NUS - National University of Singapore

Calendar of Events

The NUS Initiative to Improve Health in Asia (NIHA), a $17 million programme for research, education and capacity building in health policy across Asia, was launched in July 2010. Coordinated by the NUS Global Asia Institute, NIHA's research activities comprise multidisciplinary studies on medical, economic, social and ethical concerns that influence health issues. Some 85 high-level healthcare policymakers, academics and practitioners from around the world gathered at the first NIHA forum in November 2010 to discuss critical health issues in Asia.

The NUS Students' Union (NUSSU) Rag and Flag 2010 raised a record-breaking sum of $514,776 over three weeks for 20 beneficiaries under Singapore's Community Chest. This amount surpassed the previous highest collection of $$505,536 from NUSSU Rag and Flag 2008.

A gathering of some 3,000 students, staff and visitors greeted the Olympic flame for the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games when it made its first torch stop at NUS. NUS Chancellor President Nathan officiated at the Flame Arrival Ceremony celebrations which saw NUSSU Rag floats and performances contributing to the festivities of the occasion.

NUS Chancellor President Nathan and NUS President Prof Tan Chorh Chuan hosted the visit of The Right Honourable Lord Chris Patten of Barnes, Chancellor of the University of Oxford and former Governor of Hong Kong at NUS. Lord Patten spoke on "Europe and the Rise of China and India" at a brunch dialogue chaired by internationally renowned China historian Prof Wang Gungwu, Chairman of the East Asian Institute.

The T-Lab Building, a joint development between NUS and the Singapore Ministry of Defence, was officially opened by Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Mr Teo Chee Hean. The 11-storey high building, which spans 24,700 square metres, is the first permanent home of Temasek Laboratories. It also houses the Mechanobiology Institute, NUS Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Initiative, NUS Environmental Research Institute as well as other research laboratories.

The University held its first ever China-India-Singapore Dialogue on Higher Education which featured five eminent speakers from the three countries. The event provided a platform for discussions and exchange of views between key policymakers and thought leaders on higher education development and planning in China and India, and raised awareness of related topics and issues among the Singaporean community.

The East Asian Institute launched a book based on the writings of China historian Prof Wang Gungwu entitled China and International Relations: the Chinese View and the Contribution of Wang Gungwu. The book explores the efficacy and limitations of Western approaches to China's international relations, and insights that can be gained from the study of Chinese experiences.

NUS and the Suzhou Industrial Park Administrative Committee inked an agreement to set up a research institute within the Suzhou Dushu Lake Science and Education Innovation District at the Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP). NUS is the first foreign university to set up a research institute in SIP. The new NUS Research Institute will pursue research and entrepreneurship as well as offer training programmes to Chinese students within SIP and the surrounding region.

The Department of Statistics and Applied Probability organised the First Singapore Conference on Statistical Science with the aim of fostering greater communication between statisticians working on statistical methodologies and various fields of applications. A total of 19 speakers presented their research findings at the conference, which attracted close to 100 local and foreign participants.

In view of the strong progress shown in the first phase of a partnership that established the Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School Singapore (Duke-NUS), NUS and Duke University extended their strategic collaboration in medical education and research with the signing of the Duke-NUS Phase II Agreement. The Phase II agreement further expands and integrates education, research and clinical care to benefit patients in Singapore and the region.

The NUS Centre for BioImaging Sciences was officially opened by Guest-of-Honour Mr Lim Chuan Poh, Chairman of Singapore's Agency for Science, Technology and Research. The $24 million centre will pioneer leading-edge development and application of novel imaging techniques and computational methods to solve key problems in life sciences, medicine, environment and energy.

Hosted by the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKY School), renowned journalist and three-time Pulitzer Prize winner Thomas L Friedman gave a lecture at NUS, that was attended by more than 1,000 guests. Speaking on "Why We Need a Green Revolution?" based on his bestseller Hot, Flat and Crowded, Mr Friedman identified some key challenges threatening the sustainability of the environment and shared his recommendations on solving these problems.

