Board of Governors

RSIS is guided by a Board of Governors appointed by the Nanyang Technological University’s Board of Trustees. This Board comprises members representing the University and other organisations and international bodies concerned with defence, strategic studies, diplomacy and international affairs. The Dean of RSIS is an ex-officio member of the Board.

Amongst other functions, the RSIS Board of Governors sets objectives and provides general direction for the School. It reviews the School’s programmes, approves its plans and its budgets, and provides advice when needed.

Term :    

January 2023 - December 2024

  • Dr Tony Tan

    ChairmanHonorary Patron and Distinguished Senior Fellow, SMU
  • Ambassador Ong Keng Yong

    Executive Deputy ChairmanExecutive Deputy Chairman, RSIS, Director, Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies, and Head of International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research
  • Professor Kumar Ramakrishna

    Ex-Officio MemberDean, RSIS, Professor of National Security Studies, Provost’s Chair in National Security Studies, NTU, Research Adviser to ICPVTR

Members


  • Professor Michael E. Brown

    Professor of International Affairs and Political Science, Elliott School of International Affairs, The George Washington University
  • Mr Chan Heng Kee

    Permanent Secretary (Defence), MINDEF
  • Mr Albert Chua

    Permanent Secretary,
    MFA
  • Ms Chew Gek Khim

    Executive Chairman, The Straits Trading Company Limited
  • Dr Bates Gill

    Senior Fellow, Asian Security, National Bureau of Asian Research, US; Non-resident Senior Policy Fellow, Asia Society Australia; and Senior Associate Fellow, Royal United Services Institute, London
  • Mr Peter Ho

    Senior Advisor, Centre for Strategic Futures, PMO
  • Professor Lam Khin Yong

    Vice President (Industry), Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, NTU
  • Mr Pang Kin Keong

    Permanent Secretary, MHA
  • Professor Sir Steve Smith

    UK Government International Education Champion, and Prime Minister’s Special Representative to Saudi Arabia for Education, Department for Education and Department for International Trade
  • Mr Peter Varghese

    Chancellor, The University of Queensland
  • Mr Leo Yip

    Head of the Civil Service, Permanent Secretary, Prime Minister’s Office (Strategy), Permanent Secretary, Prime Minister’s Office, and Permanent Secretary, National Security and Intelligence Coordination
  • Professor Stuart Croft

    Vice-Chancellor and President, University of Warwick
  • Ms Selena Ling

    Chief Economist, Head of Treasury Research & Strategy, Global Treasury, OCBC Bank

January 2021 - December 2022

  • Dr Tony Tan

    ChairmanSpecial Adviser, GIC, and
    Honorary Patron and Distinguished Senior Fellow, SMU
  • Ambassador Ong Keng Yong

    Executive Deputy ChairmanExecutive Deputy Chairman, RSIS, and Director, Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies
  • Professor Ralf Emmers

    Ex-Officio MemberDean, RSIS, President’s Chair in International Relations, and Associate Vice President, International (Alliances & Partnerships)

Members


  • Professor Michael E. Brown

    Professor of International Affairs and Political Science, Elliott School of International Affairs, The George Washington University
  • Mr Chan Heng Kee

    Permanent Secretary (Defence), MINDEF
  • Mr Chee Wee Kiong
    (until 3 April 2022)

    Permanent Secretary, MFA
  • Mr Albert Chua
    (from 4 April 2022)

    Permanent Secretary,
    MFA
  • Ms Chew Gek Khim

    Executive Chairman, The Straits Trading Company Limited
  • Dr Bates Gill

    Executive Director, Center for China Analysis, Asia Society Policy Institute
  • Mr Peter Ho

    Senior Advisor, Centre for Strategic Futures, PMO
  • Professor Lam Khin Yong

    Senior Vice President (Research),
    President’s Chair in Mechanical and
    Aerospace Engineering, NTU
  • Mr Pang Kin Keong

    Permanent Secretary, MHA
  • Professor Sir Steve Smith

    UK Government International Education Champion, and Prime Minister’s Special Representative to Saudi Arabia for Education, Department for Education and Department for International Trade
  • Mr Peter Varghese

    Chancellor, The University of Queensland
  • Mr Leo Yip

    Head of the Civil Service, Permanent Secretary, Prime Minister’s Office (Strategy), Permanent Secretary, Prime Minister’s Office, and Permanent Secretary, National Security and Intelligence Coordination

