As she stood on stage to explain how fishing lines were impacting the corals in Singapore, Denise Ann McIntyre, then a Year 2 Life Sciences undergraduate, tried not to let her nervousness show. Seated in front of her were delegates at the 6th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity, who included aspiring student researchers, prominent scientists, policymakers, conservationists and industry representatives.

“It was nerve-wrecking,” Denise, now a Year 4 undergraduate, recounts her experience at the conference held in Penang in July 2023. But she powered through and won the Best Presenter Award, a category open to undergraduate, Master's, and PhD students.

Her conference paper discussed results from her research project focusing on how fishing lines—a form of plastic waste— affected corals and the organisms that depend on them. As a diver involved in conservation work before she enrolled in NUS, the 33-year-old was very keen to understand the impact of plastic on corals and coral-reef organisms.

“When I started the project, there were only three or four papers – and these were on one specific type of coral, (rather than) reef organisms broadly,” recalled Denise.  

Under the supervision of Dr Zeehan Jaafar, Senior Lecturer and Assistant Head of Department at the Department of Biological Sciences at NUS, Denise conducted surveys from July 2022 to May 2023. She recorded how 197 fishing lines over 10 survey sites affected 11 coral genera, a category of classification in biology, and came up with an impact scale – ranging from “least impactful”, such as when lines landed on the corals, to “most impactful”, indicating that the organisms died.

Her presentation garnered much interest from fellow conference attendees.

“I met people who were open to collaborating to continue the research in Malaysia, Indonesia, or Thailand,” Denise added.

A boost to research learning

Her experience was made possible by a grant from NUS’ Research Experience (REx) programme. Launched in 2023 to hone students’ research skills, REx is a course upgrade for students in the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme (UROP).

During the year-long REx programme, students assist a professor in their research as part of the UROP, and receive a grant – S$2,500 for individual projects, and S$5,000 for group ones.

The grant defrays research costs. Besides funding her conference trip, it allowed Denise to purchase better lighting equipment for underwater photography, which can be a struggle in Singapore waters notorious for their poor visibility.

More than 70 students have benefitted from the programme thus far, participating in research projects ranging from preventive healthcare and sustainability, to how bilingual people process sentences. Nearly S$200,000 in grants have been disbursed to the student researchers, according to the programme’s Year in Review 2024 report published in August.

Students on the programme, known as REx fellows, also attend five interfaculty workshops: two core modules on Ethics in Research and Research Methodologies, and three from a list that includes topics such as data storytelling, research tools using artificial intelligence, and career prospects in research. There are also optional REx-STEER (Study Trips for Engagement and EnRichment) excursions to other Asian countries, such as Vietnam, where the first trip was held in July 2023.

The programme concludes with a research showcase, where students present their findings via media such as documentaries, research papers, and posters.  

“Research is more than working in a lab or conducting interviews to collect data,” said Associate Professor Daniel Goh, NUS’ Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education. “We want undergraduates to not only assist professors in research projects, but also experience the complete research journey from conceptualisation and proposal to presenting and publishing their findings. Through REx, we hope to bring experiential learning to revitalise the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Programme.”

Wayne Sing, a Communications and New Media and NUS College undergraduate, had the rare opportunity to learn from researchers with a common purpose of exploring how technology can advance health communication at the 2024 International Association for Media and Communication Research (IAMCR) conference held in New Zealand.

Going beyond the classroom

Another REx fellow is Year 4 student Wayne Sing, 25. The Communications and New Media and NUS College undergraduate used the grant to attend the 2024 International Association for Media and Communication Research (IAMCR) conference in Christchurch, New Zealand, where he spoke at a panel and presented his research.

Under the supervision of Assistant Professor Dr Renwen Zhang from the Department of Communications and New Media at NUS, Wayne worked on an interdisciplinary project about how artificial intelligence (AI) can support social workers in their administrative and frontline work. The project is a collaboration with Assistant Professor Dr Yi-Chieh Lee from the School of Computing.

Wayne conducted focus group sessions and participatory design workshops with social workers and directors from two social service agencies in Singapore to understand their attitudes toward Generative AI in their work practices, alongside Yugin Tan, a graduate student from Computing who developed an AI chatbot for social workers.

He found that for AI to be effective, the bots would have to be an extension of the social workers – but ultimately should not replace them. “What struck me was that they were quite open to the idea of AI as a tool to enhance their work,” he said. The counsellors, he noted, had cited AI’s potential to speed up administrative tasks and gather insights from case notes, freeing up time for them to engage with their clients and focus on the emotional aspects of the job.

Being involved in the project underscored for him the iterative process of research – which evolves with knowledge gained from further inquiry – and the value of collaborating across disciplines to develop solutions to real-world issues. Through the REx workshops, he learnt about the career journey of an academic and how to optimise searches while conducting online research. 

Attending the conference and observing the community of researchers who both present and learn from each other was another eye-opening experience. “What they all wanted to do was collectively explore how technology can advance health communication…Learning more about this shared purpose that they have was quite inspiring,” he recalled. 

“(The conference) was a unique opportunity I would never have had without the project. I am grateful that at an undergraduate level, we can directly contribute to research,” Wayne added.

Having gained a taste of research life, Wayne is now considering pursuing graduate studies on AI in health communications. Meanwhile, Denise, who honed her data-handling and science-communication skills under the programme, plans to head to a coastal village in Bali to take part in conservation efforts.

Their perception of the value of research learning is a sentiment shared by many of their peers. More than 60 per cent see research as relevant to their career, according to a May 2024 survey of 927 students from the Faculty of Science, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, the College of Design and Engineering, School of Computing, and NUS College.

The survey, which was conducted by the Office of the Provost and the Centre for Future-ready Graduates, also found that more than 60 per cent of students felt that research learning would help them decide which industry or job to pursue after graduation.

“Participating in research as a student provides real-world experience in the field, guided by an engaged and knowledgeable supervisor,” said Denise. “It also makes a strong addition to your resume, especially if you're considering research as a future career path.”

• The Straits Time, 18 October 2024, The Big Story, pA6
• Lianhe Zaobao, 18 October 2024, Focus, p2

By Dr Lance Gore Liangping, Senior Research Fellow at the East Asian Institute at NUS

• Lianhe Zaobao, 18 October 2024, Opinion, p13

By Fu Chao, an undergraduate from the Dept of Electrical & Computer Engineering, College of Design and Engineering at NUS

• Lianhe Zaobao, 18 October 2024, Opinion, p14

• The Sunday Times, 27 October 2024, Invest, pB5

• Lianhe Zaobao, 26 October 2024, Singapore, p6
• Berita Minggu, 27 October 2024, p2
• Tamil Murasu, 27 October 2024, p2
• The Sunday Times, 27 October 2024, Singapore, pA16

By Assoc Prof Eduardo Araral, from the Institute of Policy Studies at NUS Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy

• Lianhe Zaobao, 28 October 2024, Opinion, p17

• CNA Online, 28 October 2024
• 8world Online, 28 October 2024

• The Straits Times, 28 October 2024, Singapore, pA13 & pA14

By Mr Isaac Lim, Adjunct Lecturer, from the Dept of Management & Organisation at NUS Business School

• The Straits Times, 28 October 2024, Opinion, pB4

Singapore is prepared to facilitate Asia’s transition to a low-carbon future. But Singapore cannot do this alone, it will work with like-minded partners. This was a point underscored by Mr Ravi Menon (Arts and Social Sciences ‘87), Singapore’s first Ambassador for Climate Action and member of NUS Board of Trustees, at the inaugural NUS Environmental Management Leadership Lecture (EMLL), on 14 September 2024.

Highlighting the urgency of preparing for a climate-impaired world, Mr Menon noted that climate-related disasters in 2022 affected over 52 million people and led to US$36 billion worth of damages.

At the same time, decarbonisation efforts are also on the rise in many countries.  

“Global momentum on climate action is picking up because people are beginning to see what is happening,” he added, emphasising that the world will continue to face the dual realities of being climate-impaired while striving for low carbon emissions.

Mr Menon addressed over 150 NUS students, alumni, staff and industry partners at the lecture titled “Preparing for a Low-Carbon and Climate-Impaired World” which kickstarted the Highlight edition of this year’s NUS Sustainability CONNECT. He is also Chairman of the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ) Asia-Pacific Advisory Board and a member of the GFANZ Principals Group.

Organised by the NUS School of Continuing and Lifelong Education under the Master of Science (Environmental Management) programme, the annual EMLL series aims to facilitate interdisciplinary discussion about key issues and new developments in environmental management. Themed “Transformative Leadership in Climate Action: Navigating Challenges, Harnessing Innovation”, the series explores the role of transformative leadership as the driving force behind successful environmental management efforts, providing insights on how visionary and innovative leaders overcome obstacles and leverage new technologies to create a sustainable future.

Singapore’s triple transition to thrive in a low-carbon world

Singapore aims to achieve its long-term net-zero emissions aspiration by 2050, with intermediate targets across sectors as outlined in the Singapore Green Plan 2030. Referring to the changes as “complex and not easy, but necessary”, Mr Menon highlighted that the first change is a carbon transition which involves reducing our primary emissions to net-zero across sectors including industry, transport, and households.

Next is the energy transition which entails progressively decarbonising Singapore’s electricity grid while ensuring that it remains resilient. This requires striking a balance across energy security, affordability and sustainability. While Singapore’s unique geographical constraints make it difficult to harness certain forms of renewable energy, the nation can tap on the “four switches” to progressively decarbonise the grid – namely natural gas, solar, electricity imports from regional power grids, and low-carbon alternatives.

Mr Menon also noted that nuclear energy is another energy source the government has been looking at. However, he cautioned that there must first be public acceptance and adequate safety measures.

Lastly, an economic transition will also be necessary. He urged participants to “grow the green and green the brown”, referring to how Singapore must grasp green growth opportunities, transform carbon-intensive sectors, and turn being low-carbon into a competitive advantage.

To prepare for a climate-impaired world, Singapore must not only strive to reduce our emissions but also adapt to the direct impacts of climate change and its potential knock-on effects. Singapore has started implementing various measures to strengthen coastal protection, flood resilience, heat resilience, and food security. The government is also conducting in-depth studies to plan ahead and develop solutions in these areas.

“It will take a whole-of-nation effort,” he said. Significant scientific and technological advances will be necessary – which is where universities and academics can contribute – but individuals and communities must do their part too, he added.

Leading the way in transiting to a low-carbon future

Climate action must go beyond our borders, noted Mr Menon, with a nod to the ASEAN Power Grid initiative that is currently underway.

Having a system of cross-border power connections will allow renewable energy from typically remote generation sites to reach population centres across the region. This will spur decarbonisation in the region and enable the free trade of clean energy.

The city state can also drive green efforts in the region through blended finance, where governments invest in climate projects to reduce risk and make it easier for private entities to invest. Under the Financing Asia’s Transition Partnerships initiative, Singapore aims to raise US$5 billion with international partners to finance the effort to decarbonise the region.

The lecture was capped by an engaging Question-and-Answer segment that was facilitated by Professor Benjamin Cashore, Li Ka Shing Professor in Public Management and Director at the Institute for Environment and Sustainability.

During the segment, Mr Menon fielded questions about green finance and the need for a just transition in Asia, where countries should not have to forgo development for the sake of decarbonisation.

Noting that climate change is a “classic problem of collective failure”, he emphasised the need for collaboration to resolve the issue.

“There isn’t going to be one global leader that will solve the climate problem. We should look at where we can seize leadership at various levels,” he said. One way to exercise leadership in science and technology is by pivoting resources and capabilities towards developing climate solutions. In finance, financial institutions can exercise leadership through working with clients and customers to channel finances to activities that reduce emissions.

While strong government support is needed, it is only possible if it is supported by the rest of society. Community efforts and collective individual actions can signal demand for greener products and support for decarbonisation. “No one acting alone can solve the problem…we need collective action,” he concluded.

“As you step into the world, may you step out to lead with purpose, with integrity, with compassion, not just for your career but for the greater good.”

This was the clarion call sounded by Ms Denise Phua, Member of Parliament for Jalan Besar GRC and Mayor for Central Singapore District, to a 100-strong audience at a recent talk where she shared insights on career transitions and effective leadership.

Titled “Lessons from a Leadership Journey into the Private, Public and People Sector”, the session at the Shaw Foundation Alumni House kicked off the new FASS Distinguished Speaker Series that was launched by the NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) in celebration of the Faculty’s 95th anniversary. The series aims to inspire FASS students to excellence by showcasing alumni and their achievements.

The inaugural session, moderated by Professor Lionel Wee, Dean of FASS, was also attended by FASS staff and faculty.

Developing a leadership toolkit and other leadership goals

Ms Phua, who worked in the corporate, people (or social) and public sectors noted some differences in work culture and performance measurements in each of these sectors.

Performance in the private sector is typically measured in financial terms and is quantified with metrics such as market share, revenue growth, and shareholder values. The social sector values qualitative outcomes, with the focus shifting to doing good, creating societal impact, and accountability to beneficiaries, while the public sector operates within the frame of public service, governance, and accountability to the broader society.

Whichever sector one is in, it is essential to build a leadership toolkit comprising the four skills — personal mastery, interpersonal leadership, supervisory leadership and organisational leadership — in order to chart a meaningful and successful career path.

Ms Phua also emphasised the importance of having diverse experiences to remain relevant, and venturing outside one’s comfort zone in a dynamic environment to keep this toolkit updated. Citing Pope Francis, who told Singaporean youths in a recent dialogue that a young person who stays in his own comfort becomes “fat”, she urged young people to continually add skills to their toolkit and to go out there to take risks.

In her experience, having a purpose is also key as it helps to keep one’s eye on the bigger picture and the important goals to work towards. She explained, “Having a clear purpose guides our decisions and keeps us focused on what truly matters. For me personally, my faith helps to anchor me.”

Be fearless in the unknown

Another topic Ms Phua delved into was fear, something she learnt to overcome whenever she was thrust into unfamiliar situations and environments – whether it was having to work overseas with people of different backgrounds and cultures in China and the US, or having to establish new work processes or systems from scratch.

Sharing about her stint as a waitress in Palo Alto, driving alone in her twenties in the wilderness between small American towns for work, and working with people of vastly different cultures, accents and habits from her own, Ms Phua revealed that these intimidating early experiences eventually helped her overcome her fear of trying new things.

Raising a son with autism further bolstered her courage to pioneer new initiatives and projects, particularly in the area of advocacy and support for those with special needs. Stemming from a desire to create a more inclusive society where everyone can thrive, Ms Phua has made trailblazing contributions to the special needs advocacy space, which include the co-founding of Pathlight School – Singapore’s first school that offers mainstream education for autistic children, The Purple Parade – a national platform that celebrates the abilities of persons with special needs, and The Purple Symphony, Singapore’s largest inclusive orchestra set up by her and her team at the Central Singapore District Community Development Council (CDC).

She shared, “[Having the technical skills and soft skills] were really important for me in the private, people and public sector, but what was more significant was scaling the challenges I faced and overcoming the fears I had.”

As a leader, Ms Phua stressed that it is also essential to find a “tribe” and surround oneself with like-minded people who share the same values, passions or vision, and who are able to challenge one another, as the success of any project is never dependent on a single individual. This is how she managed to ideate and execute the many initiatives across the three sectors she has been involved in.

Beyond building careers to serving society

Ms Phua’s candid and personal sharing was followed by questions from students about how to choose career pathways, to make meaningful change in the community and tackle evolving social challenges in society.

Responding to a question on how she found her calling in the special needs advocacy space, Ms Phua shared that she did not identify it through any conventional career or personality quizzes. For her, she felt called to the special needs space in a rather dramatic fashion, after “God gave [her] a child who didn’t speak nor socialise at three, like other typical children.”

Referencing some of the other community initiatives and assistance schemes launched during her time as Mayor of the Central Singapore District, such as the ‘Weekly Nurture’ problem-solving and communications classes and the ‘Ready for School’ financial assistance scheme for children from low-income families, another student asked what Ms Phua considered key ingredients for success in these community projects.

Her response was simple – find the gaps, think of ways to make a difference, and then start tapping on one’s network of resources to implement solutions.

“When looking at physical wellness for seniors for example, I will ask what physical wellness means to them. Together with my team, we then brainstorm, come up with programmes, such as our CDC’s ‘Silver Homes’ and then look for resources to fund them,” she added.

When asked more broadly how Singapore can address societal issues such as an ageing population and growing income disparity, Ms Phua observed that Singapore has become more complex in many ways since 2006 when she first entered politics, making tackling such issues more challenging. However, she encouraged students to look beyond their “pet passions” and serve in areas in society that have the most need, and to stay mission-focused to continue effecting real change.

She cited the ‘power of one’. “If each of us is determined to bless other people with what we have…whether it’s our talent, our gift, our networks, then organisations, nations and societies will all be for the better,” said Ms Phua.

The National University of Singapore (NUS) will be taking a significant leap forward in synthetic biology, leveraging its deep expertise and cutting-edge innovations to usher a new paradigm for green manufacturing, driven by this rapidly evolving field. Over the next six years, the University plans to dedicate substantial resources and efforts – estimated to value around S$120 million - to firmly establish synthetic biology as a foundational pillar of NUS’ innovation ecosystem, driving transformative benefits for Singapore across multiple sectors.

Traditionally, manufacturing is heavily dependent on petrochemicals, a major contributor to the climate crisis. However, synthetic biology (SynBio), enabling the design and engineering of biological ‘factories’ to create more efficient, sustainable processes and products, is emerging as a game-changer in driving the chemical industry towards a greener future. This groundbreaking approach has the potential to significantly reduce environmental impact, paving the way for greater sustainability across diverse sectors, including food, textiles, flavours, and fuels. This shift promises widespread positive effects, reshaping industries and advancing the global effort to combat climate change.

“NUS is charging ahead, pioneering efforts to strengthen and expand the University’s synthetic biology ecosystem, positioning Singapore at the forefront of tackling global challenges such as food security, energy resilience, and sustainable development. We are deeply committed to surpassing previous accomplishments and achieving new heights of excellence in synthetic biology,” said Professor Liu Bin, NUS Deputy President (Research and Technology).

She added, “A vibrant synthetic biology ecosystem in NUS and Singapore will foster new industry partnerships, cultivate a highly skilled workforce and inspire a wave of innovative startups. Together, these developments are poised to boost Singapore’s economic growth.”

A key driver of innovation in the University’s SynBio ecosystem is the NUS Synthetic Biology for Clinical and Technological Innovation (SynCTI), which was established as early as 2014 when the field was still in its early stages.

Associate Professor Matthew Chang, Director of SynCTI, said, “Now is the time for synthetic biology to achieve a lasting, transformative impact. Over the past decade, NUS has developed robust capabilities and strategic networks, positioning both NUS and Singapore to seize emerging opportunities in this rapidly advancing field. We are eager to collaborate closely with our academic, research, and industry partners to foster ongoing growth, innovation, and the application of synthetic biology, both locally in Singapore and globally.”

Embarking on new SynBio initiatives

NUS has launched several bold endeavours to realise the vision of a SynBio-driven future:

1.     NUS is spearheading the establishment of Singapore’s new national SynBio initiative to advance Singapore’s biomanufacturing sector. This initiative will foster a whole-of-nation effort to galvanise the potential of SynBio in advancing green manufacturing practices. Please refer to Annexe 1 for more information on this initiative.

2.     To further augment its research efforts, NUS will collaborate extensively with global leaders in SynBio, with the aim of creating a powerful multiplier effect. Some exciting research collaborations include:

a) Partnering with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) to develop reliable and cost-effective methods for producing safe, nutritious, and delicious foods through SynBio-based precision fermentation;

b) Working with the Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) to develop efficient cyanobacterial (blue-green algae) cell factories and other microorganisms to convert carbon dioxide (CO₂) directly into biomaterials and biofuels; and

c) Teaming up with the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) to demonstrate the feasibility of converting green hydrogen and concentrated CO₂ into sustainable biofuels.

These joint projects, supported by the Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE) under the National Research Foundation Singapore (NRF), aim to build strategic capabilities in SynBio. Please refer to Annexe 2 for more information on these collaborative programmes.

A decade in the making for the SynBio revolution in Singapore

The creation of NUS’ dynamic SynBio ecosystem started a decade ago with foresight and vision.

SynCTI, which was established in 2014, has played a key role in creating new knowledge and develop foundational technologies in synthetic biology and grooming the next generation of highly skilled researchers equipped with fundamental science and translational research capabilities. SynCTI will commemorate its 10th anniversary with a celebratory event in November 2024.

The formation of SynCTI catalysed the setting up of the Singapore Consortium for Synthetic Biology (SINERGY) to consolidate Singapore’s capabilities in synthetic biology and harness synergies across industry sectors to create a vibrant and globally connected bio-based economy in Singapore. SINERGY is supported by the National Research Foundation and is currently hosted under Consortium Management Office, A*STAR. Today, SINERGY has nine academic partners and 27 industry partners, working hand in hand to unlock Singapore’s bio-potential.

Another key component of NUS’ SynBio ecosystem is the WIL@NUS Corporate Laboratory, a research partnership between NUS and Wilmar International Limited to demonstrate the translation of academic SynBio research through collaboration with the industry.

Set up in June 2018 and hosted at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, the WIL@NUS Corporate Laboratory leverages the expertise of Wilmar and NUS to develop sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective bio-based methods for the production of industrial chemicals. This successful academic-industry partnership has led to the development of enzymes and microbes for the biomanufacturing of oleochemicals.

With a strong foundation in place, NUS is strategically positioned to lead in the field of synthetic biology.

The National University of Singapore (NUS) will be taking a significant leap forward in synthetic biology, leveraging its deep expertise and cutting-edge innovations to usher a new paradigm for green manufacturing, driven by this rapidly evolving field. Over the next six years, the University plans to dedicate substantial resources and efforts – estimated to value around S$120 million - to firmly establish synthetic biology as a foundational pillar of NUS’ innovation ecosystem, driving transformative benefits for Singapore across multiple sectors.

Traditionally, manufacturing is heavily dependent on petrochemicals, a major contributor to the climate crisis. However, synthetic biology (SynBio), enabling the design and engineering of biological ‘factories’ to create more efficient, sustainable processes and products, is emerging as a game-changer in driving the chemical industry towards a greener future. This groundbreaking approach has the potential to significantly reduce environmental impact, paving the way for greater sustainability across diverse sectors, including food, textiles, flavours, and fuels. This shift promises widespread positive effects, reshaping industries and advancing the global effort to combat climate change.

“NUS is charging ahead, pioneering efforts to strengthen and expand the University’s synthetic biology ecosystem, positioning Singapore at the forefront of tackling global challenges such as food security, energy resilience, and sustainable development. We are deeply committed to surpassing previous accomplishments and achieving new heights of excellence in synthetic biology,” said Professor Liu Bin, NUS Deputy President (Research and Technology).

She added, “A vibrant synthetic biology ecosystem in NUS and Singapore will foster new industry partnerships, cultivate a highly skilled workforce and inspire a wave of innovative startups. Together, these developments are poised to boost Singapore’s economic growth.”

A key driver of innovation in the University’s SynBio ecosystem is the NUS Synthetic Biology for Clinical and Technological Innovation (SynCTI), which was established as early as 2014 when the field was still in its early stages.

Associate Professor Matthew Chang, Director of SynCTI, said, “Now is the time for synthetic biology to achieve a lasting, transformative impact. Over the past decade, NUS has developed robust capabilities and strategic networks, positioning both NUS and Singapore to seize emerging opportunities in this rapidly advancing field. We are eager to collaborate closely with our academic, research, and industry partners to foster ongoing growth, innovation, and the application of synthetic biology, both locally in Singapore and globally.”

Embarking on new SynBio initiatives

NUS has launched several bold endeavours to realise the vision of a SynBio-driven future:

1.     NUS is spearheading the establishment of Singapore’s new national SynBio initiative to advance Singapore’s biomanufacturing sector. This initiative will foster a whole-of-nation effort to galvanise the potential of SynBio in advancing green manufacturing practices. Please refer to Annexe 1 for more information on this initiative.

2.     To further augment its research efforts, NUS will collaborate extensively with global leaders in SynBio, with the aim of creating a powerful multiplier effect. Some exciting research collaborations include:

a) Partnering with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) to develop reliable and cost-effective methods for producing safe, nutritious, and delicious foods through SynBio-based precision fermentation;

b) Working with the Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) to develop efficient cyanobacterial (blue-green algae) cell factories and other microorganisms to convert carbon dioxide (CO₂) directly into biomaterials and biofuels; and

c) Teaming up with the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) to demonstrate the feasibility of converting green hydrogen and concentrated CO₂ into sustainable biofuels.

These joint projects, supported by the Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE) under the National Research Foundation Singapore (NRF), aim to build strategic capabilities in SynBio. Please refer to Annexe 2 for more information on these collaborative programmes.

A decade in the making for the SynBio revolution in Singapore

The creation of NUS’ dynamic SynBio ecosystem started a decade ago with foresight and vision.

SynCTI, which was established in 2014, has played a key role in creating new knowledge and develop foundational technologies in synthetic biology and grooming the next generation of highly skilled researchers equipped with fundamental science and translational research capabilities. SynCTI will commemorate its 10th anniversary with a celebratory event in November 2024.

The formation of SynCTI catalysed the setting up of the Singapore Consortium for Synthetic Biology (SINERGY) to consolidate Singapore’s capabilities in synthetic biology and harness synergies across industry sectors to create a vibrant and globally connected bio-based economy in Singapore. SINERGY is supported by the National Research Foundation and is currently hosted under Consortium Management Office, A*STAR. Today, SINERGY has nine academic partners and 27 industry partners, working hand in hand to unlock Singapore’s bio-potential.

Another key component of NUS’ SynBio ecosystem is the WIL@NUS Corporate Laboratory, a research partnership between NUS and Wilmar International Limited to demonstrate the translation of academic SynBio research through collaboration with the industry.

Set up in June 2018 and hosted at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, the WIL@NUS Corporate Laboratory leverages the expertise of Wilmar and NUS to develop sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective bio-based methods for the production of industrial chemicals. This successful academic-industry partnership has led to the development of enzymes and microbes for the biomanufacturing of oleochemicals.

With a strong foundation in place, NUS is strategically positioned to lead in the field of synthetic biology.

Applied Materials South East Asia Pte. Ltd. and the National University of Singapore (NUS) are furthering their collaboration to bring advanced semiconductor research capabilities and talent development opportunities to Singapore. Supported by the National Research Foundation (NRF) under the Research, Innovation and Enterprise 2025 (RIE2025) plan, the Applied Materials-NUS Advanced Materials Corporate Lab – established in 2018 and located on the NUS Kent Ridge campus – will be expanded with state-of-the-art semiconductor process equipment in a larger, more advanced cleanroom. In addition, Applied Materials and NUS are collaborating on programmes designed to strengthen Singapore’s talent pipeline.

Mr Heng Swee Keat, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of NRF, was the Guest-of-Honour at a ceremony held today at NUS marking the new phase of the Corporate Lab. Guests from the industry, local research ecosystem and government agencies attended the event.

“When NUS and Applied Materials first established the Corporate Lab six years ago, we laid the foundation for a collaboration that has since yielded remarkable success,” said NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye. “Several of the innovations developed here have progressed from the research stage to the scale-up phase, paving the way for real-world applications that can benefit society. We are very excited to embark on a new chapter in our collaboration with Applied Materials to further advance semiconductor science and technology and inspire the next generation of innovators who will push the envelope and break new ground in this significant field.”

“The Advanced Materials Corporate Lab at NUS is a prime example of how industry-academia collaboration can accelerate the discovery and transition of innovations into commercial applications,” said Dr Satheesh Kuppurao, Group Vice President of Business Development and Growth, Semiconductor Products Group at Applied Materials, Inc. “Our joint work has resulted in numerous patents related to chemistry, semiconductor process and hardware design solutions, along with several sponsored scholarships. Applied Materials is excited to build on our success with NUS and bring enhanced semiconductor research and talent development opportunities to Singapore.”

Hosted at the College of Design and Engineering and the Faculty of Science at NUS, the Applied Materials-NUS Advanced Materials Corporate Lab offers world-class, multi-disciplinary R&D capabilities that span applied chemistry, materials science and microelectronics process engineering. The goal of the Corporate Lab is to accelerate discovery of new materials that can be quickly transferred into commercial applications for manufacturing future generations of semiconductors.

The second phase of the Corporate Lab will elevate the well-established microelectronics research capabilities at NUS to new heights by fostering innovation, accelerating the development of cutting-edge technologies and expanding interdisciplinary collaboration. It will include a new cleanroom in NUS with state-of-the-art materials synthesis and characterisation capabilities. Utilising these enhanced capabilities, Applied Materials and NUS will focus on developing industry-scale solutions to complex semiconductor manufacturing challenges, with an emphasis on integrated processes and interface engineering.

Along with the new phase of the Corporate Lab, the Applied Materials Professorship has been established at NUS to attract experts in semiconductors, materials science and other technology fields. In addition, the enhanced capabilities at the Corporate Lab will introduce new educational and talent development opportunities for undergraduates, postgraduates and professionals in the areas of microelectronics, advanced materials and process engineering. This will ensure the University’s sustained academic leadership within these critical fields and contribute to Singapore’s overall economic growth and development.

