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MAY/JUNE 2011
A Publication of National University of Singapore
University Awards 2011
Honouring outstanding achievers

Recognising excellence in education,
research and service
Eleven outstanding individuals were honoured
for their exceptional achievements and
commitment to excellence in education, research
and service at the NUS University Awards 2011
held at the University Cultural Centre on 29 April.
The award categories and recipients were:
Outstanding Service Award
Recognises sustained meritorious service
rendered to the University, to Singapore, and the
international community
Mr Tony Chew Leong-Chee, Executive Chairman
of Asia Resource Corporation, and Chairman of
Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School Singapore
and Singapore Business Federation
Prof Shih Choon Fong, President and Professor
of Mechanical Engineering, King Abdullah
University of Science and Technology, Saudi
Arabia; and Distinguished Visiting Professor,
NUS Department of Materials Science and
Engineering
Outstanding Educator Award
Recognises faculty members who have excelled in
engaging and inspiring students in their discovery
of knowledge
Mr Cheah Kok Ming, Department of Architecture,
School of Design and Environment
Prof Koh Khee Meng, Department of Mathematics,
Faculty of Science
Assoc Prof Joel Lee Tye Beng, Faculty of Law
Assoc Prof Bruce Lockhart, Department of History,
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Outstanding Researcher Award
Recognises established researchers for their strong
track record and overall impact in research
Prof Jagadese J Vittal, Department of Chemistry,
Faculty of Science
Young Researcher Award
Recognises researchers below 40 years of age for
their achievements and promise in research
Assoc Prof Chng Wee Joo, Department of Medicine,
Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine; and Senior
Principal Investigator, Cancer Science Institute of
Singapore
Assoc Prof Gong Jiangbin, Department of Physics,
Faculty of Science
Dr Liu Xiaogang, Department of Chemistry, Faculty
of Science
Assoc Prof Yu Haifeng, Department of Computer
Science, School of Computing
Commending these exceptional achievers, NUS
President Prof Tan Chorh Chuan said at the awards
ceremony that “they are challenging us through
their example, to constantly push to excel beyond
ourselves and others. They shine because of their
individual talent and determination. But they also
remind us how vital it is to have an environment and
culture that fiercely values excellence, that always
strives to be self-surpassing.”
He added that by working together to make the
University a transformative place where its people
always reach beyond themselves, the NUS community
could create real impact and value, and establish NUS
as a leading global university centred in Asia.
KNOWLEDGE ENTERPRISE
HONOURING OUTSTANDING ACHIEVERS: Proud recipients of this year’s NUS University Awards
(Absent in photo: Assoc Prof Lockhart, who was away for a conference)
2

ROLL OF HONOUR
Outstanding Service
Mr Tony Chew was
instrumental in setting Duke-
NUS on the path towards
becoming a top medical
school in Asia. He had also
helped to establish wellknown
brands such as Pepsi-
Cola Vietnam and Jetstar
Asia Airways, and revitalise
established corporations
such as Del Monte Pacific.
He actively promoted Singapore and regional
businesses through leadership in government
agencies and serving on the boards of governmentlinked
companies.
Prof Shih Choon Fong is
the founding President of
King Abdullah University of
Science and Technology. He
also founded the Institute
of Materials Research
and Engineering and the
Materials Research Society of
Singapore. As NUS President
from 2000 to 2008, he led
its transformation into an
internationally recognised research university.
Outstanding Educators
Mr Cheah Kok Ming adopts
a hands-on problem-based
approach which encourages
effective thinking and
learning. Under his guidance,
many of his students had
won international design
competitions and best paper
awards. He had also led
transformative curricular
changes that resulted in
significant increases in student enrolment.
Prof Koh Khee Meng, who
won 20 teaching awards in
the last 18 years, is highly
sought after, especially as
a research supervisor. He
chaired the Department
Teaching Excellence
Committee for more than 10
years and had also been the
President of the Singapore
Mathematical Society.
Assoc Prof Joel Lee copioneered
the skills-based
workshops at the Faculty of
Law, distinguishing the NUS
law school as the first in Asia
to adopt this pedagogy. A
consummate teacher, he has
received excellent feedback
from students who found
him to be also an inspiring
mentor.
Assoc Prof Bruce Lockhart is
not only strong in nurturing
critical minds, but also
dedicated to providing good
counsel and mentorship to
students. He had also played
a leading role in developing
and revamping various history
modules offered by his department.
