09
April
2014
|
17:05
Asia/Singapore

NUS President Professor Tan Chorh Chuan receives International Energy Award for advancing education of future energy leaders

First Singaporean to receive prestigious lifetime award

Professor Tan Chorh Chuan, President of the National University of Singapore (NUS), has been given this year's Abdullah Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah International Energy Award for lifetime achievement in the advancement of educating future energy leaders. Prof Tan received the award in Doha, Qatar, from His Excellency Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, President of the Administrative Control and Transparency Authority in Qatar.

The Abdullah Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah International Energy Awards, which is in its second year, was conceived to celebrate the legacy of HE Al-Attiyah by recognising individuals for their lifetime achievement in advancing fields of work and policy that emulate His Excellency's 40 years of distinguished contribution to the global energy industry.

There are five award categories, which are for the advancement of:

  • Qatar;
  • International energy journalism;
  • The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries;
  • Future energy leaders; and
  • Producer-consumer dialogue.

According to the The Abdullah Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah International Energy Awards Foundation, award winners are recognised for outstanding records of accomplishment in their sector over the whole of a career, and are individuals who have made an exceptional impact on the energy industry with distinct personal achievements for a consistent and prolonged period of engagement.

HE Al-Attiyah, Chairman of the Foundation, noted in a recent letter to Prof Tan: “As president of (the National University of Singapore), you have created an academic institution that is making large strides in energy research and development. As global demand for oil and gas continues to increase, the world will look to the future energy leaders from your academic institution to help solve the grand challenges of the energy sector.”

Said Prof Tan: “It is a great honour to receive this prestigious award. This award is high recognition of the efforts and accomplishments of many distinguished colleagues and energy experts at the National University of Singapore (NUS) who are committed to addressing the pressing energy issues facing countries and populations today. We hope very much that NUS and Singapore can continue to contribute significantly to education, thought leadership and research in energy, oil and gas, including a holistic and multidisciplinary approach to sustainability and development.”

As a leading global university in Asia, NUS has more than 150 experts working on energy-related research and education. They are spread across Faculties that include Arts & Social Sciences, Business, Design & Environment, Engineering, Law, Public Policy and Science, as well as more than 10 key institutes such as the Energy Studies Institute, NUS Environmental Research Institute and the Solar Energy Research Institute. The University also offers 15 energy-related academic programmes in areas such as chemical and biomolecular engineering, environmental engineering, environmental studies, and environment management.

A dedicated NUS Energy Office was set up in 2011 to integrate scientists and expertise from all NUS disciplines to provide holistic, comprehensive and innovative solutions in energy R&D. The office also supports the University's Integrated Sustainability Solutions Cluster in areas such as energy resilience for sustainable growth, and energy-related R&D solutions, education and outreach in environmental sustainability.

In Singapore, NUS has used its campuses and buildings as test beds for energy research ideas and energy-efficient designs that optimise natural ventilation in the tropics, with several newer developments winning local and international environmental design and sustainability awards. The new, multiple award-winning NUS University Town was also the site of the 2013 International Sustainable Campus Network Conference. Leaders from 28 universities across 18 countries participated in the three-day event. NUS was also one of several case studies presented in an ISCN “Best Practice in Campus Sustainability” report at the 2014 Global University Leaders Forum at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland earlier this year.

Prof Tan received the Abdullah Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah International Energy Award for the lifetime achievement in the advancement of educating future energy leaders on Tuesday, 8 April 2014, at the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Qatar. More than 150 CEOs, luminaries of industry, Qatari society, former Heads of State, and Ministers attended the event and gala dinner.

For more information on the awards, please visit the Abdullah Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah International Energy Awards website.