For Applied Materials, the latest phase of its collaboration with NUS is part of the company’s “Singapore 2030” plan to strengthen its manufacturing capacity, R&D capabilities, technology ecosystem partnerships and workforce development in Singapore.

Educator and food historian Mr Khir Johari, whose work, The Food of Singapore Malays: Gastronomic Travels through the Archipelago (Singapore: Marshall Cavendish, 2021) profoundly reshapes our understanding of the gastronomy and cultural history of Singapore Malays, has been awarded the 2024 NUS Singapore History Prize. Mr Khir Johari will receive a cash award of S$50,000.

Created in 2014 in support of the national SG50 programme to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Singapore’s independence, the NUS Singapore History Prize is awarded to an outstanding publication that has made a lasting impact on our understanding of the history of Singapore, and that is accessible to a wide audience of specialist and non-specialist readers.

A five-member Jury Panel chaired by Mr Kishore Mahbubani, Distinguished Fellow at the NUS Asia Research Institute, selected the winning work from a short list of six works, itself culled from a total of 26 submitted works authored by local and international scholars. The other Jury Panel members are: Emeritus Professor John N. Miksic of the NUS Department of Southeast Asian Studies; Professor Tan Tai Yong, President of the Singapore University of Social Sciences; Professor Peter A. Coclanis, Director, Global Research Institute, the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill; and economist Dr Lam San Ling.

The five books that were shortlisted alongside the winning publication are:

• Wesley Leon Aroozoo, The Punkhawala and the Prostitute (Singapore: Epigram Books, 2021).
• Timothy P. Barnard, ed., Singaporean Creatures: Histories of Humans and Other Animals in the Garden City (Singapore: NUS Press, 2024).
• Kevin Blackburn, The Comfort Women of Singapore in History and Memory (Singapore: NUS Press, 2022).
• Loh Kah Seng, Alex Tan Tiong Hee, Koh Keng We, Tan Teng Phee, and Juria Toramae, Theatres of Memory: Industrial Heritage of 20th Century Singapore (Singapore: Pagesetters Services, 2021).
• Lynn Wong Yuqing and Lee Kok Leong, Reviving Qixi: Singapore’s Forgotten Seven Sisters Festival (Singapore: Renforest Publishing, 2022).

Of the five books, the Jury Panel also highlighted two that deserve special commendation and recognition. They are, ranked in order of priority, Reviving Qixi: Singapore’s Forgotten Seven Sisters Festival by Lynn Wong Yuqing and Lee Kok Leong; and Theatres of Memory: Industrial Heritage of 20th Century Singapore by Loh Kah Seng, Alex Tan Tiong Hee, Koh Keng We, Tan Teng Phee, and Juria Toramae. The Jury Panel found the two books compelling and riveting: one offers new insights into a forgotten festival celebrated by the Chinese community in Singapore while the other delves into the understudied labour and industrial history of Singapore.

Mr Mahbubani, Chair of the NUS Singapore History Prize Jury Panel, said: “Southeast Asia is a magical place. At a time when many regions are suffering conflict, tension and stagnation, Southeast Asia remains an oasis of peace and prosperity, despite its incredible diversity. Why? The deeper and longer history of the region may explain this. Khir Johari’s book is a deserving winner of the Singapore History Prize because it sheds new light on our history. Few Singaporeans know that over a hundred years ago, Singapore had already emerged as ‘the New York of the Nusantara.’ This book will open their eyes to Singapore’s long and rich involvement with its surrounding region. And it is a truly beautifully produced book that will enchant its readers.”

The Food of Singapore Malays: Gastronomic Travels through the Archipelago

The Food of Singapore Malays: Gastronomic Travels through the Archipelago is an unwritten story of a people. Between the vast Indian and Pacific oceans lies the Malay Archipelago, known widely as the Nusantara, which has nourished the lives of indigenous Malays throughout the centuries and nurtured the diverse peoples that have set foot on their shores. Today, the Malays make up less than a fifth of the population in Singapore, a city with ancient ties to the Malay world.

This book explores their food, not just as a means of sustenance but as a cultural activity. Inheriting the Nusantara's rich flavours, Singapore Malays have a grand culinary heritage reflecting their worldviews, social values and historical interactions with other cultures. Through close examination of their daily objects, customs, art and literature, these pages reveal how the food Malays enjoy is deeply embedded in different aspects of their identity.

Following the broad sweep of Malay cuisine's evolution – from the 7th-century kingdom of Srivijaya to the 21st-century emporium of cosmopolitan Singapore – this book traces the continuity and dynamism of a shared cultural consciousness. Sumptuously served with stunning photographs, delicious recipes and diligent research, this is essential reading for anyone – gourmets and amateurs alike – hungry for a deeper understanding of the relationship between people and their food.

Please refer to the Annex for the citation on the winning work by Khir Johari, along with the two books receiving special commendations.

About Khir Johari

Khir Johari is the author of the award-winning book, The Food of the Singapore Malays: Gastronomic Travels Through the Archipelago. which has received widespread acclaim, including Singapore’s Book of the Year 2022, Gourmand World Food Culture Award’s Best of the Best Book 2023, and its prestigious Best of the Last 25 Years. Following this success, Khir founded “Dialogues by Khir Johari,” a platform dedicated to exploring Nusantara’s gastronomy through events and online discussions. Its inaugural event was a symposium titled Serumpun: Tasting Tradition, Telling Tales.

Aside from his literary achievements, Khir is an avid art collector and independent researcher specialising in the history and heritage of maritime Southeast Asia. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Santa Clara University and a Masters in Education from Stanford University. He serves as a board member of the Asian Civilisations Museum Singapore.

Born and raised in Kampong Gelam, Khir was immersed in the diverse Nusantara culinary traditions from a young age, learning from both his family and the larger vibrant communities of this historic district.

Khir Johari remarked: “I am touched and humbled by this recognition. It is an honour to receive this NUS Singapore History Prize among such a distinguished list of writers. My hope is that we continue the important work of preserving and celebrating our rich culinary heritage. Our shared cultural roots are an essential starting point for understanding how food connects us across generations and borders.”

“When I set out on this book project 14 years ago, my aim was to document our nation’s first cuisine. What started as a chronicle of food culture evolved into a celebration of our custodians of gastronomic knowledge and wisdom. This book is a tribute to the fishermen, farmers, hawkers, smiths who produced our kitchen accoutrements, as well as cookbook writers, cookery teachers, homemakers and more.”

“My wish for this book is that it answers the question of why we eat what we eat as a people. I also hope it serves as a reminder that Singapore has always been an important node in a larger interconnected network. Indeed, Singapore can be aptly regarded as the New York of the Nusantara for its role and contributions in shipping, trade, publishing and performing arts of the region.”

The NUS Singapore History Prize

Mooted by Mr Mahbubani, the NUS Singapore History Prize aims to stimulate an engagement with Singapore’s history broadly understood (this might include pre-1819) and works dealing with Singapore’s place in the world. Another purpose is to make the complexities and nuances of Singapore’s history more accessible to non-academic audiences and to cast a wide net for consideration of works that deal with history. At the same time, the Prize hopes to generate a greater understanding among Singaporean citizens of their own unique history.

The Prize is an open global competition and is administered by the Department of History at the NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. The 2024 Prize was open to works in English (written or translated) published between 1 June 2021 and 31 May 2024. Non-fiction and fiction works were eligible for the Prize. Other creative works that have clear historical themes could also be submitted. Book-length works that were either authored or co-authored, and addressed any time period, theme, or field of Singaporean history, or include a substantial aspect of Singaporean history as part of a wider story were eligible.

The Prize is awarded every three years, and the author of the winning publication will receive a cash award of S$50,000. The inaugural Prize was awarded in 2018 to Professor John Miksic, whose work Singapore and the Silk Road of the Sea, 1300–1800 provides detailed archaeological evidence that Singapore’s story began more than 700 years ago. In 2021, the Prize was awarded to Hidayah Amin for her book Leluhur: Singapore’s Kampong Gelam which presents the history of Kampong Gelam in the context of changes to Singapore’s economic, political, and social history over the last 200 years.

Enquires about the next round of the NUS Singapore History Prize, which will open for nominations in due course, and be awarded in 2027, should be addressed to hisprize@nus.edu.sg.

• Tamil Murasu, 23 October 2024, Front Page

By Prof Lawrence Loh, Director, and Ms Sabrina Soon, Research Associate; both from the Centre for Governance and Sustainability at NUS Business School

• The Business Times, 23 October 2024, p18

• The Straits Times, 21 October 2024, Singapore, pA17

• 8world Online, 21 October 2024
• Lianhe Zaobao, 23 October 2024, Singapore, p7
• The Sunday Times, 27 October 2024, Singapore, pA14

• zbSunday, 20 October 2024, zbW, p2

Marine monitoring is the bedrock of ensuring the health of our oceans and marine life, as it enables the collection of data to understand the biogeochemical processes that drive coastal and ocean systems. There is growing recognition of the importance of marine environment monitoring at the regional scale in safeguarding our shared waters. Data collected could help guide the development of legislation and strategies aimed at protecting our oceans and marine ecosystems.

Advancing marine science research and education

To advance collaboration in marine science research, the Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) and the NUS Tropical Marine Science Institute (TMSI) inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in September 2024, which outlines a framework for collaboration and sharing of knowledge in marine and climate science research and education between the two institutions. As part of the MoU, PML will collaborate with NUS TMSI, as well as the St John's Island National Marine Laboratory (SJINML) hosted by TMSI, for various marine science research projects.

To kickstart this partnership, SJINML and the Marine Environment Sensing Network (MESN), with support from the British High Commission Singapore and the Conservation Artists Collective, organised the “Marine Monitoring for Action: Safeguarding our Shared Seas through Marine Environment Sensing and Data” workshop which was held in Singapore from 7 to 11 October 2024. The partnership was formally announced at the workshop.

This partnership builds on the long-standing collaboration between Singapore and the UK dating back to the 1950s, which Mr Nikesh Mehta, the British High Commissioner for Singapore, reflected during his welcome address at the workshop. Mr Mehta explained that continuing this historical collaboration is significant in emphasising the importance of global collaboration in marine science research and education.

“As part of the UK and Singapore’s strategic partnership, we are committed to strengthening even further our science and technology partnership, to go further than we did by developing capabilities to address global issues and challenges,” he added.

The workshop drew more than 65 participants from the region and beyond, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, and the UK, all working towards a common goal of fostering collaboration and innovation in marine monitoring to protect our oceans and marine ecosystems for the benefit of future generations.

Professor Yaacob Ibrahim, Chairman of the SJINML Governing Board, in his opening remarks, also highlighted the importance of establishing global partnerships. “Marine issues cannot therefore be managed by one country to safeguard our shared seas. Close collaboration, sharing of knowledge, expertise and data are essential,” he said.

The Marine Monitoring for Action workshop is endorsed by the UNESCO International Oceanographic Commission as a UN Ocean Decade workshop. 

A science-based approach for future oil spill response

Mr Desmond Lee, Minister for National Development and Minister-in-charge of Social Services Integration, delivered the opening remarks on the second day of the workshop. He emphasised the need for data in shaping policy to protect marine environments. “To ensure the sustainability of our marine biodiversity and its ecosystem, it is crucial that we adopt a science-based approach to monitor and protect our regional waters. Only with science and data can we make a strong case for conservation,” he said.

Mr Lee also announced a 15-month national monitoring plan, as a response to a recent oil spill incident in Singapore that took place in June 2024, to collect baseline data and monitor the impact and recovery of marine habitats after the oil spill. The research team will comprise experts from NParks, NUS TMSI, SJINML and the National Institute of Education.

Dr Tan Koh Siang, Principal Research Fellow at NUS TMSI, who is part of the research team said, “We are interested to see what effects this oil spill has on [organism] communities that are not visually obvious.” He added that the team hopes that their research can provide science-based support in finding ways to respond to future oil spills.

Assisting in the marine monitoring efforts is the MESN buoy, a system that enables real-time monitoring of seawater quality to strengthen climate change and ecological research. The MESN buoy houses a resident suite of sensors and modules for round-the-clock marine monitoring, and aims to collect data of over 30 parameters through near real-time sensing and monthly cruises.

Dr Jani Tanzil, Senior Research Fellow at NUS TMSI and Facility Director of SJINML, added that there are plans to deploy two more MESN buoys, one in the Johor Strait off Pulau Ubin and another in the south Singapore Strait, off Raffles Lighthouse (Pulau Satumu). This will help to expand marine monitoring capabilities and capture the quality of water flushing into Singapore.

The science essential for the ocean we envision

With a schedule packed with talks from marine scientists and hands-on opportunities, the workshop outlined how effective marine monitoring at various levels can help shape marine management and policies, as well as drive the implementation of national, regional, and international legislations and initiatives to protect the marine environment.

Professor Matthew Frost, Head of International Office at PML, highlighted during his presentation that global policies and actions to protect the ocean and marine life “would only work with data and scientific information feeding into it.”

The workshop also provided a platform for participants from across the region to take part in practical sessions to develop skills and acquire the tools needed to obtain rigorous and scientifically credible marine data. During the workshop, the participants actively engaged in discussions about current practices and challenges in marine monitoring, and explored opportunities for collaborative impact-led research for Southeast Asian regional seas.

“The Marine Monitoring for Action workshop was a great opportunity for regional and international stakeholders to harmonise and understand the good practices of marine monitoring in Southeast Asia,” said Dr Wee Hin Boo, Senior Lecturer from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, who attended the workshop.

Participants were also given a tour of the SJINML facility on St John’s Island, which is located approximately 6.5km to the south of the main island of Singapore. During the visit, the MESN team, which include researchers from both NUS and NTU, introduced the different techniques used in marine environment sensing.

“My biggest takeaway from the workshop is learning about the theory of change and the process of developing actionable solutions starting from the impact that we want to make,” said Ms Denise Yu, Research Assistant at NUS TMSI.

The Marine Monitoring for Action workshop helped to foster an environment of mutual learning and exchange of ideas between countries, fuelling future possibilities of regional collaborative research efforts to help protect our shared oceans.

“Armed with the data and knowledge from marine monitoring, we can better position ourselves to be more resilient to the challenges ahead, especially with the uncertainty of climate change and other environmental disturbances from increasing coastal urbanisation,” said Dr Tanzil.

• CNA Online, 22 October 2024

By Prof Tan Huay Cheem, Senior Consultant from the National University Heart Centre, Singapore and Dept of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at NUS

• Lianhe Zaobao, 22 October 2024, Fukan, p4

NUS deepened its historic and longstanding relationship with Universiti Malaya (UM) this month, organising a series of events to celebrate the universities’ academic and social connections.

On 15 October, the inaugural UM-NUS Joint Workshop on Biomedical Engineering 2024 was held on the NUS Kent Ridge campus, bringing together researchers, educators, and scholars to discuss advancements in biomedical engineering and technology. Organised by the NUS Institute for Health Innovation & Technology (iHealthTech) and supported by the NUS Office of Alumni Relations, the event included keynote addresses and talks from 10 UM and NUS researchers, as well as a tour of iHealthTech. Pertinent topics were discussed, including, among others, the impact of the fourth industrial revolution on healthcare and the opportunities that artificial intelligence and the metaverse bring to the field.

“We were excited we could hold this joint event, bringing together leading minds from our two sister universities,” said NUS Professor Lim Chwee Teck, NUS Society Chair Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Director of iHealthTech. “Workshops like these serve as an important platform for exchanging ideas and exploring potential areas of collaboration.”

Professor Dr Yvonne Lim, Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International) at UM, echoed the sentiment. “This partnership highlights our commitment to advancing innovation that will drive transformative solutions in healthcare technology,” she said. “Together, we aim to inspire new ideas and pave the way for innovation that will benefit both Malaysia and Singapore."

Speaking at the UM-NUS Gala Dinner at The Fullerton Hotel Singapore later that evening, NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye detailed the legacy of cooperation and camaraderie between the two universities. Recent partnerships include the 2023 UM-NUS Joint Symposium on Infectious Diseases and Translational Program, as well as the 2024 expansion of the NUS Overseas Colleges programme to Kuala Lumpur, with UM serving as NUS’ partner university. These examples “demonstrate the shared success of UM and NUS,” said Professor Tan. “By continuing to create and encourage opportunities for collaboration and exchange, UM and NUS are both enriched.”

The Gala Dinner was hosted by NUS Chancellor, His Excellency President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, and attended by UM Chancellor, His Royal Highness Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, the Sultan of the state of Perak and Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia. “Events like this are what makes the bond of our historical friendship and ties ever more meaningful, and ever more robust, rooted in unyielding trust and camaraderie,” noted Vice-Chancellor of UM, Professor Dato' Seri Ir. Dr Noor Azuan bin Abu Osman.

Close to 200 NUS and UM alumni and staff joined the formal dinner, which included two stirring performances from the NUS Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music’s alumni string quartet.

A friendly face-off on the fairway

Running parallel to the Joint Workshop and Gala Dinner was the 53rd UM-NUS Inter-University Tunku Chancellor Golf Tournament, which NUS hosted on 15 and 16 October.  Over 100 golfers from UM and NUS participated in the tournament, which was first held in 1968 in Kuala Lumpur.

Over the two days, faculty, staff, and alumni took the opportunity to reconnect with old friends and forge new connections while engaging in friendly competition. Intermittent rain did not dampen the spirits or sportsmanship of the golfers, who enjoyed the social game at Orchid Country Club, and the competitive game at Seletar Country Club. Led by Golf Captain Mr Bernard Toh, the NUS team emerged victorious for the first time since 2019, marking the close to another celebration of the productive partnership between the two universities.

By NUS Office of Alumni Relations

• 8world Online, 21 October 2024

By Prof Sing Tien Foo, Provost’s Chair Professor at the Dept of Real Estate at NUS Business School

• Lianhe Zaobao, 21 October 2024, Opinion, p15

The National University of Singapore's School of Computing (NUS Computing) has entered into a partnership with FPT, a leading global technology corporation based in Vietnam, to advance the field of artificial intelligence (AI). This collaboration plans a joint investment of US$50 million, to be contributed by FPT, NUS, and other key players in the local and regional AI ecosystems over the next five years, aiming to drive pioneering research in AI and enhance talent development. 

This partnership will not only strengthen FPT's capacity to commercialise AI solutions and improve its R&D capabilities but also foster the development of top-tier AI workforce, thereby enhancing its competitive advantage in the APAC region and beyond. 

New AI Lab to propel collaborative research, innovation, and commercialisation initiatives 

A key focus of this partnership is the establishment of a state-of-the-art AI Lab. Combining the strengths of NUS’ research and FPT’s industry expertise, the new AI Lab will accelerate cutting-edge research in diverse domains of AI, including machine learning, data analytics, natural language processing, and computer vision, benefiting Singapore, the Asia Pacific region, and beyond. 

Hosted at NUS Computing, the new AI Lab will be part of the University’s dynamic AI ecosystem, collaborating with the NUS AI Institute (NAII) – which brings together AI researchers and expertise across the University. The new AI Lab’s innovative research projects will focus on AI and automation, emphasising real-world applications in various industries, such as banking and insurance, logistics and transportation, aviation and airline, energy and utilities, manufacturing, and more. In addition, the new AI Lab will produce joint research papers, case studies, and white papers for publication in internationally recognised journals and conferences, sharing findings with the academic and business communities. 

NUS Computing and FPT will also explore opportunities to commercialise AI-driven solutions, including the joint development of AI products, services, and platforms for global markets. By focusing on real-world challenges, the AI Lab will harness the potential of AI to drive positive advancements in sectors critical to Singapore’s development and global progress. 

Building capacity and boosting AI talents 

Talent development is another cornerstone of the partnership. FPT and NUS Computing will conduct joint programmes, such as internships, workshops, training courses, and PhD research opportunities, to nurture AI talents. These initiatives will cultivate a pool of highly skilled professionals equipped with the skills and expertise to lead future advancements in AI and automation across Singapore and the wider APAC region. 

Driving Innovation Together 

FPT Corporation Founder and Chairman Dr Truong Gia Binh said, “FPT believes AI is a pivotal accelerator in shaping the future. For more than a decade, FPT has been actively pursuing AI research and development to stimulate innovations and has integrated AI into all our services and solutions. We also invested heavily in the training and development of an AI-ready workforce. The close partnership with the renowned NUS can help us harness AI power to drive mutual growth and success not only in Singapore and Vietnam but globally.” 

Mr David Nguyen, FPT Asia Pacific Chief Executive Officer, emphasised the strategic significance of the collaboration: "The establishment of the AI Lab in Singapore is a cornerstone of our partnership, where we will develop groundbreaking solutions to address challenges across industries that are critical to the region’s growth and global competitiveness such as healthcare, banking and insurance, logistics and transportation, aviation and airline, energy and utilities, manufacturing, and more. By leveraging each other’s expertise, we aim to accelerate innovation and drive impactful results locally, in the Asia-Pacific region, and worldwide." 

Professor Tan Kian Lee, Dean of NUS Computing, said, “This synergistic partnership brings together the complementary strengths of NUS Computing and FPT. We aim to bring innovative AI solutions to real-world challenges, and at the same time, contributing to the AI ecosystem in Singapore and globally through the development of a highly skilled AI workforce.” 

FPT has over a decade of experience in AI research and development. Most recently, it announced investments of US$174 million to establish an AI centre in Binh Dinh, Vietnam, and a plan to invest US$200 million to develop an AI factory utilising NVIDIA’s advanced graphics chips and software. These AI initiatives are further boosted by extensive global partnerships with leading AI players such as NVIDIA, Landing AI, AITOMATIC, and the founding membership of the AI Alliance led by IBM and Meta. The tech firm also boasts an AI workforce of over 1,500 engineers, with additional resources of 1,300 FPT University students majoring in AI annually. Its AI Residency programme, established in collaboration with Mila Quebec AI Institute, also actively cultivates the next generations of AI talents. 

On the other hand, NUS boasts strong capabilities in AI research. The University has forged strong connections with government agencies, industry, and international partners through various AI initiatives. To enhance its influence in the AI landscape, NUS launched NAII in March 2024, which focuses on both fundamental and applied research in AI, as well as explores the societal implications of AI. 
 

• CNA (TV News), 11 October 2024
• Channel 5 News, 11 October 2024
• The Business Times Online, 11 October 2024
• CNA Online, 11 October 2024
• 8world Online, 11 October 2024
• 8world Online, 11 October 2024
• The Straits Times, 12 October 2024, Business, pA27

• The Straits Times, 12 October 2024, Singapore, pA20

• Lianhe Zaobao, 12 October 2024, Singapore News, p4
• CNA (TV News), 11 October 2024
• CNA938 (11 Oct), 11 October 2024
• 8world Online, 11 October 2024
• Suria News Online, 11 October 2024

• Lianhe Zaobao, 12 October 2024, Singapore News, p11

• Berita Harian, 16 October 2024, p11

• CNA Online, 14 October 2024

• The Straits Times, 14 October 2024

By Prof Hsu Li Yang, Vice Dean of Global Health and Programme Leader of Infectious Diseases from the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health at NUS

• The Straits Times, 14 Oct 2024, Opinion, pB3

• Lianhe Zaobao, 12 October 2024, Singapore, p5

By Zahrina Zakaria, a Year 2 student from the School of Computing at NUS

• Berita Minggu, 13 October 2024, p14

How many images do we see in a day? Scrolling through social media platforms or news sites on our way to school or work, we may have already seen a few hundred images, from memes and photographs to advertisements, posters and videos or animated content.

These visual imageries not only affect our mood, how we think and perceive or relate to other content, but have the power to shape narratives and societies and cultures. In short, visual media impact and shape our lives in ways we may not immediately recognise.

Students examined these illuminating insights during a workshop on 9 October that introduced the basic concepts of visual cultures and curatorial practices. The workshop was an introduction to the Minor in Visual Cultures that will soon be available to all undergraduates at NUS.

NUS first to offer Visual Cultures as a minor across the STEM and humanities fields

When launched in January 2025, NUS will be the first university in Singapore to offer students the option of pursuing a Minor in Visual Cultures. The programme, jointly offered by the Department of Communications and New Media (CNM) at the NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and NUS Museum, will equip students with skills to understand, critique and ethically use visually-driven media and artefacts in and across the STEM and humanities disciplines of design, digital technology, communications and new media, architecture, visual arts, aesthetics, and culture.

This is the first time NUS Museum, a university museum that houses Asian art and cultural collections and facilitates intellectual and culture life at the university, has co-developed and will co-teach a Capstone course in an undergraduate programme.

“Visual culture is everywhere. The visual tells us a lot about how we live, how we think. Visuality influences our choices, our political views, and our ways of being,” said Programme Director of the Minor in Visual Cultures, Associate Professor Lilian Chee from the Department of Architecture (DoA) at the College of Design and Engineering at NUS (CDE). Assoc Prof Chee is also Academic Director of the NUS Museum and holds a joint appointment at CNM. She adds, “In such a visually saturated world, visual literacy is particularly important for understanding the production, consumption and interpretation of information. It is a hugely valuable skill for any field of study, and in any future professional role.”

Assoc Prof Chee emphasised that being multi- and interdisciplinary in nature, the Minor in Visual Cultures strongly aligns with NUS’ goal of developing critical thought leaders with multimodal skills to think, act and communicate effectively across disciplines.

Registration for the Minor in Visual Cultures will open in mid-December 2024. To be certified with the Minor, students enrolled in the programme must take and pass two compulsory core courses and three electives.

This includes the introductory and compulsory course ‘Reading Visual Images’ offered by DoA which introduces students to ways of interpreting and discussing works of art, specifically through paintings and sculpture.

Electives-wise, students can choose from 27 courses drawn from 11 departments and divisions in the Humanities or Sciences such as ‘AI for Design’, “Cartography and Geovisualisation’, ‘Modern Art: A Critical Introduction’, ‘Social Psychology of New Media’ and ‘Modern Optics’.

Ms Siddharta Perez, Museum Curatorial Lead at NUS Museum added, “Collaborating with CNM on the Minor in Visual Cultures allows the Museum to impart their industry knowledge and insights to students through hands-on exhibition-making or multidisciplinary research centred on visual cultures. It also draws on the Museum’s rich collections of visual resources, objects and archives on Singapore and the region.”

A “Visual Cultures” Capstone course

The programme culminates in a compulsory “Visual Cultures” Capstone course that examines the significance of the visual and the politics of visuality across the fields of heritage, environmental humanities, philosophy, spatial practices, design, architecture, visual art and performance.

The course will first bring together knowledge gleaned from the theoretical electives. A consolidation of different types of visual categories (such as objects and paintings, buildings, maps, social media, photographs and AI-generated images), it gathers key visual theories from different disciplines (film studies, architecture, communications and media, geography, history, and philosophy among them) to discuss, examine, and reflect on their relationships.

In the second half of the course, students will be required to develop projects to demonstrate critical visual cultural thinking and skills. These projects may take on more experimental pathways, involve novel interventions in existing exhibitions, develop a series of public programmes or marketing campaigns or work on expanding or enhancing the Museum’s current collections. 

Such project-based and problem-based learning will provide students opportunities to launch a media campaign, pitch an idea for funding, strategise the gathering of resources and their allocation, learn how to use social media ethically, and how to market content through visual media.

Dr Baey Shi Chen, a lecturer with the Department of CNM and Co-convener of the Minor in Visual Cultures shared, “The Capstone course offers a broad-based education, focusing primarily on how the visual both gathers and cuts across a wide range of disciplines. Students will strategise how to collect and curate visual information, and learn how audiences perceive the work. These are transferable skills that can translate across a broad range of professions: from the arts to hospitality, banking, education, media and design, healthcare, science and law.”

Neo Jie Ning, a third-year student with the NUS Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, who attended the workshop to learn more about the Minor in Visual Cultures shared that she was particularly intrigued by the diverse range of courses offered by the Minor. “As someone passionate about photography and visual arts, I believe taking these courses will not only deepen my understanding of visual arts but also offer fresh perspectives that complement my current major in Music and Production.”

Students who are keen to learn more about the field can sign up for upcoming workshops that will take place on 23 October and 6 November here.

|By Mr Benjamin Low |

Religious communities around the world have been confronted with the advent of digital media platforms, a trend that began even before the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the adoption of these platforms, religious communities are no longer as bound to physical spaces as they used to be. How, then, has the adoption and usage of digital media platforms affected religious community and practice in Singapore? While the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the intensity of digitalisation among religious organisations, digitalisation is not equally distributed across religious activities and organisations.

In our survey of religious organisations – the pilot study of a series of studies conducted in conjunction with the NUS Asia Research Institute (ARI) that explores the evolving relationship between religious communities and digital media in Singapore – we examine and document digitalisation among local religious organisations. Underpinning our survey was the question of whether the COVID-19 pandemic provided the impetus for religious organisations to adopt digital media platforms in Singapore. To this end, we found that the COVID-19 pandemic increased the rate of adoption among religious organisations that had not yet adopted digital media platforms before the pandemic (mainly non-Muslim and non-Christian organisations) while, among those that already began using digital media platforms before the pandemic (mainly Christian and Muslim organisations), usage of digital media platforms increased.

