I was at LKYSPP. She’s friendly, nice and patient. Deepest condolences to her family.

I was deeply shocked and saddened to hear about the sudden passing of Professor Leong Ching. It is truly difficult to believe that such a kind, warm-hearted and inspiring person has left us so soon. I fondly remember Prof Leong visiting me, together with other colleagues, during one of my surgical workshops. I also had the pleasure of meeting and interacting with her on several occasions during academic sharing sessions. Although our interactions were relatively brief, I was always impressed by her warmth, humility, kindness and genuine interest in the work of her colleagues. Prof Leong was not only a highly respected academic and an inspiring leader but also a wonderful human being who touched the lives of many through her generosity, encouragement and dedication to education. Her untimely passing is a tremendous loss to the NUS community and to everyone who had the privilege of knowing her. She will be deeply missed and fondly remembered. My heartfelt condolences go out to her family, friends, colleagues and loved ones during this difficult time. May they find strength and comfort in the beautiful memories she leaves behind. Rest in peace, Prof Leong. You will always be remembered with great respect and affection.

Prof. Ching was an embodiment of academic and moral excellence. Despite her great achievements professionally and academically, she was down-to-earth and kind-hearted, always caring and looking out for our welfare while I was at College Green Hostel. Personally, I consider her my benefactor as she was among my interviewers when I applied for study and scholarship at LKYSPP. I remember her checking on me from time to time during my stay in Singapore, just to be sure I was fine and adjusting well to life far away from my home country Nigeria. I was glad to hear about her promotion few years back and I reached out for congratulatory messages, because she deserved that and more. It is very sad to see her leave this world so soon. I pray for fortitude to bear this great loss for all family and loved ones. May God strengthen and comfort the family during this difficult time. Rest in peace Prof. Ching! You will surely be missed.

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.