Outstanding Researcher
Prof Jagadese J Vittal is
internationally recognised
for his many contributions to
chemistry, particularly in the
field of crystal engineering. He
had published over 400 papers
in internationally refereed
journals, reviews and book
chapters, and received more
than 8,000 citations.
Outstanding Young Researchers
Assoc Prof Chng Wee Joo
led groundbreaking
research to conceive novel
tools and approaches for
understanding and treating
multiple myeloma. His work
gave rise to better diagnostic
and prognostic techniques,
and enabled greater
understanding of myeloma
biology, drug targets and drug resistance.
Assoc Prof Gong Jiangbin
excelled in a broad range
of research in quantum and
nonlinear physics. He recently
proposed a very exciting
scheme to protect the socalled
“entangled states”, and
the theories he developed
have been translated into
experiments to understand the
quantum world.
Dr Liu Xiaogang made
extraordinary discoveries and
impactful contributions to
the field of nanomaterials
chemistry. He and his team are
widely recognised for their
success in creating complex
and customisable nanocrystals
capable of diverse functions,
from enhancing studies of
biological systems to treating cancer.
Assoc Prof Yu Haifeng is well
known for having developed
a series of highly innovative
algorithms to limit the
corruptive influences of Sybil
attacks in distributed systems.
He had also conceived an
aggregate algorithm that
could tolerate adversarial
interference in sensor networks.
MAY/JUNE 2011
3

NUS President meets academic leaders
at Tsinghua
NUS President Prof Tan Chorh
Chuan attended the Global
Summit of University Presidents
and the Association of Pacific Rim
Universities’ (APRU) 15th Annual
Presidents Meeting, hosted by
Tsinghua University (THU) in
China, from 22 to 24 April 2011.
The meeting, held in conjunction
with THU’s 100th anniversary
celebrations, was attended by
more than 300 academic leaders
and delegates from leading
universities and academic
institutions across the globe,
including 29 university presidents
from 34 APRU member
universities in Asia, Australasia,
North and South America. China’s
President Hu Jintao, one of many
prominent Tsinghua University
alumni, also graced the event
and gave an address at the Great
Hall of the People.
Discussions at the joint meeting centred on the
theme “Global Socioeconomic Development and
Higher Education”. The academic leaders examined
many factors critical to the future of universities
and their role in social and economic development.
At the breakout discussion, Prof Tan shared the
NUS administrative model of university governance
APRU UNIVERSITY PRESIDENTS AT TSINGHUA: (From left) Hong Kong
University of Science and Technology President Prof Tony F Chan; APRU Chair
and University of California, Santa Barbara Chancellor Prof Henry T Yang;
Prof Tan Chorh Chuan; and University of California, Los Angeles Chancellor
Prof Gene Block
and its approach to balancing autonomy and
accountability in order to address various
challenges in university administration.
Established in 1997, APRU is a consortium of 42
leading research universities in the Pacific Rim. Prof
Tan is a member of the APRU Steering Committee
which provides leadership for the association.
– By APRU Secretariat
Strengthening education ties with China
NUS hosted the inaugural China Education
Exhibition, organised by China’s Ministry of
Education in collaboration with NUS and the
China Embassy in Singapore, on 6 May 2011.
Under the facilitation of the China Scholarship
Council (CSC), some 24 Chinese universities,
including Fudan University, Peking University and
Tsinghua University, participated in the event.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, China
Ambassador to Singapore His Excellency Wei Wei
commented that partnerships between Singapore
and China had extended across many fields over
the past 20 years, especially in terms of education
exchange. He hoped that through this exhibition,
the people in Singapore, particularly its youths,
would gain a deeper understanding of higher
education and overseas study
in China.
KNOWLEDGE ENTERPRISE
4
PROMOTING CHINA-SINGAPORE RELATIONS: (From left) Mr Li Jianmin,
H E Wei Wei and Prof Tan Chorh Chuan at the ribbon-cutting ceremony
marking the opening of the exhibition
Noting the strong collaborations
between China and Singapore
in education, training and
research, NUS President Prof
Tan Chorh Chuan highlighted
some ways in which NUS had
contributed to this increased
exchange between the two
countries. He cited examples
such as the Master’s in Public
Administration and Management
programme for senior officials
from China, jointly offered by the
Lee Kuan Yew School of Public
Policy and NUS Business School;
and the setting up of the NUS
Research Institute in Suzhou
Industrial Park.

