President Tharman named as new SUTD chancellor

SINGAPORE – The Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) announced President Tharman Shanmugaratnam as its chancellor on July 1.

He is the university’s third chancellor since it was established in 2009. The late former president SR Nathan was its first from 2009 to 2012, while former president Tony Tan served in the role from 2012 to 2022.

According to the university, the chancellor plays a key role in its structure. A chancellor’s duties include presiding over important official university events such as commencement and convocation ceremonies.

SUTD chairman Lee Tzu Yang said: “We are deeply humbled that President Tharman has accepted our invitation to be our new chancellor. His reputation as a world-class economist and policymaker is matched by his humility and rapport with people.

“Our university community, in particular our students, will gain much from his wisdom and insights.”

President Tharman was elected as Singapore’s head of state in September 2023. Before that, he had served for more than two decades in the Singapore Government, including as deputy prime minister, finance minister and education minister. He last served in the Government as senior minister, before he resigned to run for the presidency.

Mr Tharman has also held high-level appointments in international organisations, in areas such as global financial governance, preparedness for future pandemics, education, and global water sustainability.

Among other current international appointments, he chairs the board of the Group of Thirty, an independent global council of economic and financial leaders from the public and private sectors.