NUS unveiled a Donor Wall and a series of wall panels at the University Hall Atrium to recognise and honour the many benefactors who have helped the University to develop over the years through their philanthropic support. Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, NUS President Prof Tan Chorh Chuan expressed his appreciation to all supporters, among them NUS alumni, whose gifts grew by nearly 50 per cent last year.

The Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine marked its move to new premises at the Clinical Research Centre with an opening ceremony graced by Chairman of the D S Lee Foundation, Dr Della Lee. The Centre grooms future generations of nurse leaders in healthcare delivery and public service, contributing to the professional development of nursing in Singapore and the region.

The Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music and the Peabody Institute at The Johns Hopkins University inked an agreement to offer a Joint Bachelor of Music Degree programme from August 2011. This is the first international undergraduate conservatory music programme of its kind in the world. A joint concert was also held by the two music schools in Carnegie Hall, New York, in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the NUS-Peabody partnership.

Singapore Prime Minister Mr Lee Hsien Loong spoke on "Leadership Renewal – the Fourth Generation and Beyond" at the 2011 Kent Ridge Ministerial Forum organised by the NUS Students' Political Association. Mr Lee spoke on leadership renewal in the Singapore Government and later fielded questions from the 1,200-strong student audience.

The Yale-NUS College, Singapore's first liberal arts college, was officially launched at NUS by Singapore Prime Minister Mr Lee Hsien Loong. Mr Lee and Dr Ng Eng Hen, Singapore's then Minister for Education, witnessed the official signing of the agreement on the College between NUS President Prof Tan Chorh Chuan and Yale President Prof Richard C Levin. A collaboration between NUS and Yale University, this autonomous college is the first campus set up by Yale University outside New Haven, Connecticut.

The LKY School and leading international business school INSEAD signed an agreement that will pave the way for the two schools to provide their students with a continued pathway from the INSEAD MBA to the LKY School Master in Public Administration and vice versa. This would enable students from INSEAD to branch out into public administration, and students from the LKY School to branch into business administration.

NUS hosted the inaugural Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) Provosts Forum, bringing together some 40 representatives from 26 universities, including over 20 provosts, vice chancellors and vice presidents. APRU's first formal gathering of provosts, the two-day event enabled participants to establish ties and engage fellow provosts on academic issues.

Duke University conferred an Honorary Doctor of Science degree on NUS President Prof Tan Chorh Chuan at its 159^th Commencement at Duke's Wallace Wade Stadium in North Carolina, United States. The honorary award was given in recognition of Prof Tan's contributions as an international leader in biomedical sciences, public health and higher education. Prof Tan was presented with his honorary degree by Duke University President Prof Richard H Brodhead.

Chairman of SPRING Singapore Mr Philip Yeo Liat Kok received an Honorary Doctor of Letters conferred by NUS Chancellor President Nathan at Commencement 2011 for his distinguished service and significant contributions to the University, to Singapore and beyond. His accomplishments include developing talents and creating jobs for Singapore while at the Economic Development Board and the Agency for Science, Technology and Research.

The Temasek Defence Science Institute (TDSI), an alliance between NUS and the US Naval Postgraduate School, held a commemorative celebration to mark its 10th anniversary. Graced by Singapore Defence Minister Dr Ng Eng Hen, the event featured an exhibition which showcased TDSI's development over the past decade and some of its cutting-edge research projects.

The first comprehensive book on Singapore's natural history entitled "Singapore Biodiversity – An Encyclopedia of the Natural Environment and Sustainable Development" was launched by NUS Chancellor President Nathan. Compiled by the NUS Department of Biological Sciences, the 552-page book highlights aspects of Singapore's natural environment and provides an A-Z guide on Singapore's biodiversity.

NUS and the NUS Society (NUSS) co-hosted an event at the NUSS Kent Ridge Guild House to honour Founding Benefactors who have made gifts to University Town. At the ceremony, NUSS conferred an honorary membership on Singapore's former Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew in recognition of his contributions to the nation. Mr Lee later presented tokens of appreciation to the benefactors for their generous contributions totaling $40 million to University Town.