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The lasting impact of NTU Presidents
Decades after handing over the leadership baton, NTU’s first two Presidents are still having an impact on the University. This year, they have each put their names to an important new initiative in an area that they championed when they were at the helm.
Text: Sadia Roohi
For Prof Cham Tao Soon, it was the development of talented young staff and the mentoring support he gave them to become leaders that inspired him to launch the new Cham Tao Soon Career Development Professorship in Engineering to nurture outstanding faculty members.
Engineering research leadership
Prof Cham, NTI’s first President in 1981, is fondly remembered for laying the foundations for NTU to become the world’s best young university today.
While leading the university, he set up the Principal Staff Officers Scheme, which saw talented young academic staff spend two years working alongside him. Over a period of 20 years, he fostered nine Staff Officers, many of whom have become successful researchers in leadership positions.
Now the university is seeking to rekindle Prof Cham’s nurturing instinct by creating the Cham Tao Soon Career Development Professorship in Engineering
The Professorship will recognise faculty members who have distinguished themselves and are taking up research leadership roles at the university.
Prof Cham reuniting with Accountancy alumni over a meal in 2020.
Prof Cham said that he hoped the Professorship will help the university cement its reputation as a destination for outstanding global talents, and will elevate NTU’s thought leadership and research excellence in engineering.
"I hope the establishment of this new professorship will foster the research talent of more young academic staff and spur them to become leaders in the University," he said.
Since stepping down from the presidency, Prof Cham has remained active in the local industry and the engineering profession, serving on the boards of organisations such as NatSteel Ltd, Singapore Press Holdings, United Overseas Bank and WBL Corporation Ltd. He has also served on high-level committees, including the Council of Presidential Advisers.
The Cham Tao Soon Career Development Professorship in Engineering was officially launched on 3 November 2022 at NTU’s Nanyang Auditorium.
Pay tribute to Prof Cham’s contributions to education by supporting the professorship and add your own momentum to NTU’s development. Make a gift now.
Prof Su Guaning's passion to see innovation and entrepreneurship flourish at NTU led to his new Entrepreneurship Scholarship to support talented students on the entrepreneurial track.
Nurturing the earth-shakers
Prof Su was the second President of NTU, leading the university from 2003 to 2011. On his watch NTU became an autonomous university able to set its own direction, growing rapidly and positioning itself as a global university.
Part of that positioning came from Prof Su’s vision for transforming NTU into a first-rate innovation engine.
During his term, the Nanyang Technopreneurship Center (NTC) was launched, becoming the focal point for technology and entrepreneurship education within the university, and Prof Su played an instrumental role in establishing the Master of Science in Technopreneurship and Innovation programme (MSc TIP) offered by NTC.
Prof Su played an instrumental role in establishing the Master of Science in Technopreneurship and Innovation programme offered by NTC.
Today the new Su Guaning Entrepreneurship Scholarship aims to provide talented students who can contribute to Singapore’s Smart Nation goals, with a technopreneurship education.
Targeted at NTU students undertaking a Second Major in Entrepreneurship, the Scholarship will nurture a new generation of innovation-driven entrepreneurs.
Prof Su said: "An entreprenuer is one who sees the promise and possibilities behind an idea that could become earth-shaking. The willingness to look at potential uses of technology as well as being able to go into business and apply the technology to real-life applications is important."
P rior to his academic career, Prof Su was the CEO of Defence Science & Technology Agency and spent 30 years in Singapore’s defence and research sector. In 2020, he was elected to the United States' National Academy of Engineering for his contributions to regional security and defence and his strong academic leadership.
Honour Prof Su’s contributions towards innovation and entrepreneurship at NTU by supporting this scholarship. Make a gift now.
This article first appeared in issue 2 of U, the NTU alumni magazine.
