The National University of Singapore (NUS) has conferred the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters on three distinguished leaders: Ambassador-at-Large Chan Heng Chee with the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs; social scientist Dr Noeleen Heyzer, former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Rector of Ridge View Residential College, NUS; as well as global technology pioneer Mr Wong Ngit Liong, Executive Chairman and founder of Venture Corporation.

The honorary degrees were presented during a Special Ceremony, held as part of the NUS Commencement 2025, presided by Mr Desmond Lee, Minister for Education and Minister-in-Charge of Social Services Integration. The Honorary Degree is the University’s highest form of recognition for outstanding individuals who have rendered distinguished service and have had a noteworthy impact in Singapore and globally.

This year's Commencement holds added significance as the University commemorates its 120th anniversary – celebrating a proud legacy of excellence, innovation, and service.

Ambassador Chan Heng Chee, an NUS alumna, was recognised for her distinguished work in policy studies, international relations and intellectual think-tanks, marking a lifetime of contributions to scholarship, diplomacy and civic life.

Dr Noeleen Heyzer, who is also an NUS alumna, was honoured for her visionary leadership in advancing the empowerment of women globally, raising Singapore's international profile and making global impact through her service at the United Nations (UN) and beyond.

Mr Wong Ngit Liong was lauded for his achievements as a leader and pioneer in the global technology industry, contributions to Singapore’s higher education and national development, and dedication to public service through active involvement on national boards and committees.

The NUS Class of 2025 comprises 17,646 graduates: 7,948 students will receive Bachelor’s degrees and 9,698 will receive graduate degrees. A total of 35 ceremonies will be held at the NUS University Cultural Centre over a period of 12 days, from 10 to 21 July 2025. NUS Commencement 2025 will conclude with the Commencement Dinner, which will be held on 22 July 2025.

NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye said, “We are very proud to confer honorary degrees this year on three eminent leaders and visionaries – Ambassador Chan Heng Chee, Dr Noeleen Heyzer and Mr Wong Ngit Liong – all of whom have distinguished themselves through excellence and innovation in their fields, and elevated Singapore’s standing on the international stage. Their profound accomplishments are a testament to their exceptional capabilities and steadfast commitment to the advancement of society and betterment of communities in Singapore and beyond. They have greatly inspired us with the journeys they have taken and we are celebrating the achievements of these outstanding individuals today.”

This year, 268 students will be graduating as the pioneer cohort of 13 programmes:

• Master of Science (Behavioural and Implementation Sciences in Health)
• Master of Science (Precision Health and Medicine)
• Master of Science (Applied Biomedicine)
• Bachelor of Information Technology
• Master of Arts (Japanese Visual Cultures)
• Master of Science (Strategic Analysis and Innovation)
• Master of Science (Data Science for Sustainability)
• Master of Science (Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainability)
• Master of Science (Physics for Technology)
• Master of Pharmacy (Clinical Pharmacy)
• Master of Science (Semiconductor Technology and Operations)
• Bachelor of Engineering (Infrastructure and Project Management)
• Master of Design in Integrated Design

2025 Honorary Doctor of Letters Recipient – Ambassador Chan Heng Chee

Ambassador Chan Heng Chee began her career as a political scientist, graduating with First Class Honours in Political Science from the University of Singapore, a Master of Arts degree from Cornell University, and a PhD from the University of Singapore.

She taught at NUS and became the University’s first female head of Political Science. Through award-winning books, she established herself as a leading voice on Singaporean politics, unafraid to ask discomfiting questions and bring clarity to complex issues. She was next appointed to lead the new Institute of Policy Studies, which remains an influential think tank.

In 1989, as Singapore’s United Nations Representative and Ambassador to the United States of America, Ambassador Chan brought scholarly rigour as well as diplomatic finesse to the world stage. Her 16 years in Washington deepened ties, culminating in the US-Singapore Free Trade Agreement. Her contributions were honoured in Singapore and internationally.

Ambassador Chan has also made significant achievements as a public intellectual, joining the Council for Minority Rights and launching another think-tank: the Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities.

Throughout her career, Ambassador Chan, who also served as a member of the NUS Board of Trustees from 2012 to 2024, has helped shape how Singapore understands itself and how it is understood by the world — as an academic, a diplomat, and leading intellectual. She brings together a rare combination of intellectual independence, global experience, and a deep commitment to public service.

Please refer to Annex 1 for the Citation for Ambassador Chan Heng Chee.

2025 Honorary Doctor of Letters Recipient – Dr Noeleen Heyzer

A trailblazer of women’s empowerment across the world, Dr Noeleen Heyzer’s leadership has redefined the nature of power itself – as a force for dignity, inclusion, and transformation.  She has dedicated her life to building a more peaceful and sustainable world and raised Singapore's international profile during her career at the United Nations (UN) and beyond.

Dr Noeleen was the first woman from outside North America to head the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM). During her tenure, she transformed UNIFEM from a small organisation into a leading powerhouse empowering woman globally. She was instrumental in securing the landmark UN Security Council Resolution 1325, which recognises women as essential to peace and security, and post-conflict recovery.

Dr Noeleen was the first woman to serve as the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) since its founding in 1947. Under her leadership, ESCAP grew in profile and stature, advancing regional cooperation rooted in equity, resilience, and sustainable development.

Dr Noeleen’s courage and clarity of purpose have shaped peacebuilding efforts in some of the world’s most fragile contexts. As the UN Secretary-General’s Special Adviser for Timor-Leste and later as Special Envoy on Myanmar, she worked closely with conflict-affected communities and leaders to forge paths toward peace.

Dr Noeleen has made global impact through her service in many local and international boards and committees, including UN Secretary-General's High-Level Advisory Board on Mediation. Dr Noeleen also served as a member of the NUS Board of Trustees from 2013 to 2018. She is also the Rector of NUS Ridge View Residential College, where she continues to inspire generations of young Singaporeans.

Please refer to Annex 2 for the Citation for Dr Noeleen.

2025 Honorary Doctor of Letters Recipient – Mr Wong Ngit Liong

Mr Wong Ngit Liong is a distinguished leader and pioneer in the global technology industry. As Executive Chairman and founder of Venture Corporation, he has been instrumental in building the company into a leading provider of technology services, products, and solutions worldwide. Since its inception in 1984, Mr Wong has led Venture Corporation’s evolution from a start-up in electronics manufacturing services into a globally recognised technology powerhouse, exemplifying visionary leadership and strategic foresight.

Mr Wong holds a Bachelor of Engineering (First Class Honours) in Electrical Engineering from the University of Malaya, a Master of Science in Electronics Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley (Fulbright Scholar), and a Master of Business Administration (with Distinction) from McGill University. His professional career began at Hewlett-Packard (HP), where he played a pivotal role in expanding HP’s operations in Singapore and Malaysia.

In addition to his corporate leadership, Mr Wong has made lasting contributions to Singapore’s higher education landscape and national development. As Chairman of the NUS Board of Trustees from 2004 to 2016, he was instrumental in driving major reforms that propelled NUS into the ranks of the world’s top universities. His leadership was crucial in the corporatisation of the university and its structural transformation.

Mr Wong’s dedication to public service is reflected in his active participation on numerous national boards and committees, including the Economic Development Board, the then-Trade Development Board, DBS Bank, Singapore Exchange, the Committee to Review Salaries of Political Appointment Holders, the Constitutional Commission to Review the Elected Presidency, and the 2002 Economic Review Committee. In recognition of his exceptional service and contributions to Singapore, Mr Wong has been conferred the Meritorious Service Medal and the Distinguished Service Order.

Please refer to Annex 3 for the Citation for Mr Wong.