Board of Governors
RSIS is guided by a Board of Governors appointed by the Nanyang Technological University’s Board of Trustees. This Board comprises members representing the University and other organisations and international bodies concerned with defence, strategic studies, diplomacy and international affairs. The Dean of RSIS is an ex-officio member of the Board.
Amongst other functions, the RSIS Board of Governors sets objectives and provides general direction for the School. It reviews the School’s programmes, approves its plans and its budgets, and provides advice when needed.
Term :
January 2023 - December 2024
Dr Tony Tan
ChairmanHonorary Patron and Distinguished Senior Fellow, SMUAmbassador Ong Keng Yong
Executive Deputy ChairmanExecutive Deputy Chairman, RSIS, Director, Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies, and Head of International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research
Professor Kumar Ramakrishna
Ex-Officio MemberDean, RSIS, Professor of National Security Studies, Provost’s Chair in National Security Studies, NTU, Research Adviser to ICPVTR
Members
Professor Michael E. Brown
Professor of International Affairs and Political Science, Elliott School of International Affairs, The George Washington UniversityMr Chan Heng Kee
Permanent Secretary (Defence), MINDEFMr Albert Chua
Permanent Secretary,
MFAMs Chew Gek Khim
Executive Chairman, The Straits Trading Company LimitedDr Bates Gill
Senior Fellow, Asian Security, National Bureau of Asian Research, US; Non-resident Senior Policy Fellow, Asia Society Australia; and Senior Associate Fellow, Royal United Services Institute, LondonMr Peter Ho
Senior Advisor, Centre for Strategic Futures, PMOProfessor Lam Khin Yong
Vice President (Industry), Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, NTUMr Pang Kin Keong
Permanent Secretary, MHA
Professor Sir Steve Smith
UK Government International Education Champion, and Prime Minister’s Special Representative to Saudi Arabia for Education, Department for Education and Department for International TradeMr Peter Varghese
Chancellor, The University of QueenslandMr Leo Yip
Head of the Civil Service, Permanent Secretary, Prime Minister’s Office (Strategy), Permanent Secretary, Prime Minister’s Office, and Permanent Secretary, National Security and Intelligence CoordinationProfessor Stuart Croft
Vice-Chancellor and President, University of WarwickMs Selena Ling
Chief Economist, Head of Treasury Research & Strategy, Global Treasury, OCBC Bank
January 2021 - December 2022
Dr Tony Tan
ChairmanSpecial Adviser, GIC, and
Honorary Patron and Distinguished Senior Fellow, SMUAmbassador Ong Keng Yong
Executive Deputy ChairmanExecutive Deputy Chairman, RSIS, and Director, Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies
Professor Ralf Emmers
Ex-Officio MemberDean, RSIS, President’s Chair in International Relations, and Associate Vice President, International (Alliances & Partnerships)
Members
Professor Michael E. Brown
Professor of International Affairs and Political Science, Elliott School of International Affairs, The George Washington UniversityMr Chan Heng Kee
Permanent Secretary (Defence), MINDEFMr Chee Wee Kiong
(until 3 April 2022)Permanent Secretary, MFAMr Albert Chua
(from 4 April 2022)Permanent Secretary,
MFAMs Chew Gek Khim
Executive Chairman, The Straits Trading Company LimitedDr Bates Gill
Executive Director, Center for China Analysis, Asia Society Policy InstituteMr Peter Ho
Senior Advisor, Centre for Strategic Futures, PMOProfessor Lam Khin Yong
Senior Vice President (Research),
President’s Chair in Mechanical and
Aerospace Engineering, NTU
Mr Pang Kin Keong
Permanent Secretary, MHAProfessor Sir Steve Smith
UK Government International Education Champion, and Prime Minister’s Special Representative to Saudi Arabia for Education, Department for Education and Department for International TradeMr Peter Varghese
Chancellor, The University of QueenslandMr Leo Yip
Head of the Civil Service, Permanent Secretary, Prime Minister’s Office (Strategy), Permanent Secretary, Prime Minister’s Office, and Permanent Secretary, National Security and Intelligence Coordination
January 2019 - December 2020
Dr Tony Tan
ChairmanSpecial Adviser, GIC, and
Honorary Patron and Distinguished Senior Fellow, SMUAmbassador Ong Keng Yong
