Yale-NUS College Campus opens - SEP-OCT 2015 - NUS News
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Yale-NUS College
Campus opens
SEP-OCT 2015
9 11 12
Whale goes What NUS Live neuron
to museum means probe
NUS NEWS
Inauguration of Groundbreaking oral healthcare NUS is Asia’s
Yale-NUS College top university
Campus
NUS has been hailed as Asia’s
best university in the 2015/2016
Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World
University Rankings and the Times
Higher Education (THE) World
University Rankings 2015-16.
Globally, the University has been
placed 12th and 26th, respectively.
By surveying 76,798 academics
and 44,226 employers around
the world, the 2015/2016 QS
From left: Prof Salovey, Mr Ong, Mr Lee,
At the symbolic groundbreaking ceremony were: (from left) MOH Chief Dental Officer Assoc Prof Patrick Tseng, World University Rankings found
Prof Lewis and Prof Tan officiating at the
inauguration of Yale-NUS
Assoc Prof Ong, Mr Wong, Prof Tan, Mr Gan, Prof Wong, MOH Director of Medical Services Assoc Prof Benjamin Ong NUS in 9th spot in both academic
and NUHS Deputy Chief Executive (Clinical Enterprise) Adjunct Assoc Prof Joe Sim and employer reputation. The
University is also among the
A symbolic groundbreaking of Dental Centre of Singapore’s Prof Tan, who is also NUHS world’s top 10 universities for
Yale-NUS College (Yale-NUS), Singapore’s of service to society and to the broader educational ecosystem, highlighting its the National University Centre subsidised patient load when it Chairman, believes that “the Engineering and Technology,
first liberal arts residential college, international community that is our best broad-based liberal arts programme, for Oral Health, Singapore took becomes operational in 2019. Centre will position us well Social Sciences and Management,
inaugurated its new campus on 12 October hope in an age of great possibilities and innovative pedagogy and relevance place on 21 September. Guest- to contribute to a major and Natural Sciences; and
in a celebration attended by distinguished grave dangers”. to students from Asia and beyond. of-Honour Singapore Minister The new building will house upward inflection in oral in the global top 20 for Arts
guests, local and international. Singapore’s for Health Mr Gan Kim Yong NUS Dentistry, the only dental health and dental care in and Humanities, and Life
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong was Following this, Yale University President graced the momentous occasion, school in Singapore. It will Singapore and beyond”. Sciences and Medicine.
Guest-of-Honour at the ceremony, Professor Peter Salovey presented together with 200 guests from have the capacity to train
Drawing data from 1,100
while other attendees included
Mr Ong Ye Kung, Singapore’s Acting
Yale-NUS with a bronze statue of
American patriot Nathan Hale, who
Go forth and the healthcare industry and senior
management of NUS, National
80 undergraduates in 2021, up
from the current intake of 54.
Patient-centric facilities
such as hoisting aids and institutions, 11 million academic
Minister for Education (Higher Education graduated from the university in 1773. change the world. University Health System (NUHS), wheelchair-accessible rooms papers, and more than 11,000
academic surveys, the THE World
and Skills), and leaders from educational National University Hospital and The Centre will also encourage will effectively meet an
institutions in Singapore and overseas. NUS President Professor Tan Chorh Chuan – Mr Lee Hsien Loong, the Ministry of Health (MOH). continued and expanded ageing population’s needs. University Rankings 2015-16
presented a Chinese ink painting to the Singapore Prime Minister engagement of dentistry placed NUS in the global top 10 for
In his opening remarks, Professor College. Titled Spirit of the Explorer, it NUS Chairman Mr Wong students with the community. The Centre also enables international outlook, and global
Pericles Lewis, Yale-NUS Founding “encompasses imagination, boldness, Ngit Liong, NUS President NUS Dentistry is currently expansion of the current top 30 for teaching and research.
President, shared the College’s philosophy, resourcefulness, courage and resilience”, Mr Lee highlighted that Yale-NUS needed Professor Tan Chorh Chuan, working with five nursing research network in the It is the only Asian university to
“We have dedicated ourselves to the which underpinned the partnership a curriculum and a college ethos which NUHS Chief Executive Professor homes within the NUHS field of oral-systemic health, be among the world’s top 30.
principles that underpin advanced learning: between NUS and Yale to establish could respond to the regional context to John Eu-Li Wong and NUS Regional Health System and improved care and
free inquiry, open discussion, respect for the Yale-NUS College, he noted. benefit its students. “Its graduates have Dentistry Dean Associate network to enhance oral management of patients due NUS President Professor
a diversity of views, and the constant to understand these countries, have a feel Professor Grace Ong were hygiene schemes and oral to its close proximity with other Tan Chorh Chuan said, “Our
search for knowledge.” He said that Yale- In his speech, Mr Lee spoke of the value of how they work, what they need, how among the guests. healthcare for their residents. NUHS medical departments. consistent performance in
NUS aims to educate students “in a spirit which Yale-NUS brought to the country’s they can move forward...Then they can international rankings is a
be effective working in these countries, “With this latest development, reflection of Singapore’s strong
and helping them to change and to adapt the public can look forward to support for higher education,
as well as NUS’ strong focus
Meeting of minds on liberal education to a rapidly changing world,” he said. receiving subsidised specialised
dental care, complementing on talent and excellence.”
Following the ceremony, Mr Lee the services provided by
Yale-NUS College hosted the inaugural Participants included toured the campus and interacted the National Dental Centre Mr Phil Baty, Editor of the THE
Symposium on International Liberal Education Professor Tan Chorh Chuan, with Yale-NUS students and faculty. Singapore. Singaporeans World University Rankings,
on 11 October, bringing together some NUS President; Professor living in the western part of congratulated NUS on being Asia’s
40 global thought leaders in higher education Peter Salovey, Yale University Founded in 2011, Yale-NUS’ residential Singapore will also find it number one university — the first
from key institutions around the world. President; University of Oxford programme integrates campus living more convenient to access time in the 12-year history of the
Vice-Chancellor Professor and learning. The 64,000 sq m campus, oral healthcare services THE World University Rankings.