Yet, while religious organisations reported using digital media platforms more in general, certain activities conducted by religious organisations have resisted going online more than others. Based on data gathered on the percentage of activities conducted online compared to offline, we found that synchronous activities (activities that require real-time interaction) were less likely than asynchronous activities (activities that do not require real-time interaction) to undergo digitalisation. Religious organisations reported the most instances of digitalising administrative tasks that did not require synchronous in-person participation. These administrative activities include the internal circulation of announcements, newsletters, and circulars, as well as the collection of offerings and donations and the dissemination of religious materials for self-study. On the other hand, synchronous activities that resisted digitalisation include the conduct of prayers and rituals, as well as meetings (study groups and committee meetings), and community-building activities.

Digitalisation and the blurring of boundaries between public and private spaces

The resistance of synchronous activities to digitalisation is noteworthy as, despite the availability of technology that can and has simulated meetings and worship sessions during the pandemic, respondents still reported conducting these activities mostly offline. While many respondents indicated an intention to further digitalise, it remains to be seen what the focus of their digitalisation efforts will be and which activities will be digitalised more than others. These will allow for a deeper understanding of the pathways through which digitalisation can affect religious community and practice. For instance, some religious organisations reported feeling ambivalent about their experience of digitalisation given how digitalisation has blurred the boundaries between public and private spaces – where anything said or done in private settings could potentially become public due to livestreaming or speech, text, or footage becoming available to unintended audiences.

On the one hand, digital media platforms afford more privacy as they do not have to take place in public spaces. On the other hand, the potentially public nature of online interactions could have far-reaching and long-lasting effects. As sociologist José van Dijck argues in Engineering Sociality in a Culture of Connectivity (2013), social media has “unquestionably altered the nature of private and public communication” (pp. 3-23). With the advent of digital media platforms and the increasing digitalisation of religious services, the lines between public and private spheres are blurring. This blurring of boundaries between private and public has legal implications, an instance of which pertains to what is considered public speech. If all private social interaction potentially reaches a public audience, what can be considered and liable as private or public utterance? More broadly, how has the potentially increased range of audiences afforded by digital media platform adoption changed the way members of religious communities relate to each other? How do the new ways of forming and sustaining relationships in religious communities afforded by technology affect the way religious beliefs are enacted?

Most existing laws pertaining to religious practice apply to religious activities conducted in public spaces as the premise was that religion had to be enacted in public spaces. Our findings suggest that it may still be some time before the changes in religious practice caused by digitalisation are substantial enough for a radical legal overhaul as “core” religious activities – that is, religious activities that set religions apart from each other such as worship activities – are the activities most resistant to digitalisation. In spite of the observed trend towards increased digitalisation, these findings belie a sense of attachment to physical space among religious practitioners in Singapore.

As such, further research should be conducted to understand the reasons why some organisations and activities are resistant to digitalisation. This would help us answer the important question of the role that doctrinal and theological factors play in the adoption or non-adoption of digital media platforms. Such research contributes to our understanding of the limits of digital and technological mediation in replacing real-time, physically-bounded interaction. As sociologist Craig Calhoun ponders in his classic piece, Community Without Propinquity Revisited (1998), what is community without the physical presence of others in the same space? Our results support the idea that the “magic” of physical interaction is still an important factor to consider when thinking about the relationship between religious practice and digitalisation. Perhaps the complexity and, indeed, “warmth” of real-time social interaction cannot be replaced by digitally-mediated interaction – at least not just yet.

By using religion as a case study through which we study the socio-legal effects of digitalisation on religious communities, our study speaks to scholarship on the evolving relationship between digital media and society. These findings regarding digitalisation as experienced by religious organisations bring to mind broader issues pertaining to digitalisation as experienced in society – issues that have to do with how technology is affecting the way we relate to each other as well as the limits of technology in replacing the physical, real-time interaction traditionally associated with community.

Benjamin Low is a Research Associate with the Centre for Asian Legal Studies (CALS) at the NUS Faculty of Law. At CALS, he is currently working on a research project exploring the socio-legal implications of the digitalisation of religion in Singapore that is so new that it has yet to be formally named. A cultural and organisational sociologist specialising in social networks and innovation, he is completing his doctoral studies at the University of Oxford Department of Sociology. A seasoned jazz drummer and National Arts Council Scholarship recipient, he can be found making music in and around Singapore when not (actively) doing research. This piece was written on behalf the CALS-ARI research team which consists of Principal Investigator Associate Professor Jaclyn Neo (CALS), co-Principal Investigator Dr Erica Larson (ARI), and the author. This research project is generously funded by the Humanities and Social Sciences Seed Fund grant.

By Assoc Prof Wee Hwee Lin, Director of the Centre for Health Interventions and Policy Evaluation Research, Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health at NUS 

• The Straits Times, 10 October 2024, Opinion, pB3

By Adj Assoc Prof Jeremy Lim, from the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health at NUS 

• The Straits Times, 10 October 2024, Opinion, pB3

• 8world Online, 8 October 2024 
• The Straits Times, 9 October 2024, The Big Story, pA3
• Lianhe Zaobao, 9 October 2024, Singapore, p5 
• CNA, 9 October 2024 
• CNA938, 9 October 2024
• Berita Harian, 10 October 2024, p4  

• CNA Online, 6 October 2024
• 8world Online, 6 October 2024
• CNA, 10 October 2024

• The Straits Times Online, 10 October 2024

• CNA, 9 October 2024
• 8world Online, 9 October 2024
• Suria News Online, 9 October 2024
• Vasantham News Online, 9 October 2024
• CNA938, 9 October 2024
• Warna 94.2FM, 9 October 2024
• Lianhe Zaobao, 10 October 2024, Singapore, p14

By Dr Serina Rahman, Lecturer from the Dept of Southeast Asian Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at NUS

• Suria News Online, 11 October 2024

Mr Lim Zhi Rong, Director (HR Operations) at the NUS Office of Human Resources, has been accorded the Master Professional (IHRP-MP) certification by the Institute for Human Resource Professionals (IHRP) – a recognition that is awarded to top HR leaders in multinational corporations, the public sector, and small and medium-sized enterprises for their significant contributions to the HR industry.

In his 18-year career in HR, Mr Lim held global, regional and country leadership roles across various sectors including Financial, Fast Moving Consumer Goods and Technology, before joining NUS in February 2024. Serving on the IHRP-Professional Practices Committee since 2018, he leads the development of the IHRP Certification Framework, which includes setting standards and developing frameworks for course accreditation and continuing professional development. 

Mr Lim received the IHRP-MP certification from Mr Zaqy Mohamad, Senior Minister of State for Defence and Manpower at the annual IHRP event, People Behind People, on 10 October 2024. Nominated by the tripartite partners—Ministry of Manpower, NTUC, and the Singapore National Employers Federation—he is among only 46 IHRP MPs in Singapore.

Reflecting on his achievement, Mr Lim said, “I’m deeply passionate about creating a positive and inclusive workplace culture that fosters employee growth and success. Receiving the IHRP-MP certification is a great honour, and I’m encouraged to continue to contribute meaningfully to the HR community and maintain the highest standards of HR practices at NUS.”

Ideas, research findings, and real-world results came together in a flurry of intellectual exchanges at the Festival of Ideas 2024 from 16 to 20 September, an event organised by the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP) to promote dialogue that inspires and shapes solutions to pressing policy issues.

The third edition of the biennial flagship event, which coincides with the School’s 20th anniversary, discussed the theme “Navigating a World in Crisis: Transforming Governance through Asia.” The 130 speakers ranged from LKYSPP academics who research and teach public policy to policymakers and industry practitioners who are directly impacted by policy decisions in their daily work.

“The Festival is an engagement on the great ideas and the most pressing issues of our time,” said Professor Danny Quah, Dean of LKYSPP, adding that it is an occasion for the School to showcase its thinking, for its PhD and Master’s students to display their work, and for colleagues from LKYSPP and around the world to engage in conversation. “This is all part of the school mission – that we inspire changemakers and leadership, we help improve the well-being of people around us and further afield, and we help transform Asia through the experience of good governance.”

Prof Quah was speaking at the opening session of the Festival, which explored China’s role in a shifting global order and the US-China rivalry through a dialogue with distinguished guests Ambassador Chan Heng Chee, Ambassador-at-Large and Professor at the Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities; Mr Lee Yi Shyan, Former Senior Minister of State and Chairman of Business China; and Assistant Professor Selina Ho, Co-Director of the Centre on Asia and Globalisation at LKYSPP. Their discussion touched on the role of smaller nations and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in helping to mediate the rivalry, as well as China’s domestic drivers and its ideal world order that inform the superpower’s perspective.

The session set the stage for the rest of the programme, which comprised 42 sessions over five days with various session formats such as lectures, workshops, panel discussions, and book launches. Some of the sessions ran concurrently, and most were accompanied by moderated Q&A segments that yielded valuable insights for the audience, which included NUS students, current and retired politicians, and members of the public interested in policy and governance issues.

On the final day, highlights included sessions that discussed artificial intelligence (AI) governance, the current global state of conflict and peace, and Singapore’s policy approach to managing its most precious resource – its people.

AI and governance in a time of disinformation

In the session on AI and Governance in a Time of Disinformation, representatives from government, media, and major players in the AI industry discussed the complexities of designing and implementing AI governance. The discussion was moderated by Dr Carol Soon, Principal Research Fellow and Head, Society and Culture at the Institute of Policy Studies.

Dr Janil Puthucheary, Senior Minister of State in Singapore’s Ministry of Digital Development and Information, explained that Singapore is handling the disruption from AI similarly to other types of technological disruption. “We have an imperative to make sure that Singapore's people, our economy, our businesses, the jobs, the social cohesion and structure that we have, are able to benefit from whatever technological disruption is coming towards us,” he said.

However, there are unique challenges in this arena, such as the heavy reliance of Singapore’s economy on technology and the country’s close connections to the rest of the world through international policies and practices, globally accepted standards for technological interoperability, and more. Consequently, Singapore will feel the impact of new developments and regulations in AI almost instantly as they continue to emerge.

“We need to be able to develop our approach in real time as the promise as well as the pitfalls of AI play out in the world around us,” said Dr Janil.

A question from the audience about the need for an international AI agency prompted two panellists to share their experience of working with international organisations and why they do not feel such an agency is necessary.

“Instinctively, most people would feel that there is a need for international collaboration and cooperation,” said Mr Jaime Ho, Editor of The Straits Times. “But whether or not the formal structure of an agency is going to help, I seriously doubt it will, based upon the experiences we’ve seen in recent years. People need to agree to be part of it, and an agency is only worth its salt if it’s able to enforce certain things.”

Ms Eunice Huang, Google’s Asia-Pacific Head of AI and Emerging Tech Policy, highlighted that the AI ecosystem comprising governments, industries, and civil society is working on regulations and standards via annual AI Safety Summits and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). “A lot of international coordination can be done without the need for a new international organisation to be set up, because that entails a lot of investment and administrative things, and the politics of it also gets in the way,” she said.

Conflict and peace in the 21^st century

Amid the global focus on ongoing conflicts, speakers at a panel discussion on Conflict and Peace in the 21^st Century, moderated by Associate Professor Francesco Mancini, Vice Dean (Executive Education) and Associate Professor in Practice at LKYSPP, called for a greater emphasis to be placed on studying and investing in peace.

Ms Wu Ye-Min, Regional Director, South and Southeast Asia, Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, urged countries to invest meaningfully in peace by training and placing peacemakers and impartial mediators in the field, which has proved successful in southern Philippines. In Sulu, such initiatives have resulted in decreased violence and allowed local tourism to thrive, with beach resorts being opened in formerly dangerous areas.

Teaching youths about peace-making and de-escalation will not only equip them with the skills for peace, but also bring discussions of conflict resolution into schools, workplaces, and homes to effect local change. 

Former diplomat Mr Kishore Mahbubani, Distinguished Fellow at the NUS Asia Research Institute, and Dr Michael Vatikiotis, Senior Advisor, Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, highlighted the unusual peace that Southeast Asia has enjoyed for the past 45 years. They noted the success of ASEAN in creating positive regional relations, boosting overall economic development, and enabling the region to protect its interests and reduce unwanted interference from other countries.

The speakers warned that climate change is increasingly important as a conflict driver, with the effects already visible in the Sahel region of Africa. Peace-making efforts will be needed to resolve climate-related challenges like fish stock depletion as conditions prompt ocean life to relocate, an example that Ms Wu shared.

Said Mr Mahbubani: “If humanity was intelligent, it would realise that the message from climate change is that… climate change doesn't respect borders at all. We've got to realise that all 8 billion of us are on the same boat; we've got to work together to deal with climate change.”

Closing dialogue with Minister Tan See Leng

The last session of the festival was a dialogue with Dr Tan See Leng, Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Trade and Industry, Singapore.

In his speech and responses to questions from the audience, Dr Tan shared insights into how Singapore has managed to thrive despite its size and lack of natural resources, by carefully designing and implementing manpower policies like the Central Provident Fund (CPF) and creating a unique tripartite partnership between the government, workers, and businesses.

While the shared values that made Singapore’s success possible remain relevant, the government recognises that the employment landscape and workers’ aspirations and expectations have changed over the years. Hence, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) will shift its policy approach accordingly, he said.

“From the creation of the CPF system to our unique tripartite partnership, we have shown that innovative policies guided by strong values like meritocracy and fairness will lead to success,” Dr Tan said. “Through the times, MOM will continue to evolve, will continue to adapt.”

“Our singular focus will always be on supporting workers and businesses, driving growth, and fostering inclusive workplaces. I'm confident that as long as we hold true to our ideals and we are bold enough to try out new ideas, we can thrive in this ever-changing world.”

NUS and Imperial College London (Imperial) have announced a new partnership to strengthen research collaborations.  The three-year partnership will see the two universities explore cooperation in early-stage research and ideas that might not otherwise be pursued.

The universities will explore potential research projects in areas such as health, sustainability, artificial intelligence and the digital economy.

NUS has long-standing links with Imperial, and the two universities’ new partnership will strengthen links between London and Singapore.

The new agreement will help fund exploratory research and see increased mobility of scientists and students between NUS and Imperial, with researchers spending time in each other’s laboratories in Singapore and London working on joint projects and sharing knowledge and data.  

The agreement was signed at NUS during a visit by Imperial’s President Professor Hugh Brady and his delegation.  

Professor Tan Eng Chye, President of NUS, said: “Imperial College London has been a valued partner of NUS and we are proud to deepen our collaboration through this new initiative. This latest partnership empowers academics, researchers and students from two leading global universities to drive influential research and build impactful networks. We share a common dedication to boosting exploratory research which is crucial for developing innovative solutions to the wicked problems of today. We look forward to the enriching exchange of knowledge and experience in the coming years.” 

Professor Hugh Brady, President of Imperial College London, said: “This exciting partnership with the National University of Singapore demonstrates our shared commitment to tackling global challenges through world-leading research and innovation. By joining forces with one of Singapore’s top universities we are poised to make significant advancements in areas such as sustainability, healthcare innovation, and the digital economy. This collaboration will not only enhance our research capabilities but also provide invaluable opportunities for our staff and students to expand their international networks and experience.”

NUS and Imperial have worked together successfully on many previous projects including successfully engineering common baker’s yeast to produce a key ingredient for dementia medicines.

By Assoc Prof (Practice) Terence Ho, from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at NUS

• The Straits Times, 8 October 2024, Opinion, pB2

• Lianhe Zaobao, 8 October 2024, Singapore, p7

• 8world Online, 7 October 2024
• Vasantham News Online, 7 October 2024
• Capital 95.8FM, 7 October 2024
• Hao 96.3FM, 7 October 2024
• Lianhe Zaobao, 8 October 2024, Singapore, p8

By Dr Joseph Liow Chin Yong, Chairman of the Middle East Institute at NUS

• Lianhe Zaobao, 7 October 2024, Opinion, p18

By Prof Teo Yik Ying, NUS Vice President for Global Health and Dean of the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health at NUS

• The Straits Times, 7 October 2024, Opinion, Front Page and pB2

• Lianhe Zaobao, 7 October 2024, Singapore, p6

• Lianhe Zaobao, 7 October 2024, Singapore, p5

A recent study published in Nature Geoscience provides groundbreaking insights into long-term changes in tropical weather patterns that are leading to an increased frequency of extreme weather events such as heatwaves and heavy rainfall in the Indo-Pacific. These changes are possibly driven by global warming, among other factors. The paper, titled “Indo-Pacific regional extremes aggravated by changes in tropical weather patterns”, employs a recently proposed methodology that characterises occurrence trends of weather patterns using atmospheric analogues, which are linked to the concept of recurrences in dynamical systems theory.

Unlike previous approaches, which have often focused on shifts in average behaviour, the method used in the study can identify occurrence trends for each daily weather pattern, thereby enabling a direct study of their association with extreme events — something that was previously unachievable. Thanks to this methodology, it was possible to identify the emergence of new large-scale atmospheric patterns, which are exacerbating regional weather extremes.

The study, led by doctoral student Chenyu Dong and Assistant Professor Gianmarco Mengaldo from the College of Design and Engineering (CDE) at the National University of Singapore (NUS), and a collaborative team of international scientists, uses advanced reanalysis datasets to analyse the tropical Indo-Pacific region’s evolving weather systems. The researchers found that since the 1990s, previously rare weather patterns have become more common, while some others that were once prominent have nearly disappeared. These changes are linked to shifts in the Pacific Walker Circulation, a key driver of tropical weather and climate, whose future changes remain highly uncertain in current climate models. Detecting long-term trends in the tropical Indo-Pacific has consistently been a challenge, especially on a daily time scale, due to the confluence of several modes of variability that tends to overshadow trend signals. This study is one of the first to investigate long-term changes in tropical weather patterns and their relationship with extreme events on a daily time scale.

“Critical changes in tropical weather patterns are significantly aggravating regional extremes, namely heatwaves and extreme precipitation, in the tropical Indo-Pacific region. Our study is one of the first to disentangle trend vs variability in the tropics, an aspect that has been historically challenging. We show that the changes identified cannot be fully explained by interannual modes of variability, and a possible culprit is anthropogenic global warming, though the influence of other factors may play a role. Further in-depth analyses are required to better inform climate modelling and climate adaptation strategies, especially in the tropical Indo-Pacific, where climate models still struggle to provide reliable projections. For Singapore, and other countries in Southeast Asia, improving climate projection capabilities and better understanding how tropical dynamics and regional extremes are evolving is of vital importance. This study is one step towards this direction,” said Asst Prof Mengaldo from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at CDE, NUS.

Key findings

• Emerging weather patterns: New large-scale atmospheric configurations (or weather patterns) that were rare before the 1990s have emerged, while some others that were prominent have disappeared. These emerging weather patterns manifest as a stronger Pacific Walker circulation (or Walker cell) and are associated with wetter and warmer conditions in Southeast Asia and drier conditions in the equatorial Pacific. The emerging patterns cannot be explained by interannual modes of natural variability, such as the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), and the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO), but they are instead likely driven by long-term trends from the 1940s to the present. These trends and shifts of large-scale atmospheric dynamics in the tropical Indo-Pacific may be caused by global warming and other factors. Although these identified emerging patterns may be driven by the combined effect of different factors (excluding known modes of inter-annual variability), the implications for current and near-future climate are critical.
• Considerable increase in weather extremes: The emerging weather patterns are strongly linked to increased regional weather extremes, namely heatwaves and extreme rainfall. In certain regions, these extremes are up to four times more frequent than climatology when associated with emerging weather patterns. For example, several regions, including parts of Indonesia, Singapore, South India, the Philippines and the western Pacific, exhibit markedly increased frequency of heatwaves compared with climatology. The South China Sea and its surrounding areas, including Vietnam and the Philippines, the Malay Peninsula, Singapore, the tip of South India and a portion of the Indian Ocean off the coast of Australia, exhibit considerably increased frequency of extreme rainfall. This increase in extreme weather is noteworthy, given that such changes are associated with long-term climate trends in a region that is highly vulnerable to weather extremes.
• Significance of the study: These findings are significant in the context of climate change as they reveal that new and emerging weather patterns are contributing to increasingly severe weather in a region home to over a billion people, as well as unique and vulnerable ecosystems. The increased occurrences of heatwaves and extreme rainfall can lead to acute heat distress and flooding, respectively. With extreme weather events posing severe socio-economic and environmental challenges, understanding these changes is critical for improving climate models and informing future climate adaptation strategies.

This study was conducted by an international team of climate scientists from leading institutions, including NUS, Institut Pierre-Simon Laplace (IPSL), Uppsala University, Stockholm University, University of Cambridge, Columbia University, World Meteorological Organization (WMO), and the Centre for Climate Research Singapore (CCRS). The team is committed to advancing climate research to better understand the impacts of a changing climate on regional weather patterns and extremes.

“The emergence of new tropical weather patterns is a key signal of how anthropogenic climate change is altering atmospheric dynamics on a daily scale. Our findings show a significant increase in heatwaves and extreme precipitation in the Indo-Pacific, which may have profound consequences not only for the region but for global climate as well. This shift in weather patterns challenges our previous understanding of tropical variability and highlights the urgency to improve climate projections and preparedness for extreme events in vulnerable regions,” said Dr Davide Faranda, Research Director at the Laboratoire de Science du Climat et de l'Environnement (LSCE) of Institut Pierre-Simon Laplace (IPSL), French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS).

“Heatwaves and extreme rainfall are two weather extremes that require careful and advance planning from policymakers to mitigate their effects. For instance, more frequent heatwaves may lead to high peaks in electricity demand with possible power outages, many heat-related illnesses that would need enough hospital beds, and crop failure that could threaten food security.  More frequent extreme rainfall may lead to floods, which in turn are a direct threat to human life, buildings and infrastructure. Extreme rainfall may also lead to crop failure, contamination of drinkable water, and landslides. Southeast Asia is a relatively research-scarce region in terms of extreme weather, and further efforts are required to better prepare policymakers and local communities for a changing climate,” said Asst Prof Mengaldo.

For further details on the study, please visit Nature Geoscience.

NUS has come in at 17th place in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2025 after holding at 19 for two consecutive years. It maintains its 3rd position in Asia and is currently the top university in ASEAN. 

Higher education has witnessed significant shifts and disruptions in recent years, opening doors for a reinvention of the approach to education and research. NUS’ focus on adapting curricula and pedagogy to match evolving industry demands has nurtured future-resilient, AI-ready and enterprising graduates, while a renewed emphasis on innovative, interdisciplinary research has contributed impactful solutions to the most pressing global challenges.

NUS President, Professor Tan Eng Chye said that NUS, which will be celebrating its 120th anniversary in 2025, continues on a strong and confident trajectory and remains focused in its mission to shape young minds and create positive outcomes for future generations.

“We are immensely proud that NUS has risen to 17th in the world, our highest position in THE World University Rankings. This achievement is the result of the relentless pursuit of excellence by the NUS community,” said Prof Tan.

THE World University Rankings 2025 is THE’s 21st edition of the rankings, growing from 200 universities to, now, more than 2,000 universities, making it the most global and inclusive university ranking in the world.

THE uses 18 carefully calibrated performance indicators in the areas of teaching, research environment, research quality, international outlook and industry, providing the most comprehensive and balanced comparisons, trusted by students, academics, university leaders, industry and governments.

Phil Baty, THE Chief of Global Affairs, said that Singapore’s status as a world-class hub for higher education, research and innovation talent is well and truly established, adding that the latest rankings a testament to strong support for universities and R&D as fundamental to the success of the nation and the centring of human talent as Singapore’s greatest resource.

“Congratulations to NUS on its highest ever ranking position. It is a remarkable achievement – making NUS a beacon of excellence not just for Singapore, but for Asia and the world,” said Mr Baty.

For 2025, University of Oxford holds first place while the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University come in second and third place respectively in the rankings.

Associate Professor Sajikumar Sreedharan from the Department of Physiology at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine has received the International Association for the Study of Neurons and Brain Diseases (AND) Investigator Award in recognition for his research over the past two decades on how long-term memories are systematically stored in the brain.  

AND is an organisation of neuroscientists based at the University of Toronto, Canada. Assoc Prof Sajikumar was presented with the Investigator Award at the association’s annual meeting, which brought together scientists from around the world who study memory formation and its degeneration to share and discuss their latest research. The meeting was held in Qingdao, China, from 9 to 11 September 2024.

Assoc Prof Sajikumar, who conducts research on molecular mechanisms of memory, was selected by a scientific committee of world-renowned neuroscientists, for significantly advancing the understanding of the neuroscience behind how short-term memories systematically transition into long-term memories. The committee also commended that “his work provides a deeper insight into memory impairments due to ageing, learning disabilities, and mental illnesses.”

See more.

• Lianhe Zaobao, 6 October 2024, Fukan, p4

By Tan Zhan Tiam, a Year 3 student from the Depts of Political Sciences and Chinese Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at NUS

• Lianhe Zaobao, 5 October 2024, Opinion, p13

By Assoc Prof Gu Qingyang, Director (Chinese Executive Education) from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at NUS

• Lianhe Zaobao, 5 October 2024, Opinion, p13

By Prof Chong Siow Ann from the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health at NUS 

• The Straits Times, 5 October 2024, Insight, pB6

• Lianhe Zaobao, 5 October 2024, Singapore, p10
• Lianhe Zaobao, 5 October 2024, Singapore, p10
• CNA Online, 5 October 2024
• Channel 5 News, 5 October 2024
• Channel U News, 5 October 2024
• 8world Online, 5 October 2024
• Suria News Online, 5 October 2024
• The Sunday Times, 6 October 2024, The Big Story, pA5
• CNA, 6 October 2024
• CNA938, 6 October 2024
• 8world Online, 6 October 2024

More than 2,000 undergraduates and recent alumni from the NUS College of Humanities and Sciences (CHS) visited the inaugural NUS CHS Career and Internship Fair held at the NUS University Town’s Stephen Riady Centre to connect with companies, explore job opportunities and receive on-the-spot advice on career skills such as networking and tackling interviews.

Organised by CHS and the NUS Centre for Future-ready Graduates (CFG) in September, the event marked a key milestone for the College as it prepares for the graduation of the pioneering CHS cohort in 2025, said Professor Sun Yeneng, Co-Dean of CHS and Dean of NUS Faculty of Science at the launch of the event.

Remarking on the strong turnout from employers and students, he noted that companies recognise the value of engaging with CHS students, who are well-equipped with interdisciplinary skills honed through the College’s unique combination of a humanities and science education.

“Employers have shared how both breadth and depth of skills and knowledge enable their hires to better collaborate across different functions, domains and geographies,” said Prof Sun.

“Others attest to the importance of being able to connect the dots in new and unusual ways, or even uncover new dots – an important attribute to help business formulate more holistic solutions to the complex challenges they face,” he added.

Highlights of the fair

The fair saw participation from 64 companies, representing a wide spectrum of industries, from technology and finance to education, healthcare, and government agencies. Over 256 company representatives offered students insights into their respective industries, organisational cultures, and internship or full-time employment opportunities.

The event also featured a Career Access Networking session facilitated by the CFG Career Access Team that was specifically designed for students with special accessibility and educational needs. This initiative provided a more intimate and supportive environment for these students to network with eight inclusive employers and gain access to opportunities focused on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). In all, more than 90 conversations took place during the session with both employers and students giving the event a thumbs-up.

Prior to the fair, students had the opportunity to attend workshops organised by CHS and CFG on resume writing, interview skills and career networking. These sessions offered lessons on ways to leverage generative AI tools like ChatGPT to craft compelling resumes, optimise resumes for AI-powered applicant tracking systems commonly used by employers, harness platforms like LinkedIn to boost their chances of success at job search and application, and receive personalised feedback through one-on-one reviews with career advisors.

Rene Mah, a third-year CHS student who attended the fair said, “We may have a preconceived idea of what kinds of careers we want to go into (and) which industries we want to develop our careers in. It’s good to be able to come down and see for yourself what is available out there as you might find something new.”

The event proved equally valuable for the participating employers. Ms Li Sihong, an Early Careers Recruitment Specialist from biopharmaceutical firm GSK, said, “We were able to network with students face-to-face to share in greater detail what each job is about and help them navigate their options.”

The success of this year’s fair underscores the commitment of CHS to continuously enhance students’ career readiness, ensuring they are well-prepared for the demands of the modern workforce. Associate Professor Nicholas Hon, Vice Dean (External Relations and Student Life) at the NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences said that the value of an interdisciplinary CHS education cannot be overemphasised and as the career landscape evolves, events like the CHS Career & Internship Fair serve as a vital bridge between education and industry.

Assoc Prof Hon added, “All employers have one very simple objective, and that is they would like to hire the most capable and most competent people that they can find. NUS has a complementary goal. We want to offer the education that will produce people who are competent, capable and are highly competitive in the job market.”

By the NUS College of Humanities and Sciences

By Dr Lance Gore Liangping, Senior Research Fellow from the East Asian Institute at NUS

• Lianhe Zaobao, 4 October 2024, Opinion, p13

By Dr Chew Han Ei, Senior Research Fellow from the Institute of Policy Studies, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at NUS

• The Straits Times, 4 October 2024, Opinion, pB4

• 8world Online, 3 October 2024
• Lianhe Zaobao, 4 October 2024, Singapore, p6

Would you be a “successful ancestor”? This unusual poser presented at the distinguished keynote of the National University of Singapore (NUS) Cities Symposium 2024 drew laughter from the audience of more than 700 participants. But behind the light-hearted moment, the keynote speaker, Professor Brian Collins, Emeritus Professor of Engineering Policy at University College London, had a serious point to make. 

