For a student of History, it is important to learn to handle, criticise and analyse large volumes of information. Such skills are more relevant than ever in our big-data and social-media driven times, as information and dis-information spread in professional circles and in public discourse.
News
Why Robot Monks Cannot Replace Human Faith
From chatbots in classrooms to AI assistants in workplaces, even religion is beginning to enter the digital age. The recent rise of robot monks in East Asia has sparked global fascination and debates over whether technology could one day replace spiritual leaders. In ‘Why Robot Monks Cannot Replace Human Faith’ […]
Peace in Motion: A Buddhist Journey for Social Cohesion in a Divided World
At a time when public life around the world is increasingly shaped by division, speed, and polarisation, a quiet act of walking across the United States has prompted wider reflection on peace, community, and social cohesion. In “Peace in Motion: A Buddhist Journey for Social Cohesion in a Divided World” […]
Mosquitoes, Public Health, and the Construction of a Modern Society
A key member of the Culicidae family, mosquitoes have evolved from being a minor nuisance to a formidable public health threat as carriers of deadly diseases, particularly in tropical Singapore. Associate Professor Timothy Barnard (NUS History) delves into the historical efforts to monitor, regulate, and eradicate these insects in the […]
Tilapia, Travel, and the Making of a Singaporean Creature
Singapore, though a relatively young city-state, boasts a rich animal history that reflects its evolving relationship with nature amidst rapid urban transformation. In ‘Tilapia, Travel, and the Making of a Singaporean Creature’, the first chapter of Singaporean Creatures: Histories of Humans and Other Animals in the Garden City (NUS Press, […]
Taixu in Singapore: A 100-Year Commemoration
The “Taixu in Singapore: A 100-Year Commemoration” exhibition, curated by Associate Professor Jack Meng-Tat Chia (NUS History), commemorates the centenary of the renowned Chinese Buddhist monk Taixu’s first visit to Singapore in 1926. Taixu (1890–1947) was one of the most influential figures in twentieth-century Buddhism, known for his efforts to […]
Book Launch: Figures of Buddhist Diplomacy in Modern Asia
Discussions of diplomacy often assume that relationships between states begin with formal recognition and official channels. This assumption was directly challenged at the launch of Figures of Buddhist Diplomacy in Modern Asia (Bloomsbury, 2026) on 8 April 2026, at The Pod, NLB. Edited by Associate Professor Jack Meng-Tat Chia (NUS History) and funded […]
New book spotlights “Buddhist diplomacy” and its influence on Asian foreign policy
Figures of Buddhist Diplomacy in Modern Asia reveals how Buddhist networks and ideas have been mobilised for soft power, peacebuilding and geopolitics.
Figures of Buddhist Diplomacy in Modern Asia
Figures of Buddhist Diplomacy in Modern Asia (Bloomsbury, 2026), edited by Associate Professor Jack Meng-Tat Chia (NUS History), explores a question that rarely appears in mainstream discussions of international relations: what role does religion play in diplomacy? The volume shows that Buddhism has long functioned as an informal yet powerful […]
Congratulations to the five 2025 Faculty Research Awardees!
Congratulations to Assistant Professor Sureshkumar Muthukumaran (NUS History), Associate Professor Benjamin Schupmann (NUS Political Science), Assistant Professor Bei Hu (NUS Chinese Studies), Assistant Professor Ting Hui Lau (NUS Sociology and Anthropology), and Assistant Professor Jennifer Yip (NUS History), for winning the FASS 2025 Award for Excellent Researcher (awarded to Assoc […]
NUS leads Asia in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026
Achieves strongest performance to date, with all-time high of seven NUS subjects ranked among the global top three and a record 28 subjects in the global top 10.