January 2019 - December 2020

  • Dr Tony Tan

    ChairmanSpecial Adviser, GIC, and
    Honorary Patron and Distinguished Senior Fellow, SMU
  • Ambassador Ong Keng Yong

    Executive Deputy ChairmanExecutive Deputy Chairman, RSIS; and
    Director, Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies
  • Professor Ralf Emmers

    Ex-Officio MemberDean, RSIS, and
President’s Chair in International Relations

Members


  • Professor Er Meng Hwa

    Professor, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, NTU
  • Professor Sir Steve Smith

    Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, University of Exeter
  • Dr Bates Gill

    Professor of Asia-Pacific Security Studies, Macquarie University
  • Ms Chew Gek Khim

    Executive Chairman, The Straits Trading Company Limited
  • Mr Chee Wee Kiong

    Permanent Secretary, MFA
  • Mr Peter Ho

    Senior Advisor, Centre for Strategic Futures, PMO
  • Professor Michael E. Brown

    Professor of International Affairs and Political Science, Elliott School of International Affairs, The George Washington University
  • Mr Peter Varghese

    Chancellor, The University of Queensland
  • Mr Leo Yip

    Head of the Civil Service, Permanent Secretary, Prime Minister’s Office (Strategy), Permanent Secretary, Prime Minister’s Office, and Permanent Secretary, National Security and Intelligence Coordination
  • Professor Vali Nasr

    Majid Khadduri Professor of Middle East and International Affairs, School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University
  • Mr Pang Kin Keong

    Permanent Secretary, MHA
  • Mr Chan Heng Kee
    (from 2 December 2019)

    Permanent Secretary (Defence), MINDEF
  • Mr Chan Yeng Kit
    (until 2 December 2019)

    Permanent Secretary, MINDEF

January 2017 - December 2018

  • Mr Eddie Teo
    (until 31 July 2018)

    ChairmanChairman, Public Service Commission
  • Dr Tony Tan
    (from 1 August 2018)

    ChairmanSpecial Adviser, GIC, and
    Honorary Patron and
    Distinguished Senior Fellow,
    Singapore Management University
  • Ambassador Ong Keng Yong

    Executive Deputy ChairmanExecutive Deputy Chairman, RSIS,
    Director, Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies
  • Professor Joseph Liow

    Ex-Officio MemberDean, RSIS

Members


  • Professor Er Meng Hwa

    Professor, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, NTU
  • Professor Sir Steve Smith

    Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, University of Exeter
  • Dr Bates Gill

    Professor of Asia-Pacific Security Studies, Macquarie University
  • Ms Chew Gek Khim

    Executive Chairman, The Straits Trading Company Limited
  • Mr Chee Wee Kiong

    Permanent Secretary,
    Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  • Mr Peter Ho

    Senior Advisor, Centre for Strategic Futures, PMO
  • Professor Michael E. Brown

    Professor of International Affairs and Political Science, Elliott School of International Affairs, The George Washington University
  • Mr Peter Varghese

    Chancellor, The University of Queensland
  • Mr Leo Yip

    Head of the Civil Service, Permanent Secretary, Prime Minister’s Office (Strategy), Permanent Secretary, Prime Minister’s Office, and  Permanent Secretary, National Security and Intelligence Coordination
  • Professor Vali R. Nasr
    (from 1 January 2018)

    Majid Khadduri Professor of Middle East and International Affairs, School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University
  • Mr Pang Kin Keong
    (from 1 January 2018)

    Permanent Secretary, MHA
  • Mr Loh Ngai Seng
    (until 31 December 2017)

    Second Permanent Secretary, MHA
  • Mr Chan Yeng Kit

    Permanent Secretary, MINDEF

January 2015 - December 2016

  • Mr Eddie Teo

    ChairmanChairman, Public Service Commission
  • Ambassador Ong Keng Yong

    DeputyExecutive Deputy Chairman, RSIS; and
    Director, Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies
  • Professor Joseph Liow

    Ex-Officio MemberDean, RSIS

Members


  • Professor Er Meng Hwa

    Professor, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, NTU
  • Professor Sir Steve Smith

    Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, University of Exeter
  • Dr Bates Gill

