The National University of Singapore (NUS) today has appointed Indian origin business leader Gautam Banerjee as one of the Pro-Chancellors of the university. Currently, he is the Chairman of the asset management firm Blackstone Singapore. Gautam also serves as an independent director on a number of boards including Singapore Airlines and Singapore Telecommunications.
His other roles include serving as Chairman of raiSE, Singapore Centre for Social Enterprise, a term trustee of SINDA and a member of the Legal Service Commission.
The other two business leaders appointed as NUS Pro-Chancellors are Chairman of Singapore Business Federation Foundation Theresa Foo; and Chairman of the Singapore Business Federation and Executive Chairman/Managing Director of Pacific International Lines Teo Siong Seng.
University Pro-Chancellors act on behalf of the Chancellor during the Chancellor’s absence from the University, and preside at the annual Commencement ceremonies.
The appointments were made by Madam Halimah Yacob, President of the Republic of Singapore and NUS Chancellor, with effect from January 1, 2019. The term will last for three years, NUS said in a press statement.
Ngiam Tong Dow and Dr Cheong Siew Keong have stepped down after serving as NUS Pro-Chancellors for 19 and 18 years respectively. Stephen Lee Ching Yen had earlier stepped down to assume a new appointment at another local university.
“We welcome Mr Gautam Banerjee, Mrs Theresa Foo and Mr Teo Siong Seng to NUS as Pro-Chancellors. They are all leaders in their respective fields who have contributed significantly to the Singapore community. I look forward to their support in Chancellery matters, and their participation at NUS events," said President Halimah Yacob.
NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye added, “We would like to thank Mr Ngiam Tong Dow and Dr Cheong Siew Keong for their dedicated service to NUS as our Pro-Chancellors for close to two decades. Their advice and guidance have been invaluable. We would also like to thank Mr Stephen Lee and wish him all the best in his new appointment.”