Tan Chorh Chuan receives honorary
Doctor of Science at Duke University
NUS President Prof Tan Chorh Chuan was
conferred an honorary Doctor of Science by Duke
University at its 159th Commencement on
15 May 2011 in Durham, North Carolina, US. The
honorary award was given in recognition of Prof
Tan’s contributions as an international leader
in biomedical sciences, public health and higher
education.
Prof Tan was one of seven honorees who received
their Duke honorary degrees before an estimated
14,000 attendees at the ceremony held at Duke’s
Wallace Wade Stadium. Other honorary degree
recipients included Rita Dove, an English professor,
author and former US poet laureate; James B Hunt
Jr, a former North Carolina governor and public
education advocate; Alan Page, a US National
Football League Hall of Fame member, judge and
education activist; Lisa Randall, a professor of
theoretical physics and a leading expert on particle
physics and cosmology; Eric Shinseki, Secretary of
the US Department of Veterans Affairs, former
US Army Chief of Staff and a Duke graduate; and
Mr John Chambers, the Chair and CEO of Cisco
Systems.
Duke President Prof Richard H Brodhead read
out a brief biography of Prof Tan’s achievements,
citing his integral role in making the Duke-NUS
partnership work, orchestrating Singapore’s
multifaceted response to the SARS epidemic in
2003, and efforts in Singapore’s Biomedical Sciences
Initiative. “Professor Tan, in you Duke recognises a
hero in Global Health”, said Prof Brodhead.
Prof Tan was hooded by the Duke University
Faculty Marshall, and presented with his honorary
degree by Prof Brodhead at a platform before
graduands and parents.
Photos: Duke Photography
CONFERRED HONORARY DOCTOR OF SCIENCE: Prof Tan
receiving his honorary degree from Prof Brodhead at
Duke University’s 159th Commencement
AMONG THE
INAUGURAL
BATCH OF
DUKE-NUS
GRADUANDS:
Low Ying Hui
hooded by
Duke-NUS
Vice Dean
of Education
Dr Robert
Kamei at the
Duke School
of Medicine
Diploma
Ceremony
Inaugural Duke-NUS MD class celebrates
completion of medical training
The first class of 24 medical students who joined
the Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School Singapore
(Duke-NUS) in August 2007 celebrated the
completion of their four-year Doctor of Medicine
(MD) training on 28 May 2011. The pre-graduation
celebration, graced by Singapore’s Minister for
Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen and US Ambassador to
Singapore Mr David Adelman, was attended by
government and health leaders as well as faculty
and family members.
Duke-NUS’ culture of excellence, boldness and
imagination; the innovative clinical and research
training you have received; and the pioneering
spirit you epitomise – all these will enable you
to make a real difference to our patients, to our
community and to society.”
The graduands will receive their MD degrees at the
first NUS Commencement Ceremony on 4 July 2011.
Congratulating the students, Dr Victor J Dzau, MD,
Chancellor for Health Affairs of Duke University
and CEO of Duke University Health System, said:
“As the students who have become the first to
complete four years of a novel medical education
paradigm, you have paved the way for future
generations of physicians, physician scientists and
leaders who will graduate from this school that you
helped found.”
Also speaking at the celebration event, NUS
President Prof Tan Chorh Chuan said: “To the
Class of 2011, your future beckons you with great
promise and potential. Your immersion in the
HOODING CEREMONY: One of the graduands, Mr Chia
Ghim Song, being hooded, signifying the successful
completion of his graduate programme.
MAY/JUNE 2011
5

KNOWLEDGE ENTERPRISE
6
NUS ranked as one of the top 3 universities
in Asia
NUS was once again ranked amongst the top
three universities in Asia, according to the 2011
QS Asian University Rankings released on 23
May 2011. The University performed well across
most of the indicators, emerging 1st in Asia for
employer reputation and 2nd in Asia for academic
reputation, international faculty and international
students.
NUS hosts inaugural APRU Provosts Forum
INAUGURAL APRU PROVOSTS FORUM: Involving 40 representatives
from 26 universities
review, student/faculty ratio, papers per faculty,
citations per paper, international faculty review,
international student review, student exchange
inbound and student exchange outbound. Over 400
universities are assessed each year.
