SMU Honorary Patron and Distinguished Senior Fellow Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam was featured in The Straits Times as one of the top headline makers in 2017. After Dr Tan’s presidential term came to an end on 31 August 2017, he was appointed Director and Special Adviser at Singapore sovereign wealth fund GIC, and Honorary Patron and Distinguished Senior Fellow at SMU, an institution he had a hand in planning for as Deputy Prime Minister.

Dr Tan said, "It was indeed an honour and privilege for me to serve as the seventh President of the Republic of Singapore. After completing my six-year term, my wife and I left the Istana with fond memories and much gratitude to Singaporeans for their support and encouragement for the initiatives launched during my presidency."