    Professor of Asia-Pacific Security Studies, Macquarie University
  • Ms Chew Gek Khim

    Executive Chairman, The Straits Trading Company Limited
  • Mr Chee Wee Kiong

    Permanent Secretary, MFA
  • Mr Peter Ho

    Senior Advisor, Centre for Strategic Futures, PMO
  • Professor Michael E. Brown

    Professor of International Affairs and Political Science, Elliott School of International Affairs, The George Washington University
  • Mr Leo Yip
    (until 31 December 2015)

    Head of the Civil Service, Permanent Secretary, Prime Minister’s Office (Strategy), Permanent Secretary, Prime Minister’s Office, and  Permanent Secretary, National Security and Intelligence Coordination
  • Ambassador Chan Heng Chee
    (until 31 December 2015)

    Ambassador-At-Large, MFA, and Chairman, Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Studies, SUTD
  • Professor Stephen Walt

    Robert and Renee Belfer Professor International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School of Government
  • Mr Benny Lim

    Permanent Secretary, MND, Permanent Secretary, PMO, and Permanent Secretary, National Security and Intelligence Coordination
  • Mr Loh Ngai Seng
    (from 1 January 2016)

    Second Permanent Secretary, MHA
  • Mr Chan Yeng Kit

    Permanent Secretary, MINDEF

January 2013 - December 2014

  • Mr Eddie Teo

    ChairmanChairman, Public Service Commission
  • Ambassador Ong Keng Yong
    (from 3 November 2014)

    DeputyExecutive Deputy Chairman, RSIS; and
    Director, Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies
  • Ambassador Barry Desker
    (until 3 November 2014)

    Ex-Officio MemberDean, RSIS
  • Professor Joseph Liow
    (from 4 November 2014)

    Ex-Officio MemberDean, RSIS

Members


  • Professor Er Meng Hwa

    Professor, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, NTU
  • Professor Sir Steve Smith

    Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, University of Exeter
  • Dr Bates Gill

    Professor of Asia-Pacific Security Studies, Macquarie University
  • Ms Chew Gek Khim

    Executive Chairman, The Straits Trading Company Limited
  • Mr Chee Wee Kiong
    (from 1 June 2013)

    Permanent Secretary,
    Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  • Mr Chiang Chie Foo
    (until 31 August 2013)

    Permanent Secretary, MINDEF
  • Mr Bilahari Kausikan
    (until 31 May 2013)

    Permanent Secretary, MFA
  • Professor Wang Gungwu

    Director, East Asian Institute
  • Professor Harry Harding

    Dean, Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, University of Virginia
  • Mr Tan Tee How
    (until 1 December 2014)

    Permanent Secretary, MHA
  • Ambassador Chan Heng Chee

    Ambassador-At-Large, MFA, and Chairman, Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Studies, SUTD
  • Professor Stephen Walt

    Robert and Renee Belfer Professor International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School of Government
  • Mr Benny Lim

    Permanent Secretary, MND, Permanent Secretary, PMO, and Permanent Secretary, National Security and Intelligence Coordination
  • Mr Chan Yeng Kit
    (from 1 September 2013)

    Permanent Secretary, MINDEF

January 2011 - December 2012

  • Mr Eddie Teo

    ChairmanChairman, Public Service Commission
  • Ambassador Barry Desker

    Ex-Officio MemberDean, RSIS

Members


  • Professor Er Meng Hwa

    Professor, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, NTU
  • Professor Sir Steve Smith

    Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, University of Exeter
  • Dr Bates Gill

    Professor of Asia-Pacific Security Studies, Macquarie University
  • Mr Chiang Chie Foo

    Permanent Secretary, MINDEF
  • Mr Kwek Leng Joo

    Managing Director, City Developments Limited
  • Mr Tan Pheng Hock
    (until 1 November 2012)

    President and CEO, Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd
  • Mr Bilahari Kausikan

    Permanent  Secretary, MFA
  • Mr Peter Ong
    (until 31 December 2011)

    Head of Civil Service, Permanent Secretary, MOF, and Permanent Secretary, National Security and Intelligence Coordination
  • Professor Wang Gungwu

    Director, East Asian Institute
  • Professor Harry Harding

    Dean, Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, University of Virginia
  • Mr Tan Tee How
    (from 1 January 2012)

