University Awards
Whatever contributions that I can make is a privilege and I hope NUS can continue to grow in strength and be at the forefront in teaching and nurturing students to be caring and passionate professionals for the public and private sectors. In the various research and postgraduate institutes, I hope that students and researchers can contribute not only to Singapore, but to Asia and the rest of the world. Prof CHOO Chiau Beng
Programme for Management Development (Harvard Business School); Doctor of Civil Law, MSc, BSc (University of Newcastle upon Tyne)
Provost’s Chair and Professor (Practice), Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, NUS Engineering; Department of Management and Organisation, NUS Business School
Chairman, Centre for Maritime Studies, NUS Board Member, Institute for Engineering Leadership, NUS Engineering
Rector, Residential College 4, NUS
Chairman, M1 Limited; NRF Holdings Pte Ltd; Raffles Institution Board of Governors
Advisory Board Member, Centre for Liveable Cities
Board Member, National Research Foundation
Member, GIC Investment Board
Download Citation 
  • Prof Choo had an industrious 42-year career with Keppel Corporation, as its CEO, as well as Chairman and CEO at Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd (Keppel O&M). He placed Keppel Group at the forefront of the marine and offshore sector, moulding it into a leaner and stronger organisation. Following his retirement, he stayed on as Senior Advisor, providing strong guidance to successors who benefited from his wellspring of knowledge and wealth of global networks.
  • His vision and leadership at Keppel O&M cemented the company’s position as a world leader in the construction and engineering of jackup rigs and floating rigs for deep water, as well as the conversion of floating production storage and offloading vessels.
  • Prof Choo was appointed as Chairman, M1 in 2015. Under his watch, M1’s customer base saw a steady increase, numbering 2.18 million at end 2016. Under his capable leadership, the telecommunications company partnered with leading security companies to launch a comprehensive suite of managed cyber security solutions for corporate clients.
  • Prof Choo actively promotes offshore engineering education and R&D in Singapore. In 2002, as Chairman and CEO of Keppel O&M, he was instrumental in the establishment of the Keppel Professorship in Ocean, Offshore and Marine Technology, which led to the creation of the Centre for Offshore Research and Engineering in NUS.
  • The formation of the Keppel-NUS Corporate Laboratory, in collaboration with the National Research Foundation, was spearheaded by Prof Choo. The Laboratory aims to nurture engineering students for the offshore industry, offering them hands-on experience with valuable practical exposure.
  • Prof Choo is committed to improving the lives of the Singapore community. At Keppel O&M, he partnered with the National Trades Union Congress to initiate a job creation programme as well as re-employment of older employees. While at M1, the company launched a fund to provide supplementary assistance to schoolgoing children from low-income households and provided high-speed broadband to these households.
  • Prof Choo served as Singapore’s Non-Resident Ambassador to Brazil from September 2004 to December 2016.
  • Corporate Social Responsibility Award, CNBC 11th Asia Business Leaders Awards (2012)
  • Meritorious Service Medal, Singapore (2008)
  • May Day Medal of Commendation (Gold), National Trades Union Congress, Singapore (2007)
  • Public Service Star, Singapore (2004)
"I expect NUS to produce the next generation of engineers and leaders who are independent, yet team players, compassionate and generous, innovative and entrepreneurial. They will create new industries and businesses in Singapore, the region and globally, carrying Singapore forward in the next 50 years."
 Honour Roll Recipients