Prof Tan is a board member of the National Research Foundation, the National University Health System, NUS High School of Mathematics and Science, and the Singapore Economic Development Board. He also sits on the international advisory boards of a few overseas universities, and is an advisor with the global nonprofit think tank, The Conference Board. In addition, Prof Tan serves on the Board of Directors of the Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator and is the immediate former chair of Universitas 21, a leading global network of 29 research-intensive universities. Prof Tan holds a First-Class Honours Degree in Mathematics from the National University of Singapore and PhD from Yale University.