With the goal of fostering visionary Andrew Hamilton; Professor set amid lush greenery, adopts a at this new Centre,” said
thinking and dialogue around reshaping Richard Levin, Chief Executive “learning landscape” model which Mr Gan in his speech. “NUS’ new position as Asia’s
undergraduate education for the Officer of Coursera and President marries the designs of East and West. top university and among the
21st century, the symposium focused Emeritus Yale University; and It takes into account the conservation As Singapore’s second very best of the world’s elite
on fundamental challenges facing Professor Zhang Jie, President of of existing trees, one of which is the specialist dental centre, the research universities is thoroughly
higher education today. Shanghai Jiao Tong University. extremely rare Margaritaria indica. Centre will undertake over deserved,” he added.
40 per cent of the National Artist’s impression of the oral health centre
2 3
ACCOLADES NUS NEWS
Research awards recognise eminent scientists Aspiring journalists win trip to Scotland
NUS students showed their an edge. “And of course, they
reporting skills in a global are taught clear, sharp and
journalism essay competition, effective writing,” she added.
scooping all four places
earmarked for Singapore Future News 2015 is organised
participants to attend global by the Scottish government,
journalism conference Future the British Council and
News 2015 in Scotland. Reuters, in partnership with
several media companies and
Three of the winners — recent universities. The conference,
Law graduate Chng Yan, held at the Scottish Parliament
Year 4 Faculty of Arts and in Edinburgh from 4 to 6
Social Sciences (FASS) student September, saw some
Celine Leong and Year 3 FASS 50 aspiring journalists from
student Desmond Koh — have more than 20 countries
taken the News Reporting learning from the best in
and Editing module offered the industry. It also provided
by NUS Communications opportunities for networking.
and New Media (CNM).
The fourth winner was Noteworthy speakers
Year 3 FASS and University included Mr Paul J Ingrassia,
Scholars Programme Managing Editor for Reuters; From left: Celine, Isabella, Chng Yan and Desmond in front of the Scottish
student Isabella Chua. All Ms Sue Turton, an award- Parliament building in Edinburgh, where Future News 2015 was held
four writers have published winning war correspondent
their work on Campus covering the frontlines in the changing landscape of For Celine, writing helps shape
Eye, a CNM news portal. the Middle East; and other journalism especially with the people’s perspectives. “I feel
industry leaders from BBC, growing role of new media that writers occupy positions of
CNM Instructor Ms Tan Ee Lyn Buzzfeed, CNN and STV. in the last two decades; that privileged power, allowing them
was jubilant with her students’ journalism is a calling; and to give voice to the voiceless
From left: Prof Chung, Prof Teh, Prof Tan, Asst Prof Tay, Prof Rozen and Asst Prof Eda triumph. She said that the Sharing her experience at there are always many ways in our society,” she said.
Photo: A*STAR were honoured at this year’s President’s Science & Technology Awards “sense of purpose in journalism”, the conference, Chng Yan for young people to achieve
which the course emphasises, said, “Some of the themes their ambitions and they By Chng Yan, Isabella Chua,
For their outstanding contributions to the President’s Technology Award for his At the event, Mr S Iswaran, Minister in could have given the students that came up strongly were should never stop trying.” Celine Leong and Desmond Koh
Singapore’s research and development innovative research on membranes which the Prime Minister’s Office and Second
landscape, six exceptional NUS researchers has put Singapore at the forefront of Minister for Home Affairs and Trade
were bestowed the highest scientific
honours at the President’s Science and
Technology Awards on 16 September.
membrane research for clean water and
energy applications. His commercialised
membrane designs are widely adopted
and Industry, presented the Young
Scientist Awards that recognise young
researchers aged 35 years and below who
Champions in maritime law competition
Singapore President Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam around the world and have won him have shown immense potential in their Tay Jia En, Dinesh Sabapathy and Hannah Tay The students, who had no prior mooting
was the occasion's Guest-of-Honour. numerous accolades, including the respective fields. Among the recipients represented NUS in the prestigious moot experience, started preparing for the
Outstanding Researcher Award at this were Assistant Professor Goki Eda, NUS competition organised by Murdoch competition last December. They would
The President’s Science Award went year’s NUS University Awards. Physics and NUS Chemistry; and Assistant University and hosted by RMIT University spend almost every day in the library,
to a team from Duke-NUS Graduate Professor Yvonne Tay, NUS Biochemistry from 3 to 7 July in Melbourne, Australia. as well as conduct practice sessions
Medical School Singapore (Duke-NUS) and the Cancer Science Institute. with their coach and professors in
comprising Professor Patrick Tan, who Professor Stephen Girvin from NUS Law who the lead-up to the competition.
is also with the Genome Institute of NUS Award Recipients Asst Prof Eda was lauded for his coordinated the team’s participation said the
Singapore; Professor Teh Bin Tean, pioneering work in the field of team worked exceptionally hard to emerge “The two biggest takeaways from the
who holds an appointment with the • President’s Science Award 2D materials — crystalline, sheet- as the champions. Mr Ian Teo, a Partner at competition were the experience of preparing
National Cancer Centre Singapore; Prof Patrick Tan, Prof Teh Bin Tean like materials only a few atoms law firm Rajah & Tann and mentor to the for a case itself, and the chance to interact
and Professor Steven Rozen. and Prof Steven Rozen, thick — which has garnered more students, also lauded their “unbeaten run with dedicated professors and practitioners
Duke-NUS than 10,000 citations. He received from the start to end of the competition”. who made available their time and experience
Clockwise from left: Cassandra, Syazana, Jia En,
The group is credited with integrative • President’s Technology Award this year’s Young Researcher Award Dinesh, Mr Teo and Hannah with their moot award to coach us,” said Team Captain Jia En. The
and translational research in Asian Prof Neal Chung, from NUS for his research. The finals saw the NUS contestants winners hope their success would inspire
cancer genomics, specifically stomach, NUS Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering A group of students from the NUS square off against the University of Hong other law undergraduates to give their best.
