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.

Rule vs discretion: Which way should we lean?

Rule vs discretion: Which way should we lean?

Speakers: Assoc Prof Terence Ho 8 Oct 2024

While more flexibility and discretion in public administration is welcome, every effort must be made to uphold impartiality to maintain public trust, with systems of accountability regularly updated and strengthened. Associate Professor (Practice) Terence Ho, from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at NUS, shares his insights on how having robust systems and good people in place is necessary for Singapore to continue to thrive even as the challenges of governance grow ever more complex.

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Examining impact of parents’ sensitivity to children’s needs

Examining impact of parents’ sensitivity to children’s needs

5 May 2026

How to manage Gen Z workers when you don’t always see them

How to manage Gen Z workers when you don’t always see them

Speaker: Speaker: Associate Professor Sarah Cheah | 29 April 2026

Saving giant clams in South-east Asia: Halt poaching, raise funds

Saving giant clams in South-east Asia: Halt poaching, raise funds

27 April 2026

When the gates close designing the resilient city

When the gates close designing the resilient city

Speaker: Speaker: Associate Professor Nirmal Kishnani , Professor (Practice) Wong Mun Summ | 17 April 2026

Why the right of passage through Strait of Hormuz matters to everyone, not just Singapore

Why the right of passage through Strait of Hormuz matters to everyone, not just Singapore

Speaker: Speaker: Dr Tara Davenport | 15 April 2026

Turning AI factories into climate assets

Turning AI factories into climate assets

Speaker: Speaker: Professor Lee Poh Seng | 10 April 2026

A gentler climb with shorter steps for our most vulnerable families

A gentler climb with shorter steps for our most vulnerable families

Speaker: Speaker: Dr Wong Chin Yi | 5 April 2026

If super-tall HDB blocks are coming, here’s what needs to be considered

If super-tall HDB blocks are coming, here’s what needs to be considered

Speaker: Speaker: Dr Woo Jun Jie | 1 April 2026

How to redirect the ‘responsible parent’ script in Singapore’s education system

How to redirect the ‘responsible parent’ script in Singapore’s education system

Speaker: Speaker: Dr Mathew Mathews and Dr Melvin Tay | 25 March 2026

AI may reshape the labour market, but the deeper disruption is in education

AI may reshape the labour market, but the deeper disruption is in education

Speaker: Speaker: By Ben Chester Cheong | 19 March 2026