City planning is a long-term undertaking and responsibility, involving an overwhelming list of challenges from volatile global trade to technology changes. A “successful ancestor”, as such, is one who tackles these for posterity’s sake, he said.

Strategic city planning is key to solving these challenges, but it requires an intergenerational, multidisciplinary approach with partnerships between many stakeholders. This collaborative spirit was central to the discussion at the Symposium held on 18 September 2024, a highlight of the NUS Sustainability Connect Festival.

“Our cities should not just be liveable, but also sustainable to endure for generations to come, resilient to survive crises like COVID-19 and other upheavals,” said Professor Khoo Teng Chye, Director of NUS Cities, in his Welcome Address to an audience of industry practitioners, tertiary students, policymakers and academics gathered at the University Cultural Centre Ho Bee Auditorium. 

Navigating complex trade-offs in Singapore

City planning in the land-scarce Lion City is fraught with difficult decisions and trade-offs, noted Mr Desmond Lee, Minister for National Development and Minister-in-charge of Social Services Integration in his speech as the Symposium’s Guest-of-Honour. He underscored the competing housing and industry needs – “potentially unlimited wants” made even more challenging by the country’s small size.

“Our planners and policymakers do not have an easy task, but it is not impossible,” he said. “We must be able to turn challenges into opportunities.”

To achieve this, bold steps must be taken to ensure a more sustainable Singapore. One such measure, announced by Minister Lee in his speech, was a new initiative offering incentives for companies to adopt district cooling systems – a more energy-efficient alternative to individual buildings having their own chillers. 

He also emphasised the importance of a consultative approach, such as how the government is engaging the public in the URA Draft Master Plan 2025, which maps out Singapore’s land-use plans for the next 10 to 15 years.

Trust driven by data

This inclusive, data-driven style of policy-making would help build trust between a government and its people. And it is this tight social compact that will help cities weather crises, said Professor Lily Kong, President of the Singapore Management University.

Her keynote, the second of three Distinguished Keynotes of the day, explored how city planning is both a science and an art, requiring not just smart technologies but also social cohesion. “Relying on technology and infrastructure is critical, but it is not enough. Investment must be made in shoring up social resilience and community cohesion,” said Prof Kong.

Equally important is the collaboration between academia and the public sector. Data and science help to boost the credibility of policies, as discussed in the second plenary session, “How Can Our Cities Be Adapted for Climate Change?”, moderated by Assistant Professor Pearl Li from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at College of Design and Engineering (CDE) at NUS.

For instance, through the use of state-of-the-art sensors, Associate Professor Yuan Chao shared how even individual buildings in Singapore can be identified as hot spots. The Director of Research at NUS Cities also studies how heat affects vulnerable groups like the elderly, to achieve more inclusive and equitable climate action.

“By conducting this research, we provide deep climate science to support government planning and designs,” said Assoc Prof Yuan, who is also from the Department of Architecture at NUS CDE.

His points on public-private partnership built on what was discussed in an earlier plenary session, named after the Symposium’s theme of “Creating Liveable Cities in Uncertain Times”. 

“What data-driven, evidence-based climate action plans do is provide that data to cities and their leaders (to make decisions),” said panellist Ms Shruti Narayan, Managing Director of Regions and Mayoral Engagement, and Regional Director of South and West Asia at C40 Cities, a global network of about 100 city mayors. She added that a scientific breakdown of costs and benefits is especially useful when leaders weigh trade-offs, as “you can’t manage what you can’t measure”.

Planning today for a more sustainable tomorrow

Time is another key metric. Take, for example, Singapore’s commitment to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. To hit such targets, action at the city-planning level has to take place now.

The generational effects of city planning was a theme that echoed throughout the Symposium, from Prof Collins’ speech to the third plenary session on intergenerational equity in city planning – “Liveable Cities Which Are Healthy and Age-friendly: Dream or Reality”.

A thread running through the latter discussion was how to design a city that embraces ageing, especially with Singapore attaining “super-aged” status in 2026, when a fifth of the population will be 65 years old and above.

Associate Professor Emi Kiyota, Deputy Executive Director at the NUS Centre for Population Health and a faculty member of NUS CDE’s Department of Architecture, described how the built environment is a “manifestation of our minds” – that if society sees seniors merely as a vulnerable group to be looked after, it could perpetuate more facilities that may see them age in isolation instead of as part of the community. This insight underscores how city planning melds art and science, with social perceptions often shaping the infrastructure.

Vital to seniors thriving in society is the “20-minute town” concept, where amenities are close to homes, commutes to work take just 45 minutes, and nearby residential towns are only 20 minutes away – a topic discussed in the following plenary session “The 20-minute Town”.

The discussions aptly concluded with the Young Leaders Panel, which featured the likes of social media entrepreneur Kong Man Jing, an NUS Life Sciences alumna who is better known by her online persona “Biogirl MJ”, whose popular science channel dishes out fun facts on nature and biodiversity. 

Indeed, the NUS Cities programme aims to groom more leaders for a brighter future, having trained more than 4,000 NUS undergraduate students in city-planning skills so far. Prof Khoo added that NUS Cities is also planning for a Masters in Cities and an executive programme for city leaders like mayors.

“We hope to produce a pipeline of people who will be more ready to face the challenges of cities,” he said, envisioning a future generation of “successful ancestors”.

• The Straits Times, 3 October 2024, Singapore, pA28

By Assoc Prof Wee Hwee Lin, Director of the Centre for Health Intervention and Policy Evaluation Research, Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health at NUS

• Lianhe Zaobao, 1 October 2024, Opinion, p11

• The Straits Times Online, 27 September 2024

• Lianhe Zaobao, 27 September 2024, China, p17

• The Straits Times Online, 26 September 2024
• Lianhe Zaobao, 27 September 2024, Singapore, p12

By Prof Lawrence Loh, Director of the Centre for Governance and Sustainability at NUS Business School; and Ms Huang Minjun and Ms Sabrina Soon, Research Associates at the same centre

• The Business Times, 27 September 2024, Sustainability Impact Awards 2024, p3
• The Straits Times, 2 October 2024, Sustainability Impact Awards 2024, p3

By Muhammad Ilyia Kamsani, a master’s student from the Dept of Malay Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at NUS

• Berita Harian, 30 September 2024, p8

By Assoc Prof Wee Hwee Lin, Director of the Centre for Health Intervention and Policy Evaluation Research, Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health at NUS

• Lianhe Zaobao, 1 October 2024, Opinion, p11

• 8world Online, 30 September 2024
• Lianhe Zaobao, 1 October 2024, Business, p34

• 8world Online, 27 September 2024
• The Straits Times, 28 September 2024, The Big Story, pA6
• Lianhe Zaobao, 28 September 2024, Focus, p4
• Berita Harian, 28 September 2024, p4

• CNA Online, 27 September 2024
• Warna 94.2FM, 27 September 2024
• The Straits Times, 28 September 2024, The Big Story, pA6
• Lianhe Zaobao, 28 September 2024, Focus, p4
• Berita Harian, 28 September 2024, p2
• Tamil Murasu, 28 September 2024, p2

The NUS Chua Thian Poh Community Leadership Centre (CTPCLC) Symposium is an annual celebration of students’ work in the community. Its 12^th iteration, held on 21 September 2024, took the theme ‘Inclusive Communities’, underscoring the importance of fostering environments where all individuals, regardless of their background, can thrive and be full-fledged members of our community. This theme also reflects a growing recognition that inclusivity is not merely an idea but a necessary foundation for sustainable social development and cohesion.

Held in conjunction with NUS Homecoming 2024, the symposium attracted over 130 attendees comprising NUS students, alumni, staff, and partners; and featured insightful presentations, inspiring keynote speeches, an alumni panel discussion, and a mini graduation ceremony for students who completed their Certificate or Minor degrees in Community Development and Leadership at CTPCLC.

In his opening address, Guest-of-Honour, Mr Desmond Tan, Senior Minister of State, Prime Minister's Office and Deputy Secretary-General of the National Trade Union Congress, emphasised the importance of community inclusion and the role of educational institutions in fostering a spirit of care and support. Mr Tan urged attendees to champion causes and leverage digital tools to expand access for all. "Building an inclusive society requires intentional efforts to ensure that every part of our community is accessible to everyone," he said.

Advocacy and action

A highlight of the symposium was the presentation of four community projects spearheaded by students from CTPCLC, the College of Alice and Peter Tan (CAPT), and Residential College 4 (RC4):

● No Nation is an Island: Singaporean Weekenders and Home-Seekers in Johor Bahru 
The study by CTPCLC students Carin Chua (Arts and Social Sciences ‘24) and Ting Mei Ting (Arts and Social Sciences ‘25) found two major themes – expenses and escape – driving Singaporeans to travel frequently across the Johor-Singapore Causeway. They discussed the implication of these factors on future policies related to economics and the mental well-being of Singaporeans.

● Fieldwork to Enterprise: Mediating Role of Systems Thinking for Community Engagement in the Himalaya 
A project by RC4 students Noe Noe Su Aung (Business ‘23), Thangavel Jishnuanandh (Computing ‘25), Teo De Liang Ryan (Design & Engineering ‘26) and Tan Qing Heng (Business ‘26), they shared how they have empowered local communities and promoted responsible ecotourism in the region through the STEER Himalayas programme.

● Understanding Accessibility in Neighbourhood Spaces among Autistic Persons in Singapore
As part of their capstone, CAPT students Lim Yi Ann (Science ‘25), Lim Yi Leo (Arts and Social Sciences ‘23), Dean Woo (Arts and Social Sciences ‘25) and Celestine Tan Jing Xuan (Arts and Social Sciences ‘25) collaborated with Boon Lay Citizens’ Consultative Committee to explore the essential roles of caregivers, support networks, and social and environmental factors in shaping accessibility for autistic individuals.

● An Exploratory Study on Hatch’s Immersive+ Programme: Meeting the Needs and Impacting the Life Outcomes for School Dropouts
CTPCLC students Ashwin Pandiyan (Arts and Social Sciences ‘24), Goh Keng Swee Darren (Arts and Social Sciences  ‘24), Jerome Ong Yi Jie (Arts and Social Sciences ‘24) and Rachel Tee Xin Yi (Arts and Social Sciences ‘24) worked with Hatch, a social enterprise in Singapore to conduct a thematic analysis, during which they uncovered key insights into the youths’ most pressing needs and the factors influencing their life trajectories.

Adding to the significance of the day, the symposium featured two keynote speeches by CTPCLC alumni who shared their journeys and experiences in community service and leadership.

Mr Willoughby Niki Lee (Design & Engineering ‘22), a CTPCLC alumnus and founder of TinkerThings Global, delivered the opening keynote in which he shared his journey as a young community leader. He gave insights into creating a trustworthy digital ecosystem through innovation and collaboration, where everyone contributes their skills and time to building a resilient community.

Ms Cheong Ming Fang (Arts and Social Sciences ‘21), CTPCLC distinguished alumna and Community Development Manager at Ray of Hope, delivered the closing keynote where she discussed the importance of inclusive leadership and the need to amplify diverse voices in decision-making processes so that those on the margins can also have a say in shaping the future.

CTPCLC Instructor Ms Kuah Ting Ting moderated a lively panel discussion with three CTPCLC alumni – Pradnya Govind (Arts and Social Sciences ‘20), Goh Kher Liang (Arts and Social Sciences ‘21) and Daniel Lopez (Arts and Social Sciences ‘22). Hailing from the healthcare, philanthropy, and community development sectors, the group provided insights and engaged the audience in a thought-provoking dialogue on how to address systemic barriers and build inclusivity. Some ideas that were shared include, having community connectors bring in volunteer manpower and establishing a feedback loop system between citizens and policymakers to establish common ground.

Celebrating achievements

One of the most heart-warming moments of the event was the mini graduation ceremony for CTPCLC’s Class of 2024. Ms Chua Weiling, Director of Philanthropy at the Chua Foundation took the stage to congratulate the graduates and present them with a token to acknowledge their well-earned Certificates and Minor degrees in Community Development and Leadership.

Cheng Tian Wei, who was Valedictorian of the Class of 2024, said, “CTPCLC has been one of the most impactful experiences of my growing years; its people have taught me not just the skills needed in social development, but also the heart and posture needed in any area of the impact space.” Today, Tian Wei is part of the strategy branch of the Ministry of Social and Family Development, where he is pursuing his interest in community work.

“The symposium fostered a sense of unity and shared purpose. Our presenters spoke with such conviction about their community engagement projects; they engaged our hearts and minds, providing insights into experiences from the ground and from the corridors of government and philanthropy,” said CTPCLC’s Director Associate Professor Chng Huang Hoon, reflecting on the event.

“Our students and alumni have shown us what can be achieved when diverse groups come together with a shared vision of making a positive impact, and I’m so proud of them for their achievements and the profound impact they have made in our community,” she added.

By NUS Chua Thian Poh Community Leadership Centre 

The NUS Chua Thian Poh Community Leadership Centre offers both Certificate and Minor degrees in Community Development and Leadership. To date, 350 students have been awarded the Certificate in Community Development and Leadership and 41 of these students also received Minor degrees in Community Development and Leadership.

• CNA Online, 27 September 2024
• CNA Online, 27 September 2024
• The Straits Times, 28 September 2024, Singapore, pA16
• Lianhe Zaobao, 28 September 2024, Singapore, p8
• Tamil Murasu, 28 September 2024, p2
• The Business Times, 30 September 2024, p17

• The Straits Times, 28 September 2024, Singapore, pA18

As internet usage becomes an integral part of our daily lives, many people rely on various online sources for information. While the internet offers greater convenience and a wider range of news sources, the spread of false information has become one of the biggest challenges of this century, exacerbated by the rise of generative artificial intelligence. The spread of false information – whether in the form of mis-, dis- and mal-information (MDM) - can lead individuals and organisations to make harmful decisions, and has been shown to create societal divisions on critical and contentious issues.

A research team, comprising members from various faculties, including Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, NUS Business School, School of Computing, College of Design and Engineering, Faculty of Law, and Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, is addressing the issue of false information head-on through a programme known as Information Gyroscope (iGyro). This is a comprehensive five-year research initiative that seeks to identify and address vulnerabilities in the digital information pipeline, develop strategies to enhance digital resilience among online users, and promote behaviours that encourage engagement with trustworthy information. Led by Professor Chen Tsuhan, the interdisciplinary team of 40 researchers is committed to understanding and shaping the evolving digital information landscape.

“In aviation, a gyroscope provides stability and orientation guidance to maintain accurate control of an aircraft. Similarly, iGyro showcases our team's efforts to maintain stability in the face of a changing and chaotic information landscape. It also symbolises the interdisciplinary nature of the team, with expertise spanning disciplines such as social science, computer science, engineering, and law,” said Prof Chen.

Adopting a holistic three-layered framework, the iGyro team places understanding and shaping human behaviour at the core of their research. The next layer of their framework is the technology domain, which aims to understand the different stages of the digital information pipeline, from creation to dissemination to consumption. Finally, the outermost layer of their framework studies the potential impact of mitigation strategies as well as the roles regulations and policies used to deploy these strategies.

The iGyro team published a journal article in Digital Government: Research and Practice on 23 August 2024, which explained how the iGyro team has applied the three-layered framework to examine the lifecycle of content created by generative artificial intelligence, from creation to consumption. Placing a strong emphasis on human behaviour, the iGyro team highlighted vulnerabilities and advocated for adaptive and evidence-based policies to enhance information integrity and public trust in digital ecosystems.

Since its inception in 2023, the iGyro team has also made encouraging progress in developing tools to combat the spread of false information.

SNIFFER: A multimodal large language model to detect misinformation

Out-of-context misinformation, where authentic images are paired with false text that is not representative of the image, is one of the easiest and most effective ways to spread false information and mislead audiences. However, current technologies lack convincing explanations for their judgements, which is essential for debunking misinformation.

To tackle out-of-context misinformation, a team led by iGyro principal investigators Professor Wynne Hsu and Professor Lee Mong Li, who are from the NUS School of Computing, developed SNIFFER, a novel Multimodal Large Language Model (MLLM) designed to detect and explain out-of-context misinformation in images and captions.

SNIFFER uses a specialised artificial intelligence (AI) model to conduct a two-pronged analysis. The first step involves an internal check for consistency between the image and the caption. The second step draws information from external sources to examine the relevance between the context of the image and the provided caption. Based on the results of these two steps, SNIFFER will then determine the authenticity of the image-caption pair to arrive at a final judgement and an explanation of whether the pair is misleading or not.

SNIFFER has been found to surpass the performance of previous MLLM models by 40 per cent and carries out its misinformation detection tasks with higher accuracy compared to other state-of-the-art detection methods. The researchers hope that with further improvements, SNIFFER can be made available publicly to help users identify out-of-context information.

QACheck: A tool for question-guided fact-checking

The availability of reliable fact-checking tools is one way to combat the spread of false information. However, fact-checking through online sources involves a complex and multi-step reasoning process. Many existing fact-checking systems also lack transparency in their decision-making process, making it difficult for users to obtain a reasonable explanation for their conclusions.

To address this issue, iGyro principal investigator Associate Professor Kan Min-Yen, who is from NUS School of Computing, together with his research team, worked with international collaborators to develop the Question-guided Multihop Fact-Checking (QACheck) system, which steers the model's reasoning by posing a series of critical questions necessary for verifying a claim.

QACheck consists of five core modules: a claim verifier, question generator, question answering module, QA validator, and reasoner. Users can input a claim into QACheck, which then evaluates its accuracy and produces a detailed report outlining the reasoning process through a series of questions and answers. The tool also cites the sources of evidence for each question, promoting a transparent, explainable, and user-friendly fact-checking experience.

The team’s next step is to boost QACheck’s breadth and depth by integrating additional knowledge bases and incorporating a multi-model interface to support different data format, such as images, tables, and charts, to broaden the system’s ability to process and analyse these formats.

Mapping out global legislation implemented against fake news

As digital information sources become sophisticated and evolve rapidly, regulations and policies must adapt and keep up with this dynamic landscape.

A team led by iGyro principal investigator Professor Simon Chesterman, who is from the NUS Faculty of Law, created an interactive map of the global landscape of legislative efforts against fake news and misinformation to illustrate how laws aimed at addressing MDM have evolved globally from 1995 to 2023.

Notably, the team found that these laws were initially introduced in countries with fewer civil liberties, particularly in Africa and Asia. More recently, Asian nations have contributed significantly to the rise in such legislation, often granting greater powers to their governments. The team also found that the expansion of these laws has accelerated most rapidly in Western countries, including the United States, Canada, and the European Union.

Through this interactive map, the iGyro team hopes to conduct a more in-depth analysis of the types of laws that govern digital information, and the effectiveness of different approaches adopted by different countries to combat fake news. Valuable insights gained from their research would help shape future policies for all countries.

“We hope that by developing innovative tools, such as SNIFFER and QACheck, and analysing the global legislative landscape against fake news and misinformation to shape future policies, we can create a reliable digital information ecosystem and empower users to have a trustworthy internet to access information,” said Prof Chen.

• The Straits Times, 30 September 2024, Singapore, pA14
• Berita Harian, 1 October 2024, p4

• The Straits Times, 30 September 2024, Science, pA16 & pA17

• The Straits Times, 30 September 2024, Singapore, pA13
• The Straits Times, 30 September, Science, pA17

Music has been described as a universal language that transcends cultural and linguistic boundaries. Regardless of our backgrounds, we can all be moved to tears by the plaintive strains of a stringed instrument or stirred by the rhythmic beat of gongs and drums.

In 1973, UNESCO designated 1 October as International Music Day to celebrate the beauty and diversity of music and its power to unite people from diverse backgrounds. The day is an opportunity to explore music from other cultures and promote the UNESCO ideals of peace and understanding through a shared appreciation of music.

Today, NUS News explores a summer immersion programme that embraces the spirit of International Music Day by taking students on a journey into the world of Balinese music, dance, and theatre.

Sparking creative connections

Bali Regional Resonances is a two-week programme offered by the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music (YST) and open to all NUS students who have music training and an interest in learning about Balinese arts. The programme started in 2008 and ran annually for 11 years until the COVID-19 pandemic forced a hiatus.

When Professor Karst de Jong was tasked with reviving the programme in 2024, he approached it as a specialist in improvisation, which is the spontaneous composition of music through a combination of performance, emotions, instrumental technique, and interaction with other musicians. He saw value in helping the students not just learn to play the Balinese instruments, but also gain a deeper understanding of Balinese culture so they could meld the two musical styles creatively.

“We wanted to forge a real connection between the creative ideas of our students and the practice of making things in Bali,” Prof de Jong said. “Through talking to the locals, we came to the conclusion that the shadow puppet play (wayang kulit) would be a really great practice to combine those two things.”

Prof de Jong worked with non-governmental organisation Bali Jaladara to host the programme from 1 to 13 July 2024 in a small, tight-knit community where the students could experience the local way of life and learn various Balinese art forms. Almost every day, they spent about eight hours learning the art forms and collaboratively composing a wayang kulit performance that combined what they learnt with their existing musical training. The performance, presented at the end of the programme, featured both Balinese and Western instruments in the retelling of a traditional Balinese story about gods and demons.

A new learning experience

Unlike the methodical approach of Western music like following musical scores, Balinese music is taught through demonstration and imitation. This approach was challenging for many of the NUS students, and Neo Jie Ning, a third-year student majoring in Music, Collaboration and Production, shared that she initially took videos during lessons because she was worried about forgetting her parts.

However, she ended up not needing them when she followed the teachers’ advice to embrace more instinctual techniques like listening intently to her fellow musicians, visualising the ideas being conveyed by the music, and allowing muscle memory to take over.

Said Jellal Koay, a third-year Composition major: “If you come in with a mindset of ‘I need to write all of these down; these are the notes (the teachers) played,’ you will struggle. Whereas if you are just listening, looking at them, and being in the present, you learn faster.”

In addition to music, the students learnt dance and puppetry in a similar fashion by watching and imitating artists and teachers. Jellal observed that while the different art forms can be learnt in isolation, it is beneficial to learn them together for a deeper understanding and appreciation of each one because they overlap in many ways.

For example, the stop-start motions typical of wayang kulit puppets come from Balinese dance movements, and Balinese art performances often combine a variety of disciplines. The dalang or puppeteer who leads a wayang kulit performance multitasks to keep time, cue the musicians, manipulate and voice the puppets, and even adapt the play spontaneously according to the audience’s reactions.

“It is typical and even important for artists to be familiar with these different disciplines to attain fuller mastery and understanding of their craft,” noted Ong Ping Din, also a third-year Composition major.

The students experienced the arts in a broader context during several excursions, such as a visit to a temple’s anniversary celebration festival. There, they witnessed multiple performances of gamelan music, dances, and wayang kulit happening concurrently, reflecting the way the various art forms are closely intertwined in Balinese culture.

Gaining new perspectives

Prof de Jong hopes that Bali Regional Resonances will inspire more programmes that bring NUS musicians together and give them a new perspective on music through the rich cultures surrounding Singapore.

“There are lots of very proficient musicians in NUS, in engineering and in medical school and elsewhere, not just our conservatory students, and it’s really nice to make that connection with them,” he said.

He added: “I hope (such exposure) will create unique musicians coming from YST, because YST obviously is a conservatory in a Western model, but it's in Singapore. I think that our students should feel that this is different than what they would be studying in Germany, for example, and think: ‘There is something else going on here. What is my place here, and what am I going to do in my future with all these rich musical cultures around us? Am I just going to shut my eyes to these experiences and keep playing Mozart, or is there something meaningful that I take from that?’”

The benefits of immersing oneself in a different culture are many, from gleaning new creative ideas to broadening one’s view of a subject and discovering new ways of creating art.

For instance, living in the community gave students a glimpse into the Balinese people’s attitude towards the arts. They observed that local schoolchildren who came by to learn gamelan music did so casually and joyfully, without seeming to have an extrinsic motivation or end goal like winning a competition.

Said Gio Tan E Chuan, a second-year student majoring in Real Estate and Finance: “What they taught me was more about life than music, and that is about being grateful. I have never seen a group of happier kids, just being in each other’s company and playing good music together.”

Rather than focusing on performance excellence, the Balinese view of music is much broader, said Ping Din.

“Beyond just a means of providing entertainment or employment, the arts simply form an essential part of their daily lives, serving religious or secular functions in their rituals, ceremonies, and festivals,” he noted.

“This prompts me to think about my purpose as a Singaporean artist, in a society where art is not seen to serve ‘essential’ functions and is often conflated with discussions of career prospects. It would be meaningful to consider what art truly means to me, and how I could demonstrate to others the value of my work and artistic practice.”

• zbSunday, 29 September 2024, News, p19

• zbSunday, 29 September 2024, News, p16

• Lianhe Zaobao, 26 September 2024, Focus, p3

• Lianhe Zaobao, 26 September 2024, Singapore, p12

By Asst Prof Chetna Malhotra, Deputy Director (Research) at the Lien Centre for Palliative Care, Duke-NUS Medical School

• The Straits Times, 26 September 2024, Opinion, pB3

• 8world Online, 25 September 2024

A team of researchers from NUS Institute for Health Innovation & Technology (iHealthtech), led by Associate Professor Shao Huilin and Associate Professor Brian Lim, has developed a first-of-its-kind technology to map out diverse protein interactions in cells using DNA barcodes.

The technology, dubbed TETRIS, can explicitly identify and quantify multiple interacting partners in large protein assemblies. By capturing the complex hierarchy of protein interactions within tumour cells, the technology uncovers detailed molecular mechanisms driving disease progression. This enables more precise diagnostics, allowing for the accurate sub-typing of cancers and the identification of aggressive forms of the disease in just a few hours, which was not possible previously.

Further, TETRIS provides vital insights from which doctors can tailor therapeutic strategies to individual patients. For instance, identifying the specific proteins and their interactions that contribute to cancer growth can lead to targeted therapies that improve patient outcomes.

The team’s findings were published in the scientific journal Nature Biomedical Engineering on 19 June 2024. The first authors of the study are Dr Liu Yu and Dr Noah Sundah, both are research fellows from NUS iHealthtech.

Unmasking insidious cancer cells

Proteins are responsible for nearly all basic processes of life. Understanding how these building blocks of life interact with one another is a critical facet of biology and medicine. Indeed, proteins interact extensively with one another to drive important functions and activities in health and disease – deciphering these interactions can not only lead to better predictions of cell behaviour, but also have wide-ranging clinical applications, from improved disease diagnostics to developing more effective therapeutic strategies.

Current methods for studying these interactions, however, have limitations such as false results and incomplete profiling of protein interactions, among others. The gold-standard approach — yeast-two hybrid assays — requires genetic manipulation and is limited to pairwise binary interactions, rendering it unsuitable for clinical samples. Another common method — mass spectrometry-based proteomics — often misses weak interactions due to extensive sample processing and remains binary in its evaluation.

All in all, these methods fall short of capturing the full spectrum of protein interactions, particularly the higher-order ones where multiple proteins interact to form large functional assemblies; changes in higher-order protein interactions are often linked to more aggressive types of cancer.

The NUS researchers turned to DNA nanotechnology for a solution. “DNA is a programmable material and can be used to encode rich information while having predictable interactions, which enables us to craft sophisticated architectures with fine spatial control at the nanometre scale,” said Assoc Prof Shao, who led the design of TETRIS. She is also from the Department of Biomedical Engineering under the College of Design and Engineering at NUS.

Harnessing the advantages of DNA nanotechnology, TETRIS leverages hybrid molecular structures as smart encoders to map protein interactions directly in patient samples. Each encoder carries a target-recognising antibody and a templated DNA barcode. In action, the encoders not only bind to interacting proteins, but also have their barcodes fused bilaterally with that of their neighbouring units. The resultant barcodes thus capture all information – molecular identity and spatial relationship – and can be used to decode extensive protein interactions. Unlike current methods, TETRIS measures both pairwise and higher-order protein interactions, thereby providing a comprehensive picture of the complex protein interactome.

“Think of proteins as delegates at a scientific conference. Each delegate spots a name tag with a unique barcode. When they interact, or ‘shake hands’, TETRIS captures these interactions by linking their barcodes together. This creates a chain of interactions that we can subsequently read and decode via algorithms. Just like seeing who is chatting to whom at the conference, TETRIS enables us to see how proteins interact within cells, providing us with a lens through which we can understand and diagnose diseases more effectively,” said Assoc Prof Lim, who led the development of algorithms used to process the data collected by TETRIS. He is also from the Department of Computer Science under the NUS School of Computing.

A standout feature of TETRIS lies in its ability to perform on-site encoding and decoding of protein interactions directly in clinical samples. The technology has been tested on biopsies of human breast cancer tissues, from which it accurately diagnosed cancer subtypes and revealed higher-order protein interactions associated with cancer aggressiveness.

Transforming the future of healthcare

TETRIS provides a more detailed and accurate picture of the molecular underpinnings of diseases — a boon for cancer diagnostics and treatments. Changes in higher-order protein interactions, which are hallmarks of aggressive cancers, can be more easily detected, thus leading to more informed, personalised clinical decisions.

Additionally, TETRIS is designed with scalability and adaptability in mind. The technology can process a large number of samples and generate results quickly using existing laboratory infrastructure — allowing it to be integrated into routine clinical workflows with minimal disruption. For instance, the technology can be used in a doctor’s office, where samples obtained via fine-needle aspiration — a safer and minimally-invasive biopsy — can be rapidly analysed to inform treatment decisions.

