Former Chief Justice Mr Chan Sek Keong and business leader Mr Stephen Lee Ching Yen appointed as NUS Pro-Chancellors
The National University of Singapore (NUS) today announced the appointment of Mr Chan Sek Keong, former Chief Justice of Singapore, and Mr Stephen Lee Ching Yen, prominent business leader, as Pro-Chancellors of the University. The appointment was made by Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam, President of the Republic of Singapore and NUS Chancellor, with effect from 29 April 2015.
Mr Chan, and Mr Lee, will join current NUS Pro-Chancellors Mr Ngiam Tong Dow, Dr Cheong Siew Keong and Mr Po 'ad Mattar in the University 's Chancellery, which is headed by the NUS Chancellor. University Pro-Chancellors act on behalf of the Chancellor during the Chancellor 's absence from the University, and preside at the annual Commencement ceremonies. Mr Ngiam, and Dr Cheong, were appointed University Pro-Chancellors in 2000, while Mr Po 'ad Mattar, was appointed University Pro-Chancellor in 2012.
Professor Tan Chorh Chuan, NUS President said, "NUS is privileged and honoured to have Mr Chan Sek Keong and Mr Stephen Lee as our new Pro-Chancellors. Throughout their illustrious careers, Mr Chan and Mr Lee have made immense and invaluable contributions to Singapore 's public and private sectors. They have also maintained a strong interest in education and in NUS ' development. We look forward to welcoming them at key university events as our Pro-Chancellors.
We would also like to thank Mr Ngiam, Dr Cheong and Mr Mattar for their valuable contributions and continued support as our Pro-Chancellors."
Mr Chan was a member of the inaugural cohort of students admitted to the Faculty of Law of the then University of Malaya in Singapore, now National University of Singapore, in 1957. He graduated in 1961 and was admitted to the Bar in January 1962. He was appointed the first Judicial Commissioner of Singapore in 1986, and went on to become a Judge of the Supreme Court of Singapore in 1988. In 1992, he was appointed the Attorney-General of Singapore, a position he relinquished in 2006 when he was sworn in as the third Chief Justice of Singapore.
NUS conferred an Honorary Doctor of Laws on Mr Chan in 2010, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the development of Singapore's criminal justice system and constitutional law, distinguished service to the nation, and long-standing and continuing support to its Faculty of Law. He was appointed as a Senior Judge of the Supreme Court on 5 January 2015 for a period of three years and is eligible to sit as a Judge of the Singapore International Commercial Court. He is also currently a Distinguished Fellow at NUS Law.
Mr Lee, who graduated from Northwestern University, Illinois, USA, in 1973 with a Master of Business Administration, is a prominent business leader who has made distinguished contributions to both the public and private sectors. He is the Chairman of Singapore Airlines, SIA Engineering, and NTUC Income Insurance. He is also Senior International Advisor of Temasek International Advisory and Member of the National Wages Council, and serves as an Alternate Member of the Council of Presidential Advisers.
Mr Lee, who was a Nominated Member of Parliament from 1994 to 1997, received the Singapore Public Service Star in 1998, the Singapore Distinguished Service Order in 2006, and Beijing 's Friendship Awards to Foreign Experts in 2007.
Said Mr Lee, "I am most honoured to be appointed as a Pro-Chancellor of the National University of Singapore. It is indeed a privilege to be a part of the preeminent university of Singapore. Tertiary education is an area that I have a personal interest in and I look forward to taking part in the events of the National University of Singapore."
More information about Mr Chan Sek Keong and Mr Stephen Lee Ching Yen can be found in Annex 1 and Annex 2 respectively.
