NUS President Prof Tan Eng Chye conferred NUSS Honorary Membership for distinguished contributions
In recognition of his years of illustrious service to the University and the nation, NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye was conferred the prestigious National University of Singapore Society (NUSS) Honorary Membership on 11 Apr.
Prof Tan takes his place among the ranks of NUSS Honorary Members which include Singapore's founding Prime Minister the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew; former state President the late Mr S. R. Nathan; former state President Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam; former Prime Minister Mr Goh Chok Tong, and incumbent Prime Minister Mr Lee Hsien Loong. Former NUS Presidents Professor Shih Choon Fong, Professor Lim Pin and Professor Tan Chorh Chuan are also among the ranks of honorary members that have made their mark in NUS history.
The NUSS Honorary Membership is the highest accolade the premier graduate club may confer on an individual for distinguished service and contributions in public service, NUS or NUSS.
The conferment took place at the Kent Ridge Guild House during the Honorary Membership Conferment cum Sub-Committee Appreciation Dinner, after a hiatus of three years. It was attended by Prof Lim Pin, Prof Tan Chorh Chuan, former Chairman of the NUS Board of Trustees Mr Wong Ngit Liong, and other NUSS Honorary Members and senior management.
Prof Tan has been the NUS President since January 2018. He is the University’s fifth president, and the 23rd leader to head Singapore’s oldest higher education institution. He holds a first class honours degree in Mathematics from NUS and a PhD from Yale University.
A pioneering architect of the current academic system in NUS, Professor Tan is a passionate and award-winning educator who has seeded many initiatives such as the Special Programme in Science, the University Scholars Programme, University Town Residential College Programme, Grade-free Year, and Technology-enhanced Education.
Under Professor Tan’s leadership, NUS has maintained its strong international performance in worldwide rankings. NUS was once again ranked the top university in Asia according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject, released on 6 Apr. This has played a big part in Singapore being assessed as having the best higher education system in Asia.
Prof Tan’s outstanding contributions to education are widely recognised and he received the Public Administration Medal (Gold) at Singapore's National Day Awards in 2014.
He also serves on the boards of various public organisations including the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), National Research Foundation (NRF) and NUS High School of Mathematics and Sciences.
“Prof Tan has been a good friend of NUSS, always making time to join in our major events and working to forge closer ties between NUS and NUSS through programmes such as the NUSS Mentorship programme,” said NUSS Vice-President Tong Hsien-Hui.
“NUSS is proud and privileged to present Prof Tan Eng Chye with the NUSS Honorary Membership, a symbol of our warm friendship, appreciation for his support of NUSS, and recognition for his inspiring leadership and contributions to the University community and Singapore,” he added.
