Thought Leadership

Some of the world’s leaders, and leading thinkers from NUS and overseas, regularly gather and add to the rich diversity of thoughts and ideas on our campuses, in Singapore and across the globe.
Here’s what they had to share.

It’s time vaping offences had tougher consequences

It’s time vaping offences had tougher consequences

Speaker: Ben Chester Cheong 19 Aug 2025

The extent of Singapore’s vaping crisis has come into sharp focus in recent months. Between January 2024 and March 2025, over 17,900 individuals were caught for possession, while $41 million worth of devices were seized – more than five times the total value of confiscations from 2019 to 2023. Mr Ben Chester Cheong, Associate Academic Fellow at the Asia-Pacific Centre for Environmental Law, NUS Faculty of Law, remarks that vaping has evolved from a tobacco substitute into a sophisticated drug delivery system, a reality that calls for stronger consequences within Singapore’s established legal pathways.

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Youth radicalisation now encompasses more than religious extremism

Youth radicalisation now encompasses more than religious extremism

Speaker: Speaker: Assoc Prof Carol Soon and Hannah Nor’hisham | 25 February 2026

With AI translation tools, what’s the point of learning different languages?

With AI translation tools, what’s the point of learning different languages?

Speaker: Speaker: By Dr Daniel Chan | 21 February 2026

Trump’s Board of Peace: Should we take it literally or seriously?

Trump’s Board of Peace: Should we take it literally or seriously?

Speaker: Speaker: Prof Simon Chesterman | 16 February 2026

Income growth alone won’t sustain social mobility here

Income growth alone won’t sustain social mobility here

Speaker: Speaker: Dr Mathew Mathews | 11 February 2026

Flexible multilateralism for a world in flux

Flexible multilateralism for a world in flux

Speaker: Speakers: Ms Jesslene Lee, Researcher, and Professor (Practice) Paul Cheung | 10 February 2026

Why healthcare innovation must be a team sport

Why healthcare innovation must be a team sport

Speaker: Speaker: Asst Prof Rena Dharmawan | 7 February 2026

Preparing for a future where water costs more

Preparing for a future where water costs more

Speaker: Speaker: Asst Prof Tan-Soo Jie-Sheng | 3 February 2026

Singapore as a super-aged society: Can its health system cope?

Singapore as a super-aged society: Can its health system cope?

Speaker: Speaker: Prof Teo Yik Ying | 2 February 2026

India-EU’s ‘mother of all deals’ is much more than just a trade pact

India-EU’s ‘mother of all deals’ is much more than just a trade pact

Speaker: Speaker: Dr Amitendu Pali | 29 January 2026