The NUS researchers plan to expand the application of TETRIS to other types of cancers and neurological diseases, potentially paving the way for novel diagnostic tools and therapeutic interventions across a broad spectrum of illnesses. The team has filed two patents for the technology and hopes to commercialise the innovation.

It was a day of celebration for more than 2,100 alumni and friends who gathered for NUS Homecoming on 21 September 2024. Organised by the NUS Office of Alumni Relations, the event held at University Town allowed alumni to rediscover the campus and rekindle old friendships in an atmosphere that balanced fond memories with exciting new experiences. The half-day event was filled with engaging activities, making it a meaningful and joyous occasion for everyone involved.

The morning started with a lively panel discussion, “Legends in the Room: Turning 60 – Singapore at the Crossroads”, held at the Stephen Riady Centre. Distinguished speakers Professor Wang Gungwu (Arts ‘53, MA ‘56, Hon.Litt.D. ‘22), Mr Kishore Mahbubani (Arts and Social Sciences ‘71), Emeritus Professor Tan Tai Yong (Arts and Social Sciences ‘86, MA ‘89) and moderator Mr Soh Yi Da (Arts and Social Sciences and USP '14) delved into Singapore’s remarkable journey from a fledgling nation to a global powerhouse. The panel explored key challenges faced by Singapore and the strategic moves it needs to take to ensure future success.

Ms Anita Suresh (Science ‘00) shared her excitement about attending the session, which featured notable NUS alumni. “It's good to know how Singapore has progressed over the years as it turns 60 next year, and how we can continue progressing as a nation,” she said. As an alumni mentor, Ms Suresh was also intrigued by the electric race car on display as part of the College of Design and Engineering (CDE)’s Technology Showcase, noting that it helped her stay connected to what current NUS students are passionate about.

Diverse activities included tours of Residential College 4 and the Satellite Technology and Research Centre at CDE, a lecture on NUS wildlife, and a talk on successful negotiation strategies. The “Taking Your Career to the Next Level” and executive coaching workshops, conducted by the Centre for Future-ready Graduates, offered attendees practical career advice. Other events, such as the NUS College Annual Reunion and the Manila Alumni Network & Friends Gathering, provided an opportunity for reunion and connection.   

Mr Richard D. Tan (Public Policy ‘13), Chairperson of the Manila Alumni Network, noted that he “particularly enjoyed the opportunity to reconnect with fellow alumni, not only those from Manila but also fellow Filipinos based in Singapore. It was wonderful to share stories, network, and build a stronger sense of community. The event reinforced how NUS has brought together such a diverse and accomplished group of people.”

All-round fun for everyone

Carnival booths, start-up exhibitions, and interactive activities were a hit with the participants, creating unforgettable memories for alumni and their families. Kids had a blast on the bouncy castle and enjoyed special screenings of Kung Fu Panda 4 and The Garfield Movie, while adults participated in a wine appreciation workshop over at Town Plaza, where the atmosphere was electric with performances by talented alumni bands and groups. Alumni musicians from the University’s student arts groups comprising the Chinese Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, and Wind Symphony also took part in Orchestral Readings organised by the NUS Centre for the Arts, adding a touch of musical delight.

Mr Dave Jalpan (Engineering ‘11) was glad to attend Homecoming. A first-time attendee, he especially liked the many family-friendly activities on the programme. “It's good to come back to campus once in a while as it brings back fond memories of my student days here,” he shared. The event gave him the chance to reconnect with old friends while creating new memories with his loved ones.

At the NUS Homecoming Lunch, several milestones were celebrated: the 95th anniversaries of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, the Faculty of Dentistry, and the Faculty of Science; the 20th anniversary of Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy; and the 10th anniversaries of Ridge View Residential College and Residential College 4.

Ms Ovidia Lim-Rajaram (Arts and Social Sciences ‘89), NUS Chief Alumni Officer, emphasised the significance of events such as Homecoming in fostering a sense of community. “Homecoming is a wonderful opportunity for our alumni to return to campus and celebrate their shared bond with the University,” she said. Ms Lim-Rajaram also highlighted the success of the NUS Innovation Forum (NIF), launched last year as a global platform to engage alumni, academics and thought leaders on pressing issues. “We’ve already held the Forum in Manila and San Francisco, and next year, we plan to bring it to Vietnam, Japan and Indonesia,” she shared.

During the event, Professor Tan Eng Chye (Science ‘85), NUS President, acknowledged the growing demands of an increasingly interconnected and complex world. He emphasised how these changes also shape the evolving needs of the alumni community. “In July, we announced that NUS would provide a 40 per cent rebate on over 80 self-funded Master’s programmes for Singaporeans and Permanent Residents,” Prof Tan shared. “As more of our alumni seek to update their skills and embrace new career opportunities, we hope this initiative encourages you to return to NUS for your lifelong learning.” He also highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary learning to equip students to approach complex problems and adapt to changing industries.

From family fun at the carnival booths to thought-provoking talks and engaging performances, NUS Homecoming 2024 wrapped up on a high note as alumni reminisced about their student days and explored new interests. The lively atmosphere made it clear that NUS will always be a place to return to as the attendees look forward to more reunions and memories in the years to come.

By NUS Office of Alumni Relations

Five outstanding professors from NUS received the nation’s highest honours for scientists and engineers as a recognition of their outstanding achievements in their respective fields.

Organised by the National Research Foundation, Singapore (NRF), the President’s Science & Technology Awards (PSTA) honours the exceptional contributions of researchers based in Singapore who have also helped to advance the country’s strategic research priorities.

At a ceremony held on 27 September 2024, President of Singapore Tharman Shanmugaratnam presented the President’s Science Award to Professor Liu Bin, Tan Chin Tuan Centennial Professor as well as Deputy President (Research and Technology) at NUS. The PSA recognises accomplishments generally acknowledged by other Science and Technology (S&T) practitioners as being significant and impactful to their field.

Professor Ho Teck Hua, NUS University Professor and President of the Nanyang Technological University, was conferred the President’s Science and Technology Medal (PSTM) by President Tharman. This prestigious award is presented to individuals who have made distinguished, sustained and exceptional contributions, and play a strategic role in advancing Singapore’s development through the promotion and management of S&T.

Three research stars at NUS received the Young Scientist Award (YSA) from Mr Heng Swee Keat, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of NRF. These highly accomplished scientists are:  Associate Professor Lu Jiong from the Department of Chemistry at the NUS Faculty of Science; Associate Professor Daniel Ting Shu Wei from the Singapore National Eye Centre, Duke-NUS Medical School, and the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the College of Design and Engineering; and Assistant Professor Li Qianxiao from the Department of Mathematics at the NUS Faculty of Science.

The YSA is awarded to researchers aged 40 years and below who are actively engaged in R&D in Singapore, and who have shown great potential to be world-class researcher in their fields of expertise. It is administered by the Singapore National Academy of Science and supported by NRF.

These awards, won by individual researchers and administrators in fields as diverse as organic functional materials and ophthalmology, demonstrate the strength of NUS’ research communities and commitment to scientific excellence.

The five award-winning scientists, with the support of their colleagues and institutions, have helped to push the boundaries in their respective fields, creating profound value and impact for both NUS and Singapore.

2024 President’s Science Award Recipient: Professor Liu Bin

NUS Tan Chin Tuan Centennial Professor Liu Bin is this year’s sole winner of the President’s Science Award (PSA). She received this prestigious accolade for her team’s breakthrough discovery of the role of carbazole isomers in room temperature phosphorescence of carbazole, an organic semiconductor, resolving a 95-year debate in the field.

The findings on carbazole isomer subsequently inspired Prof Liu’s team to develop an iso-structural doping strategy that captures and uses triplet state excitons efficiently to produce new materials with bright luminescence and long-lasting emission. This approach opens up possibilities in naked-eye sensing, afterglow devices, optical data encryption, and advanced medical diagnostics and treatments.

“I take great pride in the training I received at NUS,” said Prof Liu who received her PhD in Chemistry from NUS before her postdoctoral training at the University of California at Santa Barbara. She joined the University as an Assistant Professor in late 2005. She became a full professor in 2016 and is currently NUS Deputy President (Research and Technology). She is also a faculty member of the University’s Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering in the College of Design and Engineering.

“I am fortunate to work alongside very talented PhD students and postdoctoral fellows in my research group. I am grateful for their strong contributions to our success and deeply appreciate the unwavering support of my colleagues and international collaborators. I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to my mentors for their invaluable coaching and guidance, which have inspired me to pursue excellence in both research and administration.”

An internationally acclaimed leader in the field of organic functional materials, Prof Liu has been highly recognised for her contributions in polymer chemistry and applications of organic nanomaterials for biomedical, environmental and energy research.

In honour of her exceptional performance in research, education and service, Prof Liu has been elected to the US National Academy of Engineering, Singapore National Academy of Sciences, Asia-Pacific Academy of Materials, the Academy of Engineering Singapore and the Royal Society of Chemistry. She has also received many prestigious awards, both locally and overseas.

Prof Liu is especially passionate about nurturing the next generation of research leaders and encouraging more women to pursue careers in science and engineering. As the first female individual winner of the PSA since it was first given out in 2009, Prof Liu is conscious that receiving the nation’s highest honour for scientific achievement represents a milestone not just for herself or the University, but for everyone in the scientific field.

“Being a scientist is great,” she said, “but life is more rewarding if we can elevate others. I am motivated to build a more conducive research environment to help my colleagues excel.”

Read the full citation here.

2024 President’s Science & Technology Medal Recipient: Professor Ho Teck Hua

NUS University Professor Ho Teck Hua and current President of the Nanyang Technological University was awarded the President’s Science and Technology Medal (PSTM) for his profound impact on the science and technology landscape in Singapore especially in nurturing a pipeline of top talent, fostering interdisciplinary research, and building national R&D ecosystems.

At NUS, Prof Ho served two roles, as the Deputy President of Research and Technology from 2015 to 2018, and later, Senior Deputy President and Provost from 2018 to 2023. The university saw remarkable growth and expansion during these years. In 2016, he was appointed the founding Executive Chairman of AI Singapore, to lead the nation’s nascent efforts in artificial intelligence. In 2023, Prof Ho assumed the role of the fifth president of NTU.

An NUS alumnus, Prof Ho’s most significant contribution to Singapore was the creation of a strong pipeline of talent in science and technology. He is also a strong believer in interdisciplinary research, having led the creation of the College of Design and Engineering (CDE) at NUS through a merger of the Faculty of Engineering and the School of Design and Environment. Today, CDE champions research that cuts across multiple disciplines and offers an enriching interdisciplinary education.

“Our universities work very hard to attract and embrace both young talent and stars from around the world,” said Prof Ho. “Our goal is to support and empower our researchers to create solutions that will make the world a better place and improve the lives of Singaporeans.”

“My dream,” he added, “is to produce some Nobel prize and Turing Award winners for Singapore.”

Read the full citation here.

2024 Young Scientist Award Recipient: Associate Professor Lu Jiong

Assoc Prof Lu Jiong, from the Department of Chemistry at the NUS Faculty of Science, received the YSA for developing novel catalysts that significantly advance sustainable chemical manufacturing processes. 

Assoc Prof Lu, who is also a Principal Investigator at the NUS Institute for Functional Intelligent Materials and an NUS alumnus, works at the forefront of next-generation materials and catalytic technologies, focusing on achieving atomic-level precision and high sustainability. His pioneering work promises significant economic and environmental benefits, particularly in transforming manufacturing processes in the fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals industries.

These industries are major sources of air pollution, with some studies showing that the carbon footprint of the pharmaceutical industry surpasses that of the automotive industry. Currently, the catalysts used in these industries face several challenges, including high production costs, difficulties in separation and reuse, and the risk of harmful metal contamination.

Under Assoc Prof Lu’s leadership, his team developed advanced catalysts that not only achieved significantly higher yields and greater efficiency, but also saw a remarkable 10-fold reduction in environmental impact and production cost compared to conventional options.

Assoc Prof Lu is also dedicated to nurturing the next generation of researchers. Several members of his team have since established successful careers in other prestigious institutions, emerging as influential leaders in their respective fields. 

“I am deeply grateful for the PhD training I received at NUS, which provided a solid foundation for my academic career and helped me gain a deeper understanding of the research ecosystem here,” he shared.

“Being closely connected with NUS, I feel a strong sense of responsibility to contribute to its research excellence and global impact. I am also truly honoured to receive this award, which recognises my team’s efforts and encourages me to continue driving innovation to position NUS – and Singapore – as a leader in the field.”

Read the full citation here.

2024 Young Scientist Award Recipient: Associate Professor Daniel Ting Shu Wei

Assoc Prof Daniel Ting, from the Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC) and Duke-NUS Medical School, received the YSA for his work in harnessing artificial intelligence in ophthalmology to prevent blindness.

Assoc Prof Ting’s approach to research combines cutting-edge AI technologies with practical clinical applications, seeking to reduce the global burden of eye and systemic vascular diseases. His AI research innovations have extended to pixel-based imaging areas such as diabetic eye diseases, myopia, chronic kidney disease, generative AI for structured data, medical imaging, and large language models for electronic health records. He is also a strong advocate for safe and responsible AI, data and AI safety using privacy enhancing technologies, and AI thought leadership and community practice building. These advancements are not only implemented in clinical, research and educational settings but are also transitioning into new start-ups and licensing agreements, broadening their impact.

His current passion is to develop resource-efficient consumers centric generative AI agents for clinical care, clinical trials matching, remote monitoring, and AI-based health coach, to help manage sick care and well care for Singaporeans and global populations.

Assoc Prof Ting aims to position Singapore’s research, innovation, and startup ecosystems at the global landscape, particularly in AI and digital health. This is reflected in his complementary roles in research, clinical, and policy at Duke-NUS, SNEC, and as the Director of the AI Office at SingHealth. He currently holds other appointments at the Department of Biomedical Engineering in the College of Design and Engineering at NUS, as well as Stanford University.

Assoc Prof Ting also prioritises mentoring the next generation of researchers, with a particular emphasis on fostering innovation and collaboration across scientific, healthcare, and academic institutions.

Read the full citation here.

2024 Young Scientist Award Recipient: Assistant Professor Li Qianxiao

Asst Prof Li Qianxiao, from the Department of Mathematics at the NUS Faculty of Science, was awarded the YSA for his innovative work on the mathematical foundations of deep learning, its connections with dynamical systems, and applications in AI for science.

Asst Prof Li pioneered the understanding of how expressiveness – the ability to learn arbitrary relationships – arises in deep neural networks. Together with his research team, they revealed the intricate connections between this modern technology and classical mathematics. This has not only improved our understanding of how and when deep learning works, but also how to systematically improve its performance in new application settings.

“Machine learning research is a fast-moving field, and we have witnessed rapid developments in the last 10 years, from classical supervised learning to modern foundation models. Yet, some fundamental questions remain unsolved, and many of them are mathematical in nature,” said the Presidential Young Professor who joined NUS in 2019. Asst Prof Li is also a Principal Investigator at the NUS Institute for Functional Intelligent Materials.

Asst Prof Li’s work is highly interdisciplinary, and he has published in leading journals spanning the fields of mathematics, computer science, and the sciences. “One important advice I have received was from my PhD advisor, Prof E Weinan, from Princeton University. He held the firm view that applied mathematics research must be connected to the broader scientific community,” he shared.

“This principle has driven my research since, and reminded me that I must constantly learn from and talk with scientists from other fields to formulate good research questions,” he said. “NUS has provided me with the opportunity, resources, and freedom to pursue research in my areas of interest, for which I am very grateful.”

Read the full citation here.

By Dr Lance Gore Liangping, Senior Research Fellow from the East Asian Institute at NUS

• Lianhe Zaobao, 20 September 2024, Opinion, p20

Picture this – in a hospital ward, a patient sits propped up in his bed, his tray of food mostly untouched, his appetite diminished by medication and the weight of illness. The cold food is then taken away by a nurse, ready to be discarded.

This scenario, while unfortunate, is a common issue in Singapore hospitals, where food wastage is a major concern due to factors such as poor patient appetite, limited dietary selection and inconducive eating environments.

Brainstorming ways to address this problem was the focus of this year’s CHS Case Competition, an annual event organised by the NUS College of Humanities and Sciences (CHS). The winning team, made up of students from disciplines such as Pharmaceutical Science and Business, came up with the idea of interactive bowl designs and gamification to tackle patient food leftovers, particularly among elderly patients.

This year’s competition was organised in partnership with Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH), Centre for Healthcare Innovation and Boston Consulting Group, with sponsorship from Moderna. The competition was open to all NUS students, with each team comprising at least one CHS student – a competition prerequisite. 

In his address to the 13 finalist teams, Professor Lionel Wee, Co-Dean of CHS and Dean of the NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences noted that the CHS Case Competition is a platform for students to assemble teams with diverse expertise and apply curriculum learning to formulate interdisciplinary solutions to real-world issues.

He said, “Your collective journey as a team has equipped you with invaluable soft skills such as effective communication, consensus building, resourcefulness and the art of presenting and public speaking. These are indispensable lifelong skills and will serve as building blocks for your enduring professional success.”

Building their cases against food waste

To better understand the food wastage problem in TTSH, the students attended a seminar organised by the hospital, where they learnt about the current measures employed to minimise wastage and feedback from patients about their meals. A group of professors from NUS College of Design and Engineering, NUS Business School and the NUS Centre for English Language Communication also organised a series of workshops for students to delve into the intricacies of food wastage and upcycling, supply chain inventory management in the healthcare sector, as well as business case writing and presentation techniques. Students also gained insights into Moderna’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) initiatives.

Building on the knowledge gleaned, the finalist teams devised innovative solutions that involved technology, AI and even psychology, impressing the judges with their creativity in tackling the problem.

Bowled over by the winning pitch 

Winning third place and S$1,000 was Team7 whose proposal “Every Meal Counts” targets patient leftovers and excess food surplus in hospitals through a closed-loop solution where patients first order their preferred meals through an app connected to a centralised kitchen and later complete satisfaction surveys to help hospitals better predict their meal preferences.

Second place and S$1,500 went to the team, School of Avocadoes, who called for a three-pronged solution – a food ordering app for patient meal customisation, the use of predictive modelling to optimise buffer meal quantities and the adoption of Modified Atmosphere Packaging technology to extend the shelf life of buffer meals.

Delivering the winning pitch and taking home S$2,000 was Team Pharma X with their “Bowl Bonuses” proposal that aims to reduce food leftovers by elderly patients with poor appetites. By offering meals in “interactive” bowls painted with local cultural designs such as ang ku kueh and iced gem biscuits at the bottom, the team hopes to encourage patients to finish their meals. Those who do so are rewarded with lucky draws to win practical prizes – such as supermarket and retail vouchers or public transport credits – that can be used upon their discharge from the hospital.

Dr Jeannie Tey, Director of Corporate Planning and Chief Sustainability Officer at TTSH, who was part of the panel of judges at the finals, highlighted how Team Pharma X’s proposal demonstrated strong real-world feasibility as it leveraged existing manpower and workflows.

She shared, “Pharma-X emerged as the winning entry by delivering a comprehensive analysis of the problem statement, supported by a clear and compelling rationale for their solution. Their approach skilfully integrated behavioural economics, a structured rewards system, and elements of gamification, making the solution not only practical but also engaging and human-centric.”

Year 3 Pharmaceutical Science student, Xu Qi, who was part of Team Pharma X said, “The competition focused on reducing food waste in hospitals as part of broader ESG efforts, a topic that requires solutions rooted in both business strategy and healthcare knowledge. We learnt that reducing waste in a hospital setting must be balanced with careful attention to patients' nutritional needs, an insight that shaped our solution. This practical knowledge not only enhanced our project but also gave us a deeper appreciation for the real-world implications of our ideas.”

Xu Qi said a key takeaway from this experience is the importance of teamwork and integrating insights across fields to address complex challenges effectively. He also expressed his team’s appreciation for the organisers’ efforts in preparing the teams with workshops on public speaking and presentation skills as this helped ensure they communicated their ideas clearly and confidently. The seminars with healthcare professionals from TTSH were also invaluable as they revealed the intricate relationship between food waste and patient care.

Associate Professor Chng Shu Sin, Vice Dean of Student Life and Alumni Relations at the NUS Faculty of Science, noted that this year’s competition received 78 submissions – the highest since the competition began in 2021. He acknowledged that this was due in part to the interesting problem statement that TTSH came up with.

Assoc Prof Chng said, “The cases are evidence-based and also very interdisciplinary which highlights the gist of what the CHS competition is about. Hopefully, Tan Tock Seng Hospital will see the value in some of these cases and mix and match them into a good solution to deal with food wastage in the hospital.”

By Assoc Prof Michael Dunn from the Centre for Biomedical Ethics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at NUS; Dr Kathryn Muyskens, Research Fellow; and Mr Harsh Hiwase all from the same centre

• CNA Online, 20 September 2024

• The Straits Times, 25 September 2024, Singapore, pA19
• Berita Harian 26 September 2024, p4

• Lianhe Zaobao, 25 September 2024, Fukan, p3

By Prof Sing Tien Foo, Provost’s Chair Professor from the Dept of Real Estate at NUS Business School

• The Business Times, 25 September 2024, p14

By Dr Woo Jun Jie, Senior Lecturer at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at NUS

• CNA Online, 25 September 2024

• CNA, 24 September 2024
• The Straits Times, 25 September 2024, Singapore, pA19
• Lianhe Zaobao, 25 September 2024, Singapore, p6

• Suria News Online, 18 September 2024
• The Straits Times, 19 September 2024, Singapore, pA19
• The Business Times, 19 September 2024, p17
• Lianhe Zaobao, 19 September 2024, Singapore, p6
• Berita Harian, 19 September 2024, p2
• Tamil Murasu, 19 September 2024, p2

• The Straits Times Online, 19 September 2024
• TODAY, 19 September 2024
• CNA Online, 19 September 2024
• 8world Online, 19 September 2024
• Suria News Online, 19 September 2024
• The Straits Times, 20 September 2024, The Big Story, Front Page and pA2
• Capital 95.8FM, 19 September 2024
• Lianhe Zaobao, 20 September 2024, Focus, Front Page
• Berita Harian, 20 September 2024, Front Page and p5
• Tamil Murasu, 20 September, Front Page

• The Straits Times, 19 September 2024, Singapore, pA18

By Mr Jonathan Sim, Assoc Fellow of the NUS Teaching Academy and Lecturer in the Dept of Philosophy, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at NUS

• CNA Online, 19 September 2024

• Lianhe Zaobao, 24 September 2024, Singapore, p6

By Dr Carol Soon, Principal Research Fellow from the Institute of Policy Studies, Lee Kwan Yew School of Public Policy at NUS, and Principal Investigator from the Centre for Trusted Internet and Community at NUS, and Ms Samantha Quek, Research Assistant from the Institute of Policy Studies, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at NUS

• The Straits Times, 23 September 2024, Opinion, pB1-B2

By Ivan Seow Sze Minn, a first-year student from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at NUS

• Lianhe Zaobao, 23 September 2024, Opinion, p16

• Berita Harian, 23 September 2024, p13

• Berita Harian, 21 September 2024, p7

• The Straits Times, 21 September 2024, Life, pC2-C3

• Lianhe Zaobao, 21 September 2024, Singapore, p10

• CNA Online, 20 September 2024
• The Straits Times, 21 September 2024, Singapore, pA17
• Lianhe Zaobao, 21 September 2024, Singapore, p7

• CNA Online, 20 September 2024
• Suria News Online, 20 September 2024
• The Straits Times, 21 September 2024, Singapore, pA18

• 8world Online, 20 September 2024
• The Straits Times, 21 September 2024, Business, pA24
• Lianhe Zaobao, 21 September 2024, Singapore, p7

By Jerelynn Ng, a third-year student from the Dept of Psychology, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at NUS

• TODAY, 20 September 2024

Three NUS researchers have been commended on the 2024 edition of the MIT Technology Review Innovators Under 35 (TR35) Asia Pacific list in recognition of their remarkable accomplishments and contributions to the progress of science and technology.

The 35 honourees were introduced and conferred their awards at the Meet TR35 Summit 2024 during the 17th Pujiang Innovation Forum held on 9 September 2024. The TR35 Asia Pacific list recognises these young science and technology trailblazers who have shown exceptional innovation and entrepreneurial acuity, and whose discoveries are expected to have profound impact in their respective fields.

These luminaries were honoured under five categories: Inventors who develop new technologies and startups; Pioneers who advance fundamental research; Entrepreneurs who launch tech ventures; Humanitarians who use technology to enhance opportunities or advocate policies; and Visionaries who discover new applications for existing technologies.

Assistant Professor Tan Yong Zi: Pushing the boundaries of protein structure imaging for potential drug targets

Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) is a remarkable tool that allows scientists to view the intricate landscape of the microscopic world. It provides detailed 3D images of the molecular components of the cell, such as its DNA, RNA, and proteins. Capturing these snapshots can reveal key information about how these components interact and function in different diseases.

Using innovative cryo-EM methods, Assistant Professor Tan Yong Zi and his team from the Department of Biological Sciences under the NUS Faculty of Science constructed and revealed the protein atomic structure models that are the key to understanding the evolution of organisms, how diseases spread, and how to design targeted drugs against these diseases.

Asst Prof Tan earned a spot on this year’s TR35 Asia Pacific list as an Inventor for his cutting-edge discoveries that helped to refine cryo-EM methods for protein structure analysis.

Asst Prof Tan and his collaborators pioneered the tilted data collection strategy to capture more views of protein samples with preferred orientation problems. This strategy allowed him to solve the structures of 14 different bacterial ribosomal intermediates that can be targeted for antibiotic development. To diagnose the degree of preferred orientation present in a protein sample, Asst Prof Tan and his collaborators also developed a software, called 3DFSC, which is now an online web server widely used by structural biologists around the world.

Asst Prof Tan co-developed Back-it-up, a novel open-source cryo-EM grid freezing device that can be built at a fraction of the cost of conventional freezing device and is able to do time-resolved cryo-EM experiments. He and his collaborators also demonstrated that applying a mathematical correction called the Ewald diffraction sphere curvature correction was crucial for achieving high resolution in cryo-EM images of an adenovirus capsid sample.

“I am deeply honoured to receive this award, and I would like to acknowledge the continual support from my lab members, collaborators, mentors and NUS that has made this possible. I am also heartened to see that methods development is being recognised as an important pillar for advancing scientific progress,” said Asst Prof Tan.

Assistant Professor Zhu Di: Innovating the future of scalable quantum computing

Quantum information processing exploits the laws of quantum physics and can potentially revolutionise modern society by solving complex problems in areas such as cybersecurity and drug discovery. However, building practical-scale quantum systems to solve real-world problems still faces formidable challenges.

Asst Prof Zhu Di, who holds appointments in both the Department of Materials Science and Engineering under the College of Design and Engineering as well as the Centre for Quantum Technologies at NUS, is dedicated to developing scalable hardware for photonic quantum information processing. He was recognised on this year’s TR35 Asia Pacific list as an Inventor for his important contributions in two technical platforms, superconducting nanowire detectors and lithium niobate photonics, to promote the construction of practical-scale quantum processors.

The advancements made by Asst Prof Zhu and his team have significantly expanded the functions and performance of these two technical platforms which have a direct impact on a wide range of photon applications in quantum processing.

Asst Prof Zhu plans to lead his team to continue developing new integrated photonic devices and collaborate with chip manufacturing platforms to explore new material systems and achieve wafer-level fabrication of quantum photonic integrated circuits.

Asst Prof Zhu said, “I’m honoured to be named on the MIT TR35 Asia Pacific list and would like to thank my mentors, collaborators, and team members who have made this possible. My team and I will continue developing innovative solutions to address critical challenges in quantum technologies.”

Adjunct Assistant Professor Ady Suwardi: Revolutionising thermoelectric technology for sustainable and renewable energy sources

Finding alternative energy sources and reducing energy consumption have become top priorities for many countries globally, owing to the negative environmental impacts of traditional energy sources, such as fossil fuels and oil. Thermoelectric technologies, a culmination of efficient, clean and sustainable methods to achieve renewable energy from heat, have garnered growing attention from the scientific community.

Working at the forefront to improve the performance of thermoelectric materials is Adjunct Assistant Professor Ady Suwardi from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering under the College of Design and Engineering at NUS. He has achieved a spot on this year’s TR35 Asia Pacific list as a Visionary for his research focusing on discovering ways to recycle discarded electronic products and devices, such as solar panels, into useful thermoelectric materials and devices to harness heat to produce electricity.

Adj Asst Prof Suwardi and his team proposed an innovative method to convert recycled non-purified silicon solar cells into valuable thermoelectric materials. By introducing phosphorus and germanium doping, they achieved materials with high thermoelectric performance. This breakthrough facilitates the development of sustainable thermoelectric devices as a source of renewable energy.

Adj Asst Prof Suwardi also holds a position as Assistant Professor in the Department of Electronic Engineering at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Adj Asst Prof Suwardi said, “Being commended on the TR35 Asia Pacific list has provided me a platform to spread awareness on the potential of thermoelectric technology and exchange ideas with peers across the region. I am very honoured and fortunate to be among the 35 young innovators recognised in this year's list, and I look forward to contributing more impactful works in the years to come."

NUS has inked a series of strategic Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with industry and academic partners in Vietnam, marking a new milestone in strengthening the University’s contributions to academic advancement and economic development in Vietnam.