Executive Deputy ChairmanExecutive Deputy Chairman, RSIS; and
Director, Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies
Professor Ralf Emmers
Ex-Officio MemberDean, RSIS, and President’s Chair in International Relations
Members
Professor Er Meng Hwa
Professor, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, NTUProfessor Sir Steve Smith
Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, University of ExeterDr Bates Gill
Professor of Asia-Pacific Security Studies, Macquarie UniversityMs Chew Gek Khim
Executive Chairman, The Straits Trading Company LimitedMr Chee Wee Kiong
Permanent Secretary, MFAMr Peter Ho
Senior Advisor, Centre for Strategic Futures, PMOProfessor Michael E. Brown
Professor of International Affairs and Political Science, Elliott School of International Affairs, The George Washington UniversityMr Peter Varghese
Chancellor, The University of Queensland
Mr Leo Yip
Head of the Civil Service, Permanent Secretary, Prime Minister’s Office (Strategy), Permanent Secretary, Prime Minister’s Office, and Permanent Secretary, National Security and Intelligence CoordinationProfessor Vali Nasr
Majid Khadduri Professor of Middle East and International Affairs, School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins UniversityMr Pang Kin Keong
Permanent Secretary, MHAMr Chan Heng Kee
(from 2 December 2019)Permanent Secretary (Defence), MINDEFMr Chan Yeng Kit
(until 2 December 2019)Permanent Secretary, MINDEF
January 2017 - December 2018
Mr Eddie Teo
ChairmanChairman, Public Service Commission
(until 31 July 2018)Dr Tony Tan
ChairmanSpecial Adviser, GIC, and
(from 1 August 2018)
Honorary Patron and
Distinguished Senior Fellow,
Singapore Management UniversityAmbassador Ong Keng Yong
Executive Deputy ChairmanExecutive Deputy Chairman, RSIS,
Director, Institute of Defence and Strategic StudiesProfessor Joseph Liow
Ex-Officio MemberDean, RSIS
Members
Professor Er Meng Hwa
Professor, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, NTUProfessor Sir Steve Smith
Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, University of ExeterDr Bates Gill
Professor of Asia-Pacific Security Studies, Macquarie UniversityMs Chew Gek Khim
Executive Chairman, The Straits Trading Company LimitedMr Chee Wee Kiong
Permanent Secretary,
Ministry of Foreign AffairsMr Peter Ho
Senior Advisor, Centre for Strategic Futures, PMOProfessor Michael E. Brown
Professor of International Affairs and Political Science, Elliott School of International Affairs, The George Washington UniversityMr Peter Varghese
Chancellor, The University of Queensland
Mr Leo Yip
Head of the Civil Service, Permanent Secretary, Prime Minister’s Office (Strategy), Permanent Secretary, Prime Minister’s Office, and Permanent Secretary, National Security and Intelligence CoordinationProfessor Vali R. Nasr
(from 1 January 2018)Majid Khadduri Professor of Middle East and International Affairs, School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins UniversityMr Pang Kin Keong
(from 1 January 2018)Permanent Secretary, MHAMr Loh Ngai Seng
(until 31 December 2017)Second Permanent Secretary, MHAMr Chan Yeng Kit
Permanent Secretary, MINDEF
January 2015 - December 2016
Mr Eddie Teo
ChairmanChairman, Public Service CommissionAmbassador Ong Keng Yong
DeputyExecutive Deputy Chairman, RSIS; and
Director, Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies
Professor Joseph Liow
Ex-Officio MemberDean, RSIS
Members
Professor Er Meng Hwa
Professor, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, NTUProfessor Sir Steve Smith
Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, University of ExeterDr Bates Gill
Professor of Asia-Pacific Security Studies, Macquarie UniversityMs Chew Gek Khim
Executive Chairman, The Straits Trading Company LimitedMr Chee Wee Kiong
Permanent Secretary, MFAMr Peter Ho
Senior Advisor, Centre for Strategic Futures, PMOProfessor Michael E. Brown
Professor of International Affairs and Political Science, Elliott School of International Affairs, The George Washington University
Mr Leo Yip
(until 31 December 2015)Head of the Civil Service, Permanent Secretary, Prime Minister’s Office (Strategy), Permanent Secretary, Prime Minister’s Office, and Permanent Secretary, National Security and Intelligence Coordination
Ambassador Chan Heng Chee