biliary tract, urinary tract and breast Asst Prof Tay’s study focuses on novel Faculty of Law (NUS Law) defeated Kong, successfully arguing their case as
fibroepithelial tumours. The efforts have • Young Scientist Award interactions between different classes 21 teams from law schools around the the claimants that the opposing team This is NUS Law’s fourth win at the maritime
enabled the identification of novel targets Asst Prof Goki Eda, of RNA and how the dysregulation of world to take home the top prize at the were fraudulent in the management of law competition, having clinched the first
for improved therapeutics and diagnostics. NUS Physics and NUS Chemistry these interactions can lead to cancer. 16th International Maritime Law Arbitration a vessel after it was attacked by pirates position at the inaugural run in 2000 and
Asst Prof Yvonne Tay, Her investigation provides a greater Moot 2015. Year 4 student Cassandra Chow and damaged. The team also won the subsequently in 2001 and 2010. NUS Law
Professor Neal Chung, NUS Chemical NUS Biochemistry understanding of microRNA functions and and recent graduates Syazana Yahya, Oral Rounds of the competition. was runner-up in 2004 and 2013.
and Biomolecular Engineering, received has been cited more than 3,700 times.
4 5
NUS NEWS
Alumni Day brings together Science pathfinders remembered in book
NUS community Eighteen former and current NUS faculty
members have been recognised in a
“It was a whole wide field for me. No
one did research in fungi then,” said
A limited run of 200 hardcover and 2,000
softcover copies of the book will be
list of Singapore scientific pioneers in a Dr Lim, who is renowned for her work distributed to schools, libraries and scientific
commemorative book about the country’s in mycology and plant pathology, institutions. It can also be downloaded
science and technology efforts. The which is widely used in agriculture. from www.asianscientist.com/pioneers.
120-page Singapore’s Scientific Pioneers,
published by Asian Scientist with grants
from the SG50 Celebration Fund and
the Nanyang Technological University,
lists a total of 25 scientists aged 50
and above who have made exceptional
contributions to Singapore’s scientific,
engineering, medical and education Research Professor Emeritus Professor
Ariff Bongso, Emeritus Professor Adjunct Research Prof Prof Hang Chang Chieh, Emeritus Professor Kanagaratnam
sectors over the last five decades. Obstetrics and Louis Chen, Chou Loke Ming, Electrical and Computer Huang Hsing Hua, Shanmugaratnam,
Gynaecology Mathematics Biological Sciences Engineering Chemistry Pathology
One of the professors, NUS Obstetrics
and Gynaecology Research Professor
Ariff Bongso, was hailed for his
pioneering work in the area of stem
cell biology.
“I am honoured at the recognition given
to my work and to have been featured University Professor Prof Low Teck Seng, Prof Lui Pao Chuen, Adjunct Professor Emeritus Professor
Some 5,800 people gathered for the Kent Ridge Alumni Family Day Dr Gloria Lim, Lim Pin, Electrical and Industrial and Phua Kok Khoo, Sit (Wong) Kim Ping,
in this book. It has been very satisfying Botany Medicine Electronic Computing Systems Engineering Physics Biochemistry
to have helped childless couples and put
About 5,800 NUS alumni, students, Celebrity NUS alumni Mr Tay Ping Hui Singapore on the biotechnology map
staff and families converged at and Ms Cheryl Wee, as well as the through my research,” said Prof Bongso.
University Town for Kent Ridge Eusoff and Temasek hall bands provided
Alumni Family Day in mid-August. guests with a musical interlude as they Former NUS Science Dean Dr Gloria Lim
enjoyed the afternoon’s festivities. was acknowledged for the role she played
Among the day’s highlights were in grooming generations of botanists.
a campus cook-off, catwalk show Various fun activities such as face-painting Many of her former students have also
and screening of animated movie and balloon-sculpting also kept guests gone on to serve the nation as plant Prof Bernard Tan, Prof Tan Chorh Chuan, Prof Leo Tan, Assoc Prof Tan Tin Wee, Prof John Eu-Li Wong, Dr Wong Poh Poh,
Physics NUS President Biological Sciences Biochemistry Medicine Geography
Big Hero 6. entertained throughout the event. experts and science educators.
Tribute to NUS pioneers Spin-off revolutionises big data analytics
NUS staff members aged Former Director at As people increasingly rely analytics, which enable the 6Estates was founded in of NExT; Chairman and Co-
65 and above who had the NUS Office of the on digital platforms for their ability to analyse large volumes 2014 by four industry founder Professor Chua Tat Seng,
chalked up at least 10 years President Mr E Sukumar daily needs and information, of multilingual, multimedia and veterans and researchers — who is also Director of NExT,
of continuous service were found the high tea it is critical for businesses multisource data in real-time. CEO Mr Gary Chin; CTO and and Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho
feted at the NUS Pioneer both meaningful and to make sense of the huge Co-founder Dr Luan Huanbo, Temple Chair Professor, NUS
Generation Staff Hi-tea. The memorable for him and amount of data from various The innovation offers who is Deputy Executive Director School of Computing; and
event took place just before his former colleagues. sources. An NUS start-up has automated and live intelligence Chief Strategist and Co-founder
the Kent Ridge Alumni leveraged the University’s on consumer behaviour, Mr Roger Yuen, a Co-founder
Family Day in mid-August. “NUS has gone to technologies to “mine” such brands and industry trends. of visual search firm ViSenze.
