Ngee Ann Kongsi Donates $3 million to S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies to Set up Professorship in International Relations

27 November 2007

Nanyang Technological University’s (NTU) S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies’ (RSIS) reputation in the Asia-Pacific as an authority in security studies, diplomacy and international affairs has received a significant boost with the announcement of a $3 million donation by Ngee Ann Kongsi to set up the Ngee Ann Kongsi Professorship in International Relations.

RSIS, formerly known as the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies, was Inaugurated on 1 January 2007. It aims to develop a new generation of leaders in international relations and security matters, and to produce a body of research that will help shape policies to safequard the Asia-Pacific region.

The objective of the Professorship is to enable the School to invite distinguished scholars in the field of international relations to participate in its research and teaching activities. Public lectures and seminars will be organised to enable them to share their knowledge with the NTU community and with the Singapore audience at large.

“We believe that education will also help to promote harmony and peace in the region”, said Mr Lim Kee Ming, Vice President of the Ngee Ann Kongsi and Chairman of the Charity and Donation Committee. He also said that it is “through education, the nation and its people will benefit be enriched and equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to deal with the challenges of a constantly changing and evolving globalize world.”

Mr S R Nathan, President of the Republic of Singapore and Patron of the RSIS Endowment Fund, received the cheque at a ceremony held at the Istana today. Also present were Mr S Chandra Das, Chairman of RSIS Fundraising Committee; Mr Lim Kee Ming, Vice President of Ngee Ann Kongsi; Dr Su Guaning, President of NTU, Dr Andrew Chew, Chairman of the S. Rajaratnam Board of Governors and Ambassador Barry Desker, Dean of RSIS.

Besides the Ngee Ann Kongsi Professorship in International Relations, RSIS also has another prestigious professorship, the S. Rajaratnam Professorship in Strategic Studies. Previous holders of the Chair include Professor Stephen M. Walt of Harvard University, Professor Wang Jisi of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and Professor Rosemary Foot of Oxford University.