NUS CITO recognised as Transformational CIO of the Year
NUS Chief Information Technology Officer, Ms Tan Shui-Min, has been named Transformational CIO of the Year at the SPARK Asia Digital Leaders Award 2025, which honours Chief Information Officers across Asia who have delivered game-changing outcomes through digital innovation.
Under Ms Tan’s visionary leadership, NUS has reimagined its digital landscape — from developing AI-Know, a university-wide platform that democratises AI access, to implementing green IT infrastructure that advances both operational efficiency and sustainability. AI-Know has introduced tools such as AI-Minute for automated meeting summaries and AI-Create for building no-code digital agents, saving the University more than 265,000 man-hours in 2024 and set to generate millions in cost savings and cost avoidance.
She has also championed sustainability through the Green Data Centre Network Upgrade Project, which reduced power consumption by 45 per cent and rack space by 49 per cent, resulting in significant energy and cost savings while advancing NUS’ Green Plan 2030 commitments.
Collaboration is a hallmark of Ms Tan’s leadership. She has pioneered a co-creation model with more than 120 departments, working closely with colleagues to identify pain points and design fit-for-purpose AI solutions. Examples include the laboratory inspection tool with the Office of Risk Management and Compliance, and chatbots with the Offices of Finance and Human Resources. These partnerships ensure business relevance, foster shared ownership, and accelerate adoption. She also spearheaded My Virtual Lab, NUS’ first 3D immersive virtual laboratory, which redefines STEM education by enabling interactive, risk-free training and collaborative simulations.
Looking ahead, NUS is scaling up research capabilities through expanded high-performance computing facilities, currently ranked among the world’s top 110 supercomputers. At the same time, initiatives such as NUSHub and the NextGeneSIS programme are enhancing student engagement and optimising the learner experience across both degree and lifelong learning pathways.
These initiatives are guided by the IT Strategic Plan blueprint envisioned and driven by Ms Tan in 2023. Anchored by four strategic goals — Digitally Empowered Business, Cyber Fortress, Flexible Infrastructure, and Future-Ready IT Workforce — the roadmap ensures technology initiatives are closely aligned with NUS’ mission and vision, supporting both operational excellence and future growth.
Reflecting on the award, Ms Tan said: “I am deeply honoured by this recognition, which is a testament to the collective spirit of NUS. It reflects our shared commitment to building a ‘Borderless University, Powered by Infinite Technology,’ where innovation is open and accessible to all. My guiding principle has always been to empower others – fostering an environment where staff and students feel encouraged to experiment, learn, and thrive.
Looking ahead, I remain committed to advancing our digital transformation, ensuring that technology not only keeps pace with the evolving needs of our university but truly enriches the everyday experiences of our community.”