great lengths to show big data, and present them in The tools’ predictive capability
NUS President Professor its appreciation, and intelligible and usable formats. can pre-emptively identify The young start-up has already
Tan Chorh Chuan recognise our efforts. events and entities before secured several clients, including
welcomed the guests, I was touched by the 6Estates is a spin-off from the they become viral. Ogilvy & Mather China, with
acknowledging them as warm hospitality and NUS-Tsinghua Extreme Search whom a three-month pilot was
“the people who have graciousness that was Centre (NExT), a research centre Furthermore, data insights conducted. 6Estates is currently
really built the University evident all round,” jointly established by NUS and in both English and Chinese raising its Series A investment,
and enabled it to come said Mr Sukumar, Tsinghua University, China. The provide an extra edge to after obtaining $1 million in seed
the very far distance it who had been enterprising firm has designed international businesses’ Co-founders (clockwise from funding from its founders, angel
has travelled, particularly with the University tools incorporating four NUS understanding of the China bottom right) Mr Chin, investors and SPRING Singapore
over the last 50 years”. for 32 years. Prof Tan (in orange) interacting with NUS pioneer staff at the event technologies in advanced data, market, and help Chinese Dr Luan, Mr Yuen and Prof via the Technology Enterprise
as well as predictive and linguistic companies compete globally. Chua of 6Estates Commercialisation Scheme.
6 7
NUS NEWS
Universities plan global campus alliance Singapore whale makes its way to museum
First Singaporean The leaders of three top public universities in We are motivated by our commitment to
elected to US the US, UK and Singapore — the University
of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley), the
utilize our combined academic resources
for the greater good in our home countries
medical academy University of Cambridge and NUS — released
a joint statement on 17 October on their
and around the world. We believe that this
new alliance will open the way for scholars
intention to work towards an agreement to and students at partner institutions to
NUS President Professor Tan Chorh form a new global alliance to collaborate on connect, collaborate and interact in ways
Chuan has been elected to the research and graduate-level programmes. that could not otherwise take place.
influential US National Academy of
Medicine (NAM) as the organisation’s Announced by Professor Nicholas Dirks, While there are certainly a number of multilateral
first Singaporean member. Chancellor, UC Berkeley; Professor Sir and bilateral global partnerships already in
Leszek Borysiewicz, Vice Chancellor, University existence — many of which our institutions
One of the highest honours in the fields of Cambridge; and Professor Tan Chorh Chuan, already participate in — this endeavour is
of health and medicine, the lifelong NUS President, the statement said: differentiated by its intention to place a
membership recognises individuals who commitment to address global problems at
have shown outstanding professional On behalf of our institutions we, the the center of its activities. Among the research
achievements and commitment to undersigned, have agreed to take the first interests we have already identified, based on
service. They are elected based on step towards the formation of a new alliance existing collaborations, are global public health,
their distinguished and continuing of global campuses that will, through climate change, data science, and precision
achievements in a relevant field, collaborative research and educational medicine. In the coming months we look
as well as for their willingness to programmes, take on some of the world’s forward to engaging members of our respective
contribute in conducting significant most pressing problems. Over the coming faculties, as well as students, in order to solicit
health-related studies and activities. months we intend to establish a governance their ideas and input regarding the specifics of
structure and operating procedures for the alliance’s research and educational agendas.
NAM President Dr Victor J Dzau this unique multilateral partnership — the
pointed out that the newly elected cornerstone of an alliance that we expect In the short-term our goal and commitment
members represent the brightest, most to expand, in terms of participation and is to reach agreement on a detailed Museum staff who cleaned up the whale: (from left) Mr Chua, Conservator Ms Kate
influential and passionate people in programmatic scope, in the future. memorandum of understanding by April 2016. Pocklington, Curator Mr Foo Maosheng and Specialist Associate (Collections) Ms Iffah Iesa
health, science and medicine. “The
expertise they bring to the organisation After snaring three dinosaur fossils Sperm whales can grow up to The Jubilee Whale Fund will also
will help us respond to today’s most Chart future course by reading the water as the centrepieces of its gallery, the
NUS Lee Kong Chian Natural History
20m. The International Union for
Conservation of Nature has classified
go towards building an education,
research and conservation programme
pressing health-related challenges
and inform the future of health, In charting the course on the currents of higher Museum (LKCNHM) may be adding them as vulnerable to extinction. around the animal so as to promote
science and medicine,” he said. education, a university must be able to “read the another giant to the display. This could environmental awareness.
water”, said NUS President Professor Tan Chorh be as soon as next year, if public support Professor Rudolf Meier, LKCNHM’s
Prof Tan, who is also the Chairman Chuan. He shared his thoughts on navigating and donations are forthcoming. Deputy Head, revealed that plans are Two current Museum supporters in
of the National University Health the main currents and major eddies of global underway to prepare the whale skeleton Singapore have kickstarted the initiative.
System and Deputy Chairman of the education at the Georgetown University Fall A dead female sperm whale, washed for exhibition in 2016. He expressed Expand Construction, the main
Agency for Science, Technology and Faculty Convocation in the US on 14 October. up on the coast of Jurong Island west hope that parts of the skeleton could contractor for LKCNHM, is contributing
Research, expressed his appreciation Prof Tan giving the keynote address at the of Singapore on 10 July, has been be viewed at the end of this year. $50,000, while Mr Joseph Koh — an
for the honour. He said, “To be As keynote speaker at the important annual Georgetown University Fall Faculty Convocation recovered by the Museum. Staff spent honorary research affiliate of the Museum
elected into this illustrious group of ceremony where Georgetown University 10 days around the clock stripping — and his wife Mrs Koh Peifen, are
distinguished scholars who have made faculty members were recognised for their These nations view the world-class the 10.6m mammal of its flesh and donating a five-figure sum.