    Permanent Secretary, MHA
  • Mr Benny Lim

    Permanent Secretary, MND, Permanent Secretary, PMO, and Permanent Secretary, National Security and Intelligence Coordination

January 2009 - December 2010

  • Mr Eddie Teo

    ChairmanChairman, Public Service Commission
  • Ambassador Barry Desker

    Ex-Officio MemberDean, RSIS

Members


  • Professor Er Meng Hwa

    Professor, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, NTU
  • Professor Sir Steve Smith

    Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, University of Exeter
  • Dr Bates Gill

    Professor of Asia-Pacific Security Studies, Macquarie University
  • Mr Peter Ho

    Senior Advisor, Centre for Strategic Futures, PMO
  • Mr Peter Seah

    Chairman, Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd
  • Mr Chiang Chie Foo

    Permanent Secretary, MINDEF
  • Mr Ng Kok Song

    Group Chief Investment Officer, Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC)
  • Mr Kwek Leng Joo

    Managing Director, City Developments Limited
  • Professor Wang Gungwu

    Director, East Asian Institute
  • Professor Harry Harding

    Dean, Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, University of Virginia
  • Mr Benny Lim

    Permanent Secretary, MND, Permanent Secretary, PMO, and Permanent Secretary, National Security and Intelligence Coordination

January 2007 - December 2008

  • Dr Andrew Chew

    ChairmanChairman, Public Service Commission
  • Ambassador Barry Desker

    Ex-Officio MemberDean, RSIS

Members


  • Professor Er Meng Hwa

    Professor, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, NTU
  • Professor Sir Steve Smith

    Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, University of Exeter
  • Mr Peter Ho

    Senior Advisor, Centre for Strategic Futures, PMO
  • Mr Peter Seah

    Chairman, Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd
  • Professor Eliot Cohen
    (until 7 March 2007)

    Robert E. Osgood Professor of Strategic Studies, The Paul J. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, The Johns Hopkins University
  • Professor Francois Heisbourg

    Chairman, International Institute for Strategic Studies Council
  • Mr Chiang Chie Foo

    Permanent Secretary, MINDEF
  • Mr Ng Kok Song

    Group Chief Investment Officer, Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC)
  • Mr Kwek Leng Joo

    Managing Director, City Developments Limited
  • Professor Wang Gungwu

    Director, East Asian Institute
  • Professor Harry Harding
    (from 1 July 2007)

    Dean, Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, University of Virginia
  • Mr Benny Lim

    Permanent Secretary, MND, Permanent Secretary, PMO, and Permanent Secretary, National Security and Intelligence Coordination

July 2004 - December 2006

  • Dr Andrew Chew

    ChairmanChairman, Public Service Commission

Members


  • Professor Er Meng Hwa
    (from 1 August 2006)

    Professor, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, NTU
  • Mr Peter Ho
    (until 15 July 2004)

    Senior Advisor, Centre for Strategic Futures, PMO
  • Mr Peter Seah

    Chairman, Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd
  • Professor Eliot Cohen

    Robert E. Osgood Professor of Strategic Studies, The Paul J. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, The Johns Hopkins University
  • Professor Francois Heisbourg

    Chairman, International Institute for Strategic Studies Council
  • Mr Chiang Chie Foo
    (from 15 July 2004)

    Permanent Secretary, MINDEF
  • Professor Wang Gungwu

    Director, East Asian Institute
  • BG (Ret) Tan Chin Tiong
    (until 15 July 2004)

    First Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  • Associate Professor Tan Tai Yong

    Dean, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, NUS
  • Professor Neo Boon Siong
    (until 31 July 2006)

    Director, Information management Research Centre, Nanyang Business School, NTU
  • Mr Patrick Daniel

    Managing Editor, English and Malay Newspapers Division, Singapore Press Holdings
  • Mr K Kesavapany

    Director, Institute of Southeast Asian Studies

July 2002 - June 2004

  • Dr Andrew Chew

    ChairmanChairman, Public Service Commission

Members


  • Mr Peter Ho

    Senior Advisor, Centre for Strategic Futures, PMO
  • Mr Peter Seah

    Chairman, Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd
  • Professor Eliot Cohen

    Robert E. Osgood Professor of Strategic Studies, The Paul J. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, The Johns Hopkins University
  • Professor Francois Heisbourg