Three MOUs were signed between NUS, Becamex IDC Corporation (Becamex), and the Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park (VSIP) on 18 September 2024 to promote joint initiatives for strengthening Vietnam’s workforce and enhancing its economic competitiveness, particularly in the Binh Duong province in southern Vietnam. The MOUs were signed by NUS Deputy President (Academic Affairs) and Provost Professor Aaron Thean; Chief Executive Officer of Becamex Mr Pham Ngoc Thuan; and General Director of VSIP Mr Nguyen Phu Thinh, at a ceremony held at Binh Duong New City, during a visit by the NUS delegation led by Prof Thean.

These MOUs formalised the partnership between three NUS units and the Eastern International University (EIU), which has been appointed by Becamex and VSIP to undertake the collaborative programmes with NUS for accelerating digital transformation, advancing medical education, and driving research and innovation across Vietnam.

On 19 September 2024, NUS also signed an MOU with Van Lang University (VLU) in Ho Chi Minh City, establishing a partnership to foster deeper collaborations in education and research in a range of academic areas. The MOU was signed by President of VLU, Associate Professor Tran Thi My Dieu, and Prof Thean in a ceremony attended by senior leadership and representatives from both universities.

Highlighting the significance of these strategic partnerships to advance digital skills, research, and innovation in Vietnam, Prof Thean shared, “By integrating advanced research and innovation with continuing education and talent development, we are equipping students and professionals in Vietnam with critical competencies to thrive in the new digital era. The partnerships with Becamex and VSIP underscore NUS’ commitment to drive digital transformation and make an impact beyond Singapore and across the region.” 

“We are delighted to partner with VLU in this collaborative effort, which embodies our commitment to fostering innovation and advancing education. This partnership draws upon NUS’ research knowledge and expertise in advanced semiconductor chip design and process technology research, on top of digital technology and transformation which will equip students with the necessary skills for the future workplace,” said Prof Thean. “This partnership highlights the power of cooperation in driving progress towards academic excellence and creating meaningful opportunities in nurturing our students from both countries.”

Partnering to boost educational advancement and economic growth

NUS-ISS, which provides graduate education, executive education programmes, consultancy and research services in digital technology, has established a five-year partnership with EIU to boost digital skills within enterprises in Vietnam. Commencing in a pilot phase offering courses for Becamex executives in the areas of Digital Leadership and Generative AI among others, the programme could be expanded to provide additional training for managerial and executive levels, with the aim of equipping local enterprises with the critical skills to navigate and thrive in an increasingly digital economy.

Central to this initiative will be the creation of a co-branded Digital Skills Academy to facilitate large-scale training, where NUS-ISS will provide consultancy and license its digital skills programmes, as well as provide Train-the-Trainer sessions to ensure effective delivery of these courses by local educators.

EIU will also collaborate with the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (NUS Medicine) to advance medical education and research through a five-year partnership aiming to foster joint research initiatives, enrich educational programmes, and spur innovations in healthcare practices. This new MOU builds on the existing five-year partnership between NUS Medicine and EIU established in 2023, which focused on nursing education and academic research. EIU and NUS Medicine will engage in joint training programmes, faculty development activities, and academic events such as seminars and conferences in Nursing. Additionally, there are plans to explore the creation of a new medical school and simulation teaching facilities in Vietnam.

The third MOU between NUS and EIU establishes a five-year collaboration to advance education and research in Smart Industries and Digital Transformation. Leveraging the expertise of the NUS School for Continuing and Lifelong Education and College of Design and Engineering at NUS, the partnership will focus on creating reskilling and upskilling programmes for Industry 4.0. The three partners will engage in joint training and research initiatives and enhance student mobility through new international programmes. NUS will also provide advisory support for developing state-of-the-art laboratory facilities to bolster cutting-edge research and education.

Commenting on the new collaborations, Becamex Chairman Mr Nguyen Van Hung said, “The strategic partnership with NUS marks a key milestone in strengthening ties between Binh Duong and Singapore, driving long-term cooperation in digital capabilities, scientific research, technological innovation, and human resource development, which are essential to realizing the province’s vision for the future.”

University collaborations for academic excellence

In the collaboration between NUS and VLU, both universities have committed to several key initiatives including the development of reskilling and upskilling programmes focused on integrated circuit design and semiconductor technology, as well as joint training and research initiatives in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The partnership will facilitate the exchange of academic information and resources between the two universities, further expanding mobility programmes for undergraduate and postgraduate students. Additionally, NUS will provide advisory services to VLU on the development of state-of-the-art laboratory systems. This strategic partnership represents a significant step forward in international cooperation for both universities and creates fresh opportunities for Van Lang University’s School of Technology (VLTECH).

President of VLU Associate Professor Tran Thi My Dieu remarked, “The collaboration between NUS and VLU will deliver substantial benefits to students, faculty, and the workforce through joint academic and research efforts.” She further noted, “We have established key initiatives aimed at advancing VLU’s training programmes, enriching student experiences, and improving employability outcomes.”

Advancing ongoing alliances with partners in Vietnam  

NUS has plans to expand ongoing collaborations with partners in Vietnam, such as the Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCMC), where pathways are currently available for eligible VNU-HCMC undergraduates to advance into graduate education at NUS. 

“We are also keenly pursuing new opportunities with the Vietnam National University-Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCMC), an important university partner where we currently support their top-performing undergraduates for accelerated graduate studies at NUS, to collaborate in Industry 4.0 training and joint research across strategic areas such as digital technology, AI, fintech, semiconductors, sustainability, and healthcare, and development of leadership training programmes centred on digital transformation, urban solutions, and policy analysis,” said Prof Thean.

By Dr Mathew Mathews, Head of Social Lab and Principal Research Fellow from the Institute of Policy Studies, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at NUS

• The Straits Times, 18 September 2024, Opinion, pB4

By Dr Samer Elhajjar, Senior Lecturer from the Dept of Marketing at NUS Business School

• CNA Online, 18 September 2024

By Mr Carl Skadian, Senior Associate Director from the Middle East Institute at NUS

• CNA Online, 18 September 2024

Researchers from the Mechanobiology Institute (MBI) at NUS and the NUS Bia-Echo Asia Centre for Reproductive Longevity and Equality (ACRLE), based at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (NUS Medicine), have developed an innovative technique to significantly enhance the reproductive potential of aged oocytes, or immature egg cells, potentially paving the way for better outcomes of assisted reproductive technologies, such as in-vitro fertilisation (IVF), for older females. The team demonstrated the rejuvenation of oocytes from an older preclinical model by using a young follicular environment to partially restore its reproductive function, and in turn, generated a better quality egg for IVF.

Female reproductive ageing is a natural process that is associated with changes in a woman’s reproductive system over time, including a sharp decline in egg quantity and quality. With many women choosing to have children later in life, understanding and mitigating the impacts of ageing on egg cell quality has become crucial to develop strategies for successful egg cell maturation, fertilisation, and embryo development.

Working at the forefront to understand the mechanics behind female reproductive ageing, a team of researchers led by Professor Rong Li, Director of MBI, and Dr Wang Haiyang, Senior Research Fellow at MBI, and IVF scientists and clinicians from NUS Medicine and ACRLE, has constructed and used hybrid ovarian follicles extracted from a preclinical model to provide direct evidence that an aged follicular environment could harm the quality and developmental potential of young oocytes. More importantly, the team demonstrated that an oocyte from an aged follicular environment can be rejuvenated by transplanting it into a young follicular environment.

“The inspiration for this research came from the growing need to address age-related fertility issues. It is extremely curious that the female reproductive system, especially the ovarian follicles that contain oocytes, appear to be the fastest ageing system of the human body. This fact prompted us to delve deeper to gain a much better understanding of this ageing process and to discover ways to mitigate it,” said Prof Li.

The novel approach and findings on the impact of the follicular environment on oocytes were published in Nature Aging on 9 September 2024.

Revitalising an aged egg cell

 An ovarian follicle is a basic functional unit in the mammalian ovary, composed of somatic cells (granulosa cells) that surround and support an oocyte (an immature egg cell) as it grows and matures before ovulation. The granulosa cells communicate with the oocyte to provide essential nutrients and components through channels known as transzonal projections. In turn, the oocyte provides key components that signal the growth and development of granulosa cells.

MBI researchers tapped on this understanding of the relationship between somatic cells of the ovarian follicle and the oocyte to create hybrid ovarian follicles through an ex-vivo 3D culturing platform, building upon previous methods. The team then extracted the oocyte from its original follicular environment and transplanted it to a new follicular environment, whose own oocyte had been removed, to construct the hybrid ovarian follicle.

For a start, the researchers confirmed that aged granulosa cells, compared to young granulosa cells, exhibited an increase in the hallmarks of ageing, such as an increase in indicators of DNA damage and other factors linked to programmed cell death. They showed that this aged follicular environment can reduce the quality and developmental potential of a young oocyte.

The research team then created hybrid ovarian follicles containing an aged oocyte (i.e. an immature egg cell from an aged follicular environment) in a young follicular environment. The researchers demonstrated that the quality and developmental competence of the aged oocyte can be substantially, though not fully, restored through “nurturing” in a young follicular environment. The team found that the restoration of the quality of the aged oocyte was attributed to the reshaping of its metabolism and gene expression.

The researchers discovered that the young granulosa cells, which were much better at establishing transzonal projections toward the aged oocyte, helped to facilitate this restoration. In addition, there was an improvement in the function and health of oocyte mitochondria, crucial organelles for energy production and cellular metabolism.

The team further provided evidence that the young follicular environment could support much more accurate partitioning of the oocyte genome, which must occur properly during oocyte maturation to prevent aneuploidy – the presence of an abnormal number of chromosomes in a cell or organism. All these improvements enhance the success of embryonic development after IVF, leading to a live-birth rate around three times higher than that achieved with aged oocytes not exposed to the young follicular environment.

The NUS team has filed a patent application for this innovation, particularly concerning the method used to rejuvenate aged oocytes by exposing them to a young follicular microenvironment.

The funding for this study was provided by ACRLE, NUS Medicine, and the National Research Foundation, Singapore.

A glimpse into the future of fertility treatments

“The findings from this study provide a proof-of-concept and the basis for the development of non-invasive cell-based strategies to improve the quality of eggs from older women or women whose reproductive ability is affected by other health conditions, which could lead to improved outcomes of assisted reproductive technologies, such as IVF,” said Dr Wang.

The researchers hope to bring the potential application of their cutting-edge discovery to fruition by conducting more thorough studies to understand how the young follicular environment can improve the quality of an aged oocyte, validate the key findings of this study with human cells and oocytes, and develop an optimised follicle cell line that can be used to improve egg quality for better IVF outcomes.

• 8world, 16 September 2024
• Vasantham News Online, 16 September 2024
• The Straits Times, 17 September 2024, The Big Story, pA4
• Lianhe Zaobao, 17 September 2024, Front Page

By Tauhid Bakhit, a final-year student from the Dept of Malay Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at NUS

• Berita Harian, 16 September 2024, p9

By Emeritus Professor Tommy Koh, from the Faculty of Law at NUS, and Chairman of the International Advisory Panel of the Centre for International Law at NUS

• The Straits Times, 17 September 2024, Opinion, pB2

By Dr Tan Wee Kee, Senior Research Fellow at the NUS Environmental Research Institute and President of a local soil and ecology enterprise

• Lianhe Zaobao, 17 September 2024, p19

• 8world Online, 15 September 2024

• The Straits Times, 16 September 2024, Life, pC1

• The Straits Times, 16 September 2024, Science, pA16

By Assoc Prof Thang Leng Leng from the Dept of Japanese Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at NUS

• zbSunday, 15 September 2024, Opinion, p29

By Distinguished Professor Ivan Png, from the Dept of Strategy and Policy at NUS Business School and the Dept of Economics, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at NUS

CNA Online, 9 September 2024

By Dr Azhar Ibrahim Alwee, Lecturer from the Dept of Malay Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at NUS

• Suria News Online, 12 September 2024

• Suria News Online, 12 September 2024
• Warna 94.2FM, 12 September 2024
• Berita Harian, 13 September 2024, p4

At the core of the newly-created Office of Global Health is a man with a vision that transcends borders and disciplines—Professor Teo Yik Ying, an internationally renowned biostatistician who is also Dean of the NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health.

Established under the Office of the President at NUS, the Office of Global Health is the vanguard in NUS’ global health push: it leads NUS’ health engagement efforts on the global stage, empowering NUS to shape policies and health outcomes in the region, in an effective, sustainable and equitable manner. The multidisciplinary nature of global health – which spans intersecting domains such as biology, engineering, and the social and behavioural sciences – calls for a whole-of-university effort that will consolidate and amplify our reach in an ever-shifting global health landscape.

Prof Teo, an eminent scholar, leader, and apparent amiable conversationalist, embodies the spirit of interdisciplinary collaboration and global engagement. As Vice President (Global Health), a new role he assumed in September 2023, he has taken on a simple yet profound mission: to leverage the vast intellectual and technological resources of NUS to tackle health issues that affect millions worldwide. His approach is holistic, integrating insights from medicine, public health, engineering, law, social sciences, and more. This multidisciplinary ethos is the cornerstone of the Office, giving it a unique focus to impact lives.

A vision beyond academia

Prof Teo's vision for the Office is not merely academic but deeply rooted in real-world impact. In the interview with NUS News, he emphasises that NUS should not be seen as just a typical university focused on enterprise, start-ups, and research, but as an institution with a core element of social impact. "The Office of Global Health is about how NUS can actually contribute to provide solutions to some of the world's problems," he said, underscoring one of its roles to turn academic research into tangible benefits for populations across the globe.

Of particular attention is the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework developed by the United Nations, which is a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. Prof Teo believes that NUS, through the Office, can play an instrumental role in achieving these goals, particularly those related to health. By bringing together diverse faculties and disciplines, the Office aims to address issues such as food security, water safety, and public health policies, not just in Singapore but globally.

Building partnerships for global health

One of Prof Teo's key strategic aims of the Office of Global Health is fostering partnerships, both within NUS and with external stakeholders. He talked about a robust network where, for example, technical solutions from the College of Design and Engineering, innovations from NUS Computing, and insights from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences come together to create comprehensive health solutions.

"Within NUS, we have the School of Public Health, the Faculty of Law, the School of Computing, and many more, all producing new ideas and innovations. The challenge is to bring these together and benefit the health of populations," Prof Teo explained.

This collaborative spirit will reach beyond NUS – Prof Teo shared a vision for the Office where it would actively engage with regional governments, international organisations like the World Health Organization (WHO), UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), as well as other academic institutions worldwide. Integrating expertise with external bodies will allow the Office to leverage its networks to understand the health needs of different regions and tailor solutions accordingly.

Addressing regional health challenges

Prof Teo is particularly keen on addressing health challenges in the ASEAN region and is acutely aware of pressing regional issues such as tobacco control, access to essential drugs, and capacity building in public health. A multi-layered approach among the various ASEAN governments is essential, Prof Teo noted.

"The regional approach is powerful. We can achieve a consensus on issues like tobacco control, taxation of unhealthy products, and collective drug procurement, which can significantly reduce costs and improve access to essential medications," Prof Teo said.

Capacity building and training

Capacity building is another crucial area where Prof Teo's influence is evident. He emphasises the importance of equipping local health professionals with the skills needed to evaluate and improve their health systems.

"It's about enabling countries to track their health systems' changes, evaluate their effectiveness, and make informed decisions. This skill is vital for sustainable health improvements,” Prof Teo explained. The Office's training programmes are designed to be sustainable, with a focus on empowering local institutions to eventually conduct this training independently.

Driving sustainable innovation

While the Office does not drive innovation directly, it plays a critical role in utilising existing innovations from NUS to address health issues. Prof Teo prefers a solution-based approach, focusing on deploying proven technologies that have already undergone rigorous testing and validation. This strategy ensures that when the Office introduces a technology to a country, it is ready for immediate impact, with clear cost-benefit analyses and implementation plans.

"Our role is to showcase NUS' proven technologies that can solve real-world problems," Prof Teo shared. This approach avoids the risks associated with untested innovations and ensures that the solutions provided are both effective and sustainable. For instance, the Office has upcoming plans to deploy water purification technologies in countries facing severe water safety issues, significantly improving public health outcomes.

One of the many exciting initiatives under the Office is a project in Laos in collaboration with Wateroam, an NUS-backed start-up founded by NUS Business alumnus David Pong and Environmental Engineering alumni Lim Chong Tee and Vincent Loka that develops portable water filtration systems.

The journey began in January this year, when Prof Teo and a representative from Wateroam travelled to Laos to develop the project with authorities there. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with all parties expressing strong interest in the initiative.

The project looks to deploy Wateroam's filtration systems in 10 provinces across Laos, focusing on district hospitals, schools, and community water collection points. "This will ensure that these facilities now have safe, clean water that is pathogen-free," Prof Teo explains. The project will be carried out in three phases, starting with the installation of the systems in select sites, followed by training local partners to deploy the systems independently.

In July, the team, led by Prof Teo, successfully installed the first water filtration system at Vang Vieng District Hospital, marking the launch of a project to deploy similar systems in at least 14 sites across the country. The initiative aims to ensure long-term access to safe drinking water in rural Laos.

To support sustainability, local staff are being trained to maintain the filtration systems. The project is powered by Wateroam’s innovative water filtration technology, which has been used globally in disaster-hit areas and regions with limited access to clean water.

Measuring success through impact

Prof Teo's metrics for success go beyond traditional academic indicators. While publications and funding are important, he places greater value on the social impact of the Office's work. Success is measured by the Office's ability to attract international funding for health initiatives, successfully deploy NUS innovations in various countries, and influence health policies at regional and national levels.

"The true measure of our success is in our social impact," shared Prof Teo. "It's about improving health, saving lives, and contributing to global well-being. This is how we fly the NUS flag—by demonstrating that we are not just an academic institution but a force for positive change in the world."

The Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP) marked its 20th anniversary with a grand gala dinner held at Shangri-la Hotel in Singapore at the end of August 2024. The event brought together over 500 distinguished guests comprising staff, alumni and students, as well as donors and partners from around the world to celebrate the School’s two decades of excellence in public policy education and its growing influence on the global stage.

A milestone in public policy education

Founded in 2004, LKYSPP was established with the vision of advancing knowledge and leadership in public policy through education, research, and outreach. It is the first institution named after Singapore's founding Prime Minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew.

Over the past 20 years, it has grown to become a leading institution in the field, attracting students, scholars, and policymakers from around the world.

At the time of its founding, LKYSPP offered only the Master in Public Policy (MPP) programme. Today, it offers four distinct master's programmes – MPP, Master in Public Administration, Master in Public Administration and Management, and Master in International Affairs – alongside a PhD programme.

Since its inception, the School has grown from fewer than 50 students to welcoming more than 200 new students each year. More than 4,000 students from nearly 100 economies around the world have walked through its doors, benefitting from its master's and PhD programmes, moving on to make significant contributions and impact in politics, economics and societies.

Beyond its postgraduate programmes, LKYSPP’s executive education arm has developed more than 1,000 programs and delivered them to over 32,000 more participants from the public, corporate and non-profit sectors.

A night of celebration and reflection

The gala dinner was attended by notable figures in academia, government, and the private sector. They include LKYSPP Governing Board Chairman, Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, as well as other luminaries such as NUS University Professor Wang Gungwu, LKYSPP Visiting Scholar and former Foreign Minister George Yeo, and former diplomat and LKYSPP founding Dean, Mr Kishore Mahbubani.

The evening began with a heart-warming tribute video documenting staff and alumni sharing their experiences at LKYSPP and how the School’s rigorous training and global perspective equipped them to tackle the challenges in their careers.

Associate Professor Suzaina Kadir, who has been with the School since its founding and is currently Vice Dean (Academic Affairs), recalled the School's initial days when her classroom would have less than 10 students. She added, “We've seen changes in the curriculum over the last 20 years, and we continue to strive to develop our students’ potential to the fullest, because we care very much about the students reaching their potential.”

Reflecting on LKYSPP’s journey in his opening address, Professor Danny Quah, Dean of LKYSPP, expressed his heartfelt thanks to all who contributed towards building a solid foundation for the School, including Mr Mahbubani, its founding Dean, the School’s faculty, staff and governing board, partners and generous donors, as well as the National University of Singapore.

“It is on this foundation that we have continued to strive - to push the School to ever greater heights,” said Prof Quah.

Looking forward: The next 20 years

The highlight of the evening was a fireside chat with Guest of Honour, Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat, who emphasised the importance of strong international relations in addressing the complex challenges of the 21st century, and encouraged the School to continue its research work and impact in communities.

In a Facebook post, DPM Heng said that the School is one of the few institutions that carry Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s name, a testament to his strong belief that good governance was crucial to uplift the destinies of countries and the lives of people.

“Today, LKYSPP plays an important role in providing a platform for scholars, students and practitioners to explore good governance, and applying this to different country contexts amidst a rapidly changing world,” he added.

The 20th-anniversary gala was not only a celebration of the School’s achievements but also a reminder of its ongoing mission to contribute to the betterment of society through thoughtful, impactful public policy.

LKYSPP will be publishing a commemorative book later this year. The book, titled “Public Policy Schools of the Future”, explores the future of public policy schools through a collection of essays from over 50 experts with present or former involvements with the School over the years.

Introducing the book at the dinner, Associate Professor Francesco Mancini, Vice Dean (Executive Education), thanked the contributors who hail from a wide range of sectors including government, corporate, education, philanthropy, finance and technology. 

Assoc Prof Mancini said, “Our desire is to contribute to the discussions of the future of higher education more broadly and on the future of policy and governance schools more specifically. Policy schools are not just about education - they are also about research, policy, ideas, recommendation, consultancy, executive training, outreach and thought leadership.”

Looking to the future, LKYSPP will continue to strengthen its position as a leading global public policy institution and further establish Singapore as a global point of reference for the study of public policy. This will be achieved by prioritising innovation in academic programmes, enriching the student experience, and expanding professional and lifelong learning initiatives.

In parallel, the School’s research will drive thought leadership in important areas such as sustainability, geopolitics, and social mobility. LKYSPP will also broaden its global reach through partnerships and deeper engagement with policymakers and academic institutions around the world.

With two decades of accomplishments behind it, LKYSPP is well-positioned to continue its legacy of excellence and shape the future of public policy.

The Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP) marked its 20th anniversary with a grand gala dinner held at Shangri-la Hotel in Singapore at the end of August 2024. The event brought together over 500 distinguished guests comprising staff, alumni and students, as well as donors and partners from around the world to celebrate the School’s two decades of excellence in public policy education and its growing influence on the global stage.

A milestone in public policy education

Founded in 2004, LKYSPP was established with the vision of advancing knowledge and leadership in public policy through education, research, and outreach. It is the first institution named after Singapore's founding Prime Minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew.

Over the past 20 years, it has grown to become a leading institution in the field, attracting students, scholars, and policymakers from around the world.

At the time of its founding, LKYSPP offered only the Master in Public Policy (MPP) programme. Today, it offers four distinct master's programmes – MPP, Master in Public Administration, Master in Public Administration and Management, and Master in International Affairs – alongside a PhD programme.

Since its inception, the School has grown from fewer than 50 students to welcoming more than 200 new students each year. More than 4,000 students from nearly 100 economies around the world have walked through its doors, benefitting from its master's and PhD programmes, moving on to make significant contributions and impact in politics, economics and societies.

Beyond its postgraduate programmes, LKYSPP’s executive education arm has developed more than 1,000 programs and delivered them to over 32,000 more participants from the public, corporate and non-profit sectors.

A night of celebration and reflection

The gala dinner was attended by notable figures in academia, government, and the private sector. They include LKYSPP Governing Board Chairman, Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, as well as other luminaries such as NUS University Professor Wang Gungwu, LKYSPP Visiting Scholar and former Foreign Minister George Yeo, and former diplomat and LKYSPP founding Dean, Mr Kishore Mahbubani.

The evening began with a heart-warming tribute video documenting staff and alumni sharing their experiences at LKYSPP and how the School’s rigorous training and global perspective equipped them to tackle the challenges in their careers.

Associate Professor Suzaina Kadir, who has been with the School since its founding and is currently Vice Dean (Academic Affairs), recalled the School's initial days when her classroom would have less than 10 students. She added, “We've seen changes in the curriculum over the last 20 years, and we continue to strive to develop our students’ potential to the fullest, because we care very much about the students reaching their potential.”

Reflecting on LKYSPP’s journey in his opening address, Professor Danny Quah, Dean of LKYSPP, expressed his heartfelt thanks to all who contributed towards building a solid foundation for the School, including Mr Mahbubani, its founding Dean, the School’s faculty, staff and governing board, partners and generous donors, as well as the National University of Singapore.

“It is on this foundation that we have continued to strive - to push the School to ever greater heights,” said Prof Quah.

Looking forward: The next 20 years

The highlight of the evening was a fireside chat with Guest of Honour, Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat, who emphasised the importance of strong international relations in addressing the complex challenges of the 21st century, and encouraged the School to continue its research work and impact in communities.

In a Facebook post, DPM Heng said that the School is one of the few institutions that carry Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s name, a testament to his strong belief that good governance was crucial to uplift the destinies of countries and the lives of people.

“Today, LKYSPP plays an important role in providing a platform for scholars, students and practitioners to explore good governance, and applying this to different country contexts amidst a rapidly changing world,” he added.

The 20th-anniversary gala was not only a celebration of the School’s achievements but also a reminder of its ongoing mission to contribute to the betterment of society through thoughtful, impactful public policy.

LKYSPP will be publishing a commemorative book later this year. The book, titled “Public Policy Schools of the Future”, explores the future of public policy schools through a collection of essays from over 50 experts with present or former involvements with the School over the years.

Introducing the book at the dinner, Associate Professor Francesco Mancini, Vice Dean (Executive Education), thanked the contributors who hail from a wide range of sectors including government, corporate, education, philanthropy, finance and technology. 

Assoc Prof Mancini said, “Our desire is to contribute to the discussions of the future of higher education more broadly and on the future of policy and governance schools more specifically. Policy schools are not just about education - they are also about research, policy, ideas, recommendation, consultancy, executive training, outreach and thought leadership.”

Looking to the future, LKYSPP will continue to strengthen its position as a leading global public policy institution and further establish Singapore as a global point of reference for the study of public policy. This will be achieved by prioritising innovation in academic programmes, enriching the student experience, and expanding professional and lifelong learning initiatives.

In parallel, the School’s research will drive thought leadership in important areas such as sustainability, geopolitics, and social mobility. LKYSPP will also broaden its global reach through partnerships and deeper engagement with policymakers and academic institutions around the world.

With two decades of accomplishments behind it, LKYSPP is well-positioned to continue its legacy of excellence and shape the future of public policy.

By Assoc Prof (Practice) Terence Ho from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at NUS

• CNA Online, 12 September 2024

By Wu Yuke, Master’s degree student from the Dept of Chinese Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at NUS

• Lianhe Zaobao, 12 September 2024, Opinion, p22

• CNA Online, 11 September 2024

• Lianhe Zaobao, 12 September 2024, Singapore, p8

• Suria News Online, 11 September 2024
• Lianhe Zaobao, 12 September 2024, Singapore, p10

• The Straits Times, 11 September 2024, Singapore, pA17
• Lianhe Zaobao, 11 September 2024, Singapore, p9
• Berita Harian, 12 September 2024, p7

“Universities have a critical role in showing us the way to go,” said Ms Grace Fu, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment and Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations, who was speaking at a panel discussion at an NUS Cities event, “Towards a Healthy Singapore: Green Building Impact on Public Health”, on 26 August 2024.

“If the country has to decarbonise by 2050, we need (to think about) solutions now,” urged Ms Fu as she highlighted four important areas in the decarbonisation drive: policies to create change, new technology, capital, and international collaboration. With Singapore’s carbon emissions still on the rise, urgent action in these areas is required for Singapore to meet its net-zero targets.

Indeed, higher education institutes and multi-disciplinary platforms such as NUS Cities are just some of many vehicles that will help Singapore achieve net-zero, said Professor Khoo Teng Chye, Director of NUS Cities and Practice Professor at the NUS College of Design and Engineering (CDE) in his welcome address. 

“Universities play a very crucial role in undertaking education and research to understand the challenges, to find innovative solutions, and to prepare our next generation for climate adaptation,” he told the 350-strong audience at NUS’ SDE4, Singapore’s first net-zero building that was built from scratch.

The event also saw the launch of a partnership between NUS Cities and CapitaLand Development (CLD) to promote joint research and development activities in the area of sustainable urban planning and design.

Launch of partnership between NUS Cities and CapitaLand Development

NUS Cities’ mission, Prof Khoo said, is to create an open and inclusive platform for education, research, and advisory services. This is necessary to address the complex challenges of today’s urban environments. “With CapitaLand Development being part of our eco-system of public-private partnerships, it will definitely support our core mission especially in the areas of sustainable development.”

The joint areas of cooperation include sustainability-focused awareness and engagement programmes, such as the annual NUS Cities Symposium; sustainable urban solutions that integrate CLD’s development expertise with NUS Cities’ research capabilities; and sustainability expertise and sponsorship efforts to grow capabilities and nurture the next generation of urban planning leaders.

