Have you ever wondered what it takes to shape the future of education while leaving an indelible mark on society? At the National University of Singapore, seven remarkable individuals have just proven that excellence in academia goes far beyond textbooks and lecture halls.
NUS120 University Awards Honor Outstanding Contributions to Education and Research
NUS paid tribute to seven outstanding educators, researchers and professionals for their contributions to the University, Singapore and the global community at the NUS University Awards 2025. Meanwhile, the annual Awards recognise members of the NUS community who are trailblazers in their fields and have made sterling contributions to NUS, Singapore, and the global community.
Speaking at the awards ceremony held at the University Cultural Centre on 12 September 2025, NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye highlighted the significance of this year’s awards, noting that 2025 marks NUS’ 120th anniversary. As a result, he thanked all award winners for their contributions and commitment towards building NUS into what it is today.
Acknowledging the central role of AI in shaping the future, Prof Tan emphasised that as a forward-looking university, NUS must not remain on the sidelines while others build capabilities, innovate and ride the AI wave. To this end, NUS is mounting a robust and comprehensive approach to AI that spans its core mission areas of education, research, innovation and enterprise, as well as administration. “We will stay ahead, empower and uplift the whole organisation to fully leverage on AI in all that we do. We are striving forward, with AI and through AI, towards our vision to be a leading global university, shaping the future,” he added.
Distinguished Leaders Receive Top University Awards Recognition
This year, the prestigious Outstanding Service Award was conferred on Professor Cheong Koon Hean, Rector of NUS College and Chairman of the Centre for Liveable Cities Advisory Panel under the Ministry of National Development; and Mr Liew Mun Leong, CEO of Gelephu Mindfulness City and Founder and Principal Consultant of Building People Consultancy Pte Ltd., in recognition of their inspiring leadership and dedicated service. Both are accomplished individuals who have made sustained contributions in selflessly serving the University and society.
Professor Cheong Koon Hean: Architect of Singapore’s Urban Future
A globally recognised urban planner and architect, Prof Cheong is instrumental in shaping Singapore’s urban form across multiple decades, from strategic land use and heritage conservation to sustainable public housing and smart‑town innovation.
For example, as former CEO of both the Urban Redevelopment Authority and the Housing & Development Board, she redefined the standards of city-making—spearheading transformative plans for Marina Bay and introducing new generations of public housing marked by inclusivity, biophilia and smart technologies.
As a member of the NUS Board of Trustees for 12 years and now the Rector of NUS College, Prof Cheong bridges academia with public policy through her extensive experience in public service. Furthermore, she has also served on the advisory committees of the former NUS School of Design and Engineering, and NUS Faculty of Engineering.
Currently Chairman of the Centre for Liveable Cities Advisory Panel and the Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities, Prof Cheong continues to influence national and international agendas on urban innovation and sustainability. She also advances global urban sustainability through her many advisory and leadership roles with institutes such as the International Federation for Housing and Planning, the Urban Land Institute, and the World Economic Forum’s Real Estate and Urbanisation Council.
“One of the greatest rewards in serving NUS is to see it grow from strength to strength. My wish is for NUS to not only achieve world-class academic excellence, but to also be the catalyst that encourages curiosity, innovation and risk-taking, nurturing young hearts and minds to think beyond grades and self, aspiring to make a better world.” — Professor Cheong Koon Hean
Mr Liew Mun Leong: Visionary Corporate Leader
The veteran corporate leader’s five-decade career is marked by many valuable contributions to both public infrastructure and private enterprise. Contributing to Singapore’s journey towards becoming a key transportation hub, Mr Liew played a pivotal role in the corporatisation of Changi Airport. He also provided strategic leadership across major infrastructure projects, including Terminal 4, Jewel Changi Airport and Changi East.