such an impact on the information achievements, Prof Tan spoke on “The aims university as a driver of more knowledge- collecting biological samples. After the Ms Pocklington
and policies we have today in the of education: Some perspectives from Asia”. and innovation-based economic growth, defleshing process, bones, including removing the flesh Mr Koh, a former Singapore High
world of biomedicine, medicine and prompting substantially more public funding the vertebral discs, were boiled and from the whale Commissioner to Brunei, called for
health is an incredible privilege. He highlighted three major “currents” for selected universities in various countries. soaked in degreaser to remove the oil. other Singaporeans to chip in and
in Asia. drive the establishment of “our very
“It is a strong recognition of the Third is a growing interest in liberal arts The delicate, exhausting and time- own Singapore whale”.
contributions made by Singapore First, higher education in Asia is massifying education in several parts of Asia. consuming operation to salvage the
at an unprecedented pace and scale. carcass weighing some 8 tonnes Singapore obtained its first complete
eng
and NUS to the study of medicine
sh
and health in Asia, and particularly For instance, NUS and Yale University jointly took several weeks to complete. whale skeleton in 1892. The 13 m baleen
ao
M
meaningful in the 50th year of By 2020, China and India together would set up Yale-NUS College, the only liberal whale beached in Malacca was an old
oo
F
Singapore’s independence and 110th have 65 million students in tertiary education arts residential college in Singapore. Museum Curator of birds and mammals o: Raffles Museum showpiece until 1974.
ot
Ph
year of the University’s founding as a compared with 20 million in the US. “This Mr Marcus Chua was one of the It was subsequently gifted to Malaysia’s
modest medical school,” he added. is a challenge but it does open exciting new Although the Asian focus on higher education researchers who painstakingly scraped The Museum has launched a campaign Muzium Negara, and is now housed in the
opportunities for Asia to innovate and to has been largely utilitarian with influence flesh from the bones of the enormous to raise $1 million for the project. This Maritime Museum in Labuan, East Malaysia.
NAM is an independent partner others, to raise the impact of its from Confucian traditions, there is growing creature at Tuas before it was transported would help finance resources required
organisation that advises the US higher education sector,” Prof Tan noted. appreciation that universities need to to NUS. Even though the cause of death to prepare, restore, mount, exhibit and Members of the public who wish to
and the global community on foster more critical thinking and creativity has not been determined, he pointed maintain the huge specimen, as well donate towards the Jubilee Whale Fund
medical and health issues. Second, a major priority in many Asian countries given the changing nature of work and out that part of the animal’s spine was as create a learning and interactive can do so at http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/
is to develop world-class universities. society in a complex world, said Prof Tan. cracked, possibly from a ship’s propeller. experience around the display. index.php/donate2.
8 9
PERSPECTIVES NUS NEWS
Keep Singapore special for the future What NUS means to the community
Today’s students are a privileged group, had been at the mercy of external honesty, openness and reliability. He He recalled the strong
as they get to experience Singapore’s forces and events, such as British rule, emphasised the importance of these traits, undergraduate nationalist
Golden Jubilee and, very likely, SG100 World War II and major financial crises. “Corruption is such a cancer that once it movement and confrontational
in another five decades. The onus thus sets in, it’s very hard to eradicate...And if style in the early days.
lies on them to build a nation that These events underscored the point there’s one thing that you have to prize, However, the University has
would continue to be special in the that “life is not fair, especially for it’s complete integrity of your systems. And evolved from “a hotbed
next 50 years, stressed Dr Ng Eng Hen, small states”. To mitigate its limited I tell you, the only antidote to sliding down of revolution” since then,
Singapore Minister for Defence. influence, Singapore sets out to the corrupt path is people, not systems.” and he is heartened by the
make as many friends as possible, current engagement model,
Speaking at NUS’ 2015 Kent Ridge a strategy that has worked in its Dr Ng also highlighted “big challenges” which he hopes will continue.
Ministerial Forum in August, Dr Ng asked journey towards nationhood. lying ahead, among them the country’s
rapidly ageing population. However, For Mr Soh, “NUS is a
he believes this could be turned into an university founded by
advantage, example by becoming the the community, for the
I’d rather have honest people with world leader in geriatric products. community. All of us are
honesty and integrity run a less privileged here; we never
He advised the students to stay innovative must have the wrong
perfect system, than dishonest people and resilient, expressing confidence that sense of entitlement.” As
run a perfect system. they could overcome the challenges a former NUS Students’
on the horizon. “I believe that we can Union President, he
– Dr Ng Eng Hen, continue on a steady path, and I believe frequently interacted with
that your future is incredibly bright”. undergraduates from other
Singapore Minister for Defence countries, especially those
His parting message to the youths, from developing nations,
the students whether the Singapore During the question-and-answer “You’re only limited by your dream, who looked up to NUS and
that they live in will be as special to session, the audience posed questions so go chase that rainbow.” aspired to attain its success.
them and to the world in future. ranging from the issues confronting
Singapore and its role in global affairs. A flagship event of the NUS Students’ NUS President Professor
The Minister traced Singapore’s progress Political Association, the Kent Ridge From left: Mr Tan, Mr Pillai, U@live moderator Mr Viswa Sadasivan, Dr Koh and Mr Soh Tan Chorh Chuan who
from 1900 to the present, illustrating Internationally, Singapore occupies a Ministerial Forum aims to promote attended the forum
his points with visuals and interacting privileged position, Dr Ng said, with many political awareness among undergraduates reaffirmed that the
freely with the audience. He highlighted parties wanting to work with the city state as well as foster their interest in key The University is not simply The U@live special on to Singapore’s future as a University remains deeply
that throughout its history, the country because of its reputation for integrity, social and economic issues. an academic institution 23 September also country”. The University committed to the community
where students study for featured Mr Gopinath Pillai, provides a platform for and Singapore. Besides
degrees. It goes way beyond Singapore’s Ambassador- people to discuss and addressing relevant
this basic role to encompass at-Large and Special chart the nation’s future, immediate issues, it will
intangibles such as hope Envoy to Andhra Pradesh; she said. It also promises also explore areas that
and aspiration for the will be important in 10
young; quality and strength to 15 years, he said.
in terms of leadership;
academic achievements; Our University today helps To prepare for the
and impactful research. unpredictable future ahead,
transform lives, uplift society Prof Tan highlighted the
To Mr Johnny Tan, NUS and does Singapore proud. need to create a broad
stands for all these essential “brain trust” by building
attributes, as well as the – Mr Johnny Tan, Chairman, future capital not just
value it adds to individuals, NUS Alumni Student in the visible “lighted
society and nation-building. Advancement Committee areas”, but also the
As a result, the Chairman hidden unknowns in the
of the NUS Alumni Student shadows, to avoid missing
Advancement Committee and Dr Gillian Koh, Senior a better life for Singaporeans out on opportunities.