NUS also did well in the QS World University
Rankings® by Subject, which have been released in
phases since March 2011.
On the rankings, NUS Deputy President (Academic
Affairs) and Provost Prof Tan
Eng Chye said: “This is a strong QS World University Rankings by Subject 2011
affirmation of the outstanding
work by our faculty and staff in ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY
research and education.”
Chemical Engineering
“Asian universities stand at
an exciting phase of their
development, and we observed
great advances being forged
by universities in China, South
Korea and the rest of Asia. As
a global university centred in
Asia, we will continue to build
strong alliances with partner
institutions from around the
world to leap-frog ahead.
Leveraging on our insights and
expertise in Asia, we will work
closely with our Asian and global
partners to contribute to setting
the pace and trends in Asia and
the world, in selected areas of
education, scholarship and its
application,” added Prof Tan.
Launched in 2009, the QS
Asian University Rankings is
published annually and ranks
Asia’s top 200 universities based
on relevant criteria, including
academic peer review, recruiter
Civil and Structural Engineering
Computer Science and Information Systems
Electrical Engineering
Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing
LIFE SCIENCES AND MEDICINE
Biological Sciences
Medicine
Psychology
NATURAL SCIENCES
Chemistry
Environmental Sciences
Metallurgy and Materials
Mathematics
Physics and Astronomy
ARTS AND HUMANITIES
English Language and Literature
Modern Languages
Philosophy
Geography and Area Studies
Linguistics
Asian
Ranking
World
Ranking
* The Social Sciences and Management Rankings will be released at a later stage
NUS welcomed some 40 representatives
from 26 universities, including over
20 provosts, vice chancellors and vice
presidents, at the inaugural Association
of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) Provosts
Forum from 26 to 27 April 2011.
Highlighting the significance of the
event, which marked APRU’s first formal
gathering of provosts since its inception
in 1997, NUS Deputy President (Academic
Affairs) and Provost Prof Tan Eng Chye
said: “The APRU Provosts Forum allows
provosts to leverage on the alliance
network, establish ties and engage fellow
provosts in mutually beneficial dialogues
and exchanges on critical trends and
issues on academia.”
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15

INSEAD and Lee Kuan Yew School of
Public Policy launch Continuation Path
Degree Programme
Leading international business school INSEAD
and NUS’ Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy
(LKY School) announced on 25 April 2011 that the
two schools would collaborate to provide their
students with a continuation pathway from the
INSEAD MBA to the LKY School MPA and vice
versa. This would enable students from INSEAD to
branch out into public administration, and students
from the LKY School into business administration.
INSEAD students from both its campuses –
Fontainebleau, France and Singapore – would be
eligible to participate in this collaboration.
Noting that it was increasingly critical for global
business leaders to incorporate public policy issues
into their management approach, Dean of INSEAD
Prof Dipak C Jain said: “Our partnership with LKY
School will enable students to have an advantage
when seeking prominent positions
in economic and development
institutions, government agencies,
NGOs and private sector roles.”
“The recent financial crisis has taught
the world that we need greater
cooperation and collaboration
between the public and private
sectors”, said Dean of LKY School Prof
Kishore Mahbubani. Believing that
the invisible hand of the markets must
work hand in hand with the visible
hand of good governance, he felt it
was imperative for future generations
of leaders to receive training in both
public policy and business.
INSEAD-LKY SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP: (From left) Prof Jain; Governing
Board Member of LKY School Mr Lee Hsien Yang, and Prof Mahbubani at
the agreement signing ceremony
The INSEAD-LKY School Continuation
Path Degree Programme is clearly
attractive, as participating students
can not only pursue both study fields
but also obtain two degrees, an MPA
and MBA, in two years.
Joint PhDs offered by NUS and University
of Edinburgh
The NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS)
signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
with the University of Edinburgh to offer a joint
PhD programme, allowing graduate students to
pursue a doctoral degree in any subject offered
by FASS and Edinburgh’s College of Humanities
and Social Science. The programme will also allow
students from both universities to study at each
other’s campuses, undertake research activities and
interact with faculty members.
Supervision of the candidate’s thesis will be
provided by a joint committee comprising faculty
members from both institutions who are experts in
the respective field. Similar to the general Student
Exchange Programmes, students in this scheme only
need to pay the fees of their home institution.