    Chairman, International Institute for Strategic Studies Council
  • Professor Wang Gungwu

    Director, East Asian Institute
  • Mr Ho Kwon Ping
    (until 30 Jun 2003)

    President, Wah-Chang International Corporation (S) Pte Ltd
  • Mr Koh Yong Guan
    (until 30 Jun 2003)

    Managing Director, Monetary Authority of Singapore
  • BG (Ret) Tan Chin Tiong

    First Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  • Associate Professor Tan Tai Yong

    Dean, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, NUS
  • Professor Neo Boon Siong

    Director, Information management Research Centre, Nanyang Business School, NTU
  • Mr Patrick Daniel
    (from 1 Jul 2003)

    Managing Editor, English and Malay Newspapers Division, Singapore Press Holdings
  • Mr K Kesavapany
    (from 1 Jul 2003)

    Director, Institute of Southeast Asian Studies

July 2000 - June 2002

  • Dr Andrew Chew

    ChairmanChairman, Public Service Commission

Members


  • Mr Peter Ho

    Senior Advisor, Centre for Strategic Futures, PMO
  • Mr Peter Seah

    Chairman, Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd
  • Professor Eliot Cohen

    Robert E. Osgood Professor of Strategic Studies, The Paul J. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, The Johns Hopkins University
  • Professor Francois Heisbourg
    (from 1 January 2002)

    Chairman, International Institute for Strategic Studies Council
  • Professor Wang Gungwu

    Director, East Asian Institute
  • Professor Chen Charng-Ning
    (until 31 Dec 2001)

    Deputy President, NTU
  • Mr Ho Kwon Ping

    President, Wah-Chang International Corporation (S) Pte Ltd
  • Mr Koh Yong Guan

    Managing Director, Monetary Authority of Singapore
  • BG (Ret) Tan Chin Tiong

    First Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  • Professor Michael Leifer
    (until time of passing in 2001)

    Director, Asia Research Centre, The London School of Economics and Political Science
  • Associate Professor Tan Tai Yong

    Dean, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, NUS
  • Professor Neo Boon Siong
    (from 1 Jan 2002)

    Director, Information management Research Centre, Nanyang Business School, NTU

July 1998 - June 2000

  • Dr Andrew Chew

    ChairmanChairman, Public Service Commission

Members


  • Mr Eddie Teo

    Chairman, Public Service Commission
  • Mr Peter Seah

    Chairman, Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd
  • Professor Wang Gungwu

    Director, East Asian Institute
  • Kishore Mahbubani
    (until 31 July 1998)

    Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  • Dr Cheong Choong Kong

    Deputy Chairman, Singapore Airlines Ltd
  • Professor Chia Siow Yue

    Director, Institute of Southeast Asian Studies
  • Mr Wee Ee Cheong

    Director, Institute of Southeast Asian Studies
  • Professor Chen Charng-Ning

    Deputy President, NTU
  • Mr Ho Kwon Ping

    President, Wah-Chang International Corporation (S) Pte Ltd
  • Mr Koh Yong Guan

    Managing Director, Monetary Authority of Singapore
  • BG (Ret) Tan Chin Tiong
    (from 1 Aug 1998)

    First Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

July 1996 - June 1998

  • Dr Andrew Chew

    ChairmanChairman, Public Service Commission

Members


  • Mr Eddie Teo

    Chairman, Public Service Commission
  • Mr Peter Seah
    (from 26 July 1996)

    Chairman, Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd
  • Professor Wang Gungwu
    (from 19 February 1998)

    Director, East Asian Institute
  • Mr Kishore Mahbubani
    (from 26 July 1996)

    Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  • Dr Cheong Choong Kong
    (from 26 July 1996)

    Deputy Chairman, Singapore Airlines Ltd
  • Professor Chia Siow Yue
    (from 26 July 1996)

    Director, Institute of Southeast Asian Studies
  • Mr Wee Ee Cheong
    (from 26 July 1996)

    Director, Institute of Southeast Asian Studies
  • Professor Chen Charng-Ning
    (from 26 July 1996)

    Deputy President, NTU
  • Mr Ho Kwon Ping
    (from 26 July 1996)

    President, Wah-Chang International Corporation (S) Pte Ltd
  • Mr Koh Yong Guan
    (from 26 July 1996)

    Managing Director, Monetary Authority of Singapore