The National University of Singapore traces its origins to 1905 with the establishment of the Straits Settlements and Federated Malay States Government Medical School, which later became King Edward VII College of Medicine in 1921. In 1929, Raffles College was founded to provide higher education in arts and sciences, and in 1949 these institutions merged to form the University of Malaya. After Singapore's independence, the University of Singapore was created in 1962, and in 1980 it merged with Nanyang University to form the modern National University of Singapore. Since then, NUS has expanded rapidly through international partnerships, major campus developments, and a focus on research excellence, becoming Asia's leading university.
NUS operates across three main campuses: the primary Kent Ridge campus (about 170 hectares in southwestern Singapore), a lush, green space with modern facilities, research labs, student residences, sports complexes, and innovation hubs; the historic Bukit Timah campus, home to the Faculty of Law, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, and other programs (with relocations ongoing in 2026); and the Outram campus for the Duke-NUS Medical School. The Kent Ridge campus features University Town (UTown) with residential colleges, state-of-the-art libraries, recreational areas, and excellent connectivity via shuttle buses and public transport, blending tropical greenery with cutting-edge architecture in one of the world's safest and most efficient cities.
NUS is governed by a Board of Trustees and led by the President, currently Professor Tan Eng Chye (in office since 2018). The university operates with significant autonomy as Singapore's flagship public university, supported by government funding, a large endowment, and strong industry ties. Key leadership includes the Provost and various Vice-Presidents overseeing academic affairs, research, and global engagement, while faculties and schools maintain operational independence within a centralized framework focused on innovation, sustainability, and societal impact.
NUS is organized into 17 faculties and schools, including Arts and Social Sciences, Business, Computing, Design and Environment, Engineering, Law, Medicine (including Duke-NUS), Science, Public Health, Public Policy, and the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music. It emphasizes a blend of British-style tutorials and American credit systems, interdisciplinary programs, and strong research focus, consistently ranking as Asia's #1 university and among the global top 10 (#8 in QS World University Rankings 2026, #17 in THE 2025). NUS excels in engineering, computer science, business, medicine, and social sciences, with world-leading research output, numerous Nobel affiliations through collaborations, and a commitment to Asian perspectives and global challenges like sustainability and AI.
NUS enrolls over 40,000 students (with a highly international community, around 25–30% from overseas representing more than 100 countries), fostering a vibrant, multicultural environment. Student life centers on residential colleges and halls (many students live on campus), over 200 clubs and societies (from entrepreneurship and cultural groups to sports and performing arts), strong traditions like orientation camps and student-led events, and access to top-tier facilities including gyms, pools, food courts, and green spaces. The campus culture balances rigorous academics with wellness support, leadership opportunities, community service, and Singapore's dynamic urban lifestyle—safe, efficient, and rich in food, culture, and proximity to Southeast Asia—creating a global yet Asia-centric experience.
Professors at National University of Singapore
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