Member of the NUS Alumni Research Fellow from the and their families by enabling
Advisory Board has become Institute of Policy Studies, social mobility. She welcomed U@live, an initiative of
Dr Ng interacting with “richer”, from getting an Lee Kuan Yew School of the needs-blind criteria where the NUS Alumni Advisory
students in the auditorium education and interacting Public Policy at NUS; and meritocracy determines Board, is organised by
with the NUS community. Mr Soh Yi Da, President student admissions. the NUS Office of Alumni
of the NUS Students’ Relations. The forum
Mr Tan was one of four Union Alumni. On his part, Mr Pillai’s time at features prominent alumni
speakers at the Mega U@live the University of Malaya, the of the University who
forum on “NUS — What Dr Koh sees NUS as the predecessor institution of NUS, have made a significant
Do We Stand For?” embodiment of “dedication “was the ultimate in growth”. difference to society.
10 11
RESEARCH NUS NEWS
Fluorescent probe for live neurons Robot swans patrol Singapore waters
dish and within the organism. Prof Chang, who also heads
No prior chemical could the Laboratory of Bioimaging
stain live neurons exclusively, Probe Development in
while antibodies are used A*STAR’s Singapore Bioimaging
only on dead nerve cells. Consortium (SBIC), said his
team adopted an innovative
Little is known about the Diversity-Oriented approach,
mechanisms controlling which differs from other probes
neurons’ form and function that focus on specific targets.
owing to the lack of tools By screening large numbers of
to visualise these nerve cells compounds on various cells,
in their natural state. the team has established a
huge library of more than
The Singapore breakthrough, 10,000 compounds, enabling
published in Angewandte rapid screening for subsequent
Chemie International Edition tests on any type of cell.
early this year, overcomes
current limitations. Although The group has filed patents
fluorescent proteins are for both the approach
able to view neurons, their and NeuO, and licensing is
complicated and laborious ongoing, Prof Chang disclosed.
preparation deters general The compound is being
Prof Chang (centre), PhD student Er Jun Cheng (left), SBIC Research
use. NeuO, however, can be shared with other research
Fellow Dr Teoh Chai Lean (right) and recently graduated student easily introduced intravenously groups around the world for
The robotic swan developed by TMSI and NERI can collect real-time water-sampling data
Cheryl Leong (not in picture) developed the probe for live neurons instead of having to genetically neurological investigation.
engineer an organism to
express the protein. A flock of swans drifting on Pandan operation requires a boat ride to enhance our current capability
A chemical dye that fluoresces (A*STAR) have invented a probe Reservoir in Singapore are on a to fixed sampling locations. and mitigate such a barrier”.
in living nerve cells, a that can specifically label and Led by NUS Chemistry mission, collecting real-time
world's first, can now enable image live neurons in the brain. Professor Chang Young-Tae, intelligence about the water. NUSwan, developed by two NUS Two of the swans are equipped to collect
researchers to look into This discovery can potentially the team developed and institutes — the Tropical water parameters such as dissolved
neurological disorders in the be applied in diagnostic tools, tested NeuO on zebrafish and The New Smart Water Assessment Marine Science Institute oxygen, pH levels and
body, such as Alzheimer’s surgical aids and drug delivery. mice. The non-toxic chemical Network (NUSwan) project is a low- (TMSI) and NUS chlorophyll, while the third
and Parkinson’s disease. crosses the blood-brain barrier cost robotic platform that can offer Environmental gathers atmospheric
Neuron Orange (NeuO), an and selectively stains neurons water authorities an affordable and Research data, acting like a
Singapore scientists from NUS organic dye formulated by the immediately. The fluorescence efficient alternative to the current Institute weather station.
and the Agency for Science, team, allows real-time imaging passes out of the body Cultured rat neurons laborious method of water sampling. (NERI) — has Data from the
stained with NeuO
Technology and Research of neurons both in the petri harmlessly in a few hours. This time-consuming and expensive recently been swans is streamed
test-bedded wirelessly to a
at Pandan server accessible
Ethnicity associated with nose cancer and Marina
reservoirs.
Data
via the Internet.
The swans can
Nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC), important intelligence of such Physicians from the NUS Yong Loo Lin was no significant difference in collected be loaded with
also known as nose cancer, affects links to NPC, potentially paving School of Medicine, headed by Assistant the two groups’ survival rates. during this different sensors
9.5 in 100,000 people per year the way for developing targeted Professor Lim Chwee Ming from phase will and actuators,
in Southeast Asia and East Asia, therapeutics against the cancer. Otolaryngology, retrospectively The report published in PLOS could be validated depending on need.
predominantly Chinese males. It is reviewed the charts of 558 NPC enable scientists to focus on the Epstein against that from They can also conduct
the eighth most common cancer Previous research established patients at the National University Barr Virus for targeted treatment. other traditional instantaneous operations,
among Singaporean men, occurring that the Chinese in the region has Hospital (NUH) from 2002 to 2012. Dr Lim pointed out that several groups monitoring methods. deviating from their
between 35 and 55 years of age. genetic and environmental links at the National University Cancer preprogrammed mission if the
to the cancer, with the Epstein Although 85 per cent of the Institute are working in this area. Cost has been a barrier in on-board probes sense an irregularity.
