Dr. Tan Eng Chye

Professor Tan Eng Chye was appointed President of the National University of Singapore (NUS) on 1 January 2018. He is the University’s 5th president, and the 23rd leader to head Singapore’s oldest higher education institution.

Prof Tan is a passionate and award-winning educator. He was a pioneer architect of the current academic system in NUS, and has seeded many initiatives such as the Special Programme in Science, University Scholars Programme, University Town Residential College Programme, Grade-free Year, and Technology-enhanced Education. He was recognised with the University Teaching Award for Innovative Teaching in 1998. Prof Tan also served as President of the Singapore Mathematical Society (2001 to 2005), and President of the South East Asian Mathematical Society (2004 to 2005).

Prof Tan received the Public Administration Medal (Gold) at Singapore’s National Day Awards in 2014 for his outstanding contributions to education. He was awarded the Wilbur Lucius Cross Medal, which honours exceptional alumni in the areas of scholarship, teaching, academic administration and public service, by Yale University in 2018. Prof Tan was also conferred an Honorary Doctor of Science from the University of Southampton in 2018 in recognition of his achievements as “an innovative and exceptional teacher, and then as a distinguished and respected leader in academia”

Abstract of the Speech:

The world is undergoing rapid change and increasing waves of disruption, brought about by the interplay of technology and globalisation. There will be sweeping changes to economies, industries and structures, affecting jobs and the nature of work. The need to continually retool and reskill is already acutely felt. All these point towards the mounting need for lifelong learning, and the strong impetus for universities to play a greater role in meeting lifelong learning needs. At the National University of Singapore, a key part towards our goal of nurturing future-ready graduates lies in imbuing a mind-set of lifelong learning in our students.

Eng Chye TAN