In the private sector over a span of 32 years, he led as CEO and was an active board member of several significant companies, many of which were publicly listed. These include CapitaLand, Capital Mall Trust (the first REIT in Singapore) and the Singapore Exchange. Additionally, he also chaired the boards of Capital Mall Asia, Changi Airport Group, Surbana Jurong Consultancy Holding and Pavilion Gas.
Throughout his extensive career, Mr Liew has shared his expertise in engineering, strategic management and infrastructure development on various boards and panels. In 2024, he was appointed by Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck as CEO of Gelephu Mindfulness City, a special administrative region envisioned as a vibrant economic hub within Bhutan.
An NUS alumnus, Mr Liew was Provost’s Chair Professor (Practice) at the NUS Business School, Faculty of Engineering, and the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. Moreover, he also provided expertise on various boards within NUS, including NUS Business School’s management advisory board and NUS School of Continuing and Lifelong Education’s inaugural industry advisory board, where he fostered collaborations between academia and industry.
Excellence Across Academic Disciplines
The NUS University Awards 2025 also recognised the accomplishments of five outstanding educators and researchers across various categories of academic achievement.
Breakthrough Research Recognition
Professor Liu Xiaogang, Distinguished Professor in the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, and the Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, was recognised for his groundbreaking research that has placed NUS at the forefront of his area of expertise.
A global leader in nanophotonics and bioimaging, Prof Liu has made transformative contributions to the development of advanced X-ray imaging and optical sensing technologies. His work on all-inorganic perovskite nanoscintillators and high-resolution X-ray luminescence extension imaging has redefined deep-tissue visualisation. This remarkable research has enabled breakthroughs in diagnostics, radiotherapy monitoring and multi-spectral imaging.
Rising Stars in Research Innovation
Assistant Professor Hou Yi from the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, College of Design and Engineering; and Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore was commended for conducting groundbreaking research with the potential to extend the frontiers of knowledge in his field.
A Presidential Young Professor, Asst Prof Hou has made sterling contributions to the field of renewable energy, particularly in perovskite solar cell technology. He has received global acknowledgement for his work, including his inclusion in the MIT Innovators Under 35 list for the Asia-Pacific region. His recognition as a Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher in the Cross-Field category from 2022 to 2024 further highlights his exceptional impact on his field.
Exceptional Mentorship and Teaching Excellence
Professor Yan Ning from the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, was honoured for his excellent and committed mentorship in nurturing the next generation of scholars and thought leaders.
Prof Yan is one of the world’s foremost names in the broad area of catalysis, particularly in the conversion of waste biomass feedstocks into valuable molecules such as amino acids and fuels. Under his guidance, his students have made many impactful research contributions, won prestigious awards at various international scientific competitions, and flourished in diverse and illustrious careers as academics, industry practitioners, and even entrepreneurs.
Two faculty members were acknowledged for being exemplary educators who have excelled in engaging and inspiring students in their quest for knowledge. Associate Professor Damith Chatura Rajapakse from the Department of Computer Science, School of Computing, stands out as a teacher who inspires, a mentor who empowers, and an innovator whose influence is felt far beyond the campus. His teaching evaluations consistently soar above School and Department averages, and his students regularly nominate him for best teaching in every course he conducts.
Similarly, Associate Professor Peter Alan Todd from the Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science; and Tropical Marine Science Institute, employs a “learning by doing science” philosophy. He employs problem-based learning to inspire creative thinking and designs authentic assignments that challenge students to use high-level cognitive skills. Over 50 journal papers by undergraduate students as first authors have been published with his guidance.
These seven exceptional individuals embody the spirit of innovation, dedication, and excellence that defines NUS as it celebrates its 120th anniversary. Their contributions span from revolutionary urban planning and corporate leadership to cutting-edge research in renewable energy and transformative educational practices. As NUS continues to embrace artificial intelligence and position itself as a leading global university, these award recipients serve as inspiring examples of how academic excellence can create lasting impact on both local and international communities. Their stories remind us that true achievement lies not just in personal success, but in the commitment to nurturing future generations and solving real-world challenges.