However, little knowledge exists Barr Virus variant showing a patients were Chinese, the number getting field data, limiting scientists’
about non-Chinese patients. strong correlation. Hypotheses of non-Chinese subjects was still He added that a clinical trial in cell understanding of the environment and The Chinese National Engineering Center
of causes include cultural dietary sizable, with Malays making up therapy is currently underway at relationship between numerous factors and the Shanghai Jiao Tong University
An NUS study, a first involving preference among Southern about 70 per cent of this group. NUH. The collaboration involves NUS that are at play in complex ecosystems. have signed an agreement with NERI to
multiple ethnicities, has found that Chinese such as preserved food Adjunct Associate Professor Goh test-bed the system in several rivers in
the disease also affects 15 per cent that might contain carcinogens, Many of the non-Chinese patients Boon Cher, Head of Haematology and Lead researcher of the project Assistant Southern China. They are also exploring
of the non-Chinese population in as well as immune response had advanced cancer when they Oncology at the Institute, and NUS Professor Mandar Chitre, TMSI’s the possibility of using NUSwan for water
Singapore. The discovery provides in viral-associated cancers. first sought treatment, but there Paediatrics Professor Dario Campana. Acoustic Research Laboratory Head, surveillance in one of the world’s largest
believes that NUSwan “will be able reservoirs in China.
12 13
NUS NEWS
Key appointments at NUS SingHealth, Duke-NUS raise $30.5m Lum Chang
As Dean Designate, Prof Allen School Singapore (Duke-NUS) supports
will provide FoD with academic
and administrative leadership.
highlighted the significance
of the funds as many of the
sustainability
As the Centre for Oral Health’s successful activities the SingHealth A new professorship has been
Director, he will develop Duke-NUS Academic Medical established at the NUS Institute
its strategic goals, driving Centre has achieved may fall of Real Estate Studies, in honour
initiatives in integrated and outside the bounds of typical of the late Mr Lum Chang
collaborative clinical care, grant support mechanism. of the Lum Chang Group.
medical education and research. “Therefore, funds raised
from private philanthropy for The endowment fund, named
Prof Allen is the winner of medical research and education the Lum Chang Professorship,
Ms Goh Prof Allen Prof Rigg numerous awards in oral health will boost this trajectory of was made possible by a generous
and has held visiting research accomplishments, and help gift of $2 million by the Executive
Cinnamon College at NUS head Standard Chartered Bank’s as well as appointed a Justice positions in several countries. sustain support that can further Chairman of Lum Chang
welcomed its second Rector sales, corporate, and institutional of the Peace in 2013. strengthen, expand and fast-track Holdings Mr Raymond Lum,
Ms Euleen Goh on 1 July. She banking business in 1999. Professor Jonathan D Rigg will these programmes,” he said. Managing Director Mr David Lum
succeeds eminent East Asia Two other appointments will take assume the position of Director, and the Group’s construction arm
historian Professor Wang The non-executive board member effect in early 2016. Asia Research Institute from From left: Prof Ivy Ng, Group CEO, SingHealth; Mr Peter Seah, Chairman, A total of four new Professorships Lum Chang Building Contractors.
Gungwu, who was the College’s of several big organisations — 1 January 2016. Formerly with SingHealth Board of Directors; Mr Tharman; Mr Kai Nargolwala, Chairman, — Tan Cheng Lim-CCF
inaugural Rector since 2010. such as Royal Dutch Shell plc Professor Patrick Finbarr Allen was England’s Durham University, Duke-NUS Governing Board; Prof Tan Ser Kiat, Member, Duke-NUS Governing Professorship in Paediatric The Professorship seeks to
and CapitaLand Limited — is named Dean Designate, Faculty Prof Rigg joined NUS Geography Board and Chairman, SingHealth Foundation; and Prof Soo Khee Chee, Senior Oncology and three Professorships invite outstanding academics
Vice Dean, Clinical, Academic & Faculty Affairs, Duke-NUS and Director,
Cinnamon College houses NUS’ a Trustee of the Singapore of Dentistry (FoD), and Director, in 2013. He is currently the in Cardiovascular Medicine, Plastic and intellectual leaders with
National Cancer Centre Singapore celebrated 10 years of successful partnership
University Scholars Programme Institute of International Affairs National University Centre for Oral Raffles Professor in Social Surgery and Regenerative Medicine a demonstrated ability to
(USP), a multidisciplinary, Endowment Fund. She chairs Health, Singapore next year. He Sciences and Deputy Chair of More than $30 million was Since April 2014, private were set up with the funds. contribute in the field of
residential cum academic the Board of Singapore Chinese will be taking over the baton from the Faculty of Arts and Social raised for medical research and philanthropists’ contributions These endowed Professorships sustainable built environment.
programme for undergraduates. Girls’ School, the Board of Associate Professor Grace Ong, Sciences’ Faculty Promotion education initiatives at the have been supplementing will enable key appointments in
As College Rector, Ms Goh will Governors of NorthLight School who has been Dean since 2010. and Tenure Committee. inaugural SingHealth-Duke- government funding to stimulate teaching and research in medicine. The appointed professors will
facilitate visits and programmes and DBS Foundation Ltd. NUS Gala Dinner 2015 on innovation and translational engage in new lines of research,
for the College, while working Prof Allen is currently the A highly recognised 30 August. More than 700 research. Donors include the At the event, SingHealth and develop innovative teaching
with College Master and USP Ms Goh has won many accolades, Professor of Prosthodontics development geographer, clinicians, researchers, educators Viva Foundation for Children Duke-NUS also marked 10 methods and mentor junior
Director Associate Professor among them a place in the and Oral Rehabilitation of Prof Rigg has been working and donors attended the event with Cancer, Children’s Cancer years of successful partnership faculty members and students.