The two partnering departments share a number
of research interests, including Science, Technology
and Society (or Science, Technology and Innovation
Studies, as it is known in Edinburgh) which will
MOU SIGNING: (From left) Prof Dorothy Miell,
Vice Principal and Head of Edinburgh’s College of
Humanities and Social Science, with Prof Brenda Yeoh,
Dean of the NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
likely be the first topic in the exchange scheme.
Other research areas of mutual interest to
Edinburgh and NUS include migration, Southeast
Asian and South Asian studies, development
studies, cities and environment studies.
MAY/JUNE 2011
7

KNOWLEDGE ENTERPRISE
ACCOLADES
Prof Alastair Campbell elected
Corresponding Fellow of the
Royal Society of Edinburgh
Chen Su Lan Centennial Professor in Medical
Ethics Prof Alastair Campbell, also Director of the
NUS Centre for Biomedical Ethics (CBmE) at the
Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, was appointed
Corresponding Fellow by the Royal Society of
Edinburgh, Scotland’s national academy of science
and letters. The CBmE is Southeast Asia’s first
academic centre for biomedical ethics in a medical
school.
On his new appointment, Prof Campbell said:
“While this is a personal honour, it is also a
great tribute to the National University Health
System and its commitment to an internationally
renowned Centre for Biomedical Ethics, so ably
promoted by the NUS Dean of Medicine Prof John
Wong and the funders of my Chair, the Chen Su
Lan Trust.”
Prof Campbell was one of the 45 new Fellows
inducted into the Society in May this year. The
new Fellows will be
contributing to the
objectives of the Society,
such as the provision
of expert policy advice
to Government and
Parliament, outreach
education programmes
for young people, public
engagement events, as well as serve on the selection
panels for research and enterprise Fellowships.
Established in 1783 by Royal Charter for the
advancement of learning and useful knowledge,
the Royal Society of Edinburgh currently has
1,500 Fellows who are peer-elected experts in the
sciences, arts, humanities, professions, industry and
commerce. Distinguished Fellows from the Society
included John Logie Baird, Niels Bohr, Francis
Crick, Charles Darwin, Adam Smith and William
Wordsworth.
Two outstanding entrepreneurs receive
inaugural I & E Awards
NUS Enterprise and the NUS Society (NUSS)
unveiled the inaugural recipients of its Innovation
& Enterprise (I & E) Award, that is supported by
the National Research Foundation’s University
Innovation Fund. In the Outstanding NUS Innovator
Award category, the winners were NUS law
graduate Mr Tan Min Liang and NUS engineering
faculty member Dr Steven Zhou.
Mr Tan co-founded the gaming peripherals
company, Razer, and led it to become an
internationally recognised brand. Dr Zhou
started his own company, MXR Corporation,
after developing ground-breaking technology in
Mixed Reality.
KAI Square, which was founded by NUS School of
Computing alumni Dr Neo Shi Yong and Mr Victor
Goh, emerged as the merit winner of the Promising
NUS Start-up Award for innovation-based
ventures in Singapore. Their
company provides intelligence
surveillance data processing
solutions and services.
The I & E Award winners
received their prizes at The
Enterprise Connection, a
networking dinner on 19 April
2011, which was attended by
over 300 guests, comprising
entrepreneurs, investors and
other stakeholders in the
entrepreneurial community.
INAUGURAL GEL SPEAKER
SERIES: Mr Saverin spoke on
“Democratising Innovation”
PROF CAMPBELL: New
Fellow of the Royal Society
of Edinburgh
OUTSTANDING NUS INNOVATOR AWARD: (From right) Mr Tan
Min Liang receiving his award from NUS President Prof Tan
Chorh Chuan and NUSS President Mr Johnny Tan
Facebook co-founder Eduardo
Saverin also graced the event as the
inaugural speaker of the new Global
Entrepreneurial Leadership (GEL)
speaker series.
The I&E Award and GEL speaker series
are part of the highlights of InnovFest
2011, a festival of events that brings
together industry experts and startups
to connect and share ideas on
entrepreneurship and innovation.
8

NUS student named Singapore’s
Sportswoman of the Year
The stellar performance of second-year business
student, Jasmine Ser Xiang Wei, at last year’s
Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India, certainly
made Singapore proud. She won two gold and two
silver medals in Shooting and set two new Games
records, in the 10-metre Air Rifle (Singles) event
and the 50-metre Rifle 3 Positions (Pairs) event
(with Ms Aqilah Sudhir).