(until 31 December 2015)Ambassador-At-Large, MFA, and Chairman, Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Studies, SUTDProfessor Stephen Walt
Robert and Renee Belfer Professor International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School of GovernmentMr Benny Lim
Permanent Secretary, MND, Permanent Secretary, PMO, and Permanent Secretary, National Security and Intelligence CoordinationMr Loh Ngai Seng
(from 1 January 2016)Second Permanent Secretary, MHAMr Chan Yeng Kit
Permanent Secretary, MINDEF
January 2013 - December 2014
Mr Eddie Teo
ChairmanChairman, Public Service CommissionAmbassador Ong Keng Yong
DeputyExecutive Deputy Chairman, RSIS; and
(from 3 November 2014)
Director, Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies
Ambassador Barry Desker
Ex-Officio MemberDean, RSIS
(until 3 November 2014)Professor Joseph Liow
Ex-Officio MemberDean, RSIS
(from 4 November 2014)
Members
Professor Er Meng Hwa
Professor, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, NTUProfessor Sir Steve Smith
Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, University of ExeterDr Bates Gill
Professor of Asia-Pacific Security Studies, Macquarie UniversityMs Chew Gek Khim
Executive Chairman, The Straits Trading Company LimitedMr Chee Wee Kiong
(from 1 June 2013)Permanent Secretary,
Ministry of Foreign AffairsMr Chiang Chie Foo
(until 31 August 2013)Permanent Secretary, MINDEFMr Bilahari Kausikan
(until 31 May 2013)Permanent Secretary, MFAProfessor Wang Gungwu
Director, East Asian Institute
Professor Harry Harding
Dean, Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, University of VirginiaMr Tan Tee How
(until 1 December 2014)Permanent Secretary, MHAAmbassador Chan Heng Chee
Ambassador-At-Large, MFA, and Chairman, Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Studies, SUTDProfessor Stephen Walt
Robert and Renee Belfer Professor International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School of GovernmentMr Benny Lim
Permanent Secretary, MND, Permanent Secretary, PMO, and Permanent Secretary, National Security and Intelligence CoordinationMr Chan Yeng Kit
(from 1 September 2013)Permanent Secretary, MINDEF
January 2011 - December 2012
Mr Eddie Teo
ChairmanChairman, Public Service Commission
Ambassador Barry Desker
Ex-Officio MemberDean, RSIS
Members
Professor Er Meng Hwa
Professor, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, NTUProfessor Sir Steve Smith
Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, University of ExeterDr Bates Gill
Professor of Asia-Pacific Security Studies, Macquarie UniversityMr Chiang Chie Foo
Permanent Secretary, MINDEFMr Kwek Leng Joo
Managing Director, City Developments LimitedMr Tan Pheng Hock
(until 1 November 2012)President and CEO, Singapore Technologies Engineering LtdMr Bilahari Kausikan
Permanent Secretary, MFAMr Peter Ong
(until 31 December 2011)Head of Civil Service, Permanent Secretary, MOF, and Permanent Secretary, National Security and Intelligence Coordination
Professor Wang Gungwu
Director, East Asian InstituteProfessor Harry Harding
Dean, Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, University of VirginiaMr Tan Tee How
(from 1 January 2012)Permanent Secretary, MHAMr Benny Lim
Permanent Secretary, MND, Permanent Secretary, PMO, and Permanent Secretary, National Security and Intelligence Coordination
January 2009 - December 2010
Mr Eddie Teo
ChairmanChairman, Public Service CommissionAmbassador Barry Desker
Ex-Officio MemberDean, RSIS
Members
Professor Er Meng Hwa
Professor, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, NTUProfessor Sir Steve Smith
Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, University of ExeterDr Bates Gill
Professor of Asia-Pacific Security Studies, Macquarie UniversityMr Peter Ho
Senior Advisor, Centre for Strategic Futures, PMOMr Peter Seah
Chairman, Singapore Technologies Engineering LtdMr Chiang Chie Foo
Permanent Secretary, MINDEFMr Ng Kok Song
Group Chief Investment Officer, Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC)Mr Kwek Leng Joo
Managing Director, City Developments Limited
Professor Wang Gungwu
Director, East Asian InstituteProfessor Harry Harding
Dean, Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, University of VirginiaMr Benny Lim
Permanent Secretary, MND, Permanent Secretary, PMO, and Permanent Secretary, National Security and Intelligence Coordination