Kang Hway Chuan to build a Singapore Women Hall of Fame University College, Cork, Ireland. on issues of transformation in graced by Guest-of-Honour Foundation and Lee Foundation. in establishing the Academic Areas of focus will include
sense of community among for her professional success and A former Dean of Dentistry/ rural Asia over the last 30 years. Singapore Deputy Prime Medical Centre, which synergises sustainable development, urban
College residents and Fellows. life achievements. She has actively Head of Cork Dental School and Minister and Minister for Finance Professor Thomas Coffman, Dean education and research to provide planning and green buildings.
contributed to public service Hospital, he holds concurrent The prolific author of books, Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam. of Duke-NUS Graduate Medical the best care for patients.
Ms Goh, a Chartered Accountant, through youth mentorship and appointments as Consultant chapters in edited volumes,
holds professional qualifications community programmes, and was in Oral Rehabilitation and and journal articles sits on
in banking and taxation. She awarded a Public Service Medal Restorative Dentistry, and Head the editorial and advisory Bursary for disabled students
was the first Singaporean to and a Public Service Star, of Unit of Restorative Dentistry. boards of several journals.
Maritime law research gets boost V R’s personal motto was to seek excellence in every sphere
Singapore’s expertise in and government, practitioners The scope of CML, NUS Law’s dispute settlement. MPA, of life, and nurture the conviction to help those who are
maritime law research has from the legal, insurance sixth research centre, includes through the Singapore Maritime disadvantaged. I hope his life and work can inspire the bursary
been enhanced with the and shipping sectors, and research in commercial maritime Institute, has set aside $2 million recipients to achieve their academic aspirations confidently.
establishment of the Centre academics, attended the event. law, private shipping law and to support the Centre’s
for Maritime Law (CML) operations over five years. Mr V R Nathan was a respected community leader. For serving the
and Maritime and Port Indian community with distinction and unwavering commitment, he was
Authority of Singapore (MPA) The MPA Professorship in conferred the Public Service Medal by Singapore in 1986. He was an
ardent advocate of lifelong learning and he diligently supported various
Professorship in Maritime Law. Maritime Law builds on educational initiatives when he was alive. To honour his memory, Mrs
the $4 million MPA visiting Nathan established the V R Nathan Bursary to help financially needy
On 3 September, Guest-of- professorship programme students — with special priority for disabled students — at NUS.
Honour Mr Andrew Tan, Chief established previously. MPA
To find out more about making a gift to NUS, call 1-800-DEVELOP
Executive, MPA and Professor has contributed a further (1-800-338-3567), email askdvo@nus.edu.sg or visit www.giving.nus.edu.sg Mrs Nathan, wife of the late Mr V R Nathan
Simon Chesterman, Dean, $1 million to the Professorship,
NUS Faculty of Law (NUS which further strengthens the
Law) launched CML and the From left: CML Deputy Director Assoc Prof Paul Myburgh, development of resident teaching Editorial Team: Tan Lay Leng, Loo Po Li, Cassandra Yue, Sharon Roberts, Amanda Yee
MPA Professorship. Some 150 Prof Chesterman, Mr Tan and CML Director Prof Stephen Girvin expertise and maritime legal
at the launch Office of Corporate Relations :: National University of Singapore :: University Hall, Lee Kong Chian Wing, UHL #05-03, 21 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119077
members from the judiciary research activities at NUS Law. :: +65 6516 1517 (Tel) :: +65 6775 6386 (Fax) :: news@nus.edu.sg (E) :: news.nus.edu.sg/inprint (W) :: Company Registration No: 200604346E
14 15
Singapore pays homage to Sydney Brenner
“A Crime Against Humanity”; day. I don’t care where I am,
and Dr Brenner on “Homo whether I come down or
sapiens: A Unique Animal”. come up, just to see what’s
happened to the world.”
Singapore Deputy Prime
Minister Teo Chee Hean, At the closing dinner
who is Coordinating banquet, NUS President
Minister for National Professor Tan Chorh Chuan
Security and Chairman recounted the ways
of the National Research Dr Brenner had left his
Foundation, graced the mark on Singapore.
Sydney Brenner Symposium
as Guest-of-Honour. They included the Singapore
The 400 attending Cancer Syndicate, and
members of the recruitment and
the local and training of promising
international scientists and clinicians at
scientific community NUS, National University
witnessed the launch of Hospital and A*STAR.
Dr Brenner sharing his thoughts at the Symposium “A Heroic Voyage”, an
exhibition on Dr Brenner’s
Singapore feted Nobel Prize Laboratory which houses life in science. Held at
winner Dr Sydney Brenner Dr Brenner’s archives, Biopolis, it will subsequently
in October with a two-day co-organised the event. move to NUS and NTU.
event consisting of a
public lecture, symposium About 1,300 guests Dr Brenner recalled the
and exhibition, capped attended the Nobel milestones of his scientific
off with a grand dinner Laureate Public career at the Symposium’s
banquet. The acclaimed Lecture on 1 October opening, ending with, “The
molecular biologist has been featuring Laureates journey will continue, I hope,
instrumental in catapulting Dr James Watson, who after I’m gone. I’ve often
the country’s biomedical spoke on “Stopping asked one request, which is
initiative onto the world Incurable Cancers in 2053, on the anniversary
A glass sculpture of the T4
stage over the last 30 years. through Eliminating Their of the DNA publication, bacteriophage model used by
Anti-Oxidative Defenses”; that I will be allowed to Dr Brenner and colleagues to
NUS, Nanyang Technological Sir Richard Roberts on come back here, (for) one demonstrate DNA triplet codons
University (NTU) and the
Agency for Science, Research
and Technology (A*STAR),
together with US-based
Cold Spring Harbor
Exhibition on
Dr Brenner’s life
in science
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