Mr Tan Gee Paw (MSc ISE '71), Adjunct Professor with the NUS College of Design and Engineering, and former Chairman of Changi Airport Group, was honoured with the Order of Nila Utama at the National Day Awards, earning this year's top accolade for his role in advancing Singapore’s development in areas such as aviation, rail transport and water security.

Professor Lui Pao Chuen (Science '65), Temasek Defence Professor at the Temasek Defence Systems Institute (TDSI) and Chairman of the Singapore Nuclear Research and Safety Institute (SNRSI), both key institutes at NUS, received the next highest award, the Distinguished Service Order. He was lauded for his contributions to Singapore across diverse fields, including education, science and technology, urban development, defence and infrastructure.

The two recipients were among the nearly 200 members of the NUS community who were recognised for their merit and service to Singapore. In total, some 7,210 people were presented with the National Day Awards, on the year of Singapore’s 60th anniversary.

Mr Tan, who chaired Changi Airport Group from October 2020 to March 2025, was cited for steering the airport operator through the headwinds posed by COVID-19, maintaining its mission as a leading air hub and ensuring a swift recovery in post-pandemic traffic levels. Beyond shaping the development of the upcoming Terminal 5 and Changi East airport expansion, he was credited with spearheading the group’s efforts in innovation and sustainability, boosting its operational efficiency and overseeing key infrastructure upgrades.

During his term as Chairman of PUB, Singapore’s national water agency, from 2001 to 2017, he led bold initiatives and long-term infrastructure projects, such as the launch of NEWater and the Marina Barrage. As Advisor to the Land Transport Authority and the Ministry of Transport, he provided guidance on complex technical issues related to rail projects and strategic advice on organisational matters.

Prof Lui was recognised for his pivotal role in advancing Singapore’s research capabilities and technologies across multiple spheres – from nuclear science and water sustainability to national security – through his leadership as Chairman of SNRSI and the Public Utilities Board Project Evaluation Panel, as well as Advisor to the Ministry of Home Affairs, among others.

He had served with distinction in the Ministry of Defence for over 40 years, including 22 years as Chief Defence Scientist. A pioneering advocate of systems thinking, Prof Lui was reappointed Temasek Defence Professor at TDSI in 2024 in recognition of his outstanding scholarly accomplishments, a role in which he continues to enhance cross-disciplinary research capabilities in defence systems at NUS.

Spotlighting the NUS community

Other illustrious members of the NUS community also received recognition across the 22 award categories. They included many members of the University's Board of Trustees (BOT), both past and present.

NUS Pro-Chancellor Mr Gautam Banerjee was awarded the Public Service Star in his capacity as Director of the GIC Board, Chairman of the GIC Audit Committee, and a member of the GIC Human Resource and Organization Committee.

The Meritorious Service Medal was conferred upon BOT member Mr Tan Chong Meng (Engineering '83, MSc ISE '87) for his contributions as Chairman of the National University Health System, former Group CEO of PSA International, and former Chairman of JTC Corporation.

Another Trustee, Ms Lim Wan Yong, received the Long Service Medal in her capacity as Permanent Secretary (Education) at the Ministry of Education. A 2019 recipient of the Public Administration Medal (Silver) for her work at the Ministry of National Development, she has also held appointments in the Ministry of Social and Family Development and the Prime Minister’s Office.

Among the recipients of the Meritorious Service Medal were former Trustees Mr Davinder Singh SC (Law '82), Dr Noeleen Heyzer (Arts & Social Sciences '71, MSocSci '73, HonDLitt '25, NUS Sociology and Anthropology) and Dr Sudha Nair (Arts & Social Sciences '86, PhD '07, NUS Social Work).

Mr Singh, who served on the NUS Board from 2012 to 2015, was conferred the award in his capacity as Chairman of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre. Social scientist Dr Noeleen Heyzer is a 2025 Honorary Graduate of the Doctor of Letters from NUS, Rector of NUS’ Ridge View Residential College, and also former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations. She served on the NUS Board from 2013 to 2019. Dr Sudha Nair, who taught at the Department of Social Work in the NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and served as Trustee from 2021 to 2024, received the award in her capacity as CEO of PAVE, a social service agency which provides an integrated service for individual and family protection.

Several leaders of NUS colleges, schools and institutes also received honours.

Mr Janadas Devan (Arts & Social Sciences '79, NUS English, Linguistics and Theatre Studies), Director of the Institute of Policy Studies at NUS, won the Meritorious Service Medal for his work as Deputy Secretary at the Prime Minister’s Office, and as Senior Advisor at the Ministry of Digital Development and Information.

Mr Tan Tee How (Business '83), the Chair of the Governing Council at NUS’ Centre for Trusted Internet and Community won the same medal for his contributions as Chairman of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Singapore and Board Chairman of NHG Health.

Ms Janet Ang (Business '82), Chairman of the NUS-ISS Management Board, won the Public Service Star in her capacity as a Former Council Member of the Singapore Business Federation and Chairman of the Singapore Business Federation Foundation.

The Public Administration Medal (Silver) was awarded to Associate Professor Leong Ching (Arts & Social Sciences '92, MA '96, Public Policy PhD '13), NUS Vice Provost (Student Life) and Acting Dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, and Professor Thomas M. Coffman, Dean of Duke-NUS Medical School.

Ms Euleen Goh, who previously served as Rector of the former Cinnamon College at NUS, won the Meritorious Service Medal for her contributions as the former Chairman of SATS.