List of Professorships in Alphabetical Order (T–Z)

A visionary rubber magnate turned education philanthropist, the late Mr Tan Lark Sye (1897-1972) rose from humble beginnings to become one of Singapore’s most respected community leaders. He founded Nanyang University in 1953 and contributed 523 acres of land for its campus. He also championed citizenship and language rights for Singapore’s Chinese community.

The Tan Lark Sye Professorship in Chinese Language and Culture was established in 1997 in commemoration of Mr Tan. Made possible through gifts from various donors, the Professorship honours Mr Tan for his immense contributions to education.

The Professorship supports scholarship in Chinese language and cultural studies and enables internationally renowned scholars to deliver public lectures and academic seminars.

Professor Liu Hong has held this appointment since April 2019. Prof Hong has been recognised among the world’s top 2% scientists in Economics, Political Science, Public Administration, Sociology, and International Relations.

Often dubbed the "pioneer of Asian venture capital", Mr Tan Lip-Bu founded Walden International in 1987 and was appointed CEO of Intel in 2025. His gift to NTU in 2024 for the Tan Lip-Bu Professorship in Artificial Intelligence reflects his commitment to fostering AI research and education.

The Professorship is the first in the field of AI established at NTU. It aims to attract the best and brightest minds to support the advancement of research and education at NTU’s College of Computing and Data Science, which was set up in 2024 to spearhead the university’s AI initiatives.

As NTU builds its AI ecosystem, this Professorship provides crucial momentum, propelling both Singapore's ambition to be a global AI hub and the next generation of transformative tech leaders.

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The Tan Swan Beng Professorship in Construction Industry honours the late ER. Dr Tan Swan Beng for his tremendous contributions to the construction industry, engineering research and education.

Dr Tan led the Public Works Department, which managed public infrastructure in Singapore's early days of nation-building, as Director-General for 12 years. He was responsible for numerous major projects, including the development of Changi International Airport and Benjamin Sheares Bridge.

The Professorship was established as a Visiting Professorship in 1998. It was restructured into an Assistant Professorship in 2022 to support a faculty position, providing recognition for an early-career faculty member with distinguished achievements in the construction industry.

The inaugural recipient of this Assistant Professorship is Assistant Professor Kim Gun, whose research focuses on developing advanced ultrasonic technologies for non-destructive evaluation of civil infrastructure systems.

Founded in 1998 with its headquarters in Shenzhen, China, Tencent's guiding principle is to use technology for good. The internet and technology company develops innovative products and services to improve the quality of life of people around the world.

The company established the Tencent Group Term Professorships in 2023 to recognise and retain NTU faculty members who have demonstrated excellence in research and teaching. It also opens doors for young scientists and aspiring PhD candidates to further their research at the university.

A research grant will be awarded to the Tencent Senior Term Professor and Tencent Early-career/Mid-career Term Professors.

Echoing the purposes of The Korea Foundation to promote a better understanding of Korea, The Korea Foundation Professorship in Korean Studies aims to enhance goodwill and friendship throughout the international community via a diverse array of international exchange activities.

Set up in 2015, the Professorship supports and promotes Korean Studies globally by appointing a professor whose research and teaching primarily focus on contemporary Korean society.

Appointed in June 2017, Professor Lee Kwan Min is the inaugural Korea Foundation Professor in Contemporary Korean Society and New Media at the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information at NTU.

The late Professor Lee Sing Kong (1952-2017) was a widely respected academic and passionate educator, having served in various leadership positions in NIE and NTU. He was known to his colleagues and students as a visionary leader with a heart, a selfless mentor, and a great teacher.

Established in 2017, The Lee Sing Kong Endowment Fund (Professorship) is a tribute to Prof Lee’s lifelong work in advancing early childhood education. The Professorship aims to enhance the experience and expertise of early childhood educators and leaders within the Singapore teaching fraternity, as well as increase interactions and collaborations between NIE, the early childhood teaching fraternity within Singapore, and the international community.

Three recipients have been named Lee Sing Kong Professors in Early Childhood Education, including Professor Iram Siraj, Dr Sharon Lynn Kagan and Professor Robert Pianta.

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The late philanthropist Mr Lee Wee Nam (1881-1964) was a distinguished community leader and entrepreneur who was an ardent supporter of education. He was the founder and Chairman of Lee Hiok Kee Pte Ltd and President of the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce.

In 2001, family members of the late Mr Lee made a gift through Lee Hiok Kee (Pte) Ltd to support NTU’s push for a life sciences programme and established The Lee Wee Nam Professorship in Life Sciences Fund. In honour of the Lee family’s donation, NTU’s flagship library was named the Lee Wee Nam Library.

The Lee Wee Nam Professorship in Life Sciences enables NTU to appoint internationally renowned scholars in the field of life sciences. These academic appointments will expose the School of Biological Sciences and its students to the latest research ideas and knowledge in life sciences. It will also contribute to NTU's efforts to become a centre of excellence in life sciences education and research.

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The Ngee Ann Kongsi, a charitable foundation with roots tracing back to around 1845, is established by the Teochew community in Singapore. Its early role was to look after the welfare of early Teochew immigrants and subsequently to support education and cultural development. Over the decades, it has championed numerous initiatives fostering knowledge and community well-being.