“We are pleased to embark on this collaboration, which leverages CapitaLand Development’s expertise in real estate and sustainable development and NUS Cities’ academic and research prowess,” said Mr Jonathan Yap, CEO, CapitaLand Development (Singapore). “Together, we look forward to enhancing synergies for sustainable development and innovative urban solutions that will contribute to the environmental and social well-being of communities.”

Walking the green talk

With growing population density, and challenges such as climate change and a rapidly ageing society, urban planning is more vital than ever, Prof Khoo noted.

“Built environment professionals are crucial in shaping environments that encourage healthy behaviours such as walking, cycling, and outdoor activities,” he said. “Well-designed spaces and amenities also foster a sense of belonging and community cohesion, and are especially vital for vulnerable groups.”

The public and private sectors are exploring myriad solutions to make spaces greener and more conducive to the health of their occupants, according to panellists at the event.

For instance, the Housing & Development Board’s (HDB) 2020 Green Towns Programme set an ambitious target to cut energy consumption in HDB estates by 15 per cent by 2030.

It is also promoting well-being in various ways, such as introducing intergenerational playgrounds to encourage social interaction and using biophilic design to lower temperatures and bring nature closer to residents.

“We want to see how we can make spaces more conducive for people to exercise naturally,” said HDB’s Deputy Chief Executive (Building), Er Dr Johnny Wong Liang Heng. This is being explored in Health District @ Queenstown – a multi-stakeholder pilot programme led by NUS, the National University Health System, and HDB, and working with other partners to promote residents’ well-being across different stages of their life.

The private sector is keeping pace with these trends too, exploring options such as the adaptive reuse of old buildings and cleaner energy sources like green hydrogen, noted Mr Lee Ang Seng, President of the Singapore Green Building Council.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been greater awareness of the relationship between public health and the quality of indoor environments, added Mr Lee. Mr Giovanni Cossu, CapitaLand Development’s Head of Sustainability, agreed, pointing to a global demand for “wellness real estate” focusing on physical and psychological health.

Implementation is key

While green initiatives help push the sustainability agenda, it is important to ensure that they are effectively deployed, noted the panel moderator, Professor Lam Khee Poh, Provost’s Chair Professor of Architecture and the Built Environment at NUS CDE.

For instance, in the case of carbon capture, where carbon dioxide emissions are captured and isolated to prevent them from reaching the atmosphere, “investing in the right foundation, technology, and infrastructure is important,” he added.

Understanding public mindsets and needs is crucial too, said Er Dr Wong, who is also HDB’s Chief Science & Technology Officer. He recounted how a pneumatic waste conveyance system for household waste – an underground network of pipes using air suction that is more environmentally friendly – encountered roadblocks when it was piloted at Yuhua estate in 2015.

Unaware that bulkier items such as books and pillows could not be thrown down the chute, residents ended up clogging the chute and causing it to emit a smell. But these pilot projects and experimentation are important.

Government agencies are working together on sustainable policies and practices, said Ms Grace Fu. “We have an inter-ministerial committee on climate change that brings together all the major ministries involved,” she added, noting that the committee regularly reviews if changes are needed.

Meanwhile, the quest to go green continues. “Talk is easy, doing the hard work (is not),” concluded Prof Lam at the end of the panel discussion. “Let us work hard, stay well, and keep each other healthy.”

At the event, NUS Cities also launched The Green Guardians of Singapore booklet, which tells of an environmental crisis wreaked by alien invaders. Written by Ms Yina Chua, Associate Director of NUS Cities, and illustrated by Mr Alan Bay, the booklet was produced with the National Environment Agency (NEA) and Public Hygiene Council and aims to encourage the public to go green.

The illustrated book is hosted on NEA’s Clean and Green website and can be viewed here.

Experiential learning and the interdisciplinary approach are two hallmarks of an NUS College (NUSC) education that converge in the honours college’s flagship Impact Experience (IEx) programme – a compulsory two-year service-learning and community engagement project.

The signature capstone project challenges NUSC students to devise solutions for “wicked” societal problems in Singapore and the surrounding region. Since such problems are by definition too complex to unravel using a single disciplinary lens, students are encouraged to assemble teams with diverse academic backgrounds and seek advice from community partners and faculty supervisors as they research, design, and execute their projects in teams of six to seven in their second and third years of study.

“IEx will enable students to think about socio-economic, environmental, and community issues in a way that applies classroom knowledge towards the advancement of social services and community-building initiatives,” said Dr Julius Bautista, director of Impact Programmes at NUSC.

Working with local and regional community partners, students learn first-hand about the operational and logistical challenges of creating impact, such as intercultural communication, expectations management, funding and financing, scaling up operations, and ethics compliance, he added. The faculty supervisors guide them closely throughout, from helping the students form groups with the appropriate interdisciplinary mix and develop their problem statements, to tapping their own networks for partnership opportunities and nudging students in the right direction when they hit roadblocks.

Said Elise Lim, a Year 3 Psychology and Data Science double degree student: “NUSC’s tagline ‘break open the classroom’ implies learning beyond the classroom – I find that my IEx experience truly encapsulates this concept.

“From planning to meeting stakeholders to executing our project, this journey has taught me so much about collaborating with underserved communities and navigating the complexities of unequal power dynamics.”

The first cohort of IEx groups are now halfway through their projects, while the second cohort entered the programme at the beginning of AY2024/2025.

Creating enduring impact

With 56 groups in the first cohort alone, IEx projects touch on a broad range of topics in the three main categories of Arts & Design, Civic & Community, and Science & Technology. Education and youth is a popular theme, with 12 groups working on related projects; other common themes include climate and eco-sustainability, community development and social equity, and social diversity and urban inclusivity.

All IEx projects endeavour to make a positive, lasting difference to the world. For example, the SociaMetric project is developing a solution with local youth guidance charity The Astronauts Collective to track and report its social impact using existing data tools. The goal is to produce an automated workflow that other social enterprises and charities can easily implement.

Another approach, taken by local projects W(eight)st Not! and Voideckies, is to empower the communities they have partnered to continue the movement after the initial projects end. W(eight)st Not! is working with Fairmont Singapore and agritech startup Corridor Farmers to turn the hotel’s food waste into compost that can be used by community farms, in hopes of nurturing a self-sustaining circular economy.

Meanwhile, Voideckies conducts biweekly game nights at a Bukit Purmei void deck to cultivate a close-knit community among the residents and reduce elderly loneliness. The team is encouraging residents to lead the sessions and eventually run them independently.

Still others, like a bamboo agri-education project in the Philippines led by Team Bayanihan, hope to hand operations over to their non-governmental organisation partners or encourage future NUSC cohorts to continue and improve the projects. Team Bayanihan’s goal is even more farsighted, aiming to change negative perceptions about bamboo as a construction material by teaching elementary school children about its versatility and potential.

Slow but steady progress

Among the first lessons of IEx is that creating impact is a slow process that is complicated by the intersection of societal issues and factors beyond their control. Many students quickly learnt to discard their preconceptions and approach the problems with an open mind, ready to listen to the communities.

The Sustaining Mae Jhon team is one of several that changed their proposed solution to align better with the local community’s situation, resources, and capabilities. While the objective remained the same – to help the marginalised Dara’ang community in Thailand increase profit margins for their banana crops – the students had to pivot from their idea of developing a line of organic banana chips to focus on the solar-dried banana product that the locals were familiar with.

Said Christabel Seck, a third-year Life Sciences major: “The key shift in mindset was learning to prioritise the needs of the people we're working with, and to see things from their perspective. Rather than assuming we knew their challenges and trying to impose a solution, we realised the importance of understanding their situation first.”

Tackling a real-world problem over an extended period presents different challenges from the usual undergraduate assignments. The W(eight)st Not! team had to learn patience from the slow, arduous process of composting, and resilience from setbacks like crop failures due to bad weather. “As cliché as it sounds, the journey matters more than the destination and small, consistent efforts can accumulate into meaningful, lasting change,” said Ashley Lui, a third-year Pharmaceutical Science major in the team.

In addition, their diverse academic backgrounds made it difficult to align on technical and practical aspects of the project initially. However, after gaining a better understanding of urban farming and composting, they sorted out the issue by allocating responsibilities according to each team member’s strengths.

Every project has its own demands and deadlines that rarely align with the academic calendar, requiring teams to coordinate their schedules for meetings, community engagement activities, and even semester exchange programmes well in advance.

“Given that the project stretches across two years, it inevitably conflicts with our different commitments – including academic commitments like taking modules to meet the minimum recommended workload during the semesters,” said Voideckies team member Bernard Lee, a Year 3 student majoring in Communications and New Media with a minor in Interactive Media Development.

Reflections at the halfway point

One year in, the first run of IEx has already sparked change in the communities and the students.

After spending several months getting to know the Bukit Purmei residents and designing a community-building solution that would suit their interests and needs, the Voideckies team is delighted that the biweekly game sessions are turning into a routine neighbourhood activity, with some regulars showing up even before the team arrives.

A major milestone for Team MEOWA, a group working on developing fire prevention and response measures for Kampung Air in Semporna, Sabah, Malaysia, was successfully coordinating a fire safety workshop that local teachers had been trying to organise for five years.

While team member Elise felt proud of their achievement, she also realised that their status as NUS students and the resources provided by NUSC could have been major factors in moving the stalled project forward.

“This underscores the privilege that we have as external agents seeking to make an impact in an underserved community,” she said. “Regardless, I find that accomplishing something that our partner organisation had wanted to do is an achievement in itself.”

With one more year to go, the students in the first cohort still have much work ahead of them. The scale of the project has taught Andrew Toh, a third-year Communications and New Media major in Team Bayanihan, to be more reflective about everything he does.

Said Andrew: “Sometimes, taking a step back, looking at everything that has been done, and reflecting on the journey you took to get there really helps you to see where you came from, where you stand now, and where you should head towards.”

More about the IEx journey

Second-year NUSC students embark on the programme with an IEx Hackathon where they brainstorm and refine their ideas with advice from faculty members.

After forming groups, they propose their project topics, which can take place locally or in other countries around Southeast Asia, and begin work once their projects are approved. The current cohorts have a roughly even split between local and regional IEx projects.

Undertaking a regional IEx project means students must make multiple trips to their project countries, coordinating their schedules during recess weeks and school holidays and making the most of each trip to stay on track. To account for the additional demands, regional IEx projects count as fulfilment of the NUSC Global Pathways graduation requirement without the student completing a separate overseas experience like an exchange programme.

Along the way, the IEx groups have been sharing their experiences with the wider community through Impact Experience: An NUSC Podcast. At the end of the two-year programme, they will showcase their findings and reflections in an annual Impact Festival, the first of which will take place in late 2025.

Professor Liu Xiaogang from the NUS Department of Chemistry is among the top 10 winners in the Falling Walls Physical Sciences category. The Falling Walls Foundation is a non-profit organisation based in Berlin, Germany, with the goal of communicating outstanding science and research to society. Prof Liu was was selected from more than 1,100 nominations from over 300 different institutions.

Prof Liu is renowned internationally for breaking down the walls and limitations facing X-ray imaging technology using novel optical nanomaterials that promise safer, more accurate and higher quality X-ray imaging for applications ranging from medical diagnostics to improved space exploration and detection of manufacturing defects.

Prof Liu said, “I am truly honoured and thrilled to be selected as a finalist for the Falling Walls Science Breakthroughs of the Year 2024 in Physical Sciences. This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of my team and collaborators.”

He added, “Their creativity, expertise and tenacity have been vital in reaching this milestone. I am excited to see our research acknowledged on such as prestigious platform. I look forward to the next steps in this journey and am grateful for this incredible opportunity.”

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Global health leaders from around the world gathered at NUS for the inaugural Global Health Thought Leadership Dialogue, a landmark event that explored how small nations can wield outsized influence in shaping global health policies. The dialogue, co-hosted by the NUS Global Health Office and Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, brought together experts to discuss the future of global health governance, multilateralism, and how countries like Singapore can punch above their weight in contributing to international health solutions.

The event featured an esteemed panel of speakers, including Professor Ilona Kickbusch, Founder of the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute, Global Health Advisor to the German Chancellor and the European Union President, as well as senior advisor to the United Nations on Global Health; Dr Margaret Chan, founding Dean of Tsinghua University’s Vanke School of Public Health and Emeritus Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO); Dr Suwit Wibulpolprasert, Global Health Advisor to the Thai Minister of Public Health and Senior Global Health Leader to ASEAN; and Dr Soumya Swaminathan, Chairperson of M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation and former WHO Chief Scientist. The dialogue focused on the unique opportunities and challenges facing small countries in the global health arena, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, shifting geopolitical landscapes, and growing inequalities in health access and outcomes.

Growing importance of small nations like Singapore

In his opening remarks, moderator Professor Teo Yik Ying, Vice President (Global Health) and Dean of the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health at NUS, emphasised the growing importance of small countries in addressing global health challenges. He highlighted Singapore’s strategic advantages as a small nation with a well-developed healthcare system, advanced technology, and a highly educated population, which positions it to play a key role in shaping global health policies.

"Singapore may be a small state, but we have the resources, technology, and talent to contribute meaningfully to international health developments," Prof Teo stated. “In an era where multilateral cooperation is more important than ever, small nations like Singapore can lead by example, particularly in areas like pandemic preparedness, antimicrobial resistance, and health innovation.”

Prof Kickbusch echoed these sentiments, stressing that small countries have unique opportunities to drive change in global health governance. "The world is facing an unravelling of multilateralism, but small countries like Singapore can still exert significant influence by setting the agenda and leveraging their strengths in diplomacy, innovation, and public health," she said. She pointed out that small nations often play key roles in multilateral institutions like the WHO and the United Nations, where their votes carry the same weight as those of larger countries.

Prof Kickbusch also referenced examples of smaller nations making outsized impacts, including Norway’s long-standing leadership in global health policy and Switzerland’s advocacy for water as a key component of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She noted that Singapore, with its strong governance and commitment to health equity, is well-positioned to follow suit.

Meanwhile, Dr Chan further reinforced the idea that "small is beautiful", praising Singapore for its long-term investments in healthcare, education, and transparency, all of which have earned the country a strong international reputation. "Singapore punches above its weight because of its transparency, accountability, and strong social contract between the government and its people," she said. "The country’s strategic focus on long-term planning and innovation makes it a natural leader in the global health landscape."

Challenges of multilateralism and global governance

The discussion also addressed the challenges facing small nations in navigating weakened multilateral systems. The weakening of global governance structures, including the decline of multilateral cooperation, was highlighted as a significant concern in the 21st century. Thailand’s Dr Suwit pointed out that, while multilateral organisations like the WHO offer a platform for small countries to have a voice, the realities of international politics often mean that larger countries dominate the decision-making process.

“Small countries can still make a difference by thinking outside the box and using multilateralism to their advantage,” said Dr Suwit. “Singapore has already demonstrated its capacity to transform itself from a small, resource-poor nation to a global powerhouse. The same innovative thinking can be applied to global health."

He emphasised that small countries should not shy away from global health leadership, even in the face of overwhelming geopolitical forces. Instead, they can use their unique position to challenge traditional power structures and promote equitable health outcomes for all.

Dr Swaminathan also highlighted the need for collaboration among smaller nations to address common challenges such as pandemic preparedness, antimicrobial resistance, and climate change. "Small countries can form regional networks and alliances to amplify their voices on the global stage. By working together, they can tackle issues that larger countries may overlook or deprioritise," she said.

Dr Swaminathan noted that the COVID-19 pandemic underscored the importance of multilateral cooperation and equitable access to health resources. She pointed to the unequal distribution of vaccines during the pandemic as a key example of how larger countries often dominate access to life-saving health technologies, leaving smaller and poorer nations behind. "Singapore and other small countries have the potential to lead the charge for more equitable global health systems by promoting innovation and ensuring that health technologies are accessible to all."

Youth involvement and global health leadership

Another key theme of the dialogue was the critical role of youth in global health leadership. Dr Suwit strongly advocated for greater involvement of young people in global health policymaking, emphasising that they must be given real opportunities to participate in decision-making processes. "Don’t just talk about youth involvement—walk the talk," he said. "Young people have the potential to make a real impact on global health, but they need to be given the platform to do so."

Dr Suwit shared Thailand’s experience of including youth in its delegations to the World Health Assembly, where they had the opportunity to make meaningful contributions to global health discussions. He called on other countries, including Singapore, to follow suit and involve youth in global health governance, both at the national and international levels.

Prof Kickbusch added that youth involvement is essential for the future of global health governance, particularly as the world faces complex challenges that require innovative solutions. "Young people are the future of global health, and their voices must be heard," she said. "We need to empower the next generation of leaders to take on the challenges of tomorrow, from climate change to emerging pandemics."

Technological innovation and ethical considerations

The dialogue also focused on the role of technology in advancing global health, with particular attention to the ethical challenges that come with the rapid development of new health technologies. Dr Swaminathan addressed the importance of ensuring that emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and gene therapy, are developed and implemented responsibly.

"AI-based interventions, gene therapy, and other new technologies have the potential to revolutionise healthcare," Dr Swaminathan said. "But we must ensure that these innovations are used ethically and equitably, and that they benefit all populations, not just those in wealthy nations." She highlighted the need for robust ethical frameworks and regulatory oversight to guide the development and use of these technologies.

Dr Swaminathan also praised Singapore for its progressive approach to health regulation, citing the country’s front-of-pack labelling for high-sugar foods as an example of how policy can drive healthier choices and hold industries accountable. She urged other nations to adopt similar measures to combat non-communicable diseases and promote public health.

Data sharing and global collaboration

The issue of data sharing emerged as a critical point of discussion, particularly in the context of global health research and pandemic preparedness. Dr Chan highlighted the challenges associated with data sharing between countries and the importance of collaboration in addressing global health crises.

“Data is currency in global health," Dr Chan stated. But she cautioned that without trust and cooperation, it is difficult to ensure that data is shared in a way that benefits everyone. Small countries like Singapore can serve as trusted conveners, bringing together researchers, policymakers, and other stakeholders to share data and advance global health research, Dr Chan added.

Dr Chan noted that while there are challenges to data sharing, particularly around patient confidentiality and intellectual property, collaboration is essential to advancing scientific knowledge and preparing for future pandemics. She called on countries to build stronger data-sharing frameworks that prioritise public health and ensure that life-saving information is accessible to all.

Looking ahead: The future of small countries in global health

The dialogue coalesced around the notion that small countries like Singapore have a vital role to play in shaping the future of global health. From setting agendas in multilateral organisations to driving innovation and promoting health equity, small nations have the potential to make a significant impact on the global stage. With their agility, innovation, and commitment to health equity, nations like Singapore are poised to lead the way in tackling the world’s most pressing health challenges.

• Lianhe Zaobao, 10 September 2024, Fukan, p2

By Dr Jean Liu, Adjunct Asst Prof at Yale-NUS College and the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at NUS, and Director of the Centre for Evidence and Implementation; and Ms Mary Abdo, Managing Director of the same centre

• The Straits Times, 10 September 2024, Opinion, pB3

By Prof Eric Andrew Finkelstein from the Programme in Health Services and Systems Research, and Executive Director, Lien Centre for Palliative Care; and Ms Michelle Chow, Research Assistant, from the same Centre, at the Duke-NUS Medical School

• CNA Online, 8 September 2024

By Dr Azhar Ibrahim Alwee, Lecturer from the Dept of Malay Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at NUS 

• Suria News Online, 5 September 2024

• The Straits Times, 6 September 2024, The Big Story, pA4

• The Straits Times, 6 September 2024, The Big Story, pA2
• Lianhe Zaobao, 6 September 2024, Singapore, p9

Singapore has a reputation around the world for being squeaky clean, but a lot more needs to be done to make its people realise that keeping it clean is everyone’s business and not just the job of the nation’s cleaners. Just ask Mr Edward D’Silva, former chairman of the Public Hygiene Council.

“I remember going on litter-picking rounds,” recalls Mr D’Silva of the time he walked around a hawker centre and passed by a group of elderly men seated at a table who thought he was there to perform the Corrective Work Order – the regime where litterbugs are made to clean up the community. It dawned on him then that it was necessary to change the mindset that clearing litter was only the responsibility of those penalised for littering or paid to do so. “That’s when I realised: we still have a long way to go to educate the typical Singaporean,” said the 73-year-old.

As the hygiene council’s longest-serving chairman from 2015 to 2023, he spearheaded efforts to get Singaporeans to pick up litter, return their dining trays at food centres, and keep public toilets clean. For those contributions and more, he was awarded the prestigious Meritorious Service Medal at the 2024 National Day Awards, after receiving a Public Service Star in 2018 and Public Service Medal in 2014.

Singaporeans must take ownership of public hygiene, stressed Mr D’Silva, who joined the council as a member in 2013. His concern about a lax attitude toward public cleanliness compelled him to get involved.

“There were too many cleaners, so everybody started to take it for granted,” he explained. Unattended food trays in hawker centres attract birds and other pests, but simply telling people to return their trays did not work, he observed. In September 2021, measures against diners who fail to clear their used trays and crockery at hawker centres – including fines for repeat offenders – were imposed by the National Environment Agency and Singapore Food Agency. These measures were later implemented at coffee shops and food courts in January 2022.

Remarking on the moves which came at the tail-end of the pandemic, Mr D’Silva said, “(COVID-19) was the best time to implement this,” noting that people had grown accustomed to following official health measures and were more aware of the importance of good hygiene in curbing the spread of diseases.

Yet, improving public hygiene is a long-term journey, one that begins with nurturing these values at a young age. This is why initiatives such as the Keep Singapore Clean Movement in Schools – launched by the Ministry of Education and supported by the council to encourage students to take ownership of their schools’ cleanliness – are especially important.

“I hope that in 10 to 20 years’ time, we will see the younger generation having more civic consciousness to keep Singapore clean,” he added. “We have moved towards a good mindset shift on littering and tray returns – it’s becoming more of a natural habit for (Singaporeans) to return their trays. The next step is having clean public toilets.”

Man with a plan

Mr D’Silva is not only an advocate for public hygiene, but an architect by profession. After enrolling in Architecture at NUS in the 1970s, he joined the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) as a planner, where he was involved in land use plans for Marina Centre in downtown Singapore.

After eight years at URA, he joined SAA Architects and spearheaded the homegrown firm’s foray into Vietnam, Cambodia, and Myanmar in the 1990s, where it designed serviced apartments. He also oversaw developments in India, such as IT parks and residences, and helped secure major projects like the Four Seasons Hotel Singapore.

What advice does he have for young architects? “They have to have two things,” said the former president of the Singapore Institute of Architects and current senior advisor at SAA Architects. “Apart from a flair for design, (they need) a flair for communications – that is very underestimated.”

World-renowned architects did not just share sketches with clients, they also shared a story, he noted. This emphasis on equipping Architecture students with communication and critical thinking skills was something he advocated for during his time on the NUS Board.

He also started the Edward D’Silva Award in 2007 to support travel and research expenses for final-year students of the NUS Master of Architecture programme at the Department of Architecture. “I said, if I could give one student a year at least the opportunity to go overseas, and see what’s happening (elsewhere in the world), that’s something I would find very gratifying,” recalled Mr D’Silva, who served on the NUS Board of Trustees from 2003 to 2014 and the NUS Alumni Advisory Board from May 2014 until June this year. He was a recipient of the NUS Distinguished Alumni Service Award in 2015.

Giving back to the community

Through the years, he has sat on numerous boards across a range of sectors, from the National Institute of Education, Strata Titles Boards and Prison Fellowship Singapore to the Public Service Commission, where he interviewed prospective scholarship recipients.

“Many of them had good grades but no general knowledge. I remembered asking (one scholarship candidate) about Singapore’s domestic affairs. He didn’t know who the chief justice was, and that guy wanted to be a lawyer!” he recounted with a chuckle. “Over time, we realised that we needed to approach the junior colleges and promote awareness among potential candidates (of what was required).” Realising that many young scholars had little ground knowledge after returning from their overseas studies, he recommended that they do operational postings in various frontline agencies.

Today, he remains active in the community. A glance at his CV will reveal a long list of appointments, such as District Councillor of Central Singapore Community Development Council, Trustee of the Eurasian Association, member of the Reformative Training Centre Review Committee, Board of Visiting Justices, and the boards of Singapore Anglican Community Services and Singapore Ballet.

He shows no sign of slowing down. What keeps him going is a personal maxim that he gladly shares: “Whatever you do, do it from the heart.”

By Dr Woo Jun Jie, Senior Lecturer from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at NUS

• CNA Online, 7 September 2024

By Prof Zhou Weibiao, Head of the Dept of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Science at NUS and Acting Director of the Bezos Centre for Sustainable Protein at NUS and Ms Mirte Gosker, Managing Director at the Good Food Institute APAC

• The Straits Times, 9 September 2024, Science, pA18

By Ms Anthea Ong, former Nominated Member of Parliament and a social entrepreneur; Dr Jared Ng, Psychiatrist and Medical Director of Connections MindHealth; and Dr Rayner Tan, Asst Prof at the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health at NUS

• The Straits Times, 5 September 2024, Opinion, pB3

NUS Sustainability CONNECT returns this year from 14 to 21 September 2024, focusing on the theme Rethink Sustainability: Innovation and Impact. With over 30 activities, it will showcase the University’s commitment to exploring and advancing new ways to create a more sustainable future.

As the University’s first large-scale sustainability festival, NUS Sustainability CONNECT was launched last year to provide a platform to share NUS’ sustainability efforts in research and innovation, education, campus operations and thought leadership - with the wider community. This year, the more condensed Highlight edition of the festival – comprising a week-long programme of talks, tours and workshops – continues to champion sustainability while connecting communities.

Professor Low Teck Seng, Senior Vice President of Sustainability and Resilience, said, “This year’s festival has grown not just in size but also in scope. We have more events covering a broader range of topics in depth, including leadership in environmental management, future of carbon trading, green building valuation, sustainability education and nature journaling. Through these events, we hope to bring out the multifaceted nature of sustainability and reach out to a wider audience.”

There are also several other new elements in this year’s festival.

New NUS Environmental Management Leadership Lecture

NUS’ flagship post-graduate course in sustainability gets an upgrade! A new segment – NUS Environmental Management Leadership Lecture series – will be added to the multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary Master of Science (Environmental Management) graduate degree programme. The lecture series, which will be held annually, aims to encourage collaborative discussions about key issues in environmental management.

The inaugural lecture series will focus on the role of transformative leadership in successful environmental management efforts. Kicking off the discussion is Mr Ravi Menon, Singapore’s first Ambassador for Climate Action, who is also a member of the NUS Board of Trustees and the former Managing Director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Having helped built a green finance ecosystem to support Singapore’s and Asia’s transition towards a low-carbon future, Mr Menon will be speaking on “Preparing for a Low-Carbon and Climate-Impaired World”.

Exploring nature up close

In addition to classroom-based learning, NUS Sustainability CONNECT also offers out-of-classroom sessions where participants can get up close and personal with nature!

A new tour, Of Ancient Cycad, Elephant Fruit and Alligator Flag: Fascinating Tales from Plant Tour near UHall, has been added to this year’s line-up. Conducted by Dr Amy Choong, senior lecturer from the NUS Department of Biological Sciences, the tour will change your view of plants and provide insights into the unique role that the different plants play in the ecosystem.

Ever wondered what is nature journaling? Conducted by the Ridge View Residential College, nature journaling allows participants to appreciate and experience the outdoors at their own pace, while recording their observations and thoughts through notes, poems, sketches or any other form of journaling. This activity encourages participants to develop their observational and questioning skills independently, while making connections with nature!

Back by popular demand are the activities conducted by NUS Toddycats! Working closely with the University Campus Infrastructure team, the group has been part of an ongoing reforestation project of Kent Ridge forest and is extending an invitation to the rest of the NUS community to be a part of this meaningful activity. Through a careful selection of plant mix, the group hopes to enhance the habitat quality and connectivity of the Kent Ridge forest and contribute towards Singapore’s OneMillionTrees movement.

Collaborating with Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy to offer a wider range of events and workshops

For the first time ever, NUS Sustainability CONNECT is partnering with the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy on its Festival of Ideas for the events under its Environment and Sustainability track. From topical discussions on water and carbon, to macro issues like health and environmental impacts of climate change in Singapore and the region, the festival offers a wide variety of programmes ranging from a series of lectures, panel discussions, dialogues, workshops and many more!

To learn more about NUS Sustainability CONNECT or register your interest for the above events, please click here.

Microplastics have raised concerns among scientists and the public in recent years due to their widespread presence and associated health risks. They have been found in every corner of the planet, from mountain peaks to the deep sea, and in the diets of many organisms, including humans. A significant portion of microplastic pollution originates from land-based sources, such as mismanagement of waste and shedding of microfibres from textile and domestic industries. These tiny particles travel through multiple pathways and eventually enter the ocean, posing risks to marine organisms and habitats.

Singapore is home to several coastal habitats such as coral reefs and seagrass beds. Many scientists suggest that these habitats act as microplastic traps because corals and seagrasses reduce water flow, encouraging the deposition of microplastics from the water column into the habitats and limiting the resuspension of already deposited particles. Additionally, coral reefs and seagrass beds, being transitional environments between land and the sea, intercept the transport of microplastics from land to the ocean.

A team of marine ecologists, led by Associate Professor Peter Todd from the Department of Biological Sciences at NUS Faculty of Science, is contributing to our understanding of the fate and distribution of microplastics in local seagrass beds and coral reefs through three scientific journal publications released in 2024.

