Historical Development of Kent Ridge Campus

The National University of Singapore started out in 1905 as the Straits Settlement and Federated Malay States Government Medical School. It was later renamed King Edward VII College of Medicine in 1921. In 1949, the medical school merged with Raffles College, which was set up in 1929 to teach Arts and Science at the tertiary level, to become the University of Malaya. This university served the needs of both Singapore and the then Federation of Malaya until 1959, when two largely autonomous divisions of equal status were created – the University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur and the University of Malaya in Singapore. In 1962, the separate campuses became University of Malaya and University of Singapore respectively. The University of Singapore then was physically scattered at four (4) separate locations: Arts & Social Sciences at Bukit Timah, Architecture at Ladyhill, Engineering at Prince Edward Road and Medicine and Dentistry at Sepoy Lines.

After the British withdrawal from Singapore in the late sixties, a lot of prime lands, previously occupied by the British military, were returned to the Government. The then Minister for Ministry of Science & Technology, Dr Toh Chin Chye, initiated with vision the relocation of the University of Singapore from the various campuses to Kent Ridge. In late 1968, a site in Kent Ridge was secured for the new campus to provide for the expansion of the University.

i. UNESCO Feasibility Study

UNESCO sent a mission of three (3) members to Singapore in November 1968. They were Mr T H Borlag (Project Officer, UNESCO), Dr K A Elerend (UNESCO Adviser on postgraduate studies), and Mr J Learmonth (Architectural & Planning Consultant).
Subsequently, a report was submitted to the government with a recommendation to have the various campuses integrated into a centralized University at Kent Ridge. Following this report, a University Development Committee was established in 1969 under the Chairmanship of Dr Toh Chin Chye including the following members: Messrs K R Chandra, Tan Jake Hooi, The Cheang Wan and Hiew Siew Nam.

The University Development Committee was asked to look into the following:

• Study the UNESCO Report;
• Form a local Project Team to work in collaboration with the foreign consultants;
• Approach World Bank for a loan to finance the campus project;
• Seek UNDP assistance;
• Preparation of a Project Paper to the Government;
• Appointment of a Master Planner.

The Local Project Team was entrusted with the initial co-ordination with foreign Master Plan consultants and reporting to the University Development Committee on progress in implementing the campus project. This Local Project Team was later expanded into the University of Singapore Development Unit (USDU).

ii. Setting up of USDU

The USDU was established on 15 September 1970 as the Project Implementation Unit for an integrated University of Singapore at Kent Ridge. It started with a modest staff of 14 members and at its peak, employed 85 members, consisting of officers seconded from the University, government bodies (HDB, PWD and PUB), and others employed by the University on contract.
The Unit is responsible for the financial and administrative control of the project and its scope of work in implementing the project includes:

• Liaison and co-ordinating with the Master Planner;
• Design buildings in accordance with the Master Plan, preparation of construction drawings and documents;
• Engagement, briefing and co-ordination of the specialists to be employed under the technical assistance provision of the project;
• Preparation of Master Lists of Equipment and Furniture;
• Obtain and evaluate international bids for construction, equipment and furniture;
• Supervision of construction and procurement;
• Co-ordination with Ministries and government agencies;
• Liaison with the World Bank.

At its inception, the Unit was supervised by the Ministry of Science & Technology. On 16 June 1975, the supervision of the Unit was transferred to the Ministry of National Development.

iii. Funds
Funds for the Project were provided from the Government and the World Bank.


Timeline