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.

What a 121km trek across the Gobi Desert taught us about transformation

What a 121km trek across the Gobi Desert taught us about transformation

Speaker: Prof Tan Eng Chye 6 Dec 2024

Transformation is a passage for the bold and willing – it can be nudged in the right direction but the motivation must come from within. NUS President Prof Tan Eng Chye who was part of the NUS team that participated in the 19th Gobi Desert Challenge recounted his rewarding experience and the new lessons learnt. Prof Tan also spoke about the university’s role as an institute of higher learning to fuel the motivation for self-transformation.

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Open for business, closed in our hearts? Immigration and future of Singapore identity

Open for business, closed in our hearts? Immigration and future of Singapore identity

Speaker: Speakers: Dr Mathew Mathews and Dr Melvin Tay | 24 December 2025

All I want for Christmas is the same old thing

All I want for Christmas is the same old thing

Speaker: Speakers: Dr Justin Lee, Dr Robyn Tan and Ms Liang Kaixin | 24 December 2025

Singapore’s social cohesion faces big test in the age of borderless viral hate speech

Singapore’s social cohesion faces big test in the age of borderless viral hate speech

Speaker: Speaker: Associate Professor Jaclyn L Neo  | 20 December 2025

Coming face to face with war in a wildlife sanctuary

Coming face to face with war in a wildlife sanctuary

Speaker: Speaker: Prof Teo Yik Ying | 17 December 2025

Does it really matter where our food is grown?

Does it really matter where our food is grown?

Speaker: Speaker: Prof Lawrence Loh and Florence Leong | 16 December 2025

Harmless fun? People are using Sora to create problematic videos

Harmless fun? People are using Sora to create problematic videos

Speaker: Speaker: Elvin Xing and Sophy Tio | 11 December 2025

Beyond the theories: What Indonesian classrooms need from a global educator perspective

Beyond the theories: What Indonesian classrooms need from a global educator perspective

Speaker: Speaker: Prof Andrew Rose | 8 December 2025

Kopi, kaya and a longer life: Hawker centres hold the key

Kopi, kaya and a longer life: Hawker centres hold the key

Speaker: Speaker: Dr Daniel Mahadzir | 27 November 2025

IPS study: Unity, belonging and pride at the heart of national identity

IPS study: Unity, belonging and pride at the heart of national identity

Speaker: Speaker: Dr Mathew Mathews | 27 November 2025

Singapore's silent crisis: Is grandpa eating well and enough?

Singapore's silent crisis: Is grandpa eating well and enough?

Speaker: Speaker: Prof Teo Yik Ying | 19 November 2025