The Ngee Ann Kongsi Professorship in International Relations was established in 2007. The Professorship engages renowned scholars in international relations to teach and conduct research work at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) at NTU.

These distinguished global scholars contribute through lectures, research collaborations, and public engagement. Past visiting academics include Professor David Shambaugh (George Washington University), Professor Jia Qingguo (Peking University), Professor Evelyn Goh (Australian National University), and Professor Chen Dongxiao (Shanghai Institutes for International Studies).

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The Ngee Ann Kongsi, a charitable foundation with roots tracing back to around 1845, is established by the Teochew community in Singapore. Its early role was to look after the welfare of early Teochew immigrants and subsequently to support education and cultural development. Over the decades, it has championed numerous initiatives fostering knowledge and community well-being.

Recognising the importance of education and research, The Ngee Ann Kongsi established The Ngee Ann Kongsi Professorship in Traditional Chinese Medicine in 2004. This initiative fosters academic exchange, research partnerships, and community outreach, deepening public awareness of Chinese medicine and holistic health.

Holders of the Professorship include Professor Luo Songping (Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine) and Professor Xu Hongxi (Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine).

Set up in 1961, the NTUC is the national federation of trade unions in Singapore whose aim is to safeguard and enhance the interests of workers.

The NTUC Professorship in International Economic Relations was established in 2007 to enable the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) to appoint internationally renowned professors to provide leadership for the school’s International Political Economy Programme.

This endowment has enabled RSIS to invite luminaries to share their knowledge with faculty and students, associates in think tanks and universities, the diplomatic corps, as well as the Singapore community. Singapore's senior policymakers also benefit from their meetings with these distinguished visitors.

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The Shaw Foundation in Singapore was set up in 1957 by the Shaw brothers with the overriding principle that wealth contributed by society should be returned and in generous measures. One of the world’s largest philanthropic organisations, the Foundation’s substantial giving has bolstered education, healthcare, and cultural institutions across the region.

The Shaw Foundation Professorship in Media Technology at the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information at NTU was established in 1997. This Professorship supports eminent professors in media studies, driving innovation in journalism, digital communication, and media technologies.

Professor Jack Qiu Linchuan is the current holder of the appointment. His research focuses on issues of digital media and social change in relation to labour, class, globalisation, and sustainability.

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The Toh Kian Chui Distinguished Professorship stands as a tribute to the vision and generosity of the late Mr Toh Kian Chui (1927-2000), founder of construction firm Swee Constructions. Known for his strong belief in nation-building, Mr Toh contributed to Singapore’s infrastructure in its early years, while also championing causes in education, healthcare, and the arts.

Mr Toh guided the Toh Kian Chui Foundation’s giving philosophy, which is to support worthwhile causes that alleviate suffering due to poverty, disease, disability, old age, or mental illness.

Established in 2012, the Distinguished Professorship aims to attract world-renowned clinicians and scientists to Singapore, providing leadership, mentorship, and exceptional research to position LKCMedicine at the forefront of medical education and innovation.

The current appointment holders are Professor John Campbell, Professor of Cardiovascular Epidemiology at LKCMedicine and Imperial College London, and Professor Kristijan Ramadan, Director of the Cancer Discovery & Regenerative Medicine Programme at LKCMedicine.

UOB is a leading bank in Asia with a global network in Asia Pacific, Europe and North America. It believes in being a responsible financial services provider and is steadfast in its support of social development, particularly in the areas of art, children and education.

Established in 1995, the UOB Professorship in Banking strengthens Nanyang Business School’s pursuit of excellence in banking and finance education. It recognises and supports distinguished faculty members whose work has made significant and lasting contributions to the field through teaching, research, and thought leadership.

Professor Tan Hun Tong is the inaugural UOB Professor in Banking. His continued work exemplifies the Professorship’s mission to promote academic excellence, strengthen research impact, and nurture future leaders in the banking and finance sectors.

The Wee Kim Wee Professorship in Communication Studies was established at NTU in 1995 as a tribute to the late President Dr Wee Kim Wee (1915-2005) for his contribution to the country and to communication. This Professorship was made possible through gifts from various donors.

Dr Wee rose from humble beginnings to excel as a journalist and diplomat, eventually serving as President of Singapore between 1985 and 1993. Journalism moulded Dr Wee into a people-oriented President who could understand and address the needs of the citizens.

The establishment of the Professorship and the appointment of eminent professors at the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information have initiated research and study into journalism, publishing, electronic and broadcast media, public and promotional communication and communication research. It helps the school to become a centre of excellence in communication teaching, research and service to the industry.

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The Yidan Professorship in Artificial Intelligence was established in 2024 through a gift from the Chen Yidan Foundation. The Foundation was founded by Mr Charles Chen Yidan, co-founder of Tencent and an advocate for education innovation.

This Professorship is a flagship programme in NTU’s AI strategy, empowering a world-class scholar to drive groundbreaking advancements in AI research and education and bring together top talents from around the world to collaborate on solutions that benefit Singapore and the global community.

The Professorship also helps shape and drive the university’s academic and research programmes within the fields of AI and AI in education.

Read more here.