Singapore, 31 July 2019 (Wednesday) - The Singapore Management University (SMU) is pleased to announce that Mr Lim Chee Onn (林子安) has been appointed Chancellor (名誉校长) of the University with effect from 1 August 2019. His appointment will be for a term of five years. He was previously the Pro-Chancellor (名誉副校长) of SMU.

The positions of Chancellor and Pro-Chancellor are key and important positions within the University structure. Mr Lim, together with the Pro-Chancellor of SMU, Mr Eddie Teo (张赞成), will share the important role of presiding over all major formal University ceremonies, and will officiate at the University’s Commencement and Academic Year Opening Ceremonies.

Mr Lim chairs the Singapore-Suzhou Township Development Pte Ltd and is an Honorary Chairman of the National Heritage Board. In addition, he is a Member of the Council of Presidential Advisers and a Director of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (Asia) Ltd. He is also Chairman of the Lien Ying Chow Legacy Fellowship Council, Nanyang Technological University; Senior Adviser to the University of Glasgow in Singapore; and a Board Director of Orica Limited. Mr Lim's other previous board directorships included Keppel Corporation Limited’s Executive Chairman from January 2000 to December 2008 and the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s Board Member from January 2004 to May 2018.

Until 31 July 2019, Mr Lim was Senior International Adviser to the Ascendas-Singbridge Group which invests in, develops and manages overseas integrated cities and provides sustainable urban solutions adapted from Singapore's successful development experience.

Mr Lim started his career in the Civil Service and was elected Member of Parliament from 1977 to 1992, Secretary-General NTUC from 1979 to 1983 and Minister without Portfolio, Prime Minister’s Office from 1980 to 1983.

He graduated with First Class Honours in Naval Architecture from Glasgow University, earned his Masters in Public Administration from Harvard University, and was conferred the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Engineering by Glasgow University.

Mr Lim has been conferred the Distinguished Service Order by HE The President, Republic of Singapore and Commander, Order of the Crown, by HM King Albert II, Kingdom of Belgium. He is also an Honorary Citizen of Suzhou, People’s Republic of China, and Seoul, Republic of Korea.

“SMU is indeed privileged and honoured to have Mr Lim Chee Onn as our new Chancellor and we look forward to his deep wealth of knowledge and experiences to take SMU forward as we approach our 20th year as a global-city university in Asia. We would also like to extend our deep appreciation to Mr J Y Pillay, who has for the past many years, generously given his invaluable advice and inspired not only SMU students, but also its faculty and staff,” said Professor Lily Kong, President, Singapore Management University.

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Corinne Kang

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Email: corinnekang [at] smu.edu.sg