[Singapore, 9 October 2013 (Wednesday)] - Ambassador-at-Large and Foreign Policy Adviser at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bilahari Kausikan will bring his extensive experience in international affairs to the Singapore Management University as a Senior Fellow in the School of Social Sciences (SOSS).

The appointment provides SMU faculty and students access to a veteran diplomat with a long and distinguished career in public service.  As Senior Fellow Mr Kausikan will conduct a series of lectures on “Diplomacy in East Asia” from January 2014 which forms part of the School of Social Sciences’ International and Asian Studies (IAS) programme.

In addition to the talks, he will also share his invaluable and real-world insights with the SMU community through participating in SOSS and other SMU events during his one-year appointment effective from 1 August 2013.

The IAS is a new multidisciplinary SOSS second major that examines the emerging role of Asia in the world through integrating knowledge from disciplines such as international relations, sociology, political science, economics and law. Students are expected not only to acquire in-depth knowledge on regional and global affairs, but also to gain a better understanding of complex issues concerning Asia and the world through special projects and perspectives from experienced practitioners like Mr Bilahari Kausikan.

“By interacting with and learning from a seasoned diplomat, known for his outspokenness and with the experience and stature of Mr Kausikan, who served at a senior position and played a crucial role in successfully steering Singapore’s foreign relations over a period of rapid economic and political changes in the world”, said SOSS Dean James Tang, “our students will develop a better appreciation of how diplomacy really works and gain valuable insights on Singapore’s international challenges”.

The former Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs retired from the Administrative Service in June after 34 years of service in the public sector. Mr Kausikan, who holds a Bachelor of Social Science degree in Political Science from the National University of Singapore and a Master of Arts degree in Political Science from Columbia University, joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Singapore in 1981. He held various appointments in MFA, including First Secretary in Washington, Director for Southeast Asia, Director for East Asia and the Pacific and as Deputy Secretary for Southeast Asia, before his appointment as Singapore’s Ambassador to The Russian Federation in 1994.  He was appointed Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York in 1995 and concurrently High Commissioner to Canada and Ambassador to Mexico, and later assumed responsibility as Deputy Secretary in MFA in 1998 and Second Permanent Secretary (Foreign Affairs) in 2001.

Serving as Permanent Secretary (Foreign Affairs) from 2010 to 2013, Mr Kausikan led the Singapore Foreign Service in managing Singapore’s foreign relations in an increasingly complex and uncertain international environment. He has played a significant role in promoting Singapore’s political, economic and security interests while safeguarding the country’s national interests. He has led the Ministry through negotiations on various bilateral issues and was instrumental in promoting Singapore’s bilateral relations with various countries. He has also strengthened Singapore’s national standing in the international arena. 

For his contributions, he was conferred the “Order of Bernardo O’Higgins” with the rank of “Gran Cruz” by the President of the Republic of Chile in December 2002, and “The Oman Civil Merit Order, Second Class” by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos of Oman in February 2013.  He was also awarded Public Administration Medal (Gold) in August 2001, Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Meritorious Service Medal) in 2012 for his leadership and outstanding contributions to Singapore’s Foreign Service.

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