For her outstanding achievements, Jasmine was
crowned “Sportswoman of the Year” at the
Singapore Sports Awards 2011 ceremony on 26
May. She was also a gold medallist at the Southeast
Asian Games 2009 and NUS Sportswoman of the
Year 2010.
In an interview with Knowledge Enterprise,
Jasmine shares her thoughts on …
Being named “Sportswoman of the Year”
“It’s my honour to receive the award. I feel blessed
to have enjoyed so many
opportunities through the
years which have enabled
me to perform my best.
It’s heartwarming to be
recognised for your efforts
while you are striving
constantly to do your best
and achieve greater heights
for the future.”
Winning attributes
“In training, you have to be
patient when you encounter
difficulties. In competition,
you must have the fighting
spirit to persevere, and also
the strong desire to excel
and win. I believe that’s
what makes a champion.”
Love for the sport
“In a competition, you’re supposed to hit 40 shots
and the maximum score for each shot is 10, that is,
if you hit the bull’s eye. The excitement lies in how
many perfect 10s we can score.”
Pursuing Air Rifle as a competitive sport
“I believe I can excel in this sport because overall,
I find myself improving through the years, though
there were ups and downs in my performance at
times. I want to know how far I can go, especially
now when I’m devoting a lot more time to
training.”
Next target
“I’m training for my next competition in Germany
to qualify for the Olympics.”
Personal gains
“I’ve gained a broader view of life, having
travelled to many countries and getting to know
people from various backgrounds.
As athletes, we do go through
times when we train too hard, get
frustrated and feel like giving up.
I’ve learnt to be more patient in such
situations – to take a step back and
look at the bigger picture; appreciate
how far I’ve come and tell myself that
it is only a temporary setback.”
NUS experience
“I’m grateful for the constant
encouragement I’ve received from the
NUS Business School. Allowing me to
select the number of study modules
for each semester has helped me
immensely in coping with both my
studies and sport.”
ACCOLADES
Sporting journey
“I took up this sport as a
CCA (Co-Curricular Activity)
when I was in Secondary
One. My sister, who started
before me, was winning
competitions and bringing
home medals, which made
me both envious and
curious about the sport. I
got involved later and was
soon training three times a
week. The following year,
I represented my school in
the national competition.
I did well and was talentspotted
by the Singapore
Shooting Association. By
Secondary Three, I was in
the national team.”
Photos: Singapore National Olympic Council
SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR: NUS business student Jasmine Ser
MAY/JUNE 2011
9

Role of new fusion gene in some
stomach cancers
An international team of scientists identified
a fusion gene that appears to play a direct
role in some stomach cancers. The study –
spearheaded by researchers from Duke-NUS
Graduate Medical School Singapore (Duke-
NUS) and involving scientists from the NUS,
Genome Institute of Singapore, National
Cancer Centre of Singapore, Howard University
in the US, and Yonsei University College of
Medicine in South Korea – was published
in the 6 April 2011 issue of the Science
Translational Medicine journal.
The Singapore-based research group used a
novel approach, known as genomic breakpoint
analysis, to home in on abnormal genes in 133
stomach cancer tumours and cell lines. It found
evidence of a single genetic error, common to
four of the cancer samples, which led to the
discovery of the CD44-SLC1A2 fusion gene. The
SLC1A2 gene is associated with the metabolism
of the amino acid glutamate, which can work
like a fertiliser encouraging tumour growth
and survival, while the CD44 gene serves like
an “on” switch. Melded into one, the CD44-
SLC1A2 hybrid appears to fuel stomach tumours.
Principal Investigator of the study, Assoc Prof
Patrick Tan from the Cancer and Stem Cell Biology
Programme at Duke-NUS, said that the discovery
opened up a potential role for fusion genes in
cancer diagnostics and treatment.
PART OF THE RESEARCH TEAM: Assoc Prof Patrick Tan (second from
right) with his team members from Duke-NUS, NUS and NCCS
As part of the study, the researchers used a gene
silencing approach to decrease the levels of CD44-
SLC1A2 in cancer cell lines. This caused a reduction
in the glutamate levels of cancer cells, and made
the cells more vulnerable to the effects of cisplatin,
a common chemotherapy drug. The test implied
that drugs that inhibit SLC1A2 function could be
used to sensitise tumours to chemotherapy.
