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.

Singapore's multibillion-dollar events industry has a hidden cost

Singapore's multibillion-dollar events industry has a hidden cost

Speaker: Assoc Prof Zhang Weina and Mr Yannis Yuan 6 Nov 2025

As Singapore celebrates its success as a global host for international events like the Formula One Singapore Grand Prix, a harder question looms: Can this growth remain sustainable? Associate Prof Zhang Weina from NUS Business School, who is also Deputy Director of the Sustainable and Green Finance Institute, and Mr Yannis Yuan, Research Associate from the same institute at NUS, weigh in on the significant invisible environmental costs of hosting such events, the necessity of measuring emissions, and the importance of collective will from policymakers, venue operators and organisers to make sustainability part of how success is defined.

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The education arms race cannot be solved by MOE alone

The education arms race cannot be solved by MOE alone

Speaker: Speakers: Mr Nicholas Thomas | 10 July 2026

We can’t wait for an AI crisis before taking action

We can’t wait for an AI crisis before taking action

Speaker: Speaker: Professor Simon Chesterman | 6 July 2026

SpaceX’s investors are giving up control to buy into Musk’s vision

SpaceX’s investors are giving up control to buy into Musk’s vision

Speaker: Speaker: Prof Johan Sulaeman | 3 July 2026

Can Jurong Lake District become Singapore’s second central business district?

Can Jurong Lake District become Singapore’s second central business district?

Speaker: Speakers: Professor Sing Tien Foo | 3 July 2026

Small states are the best bet for keeping world at peace

Small states are the best bet for keeping world at peace

Speaker: Speakers: Professor Danny Quah | 1 July 2026

The old model is broken. Telcos need to reinvent themselves

The old model is broken. Telcos need to reinvent themselves

Speaker: Speaker: Asst Prof Tiffany Tsai | 24 June 2026

The triangular geopolitics of critical minerals

The triangular geopolitics of critical minerals

Speaker: Speakers: Associate Professor Gu Qingyang | 23 June 2026

The Singaporean workers who feel AI has nothing to do with them

The Singaporean workers who feel AI has nothing to do with them

Speaker: Speakers: Prof Irene Y.H. Ng, Mr Tan Zhi Han, Ms V Deepa and Mr Aaron Lim | 15 June 2026

AI companions are coming. Privacy rules are not ready

AI companions are coming. Privacy rules are not ready

Speaker: Speaker: Prof Simon Chesterman | 9 June 2026