University Awards

Outstanding Service Award

NUS has nurtured generations of talents over the years and contributed much to the success story of Singapore. It is my fervent wish that NUS will continue to spearhead our country’s growth and development through its leadership, excellence and dynamism.” Mr Quek Gim Pew
 
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Current Portfolio

  • Chairman, National Supercomputing Centre Steering Committee
  • Co-Chair, National Quantum Steering Committee
  • Deputy Chairman, Office for Space Technology and Industry
  • Senior R&D Consultant, Ministry of Defence
  • Fellow, Academy of Engineering, Singapore
  • Adjunct Professor, Dean’s Office, College of Design and Engineering
  • Board member of A*STAR; Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (Scientific Advisory Board); Monetary Authority of Singapore Risk Committee; NUS High School; Singapore Institute of Technology; Singapore University of Technology and Design; SMRT Trains Ltd; Technology Centre for Offshore and Marine, Singapore

Lifetime Achievements

  • Throughout his 42-year engineering career, Mr Quek has made significant contributions to the development of advanced defence technologies for the Singapore Armed Forces during his stints as CEO of DSO National Laboratories (2004 – 2016) and Chief Defence Scientist at the Ministry of Defence (2016 – 2021), among others, as well as the enhancement of Singapore’s capabilities in space, quantum and digital technologies in his roles as Chairman of the Centre for Quantum Technologies’ Governing Board (2016 – 2022) and Co-Chair of the National Quantum Steering Committee (since 2021), among others. Achievements include:
    • Playing a key role in shaping cutting-edge technological solutions that enhance Singapore’s national security, including developing disruptive concepts and technologies for the Singapore Armed Forces
    • Overseeing the transformation of Singapore’s approach to quantum research, shifting the country’s primary focus on fundamental research to a nationwide initiative that harnesses quantum technology to support economic and national imperatives
    • Shaping the build-up of Singapore’s space technology community and satellite development capabilities
    • Enhancing Singapore’s research capacity by steering the development of high-performance computing, and championing the convergence of supercomputing, quantum computing and AI in the local research ecosystem.

Service to nation and the international community

  • A strong advocate for STEM education, Mr Quek has initiated various nationwide programmes to enhance the accessibility of STEM education among young Singaporeans, such as the Young Defence Scientist Programme, which introduces students to emerging topics in science and engineering, national science competitions that spur scientific ingenuity, as well as outreach programmes that promote STEM through space science and satellite technology
  • Mr Quek’s efforts in fostering collaborations between various sectors, such as between the defence and public sectors, research and industry sectors, as well as local and overseas entities, have brought about strategic partnerships that tap into the ecosystem’s strengths, further strengthening Singapore’s research and development capacity and impact across the globe
  • As a member of a number of Research, Innovation and Enterprise (RIE) committees at the National Research Foundation and various government agencies, Mr Quek has provided critical input on RIE domains that have contributed to the advancement of national cross-disciplinary science and technology capabilities, amplifying Singapore’s innovation, growth and talent development
  • As a board member of various educational institutions in Singapore, including several institutes of higher learning, Mr Quek has contributed to the strategic development of the nation’s education and research capacities, as well as industry partnerships and entrepreneurship efforts at local universities

Awards and Accolades

  • NUS Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award (2014)
  • Public Administration Medal (Gold, 2007; Silver, 1999; Bronze, 1992)
  • Defence Technology Prize (Individual) (1992)

Education

  • MS (Naval Postgraduate School)
  • BEng (National University of Singapore) 
 
 Honour Roll Recipients