Reducing the prevalence of liverflukes
through food safety education
KNOWLEDGE ENTERPRISE
Some staple dishes made of raw or partially
cooked freshwater fish, much loved by inhabitants
of the Mekong River and those living in northern
Thailand, are often contaminated with a trematode
parasite, Opisthorchis viverrini (liverfluke), that
could lead to a fatal cancer of the bile duct.
A group of researchers – Assoc Prof Alan Ziegler
and Dr Carl Grundy-Warr from the NUS Department
of Geography; Assoc Prof Ross Andrews and
AT A RECONNAISSANCE FIELD TRIP: (From left to right)
Assoc Prof Sithithaworn, Dr Grundy-Warr, Dr Feng
Chen-Chieh from NUS Department of Geography, and
Assoc Prof Andrews
Assoc Prof Paiboon Sithithaworn from the Faculty
of Medicine of Khon Kaen University, Thailand;
and Dr Trevor Petney from the University of
Karlsruhe, Germany – argued that the problem
of liverflukes should be addressed with food
safety education, in conjunction with medical and
scientific approaches.
Their research, which was published in the Science
journal early this year, highlighted how food
safety education might be the most expedient
way to control the disease, opistorchiasis.
Caused by Opisthorchis viverrini, the prevalence
of opistorchiasis is essentially linked to human
behaviour.
The researchers recognised that common
misunderstandings among the Thai villagers, such
as certain beliefs on food preparation and the
treatment of infection, needed to be addressed.
Dealing with cultural perceptions of eating raw
fish as a way of life passed down from ancestors
also posed a challenge.
Today, more than 45 million people in Asia,
including at least 10 million in Thailand and Laos,
are infected with liverflukes.
10

NUS and Agilent Technologies advance
research in lipidomics
NUS and Agilent Technologies signed a research
collaboration agreement on 30 March 2011 to
develop expertise and knowledge in the area of
analytical lipidomics. Agilent is the world’s premier
measurement company and a technology leader
in chemical analysis, life sciences, electronics and
communications; and this is its first collaboration in
lipidomics research and development worldwide.
Agilent will supply sophisticated instruments for
the separation and analysis of lipids from complex
mixtures, and will give NUS access to its pool of
scientists located in Asia and the United States. NUS
will serve as a reference site for Agilent, allowing
the company to better understand the needs of the
research community so as to further develop and
enhance its instruments.
The instruments provided by Agilent will be housed
under the NUS Centre for Lipidomics headed by
Assoc Prof Markus Wenk from the Departments of
Biochemistry and Biological Sciences. The Centre
will also host researchers and scientists from clinical
and commercial organisations in Singapore and the
Asia Pacific region.
“Integrated tool development programmes,
such as this new Centre for Lipidomics, greatly
support applications in life and environmental
sciences,” said NUS Deputy President (Research
and Technology) and Tan Chin
Tuan Centennial Professor Barry
Halliwell. “We are delighted by
the substantial industry interest
and welcome Agilent as a
partner in this endeavour.”
NUS-AGILENT COLLABORATION: Researchers involved in lipidomics analysis at the
NUS Centre for Lipidomics - (from left) Dr Federico Torta, Assoc Prof Markus Wenk,
Dr Guanghou Shui, Dr Anne Bendt, Ms Lissya Lettisya Santoso and Dr Amaury
Cazenave Gassiot
Highlighting the importance of
the partnership, Mr Rod Minett,
Agilent’s General Manager,
Life Sciences Group, South Asia
Pacific and Korea, said it would
“raise the level of knowledge
for lipidomics and potentially
pave the way for development
in related fields of research
such as life sciences, nutritional
sciences or environment
sciences.”
AT A GLANCE
• The Grameen Creative Lab (GCL) and NUS
Entrepreneurship Centre inked an agreement
on 16 March 2011 to promote and incubate
innovation-based social businesses in
Singapore, marking the first partnership
between GCL and a Singapore-based
organisation. Related activities that will be
rolled out over a two-year period include
social business competitions, public lectures
and educational workshops.
• Gamesa, a world leader in wind energy
technology, is partnering NUS, Nanyang
Technological University and Singapore’s
Institute of Materials Research and Engineering
in three important research projects. NUS
engineering researchers will be working with
Gamesa on the research and development
of lightweight and strong fibre-reinforced
composite materials and structures for wind
turbines.