Seagrass as microplastic traps: Height matters

In a study published in Marine Environmental Research in May 2024, the team examined the distribution of microplastics across areas with varying levels of vegetation within seagrass beds at Chek Jawa and Changi Beach. Upon studying the sediment samples, the team found that the seagrass beds in Singapore do not trap more microplastics compared to adjacent non-vegetated beds, regardless of vegetation density. These findings challenged previous assumptions about the role of seagrass in trapping microplastics.

The researchers proposed that vegetation height could be a crucial factor. Seagrass species in Singapore, such as Halophila ovalis, Halophila spinulosa, Halodule uninervis and Cymodocea rotundata, form a short canopy height ranging from 2 cm to 15 cm. In contrast, seagrass species found in other regions, such as Enhalus acoroides and Zostera marina, can grow up to 150 cm. Height is of significance because taller vegetation not only reduces water flow and wave height, but also provides a greater surface area for biofilms to grow. These biofilms form sticky surfaces that microplastics can adhere to.

The NUS researchers then concluded that the presence of seagrass beds does not necessarily imply greater abundance of microplastics in the environment, as other factors such as vegetation height should also be taken into consideration.

Microplastic trapping by corals: The role of colony shape, structure and surface texture

In another study published in Science of the Total Environment in April 2024, the NUS team investigated the trapping of microplastics by a local branching coral species, Pocillopora acuta.

Previous research suggested that structural complexity and surface roughness of benthic-forming organisms play a role in trapping microplastics. Corals are one of the most structurally complex marine organisms. They exist in many morphologies ranging from branching to dome-shaped forms. Within the species, the branching coral Pocillopora acuta can vary in the thickness of their branches and the proximity between the branches, forming compact and open branching morphologies.

While it is known that corals trap more microplastics than other benthic-forming species such as seagrass and algae, there is limited information on the role of coral morphology and surface roughness (conferred by the micro-skeletal structures and polyp actions) in trapping microplastics.

To fill this knowledge gap, the team conducted experiments in a saltwater flume at the Marine and Freshwater Facility at NUS. They discovered that while corals with compact morphologies trap more microplastics, there was no difference in microplastic trapping across varying levels of surface roughness.

In recent years, there has been an observed shift in the morphology of branching corals towards more compact arrangements due to their resilience against climate-change effects such as rising sea temperatures and increased frequency of tropical cyclones. However, these corals, as well as coral reefs with higher composition of such coral morphology, are also at a higher risk of microplastic pollution because they trap more plastics.

As part of their research, Assoc Prof Todd and his team compiled an inventory of existing and self-designed plastic-less equipment to assist in collecting samples for environmental microplastic monitoring, as they are mindful that using plastic equipment could potentially introduce contaminants through abrasion. Their findings were published in Frontiers in Marine Science in April 2024. Using their plastic-less equipment, the team samples coral reef beds and associated organisms in Singapore to understand microplastic distribution in coral reef environments and food webs.

Assoc Prof Todd said, “It is predicted that the level of microplastic pollution will increase in the coming years. Understanding the current fate and distribution of microplastics will not only provide insight into the habitats at greater risk of pollution in the future, but also feed into analyses of the impact of this pernicious pollutant.”

A novel approach to analysing single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data has been unveiled by NUS researchers. This method promises to enhance both the precision and speed of data interpretation, potentially accelerating progress in numerous areas of biomedical investigation, including studies on cancer and Alzheimer's disease.

The innovative framework, dubbed scAMF (Single-cell Analysis via Manifold Fitting), was developed by a team of scientists led by Associate Professor Zhigang Yao from the Department of Statistics and Data Science at the NUS Faculty of Science. The framework employs advanced mathematical techniques to fit a low-dimensional manifold within the high-dimensional space where the gene expression data are measured. By doing so, scAMF effectively reduces noise while preserving crucial biological information. This allows for more accurate characterisation of cell types and states.

This research was done in collaboration with Professor Yau Shing-Tung at Tsinghua University. Their findings have been published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America on 3 September 2024.

Harnessing manifold fitting techniques to overcome hurdles in data analysis

Single-cell RNA sequencing has become a crucial tool in genomic research, offering unprecedented insights into cellular diversity and disease mechanisms. However, the inherent noise in scRNA-seq data, arising from both biological variability and technical errors, has long posed challenges for accurate analysis. Traditional scRNA-seq analysis methods, including genomic imputation approaches, graph-based methods, and deep learning-based algorithms, often struggle to accurately characterise cell relationships due to inherent noise.

The scAMF framework represents a significant step forward in overcoming these limitations. It operates on the principle of fitting a low-dimensional manifold within the ambient space of gene expression data, effectively reducing noise while preserving crucial information. At the heart of scAMF lies the manifold fitting module which effectively denoises scRNA-seq data by unfolding their distribution in the ambient space. This technique aims to reconstruct a smooth manifold within the original space where the data is measured, capturing the low-dimensional structure of the data in a manner that minimizes information loss and effectively eliminates noise.

The key innovation of scAMF lies in its ability to improve the spatial distribution of the data, bringing gene expression vectors of cells from the same type closer together while maintaining clear separation between different cell types. This enhancement leads to more precise and reliable clustering in subsequent analyses.

"Our approach effectively denoises scRNA-seq data by fitting a low-dimensional manifold in the high-dimensional space," explained Assoc Prof Yao. "This method significantly improves the accuracy of cell type classification and the clarity of data visualisation."

The scAMF method employs a unique combination of data transformation, manifold fitting using shared nearest neighbor metrics, and unsupervised clustering validation.  When compared to other methods, scAMF demonstrates superior performance in several key areas, including more effective noise reduction, improved clustering accuracy, better preservation of biological information, competitive computational efficiency, clearer visualisation, and robust performance across diverse datasets. These improvements position scAMF as a powerful new tool in single-cell analysis, potentially enabling researchers to uncover previously hidden cellular heterogeneity and rare cell populations.

Future work – Driving greater understanding of cellular diversity and function

Building on the success of scAMF, the research team is now developing a novel framework for constructing high-resolution, multiscale cell atlases. This new approach aims to overcome current methodological limitations in cell atlas construction, such as challenges in identifying small cell populations and outdated unsupervised learning techniques.

A key focus is the development of a multi-resolution cell analysis framework based on scAMF. This advanced framework aims to identify rare cell populations and contribute to the construction of comprehensive cell atlases. The multi-resolution approach will allow researchers to analyse cellular heterogeneity at various levels of granularity, from broad cell types to subtle subpopulations. This is particularly crucial for identifying rare cell types that may be overlooked by conventional analysis methods.

"Our ongoing work has already shown promising results across numerous benchmark datasets, revealing novel biological insights," Assoc Prof Yao noted. "We've applied it to the Human Brain Cell Atlas and identified new subtypes and marker genes for various cell types."

This ongoing research promises to push the boundaries of single-cell analysis even further, potentially revolutionising our understanding of cellular diversity and function across various biological systems.

By Dr Zheng Mu, Asst Prof from the Dept of Sociology and Anthropology, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at NUS

• CNA Online, 4 September 2024

• Lianhe Zaobao, 4 September 2024, Singapore, p10

• Lianhe Zaobao, 4 September 2024, Fukan, p8

• The Straits Times, 4 September 2024, The Big Story, pA3
• Berita Harian, 5 September 2024, p7

The Bezos Centre for Sustainable Protein at the National University of Singapore (NUS) was launched today, marking a major milestone as the first of its kind in Asia to advance research in alternative proteins. With a US$30 million grant from the Bezos Earth Fund, the Centre is poised to lead groundbreaking research and commercialisation efforts to develop “ultimate proteins” – advanced hybrid foods that match traditional meat–based products in both taste and price.

By focusing on regional preferences and addressing the urgent challenge of feeding a growing global population, the Centre aims to drive global food security and accelerate innovation across the region. A priority area will be biomass fermentation, which, for example, utilises tofu waste to feed algae, creating high-quality protein.

The NUS Centre joins similar Bezos Centres at Imperial College London in the United Kingdom and North Carolina State University in the United States, forming a global network dedicated to advancing sustainable protein research. The Centre’s primary focus areas include microalgae and biomass fermentation, supported by complementary research into cultivated meat and plant-based technologies. These efforts are strategically aligned to produce next-generation hybrid proteins that are affordable, nutritious, and widely accepted.

“NUS and the Bezos Earth Fund are united by a shared commitment to actively combat climate change. The world’s growing appetite for meat has put a huge strain on our global food system, and we need to develop sustainable food solutions with researchers, government and industry,” said Professor Tan Eng Chye, NUS President. “With the generous support of the Bezos Earth Fund, we look forward to leveraging our unique position in Asia to drive innovation and collaboration across the region, ensuring sustainable protein solutions that benefit consumers and industry, and protect the environment.”

“Asia is pivotal to the future of sustainable proteins, and Singapore is leading the way,” said Sir Andrew Steer, President and CEO of the Bezos Earth Fund. “Just five months ago, we announced our commitment to establish these Bezos Centers for Sustainable Protein and today, US$100 million has been granted to make that vision a reality. The new Centre at NUS harnesses the region’s influence and expertise to drive solutions that can reshape food systems globally, with significant potential impact for East and South-East Asia's 2.3 billion consumers.”

Research at the Centre will be led by 23 expert Principal Investigators from institutions in the ecosystem including NUS, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Institute of Technology, and ETH Zurich. These leaders will also focus on developing talent through various education initiatives, and venture-building programmes at NUS Enterprise, the University’s innovation arm, which aim to translate research into impactful solutions.

By nurturing the next generation of innovators and fostering discussions among scientific, industry, community and policy stakeholders, the Centre is well-positioned to expedite the adoption of sustainable proteins across the region. Professor Zhou Weibiao, Head of the NUS Department of Food Science and Technology (NUS FST) and Acting Director of the new Centre, emphasised the importance of research that addresses both consumer needs and industry demands.

“NUS is well-positioned to host the new Centre given our extensive research expertise and strong partnerships in developing alternative proteins, demonstrated through many joint projects at NUS FST with internal and external partners, as well as our deep understanding of important areas such as nutrition, safety, and consumer perceptions,” said Prof Zhou. “We look forward to making tangible impact by translating cutting-edge research into affordable, attractive, and nutritious alternative proteins for consumers, supporting the industry, and nurturing young talents for a resilient food system.”

The NUS Centre will work closely with partners across industry, government, and academia to translate its research into market-ready products. Key focus areas include microalgae research, biomass fermentation, and cell-cultured and plant-based research. These focus areas will also integrate cross-cutting platforms such as nutrition science, safety, and consumer acceptance into its research.

Please refer to the Annexe for more information on these research areas.

“The NUS Centre is pioneering breakthrough innovations, such as transforming tofu waste into high-quality protein – a practical example of zero-waste, circular economy principles in action,” said Dr Andy Jarvis, Director of Future of Food at the Bezos Earth Fund. “As part of our US$1 billion commitment to reshaping food systems globally, this Centre – alongside our network of sustainable protein hubs – will drive lasting change that meets both environmental sustainability goals and consumer needs.”

The Good Food Institute (GFI) played a key role in partnering with the Bezos Earth Fund to develop its alternative protein strategy. Through its work as a scoping partner, GFI has helped craft the vision for the Bezos Centres for Sustainable Protein.

“With meat demand skyrocketing across the world’s most populous continent, the opportunity for large-scale transformation in Asia’s food supply has never been greater,” said Mirte Gosker, Managing Director of the GFI APAC. “By connecting Singapore’s brightest scientific minds with their counterparts in other global innovation hubs, the Bezos Centre at NUS has the capacity to fully unlock the enormous economic and ecological potential of sustainable proteins.”

By Ms Xu Ni, Research Analyst, and Ms Thi Hang Banh, Research Fellow, both from the Asia Competitiveness Institute, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at NUS

• The Business Times, 3 September 2024, p17

• Tamil Murasu, 3 September 2024, p7

• Lianhe Zaobao, 3 September 2024, News, p8

• Lianhe Zaobao, 3 September 2024, News, p6

By Adjunct Asst Prof Chen Yu from the Dept of Architecture, College of Design and Engineering at NUS

• Lianhe Zaobao, 30 August 2024, Fukan, p4

By Dr Chen Gang, Deputy Director and Senior Research Fellow from the East Asian Institute at NUS

• Lianhe Zaobao, 30 August 2024, Opinion, p19

• 8world Online, 29 August 2024
• The Business Times, 30 August 2024, pA11
• Lianhe Zaobao, 30 August 2024, Business, p22
• Berita Harian, 30 August 2024, p5
• Money 89.3FM, 30 August 2024
• The Business Times, 31 August 2024, p26

By Dr Tan Poh Lin, Senior Research Fellow from the Institute of Policy Studies at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at NUS

• The Straits Times, 2 September 2024, Opinion, pB2

• Lianhe Zaobao, 2 September 2024, Singapore, p8

• Warna 94.2FM, 30 August 2024
• The Straits Times, 31 August 2024, Singapore, pA15

• The Straits Times, 31 August 2024, Singapore, pA14

• Lianhe Zaobao, 31 August 2024, News, p9
• 8world Online, 31 August 2024

Precision farming is an emerging field that uses analysis tools like sensors to collect data on crop plant conditions, such as temperature, humidity, moisture, and nutrient levels. The data collected from these sensors can help to optimise crop yield and allow farmers to promptly respond to changes in plant environments like heat and increased rainfall.

Advancing plant sensor technologies is a multidisciplinary team of researchers from NUS that has created a first-of-its-kind all-organic plant e-skin for continuous and non-invasive plant monitoring. Complementing this innovation, the team also developed a digital-twin plant monitoring system to translate the data collected from the plant e-skin into a visualisation of the plant’s physical characteristics in real-time, paving the way for efficient decision-making in crop breeding and precision farming.

The NUS team is jointly led by Associate Professor Chengkuo Lee from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering under the NUS College of Design and Engineering, and Assistant Professor Eunyoung Chae from the Department of Biological Sciences under the NUS Faculty of Science.

The fabrication process and promising results from testing the plant e-skin and digital-twin platform were published in Science Advances on 16 February 2024.

Innovative e-skin for plant monitoring

Commercially available plant sensors are often rigid, heavy and opaque, which may cause damage to the plants and affect plant growth when mounted onto the plants. Current devices are also unable to provide customised, continuous and accurate data about the plant’s physical conditions.

To resolve these limitations, the NUS research team designed the innovative plant e-skin to be biocompatible, transparent and stretchable using commercially available organic materials. The ultrathin plant e-skin has a thickness of 4.5 micrometres, which is about 10 times thinner than the diameter of a strand of human hair which is around 50 micrometres. The e-skin comprises an electrically conductive layer, sandwiched between two transparent substrate layers. The incorporation of these layers renders the plant e-skin remarkably transparent, allowing over 85 per cent of light to pass through within the wavelength range of 400 to 700 nanometres, perfectly aligning with the light absorbance wavelength needed for plants to produce energy.

The team demonstrated that the plant e-skin could perform reliably on leaves exposed to stress conditions, such as heat and lack of water. The versatile plant e-skin is also compatible for different types of plant leaves and various plant growth environments like rainfall.

Different types of sensors – for measuring strain and temperature – are patterned on the e-skin using simple lithography. The e-skin is then placed on the surface of plant leaves to perform the monitoring of key parameters.

When designing the strain sensor, the researchers took into consideration the requirements needed to monitor the growth of small and delicate leaves while protecting the plant. Using their novel plant e-skin, the NUS team successfully monitored the growth pattern of Field Mustard leaves, showing how the sensor can conform to the surface of the leaf for accurate monitoring, and seamlessly integrated onto plant leaves without causing any observable adverse damage.

In addition, the e-skin temperature sensor enables reliable and non-invasive monitoring of the surface temperature of plant leaves.

“The ability to measure leaf surface temperature is a unique feature of our plant e-skin that is currently not found in conventional temperature sensors. This feature allows us to collect data to understand how to mitigate heat stress on leaves caused by long-term exposure to heat, making it beneficial for precision farming of economically valuable crops,” said Assoc Prof Lee.

Digital-twin system for precision farming

To complement the plant e-skin, the NUS research team developed a digital-twin plant monitoring system to visualise the plant surface environment in real time, providing an intuitive and vivid platform for plant monitoring.

Data collected from the sensors on the plant e-skin is processed to generate a digital output, which is used to create a digital-twin of the plant that mirrors the physical conditions of the real plant. Using temperature as a test condition, the NUS team demonstrated that the digital-twin system can instantly translate temperature fluctuations on the plant’s leaf surface into colour changes on the plant’s digital-twin, for users to visualise the changes in plant surface temperature.

The innovative digital-twin plant monitoring system can help facilitate precise and timely adjustment to plant environments, such as regulating the temperature of an indoor farming facility.

“Besides temperature, this digital-twin plant system can be utilised to continuously and non-invasively monitor physical characteristics of plants under various environments. This would enable quick analysis of such properties of new plant varieties, which has the potential to accelerate crop breeding processes,” said Asst Prof Chae.

Next steps

In the next phase of their work, the NUS researchers hope to integrate more functions into the plant e-skin, such as a humidity sensor and chemical sensor, and couple them with the digital-twin plant system to enable a more comprehensive monitoring of the plant’s physical characteristics.

In the past and even now, it is normal for people to work till their 50s and 60s, and save most of their leisure for retirement. But as life expectancies go up, and people work longer, the timetable might have to change.

“The time for leisure is now,” said British economist Professor Andrew Scott from the London Business School and member of the International Advisory Panel of the Health District @ Queenstown (HD@QT). Rather than waiting till retirement to enjoy life fully, we might consider a four-day work week, part-time work, or, even more radically, joining the workforce at a later age, he added.

“If we’re living longer…we do have to work for longer, but in return, let’s get leisure now – let’s not have it all at the end,” said Prof Scott, who was speaking at NUS during a talk organised by HD@QT on his recent book, The Longevity Imperative: Building a Better Society for Healthier, Longer Lives. The talk was followed by a discussion moderated by Professor John Eu-Li Wong, Executive Director of NUS Centre for Population Health and Co-Chair of the HD@QT Steering Committee.

The event, which was held on 19 August 2024, drew 140 attendees with guests including Dr Tan See Leng, Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Trade and Industry; Mr Alvin Tan, Minister of State for Trade and Industry and Culture, Community and Youth; and Mr Eric Chua, Senior Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and the Ministry of Social and Family Development.

Prof Scott, a big proponent of raising the retirement age to keep pace with higher life expectancies, added that many developed economies are grappling with an ageing population. A key challenge for many is managing a drop in workforce participation rates among people aged 55 to 60.

Singapore, one of the world’s fastest-ageing countries that will attain “super-aged” status in less than 30 years, does not suffer as badly from the trend. It has a retirement age of 63, and a substantial 70.6 per cent employment rate in 2022 for seniors aged 55 to 64.

Responding to a question on what could be done to get people to re-skill and remain “fulfilled” well into their 90s, Prof Scott said silvering societies needed to invest in lifelong learning to ensure continued relevancy for its people – which Singapore is doing with its SkillsFuture framework.

“If we’re living for longer, we have to invest in our human capital. It’s our health, our skills, our relationships…We can’t afford just to focus just on educating people early on, we have to think about lifelong learning,” he said.

Prevention is better than intervention

Beyond staying productive and purposeful during the golden years, it is vital that people also look after their health. As the old maxim goes, prevention is better than cure.

Singapore’s HD@QT is at the heart of the city state’s push for comprehensive healthcare, he highlighted in response to a question from the moderator, Prof Wong.

“Staying healthy is different from treating diseases, and the health system is about treating diseases,” noted Prof Scott. In comparison, he said HD@QT is different as its attention is shifted much more to the prevention of diseases rather than intervention.

HD@QT is a pilot programme spearheaded by NUS, NUHS, and the Housing & Development Board to increase healthy longevity, enable purposeful longevity, promote intergenerational bonding, and support a community of all ages. The Health District has been rolling out a slew of activities since 2021 to promote healthy ageing.

Public and private institutions, Prof Scott remarked, should encourage healthier lifestyles so that more diseases associated with ageing, such as diabetes and dementia, can be prevented. This means promoting healthier food options and active lifestyles, as well as improving environmental factors such as air quality.

“As we’re living longer and longer, the diseases that we’re getting now are the chronic diseases, the long-lasting diseases. What we’ve got to focus on is keeping people healthy,” he stressed.

“What we’ve done very well is increase life expectancy. We’ve postponed the dying…We need to focus on keeping people healthy for longer,” said Prof Scott.

Ageing is not a distant problem

All this should start sooner rather than later, with Prof Scott urging younger people to realise that ageing is not just a distant problem. It is, in fact, shaped by their individual choices and habits today that will impact how well or badly they age.

“An ageing society is not about old people. It’s about you,” he remarked. “What are you going to do now to support your ageing well?”

He added: “Now begins the second longevity revolution. We have to change how we age.”

This second instalment of a two-part series on the Southeast Asia Friendship Initiative (SFI) explores how students on trips led by Eusoff Hall, LightHouse, and Sheares Hall learnt about UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Southeast Asia. From natural resource management in Chiang Mai to eco-tourism and innovation in Vietnam, and reforestation efforts in Bali, these trips offered participants a unique opportunity to learn about and contribute to diverse sustainability practices across Southeast Asia and gain valuable insights into the challenges and innovations driving sustainable development in the region.

Eusoff Hall in Chiang Mai: Environment stewardship and natural resources

Twenty-two students from Eusoff Hall (EH) recently had the enriching opportunity to explore sustainable natural resource management in Chiang Mai, Thailand, during the SFI trip which was led by EH Resident Fellow Mrs Rungnapa Kitiarsa.

The trip included lectures, visits to local communities and businesses, and an in-depth exploration of the intriguing Mae Chaem district, where government, private, and civil society sectors have come together to successfully implement the Mae Chaem model. The Mae Chaem model is a water system management for agriculture and economic forest planting to replace monoculture crops, enabling sustainable development for quality of life and the environment. Through a lecture on the Mae Chaem model at Doi Inthanon National Park in Chiang Mai, students learnt how a community can sustain its forests, as well as its livelihoods through the establishment of successful income-generating activities.

Participants also engaged in various local arts and crafts through skill-based learning activities at the Somdet Ya Community Learning Demonstration School, such as traditional basket-weaving, embroidery, tie-dyeing, and soap-making, creating their own keepsakes from these experiences.

For Teng Chow Jun, a second-year undergraduate from NUS Food Science and Technology, the visit to the Agro-Industry faculty at Chiang Mai University was particularly impactful.

“As a freshman studying Food Science and Technology myself, it was so exciting for me to get to see first-hand the concepts I learn in Singapore getting applied in real-life industrial processes of food development,” said Chow Jun.

“Through observing first-hand their high-tech facilities, equipment and infrastructure, such as the sensory evaluation room where they tasted and evaluated their food products, I could better visualise and link the concepts I learnt at school to real life, strengthening my knowledge,” he added.

While the 10-day trip was brief, the students gained a profound appreciation for the deep culture, environmental stewardship, and community spirit of Chiang Mai. They admired the villagers' commitment to their community, their pride in their businesses, and the culture of kindness and patience which had been unreservedly extended to them throughout their visit.

LightHouse in Bali: Exploring sustainability in education and environment

Second-year Computer Engineering undergraduate Roma Joshi together with 24 peers from NUS LightHouse embarked on an experiential SFI learning journey to Bali, Indonesia, where they explored how various stakeholders in Bali are advancing quality education and environmentally sustainable development, in the face of high tourist traffic.

The group visited several educational institutions during the trip led by Dr Lynette Tan and Dr Amanda Wong, Resident Fellows at LightHouse, where they engaged with local staff and students to better understand their strategies for making education more accessible for local communities and individuals affected by various social issues.

First-hand collaborations with organisations across different industries ranging from tourism and recycling to agriculture also provided students with valuable take-home lessons on how sustainability can be implemented in many ways, and is a multifaceted effort where every organisation, regardless of sector, can make a difference.

Such collaborations included, for instance, planting a Miyawaki forest in partnership with Junglo, a reforestation organisation in Bali, and the local students. This also emerged as the most memorable experience for Roma. Using the Miyawaki method, a rapid reforestation method which grows native plants densely on degraded land, the group planted 450 trees together with local students at the courtyard of SMP Negeri 13 Denpasar, a local high school.

“The Miyawaki Method tree-planting experience was one highlight of the trip for me, and the most concrete way we could contribute to the locals,” said Roma. “Despite the physical effort and intense heat, the collaborative effort with the local students and Junglo was deeply fulfilling for us.”

The rich cultural immersion and engagement with peers from Balinese universities brought an added aspect of warmth and community to the trip, as students returned with new knowledge and experiences of sustainability practices, and a broader appreciation of a neighbouring country which they otherwise may not have had the chance to explore.

Sheares Hall in Vietnam: Weighing in on eco-tourism, sustainability and innovation

How can a community balance tourism, sustainability, innovation, and entrepreneurship? This was the key question tackled by 20 students from Sheares Hall who stepped out on a 10-day exploration of Hanoi, Vietnam in conjunction with their SFI trip. Focusing on topics in the field such as environmental intelligence, circular economy, and ecotourism, the trip was a valuable opportunity for the students to combine their new knowledge with first-hand experiences on the ground.

Through exploration of several eco-tourism destinations, including Halong Bay, Pu Luong, Yen Duc Village, and Bat Trang Pottery Village, which imparted an immersive experience of Vietnam's cultural heritage and natural beauty, the participants also gained practical insights into waste recycling at Urenco Hai Phong. They also visited the Vietnam National Innovation Center which showcased the country's advancements in technology and entrepreneurship.

The trip also included a stay in the village of Pu Luong, which gave the students a privileged glimpse of community life in the area, while engaging in cultural immersion through activities like bamboo rafting, traditional fishing, and performances such as the Sap dance.

“These experiences were vastly different from our daily routines, providing a refreshing perspective on how local communities enrich cultural dimensions, allowing us to discover the traditional ways of life in Pu Luong,” said Kelly Gwee, a third-year undergraduate from NUS Business School.

“During our stay in Pu Luong, the local staff also thoughtfully prepared a campfire, and we all gathered around for an impromptu karaoke session, which added a special touch to the end of our night,” she recalled.

The programme culminated in a presentation on circular economy, eco-tourism and innovation, where participants shared their reflections and insights. The trip was a transformative journey that enriched the participants’ academic breadth through the meaningful exchange of ideas, deepened their cultural understanding of a Southeast Asian neighbour, and enabled them to form cherished lasting connections.

By LightHouse, Sheares Hall and Eusoff Hall.

This article is the second of a two-part series on the Southeast Asian Friendship Initiative. Read Part 1 here.

The Department of Chinese Studies at the NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) has received a gift from Tigillus Foundation to establish the David H.Y. Chang Visiting Professorship in Chinese Studies and David H.Y. Chang Distinguished Professorship in Chinese Studies in support of research and teaching of Chinese language, history and culture at the University.

Both Professorships will attract top scholars in the field. Aside from leading research and fostering international collaboration from an academic perspective, appointed professors will also teach graduate and undergraduate courses on Chinese language, history and culture. The search for candidates for both professorships will begin in 2025.

NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye witnessed the gift agreement signing ceremony that was held at FASS on 30 August 2024. The signatories were Mr David H. Y. Chang, Founder of Tigillus Foundation and Professor Lionel Wee, Dean of FASS.

Professor Ong Chang Woei, Head of the NUS Department of Chinese Studies said, “The Chinese play a major role in shaping China and the world today. Having prominent named professorships that seek to acknowledge the contribution of distinguished scholars who have dedicated their careers to the study of the language, history and culture of the Chinese people not only in China but also around the world would help to create awareness regarding the importance of Chinese culture as a component of world civilisations in universities and beyond.”

The Tigillus Foundation aims to foster mutual understanding between China and the rest of the world through arts, culture and education in the region and worldwide. These include the curation and exhibition of the Chang family’s art collection in international galleries, sponsoring and hosting international philanthropic events that focus on Chinese culture in areas ranging from fine arts to performing arts, as well as endowing professorships and fellowships across the region to promote the study of Chinese history and the world.

Mr Chang shared, “My interactions with NUS have been nothing short of humbling, which speaks volumes of the incredible progress that this institution has made since its inception. In these times of breakneck speed in technological advancement coupled with the highest geopolitical tension since the end of the Cold War, Singapore can and must play a critical role in stabilising both the region and the Sino-Western relations at large. I hope the endowed professorships will attract the best talent to lead Chinese studies in Singapore and also welcome those from China and the West to come as visiting professors to offer an invaluable perspective from their respective home countries.”

“As the leading institution for higher learning in Singapore, NUS is responsible for educating the future leaders of this country. It is my sincere hope that these modest donations will elevate the study for the university and the nation for its future role in the Asia-Pacific region.”

From its origins in 1953 as the former University of Singapore’s Department of Chinese Studies, the FASS Department of Chinese Studies has grown to be recognised as one of the leading institutions in the field of Chinese studies and Chinese language globally, as well as a major centre in the Southeast Asian region.

Last year, the Department celebrated its 70th anniversary with a series of conferences that covered critical issues such as the future of Chinese language education in Singapore and the significance of diasporic and local Chinese popular culture, as well as more in-depth seminars on Chinese linguistics and translation studies, classical Chinese literature, and Chinese social and intellectual history.