NUS has honoured seven exceptional educators, researchers and professionals at the NUS University Awards 2020. The annual event recognises individuals for their outstanding contributions in the areas of education, research and service to the University, Singapore and the global community.
NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye lauded the award winners for being role models for the university community. "Each award winner has exemplified the spirit of excellence with an indomitable spirit. They are truly esteemed individuals - beacons and pathfinders who inspire us to better ourselves and to scale new heights even in times of crisis. NUS is proud to celebrate their dedication and distinguished accomplishments," he said.
This year, the accolades were presented in four categories: Outstanding Service Award, University Research Recognition Award, Young Researcher Award and Outstanding Educator Award.
Outstanding Service Award
NUS conferred the prestigious Outstanding Service Award on SingHealth's Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Professor Ivy Ng for her dedicated contributions which have helped shaped Singapore's healthcare landscape.
Prof Ng dedicated her career to advancing healthcare in Singapore, and is widely acknowledged for her transformative leadership. During her stint as CEO of KK Women's and Children's Hospital from 2004 to 2012, she led the hospital's expansion, from one that is known for specialising in paediatrics, neonatology, obstetrics and gynaecology, to one that comprehensively covers most aspects of women's healthcare, from tertiary services to managing high-risk conditions in women and children.
As SingHealth's Group CEO, Prof Ng steered the growth of SingHealth's system into the largest public hospital cluster in the country, accounting for 50 per cent of patient visits to the public sector and providing the full spectrum of care from community to quaternary services. Today, she oversees four hospitals, eight polyclinics, three community hospitals and five national speciality centres, which employ over 30,000 staff. Prof Ng, who is a strong advocate for a cohesive healthcare ecosystem, also spearheaded SingHealth's Academic Medicine partnership with Duke-NUS Medical School. A hallmark of SingHealth's success, the partnership brought together research, education and clinical care to develop better healthcare solutions.
"I'm deeply honoured and humbled by this award," said Prof Ng, expressing her gratitude. "Singapore must continue to aspire to be among the world's best in every field," she went on to share her vision for Singapore. "We are a small country that needs to be brimming with talented, tenacious and innovative people, unafraid to push boundaries and challenge norms."
"NUS plays a key role towards each generation of graduates being better than the last," she added.
Three other awards were presented to six outstanding educators and researchers at the event:
University Research Recognition Award
- Professor Dario Campana
Department of Paediatrics, NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine
- Professor Dong Jin Song
Department of Computer Science, NUS School of Computing
Young Researcher Award
- Assistant Professor Feng Jiashi
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, NUS Faculty of Engineering
- Associate Professor Ashley St. John
Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Medical School
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine
Outstanding Educator Award
- Associate Professor Ho Han Kiat
Department of Pharmacy, NUS Faculty of Science
- Associate Professor Lim Wee Hun Stephen
Department of Psychology, NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