ADVANCING SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP: (From
left) Director of the NUS Entrepreneurship Centre
Prof Wong Poh Kam, Founder and Creative Director
of GCL Mr Hans Reitz, and NUS Deputy President
(Academic Affairs) and Provost Prof Tan Eng Chye
at the signing ceremony of GCL@NUS
SEALING THE RESEARCH PARTNERSHIP: (From left)
José Antonio Malumbres, Gamesa’s Chief Technology
Officer, and Prof Lim Hock, Director of the Division of
Research Governance and Enablement, NUS Office of
the Deputy President (Research and Technology)
MAY/JUNE 2011
11

Duke-NUS students to receive Kwan Im
Thong Hood Cho Temple Scholarship
The Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple, a wellknown
institution with a long history in Singapore,
has donated S$2 million to the Duke-NUS Graduate
Medical School Singapore (Duke-NUS) to establish
the Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple Scholarship.
This Scholarship will support needy Singaporean
students pursuing a four-year Doctor of Medicine
programme at the Duke-NUS. Dean Prof Ranga
Krishnan said that Duke-NUS is very grateful
for this gift “as the scholarships will go a long
way towards helping our students to fulfill their
medical aspirations and make notable contributions
to society.”
Expressing support for the School’s mission to
transform medicine and improve lives, Chairman
of the Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple Dr Tan
Choon Kim added: “The scholarships affirm the
principles and values behind our beliefs. In helping
to develop promising medical students, the Temple
will be able to bring comfort to the sick and
suffering as there will be more medical doctors to
serve Singapore’s growing population.”
Commencement
4-15 July 2011
University Cultural Centre
Kent Ridge Campus
www.nus.edu.sg/commencement/2011
Freshmen Inauguration
1 August 2011
University Cultural Centre
Kent Ridge Campus
NUSSU Rag and Flag
Flag Day
3 August 2011
Rag Day
9 August 2011
The Promontory@Marina Bay
www.nus.edu.sg/ragandflag2011
Prima’s gift to Yale-NUS College
The recently-announced Yale-NUS College,
Singapore’s first liberal arts college which will open in
2013, has received a gift of S$1 million from Prima
Limited Singapore. The gift, which celebrates the
50th anniversary of Singapore’s oldest flourmill, will
be used to establish the Prima Scholarship at the
College.
A collaboration between NUS and Yale University,
the Yale-NUS College, an autonomous college of
NUS, brings together two universities with distinctive
strengths to create a model of residential liberal
arts education that is unique in Asia. With this new
education model, the College seeks to prepare high
potential students – from Singapore, the rest of Asia
and beyond – for leadership and engaged citizenship
in today’s complex and rapidly changing world.
support the cause of education because we firmly
believe that education is the foremost fundamental
enabler.”
In addition to student support, Yale-NUS College
is seeking philanthropic support for professorships
and fellowships, research funds and programmes.
For further information about making a gift to NUS
or Yale-NUS College, please contact Ms Ho Yuen
Kwan on 6516 5755 or email askdvo@nus.edu.sg .
KNOWLEDGE ENTERPRISE
12
NUS Deputy President (Academic Affairs) and Provost
Prof Tan Eng Chye said: “Yale-NUS College will
feature a new curriculum and integrated residential
education model that draws on the finest intellectual
traditions of East and West. We believe that Prima’s
generous gesture will go a long way in ensuring
that our students will have access to the quality
education they deserve and inspire them to give back
to society.”
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Prima
Limited Mr Primus Cheng said: “Prima has chosen to
KNOWLEDGE ENTERPRISE n MAY/JUNE 2011 VOLUME 10 NO. 10
Editor: Fua Lee Na n Writer: Veronique Y W Ah Sen n Distribution Manager: Matthew Seah
Office of Corporate Relations, National University of Singapore
University Hall, Lee Kong Chian Wing UHL#05-03, 21 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119077
Tel: (65) 6601 1341 Fax: (65) 6775 6386 E-mail: Knowledge_Enterprise@nus.edu.sg Website: newshub.nus.edu.sg
ISSN 0219-614X Company Registration Number: 200604346E
GENEROUS DONATION FROM PRIMA: Prof Tan Eng Chye
(extreme right) receiving the gift on behalf of NUS from
Prima Group Founder and Honorary Life President Mr
Cheng Tsang Man, while Mr Primus Cheng looked on
Cover photo courtesy of MCS Lifestyle Photography