SMU congratulates SMU Chancellor Mr Lim Chee Onn on being conferred the Order of Nila Utama (With High Distinction) and former SMU Chancellor Mr JY Pillay on being conferred the Order of Temasek (With Distinction) in the Singapore National Day Awards 2019.

Mr Lim received the Distinguished Service Order in 2007 from HE The President, Republic of Singapore, and Commander, Order of the Crown, from HM King Albert II, Kingdom of Belgium in 2008. He is also an Honorary Citizen of Suzhou, People’s Republic of China, and Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Mr Lim was appointed Chancellor of SMU with effect from 1 August 2019, succeeding Mr JY Pillay who had served since 1 September 2015. Mr Lim had formerly served as Pro-Chancellor since November 2016. The Chancellor and Pro-Chancellor are key positions within the University structure and the holders share the important role of presiding over all major formal University ceremonies, including the University’s Commencement and Academic Year Opening Ceremonies.

Commenting on his Chancellorship, Mr Lim said, "I am committed to this, and this is what I've been wanting to do all along. Since my first job after graduating, when I was teaching naval architecture at polytechnic, I've believed that we should help everybody, at all levels, because I can see a natural tendency for an individual to want to better himself or herself. I'm not only referring to getting a good job or having a wonderful career; I mean developing as a rounded individual who can commit to something that he or she believes in; not just someone who is just running around, a follower, without any compass. So currently, my focus is of course on SMU. There's purpose to what I do and I do believe I will enjoy it."

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.

Main photo: SMU Chancellor Mr Lim Chee Onn was conferred the Order of Nila Utama (With High Distinction) in the Singapore National Day Awards 2019.

Above: Former SMU Chancellor Mr JY Pillay was conferred the Order of Temasek (With Distinction) in the Singapore National Day Awards 2019.