January 2007 - December 2008
Dr Andrew Chew
ChairmanChairman, Public Service CommissionAmbassador Barry Desker
Ex-Officio MemberDean, RSIS
Members
Professor Er Meng Hwa
Professor, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, NTU
Professor Sir Steve Smith
Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, University of Exeter
Mr Peter Ho
Senior Advisor, Centre for Strategic Futures, PMOMr Peter Seah
Chairman, Singapore Technologies Engineering LtdProfessor Eliot Cohen
(until 7 March 2007)Robert E. Osgood Professor of Strategic Studies, The Paul J. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, The Johns Hopkins UniversityProfessor Francois Heisbourg
Chairman, International Institute for Strategic Studies CouncilMr Chiang Chie Foo
Permanent Secretary, MINDEFMr Ng Kok Song
Group Chief Investment Officer, Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC)
Mr Kwek Leng Joo
Managing Director, City Developments LimitedProfessor Wang Gungwu
Director, East Asian Institute
Professor Harry Harding
(from 1 July 2007)Dean, Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, University of VirginiaMr Benny Lim
Permanent Secretary, MND, Permanent Secretary, PMO, and Permanent Secretary, National Security and Intelligence Coordination
July 2004 - December 2006
Dr Andrew Chew
ChairmanChairman, Public Service Commission
Members
Professor Er Meng Hwa
(from 1 August 2006)Professor, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, NTU
Mr Peter Ho
(until 15 July 2004)Senior Advisor, Centre for Strategic Futures, PMOMr Peter Seah
Chairman, Singapore Technologies Engineering LtdProfessor Eliot Cohen
Robert E. Osgood Professor of Strategic Studies, The Paul J. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, The Johns Hopkins UniversityProfessor Francois Heisbourg
Chairman, International Institute for Strategic Studies CouncilMr Chiang Chie Foo
(from 15 July 2004)Permanent Secretary, MINDEFProfessor Wang Gungwu
Director, East Asian Institute
BG (Ret) Tan Chin Tiong
(until 15 July 2004)First Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Associate Professor Tan Tai Yong
Dean, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, NUSProfessor Neo Boon Siong
(until 31 July 2006)Director, Information management Research Centre, Nanyang Business School, NTUMr Patrick Daniel
Managing Editor, English and Malay Newspapers Division, Singapore Press HoldingsMr K Kesavapany
Director, Institute of Southeast Asian Studies
July 2002 - June 2004
Dr Andrew Chew
ChairmanChairman, Public Service Commission
Members
Mr Peter Ho
Senior Advisor, Centre for Strategic Futures, PMO
Mr Peter Seah
Chairman, Singapore Technologies Engineering LtdProfessor Eliot Cohen
Robert E. Osgood Professor of Strategic Studies, The Paul J. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, The Johns Hopkins UniversityProfessor Francois Heisbourg
Chairman, International Institute for Strategic Studies CouncilProfessor Wang Gungwu
Director, East Asian InstituteMr Ho Kwon Ping
(until 30 Jun 2003)President, Wah-Chang International Corporation (S) Pte LtdMr Koh Yong Guan
(until 30 Jun 2003)Managing Director, Monetary Authority of SingaporeBG (Ret) Tan Chin Tiong
First Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Associate Professor Tan Tai Yong
Dean, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, NUSProfessor Neo Boon Siong
Director, Information management Research Centre, Nanyang Business School, NTUMr Patrick Daniel
(from 1 Jul 2003)Managing Editor, English and Malay Newspapers Division, Singapore Press HoldingsMr K Kesavapany
(from 1 Jul 2003)Director, Institute of Southeast Asian Studies
July 2000 - June 2002
Dr Andrew Chew
ChairmanChairman, Public Service Commission
Members
Mr Peter Ho
Senior Advisor, Centre for Strategic Futures, PMO
Mr Peter Seah
Chairman, Singapore Technologies Engineering LtdProfessor Eliot Cohen
Robert E. Osgood Professor of Strategic Studies, The Paul J. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, The Johns Hopkins UniversityProfessor Francois Heisbourg
(from 1 January 2002)Chairman, International Institute for Strategic Studies CouncilProfessor Wang Gungwu
Director, East Asian InstituteProfessor Chen Charng-Ning
(until 31 Dec 2001)Deputy President, NTUMr Ho Kwon Ping
President, Wah-Chang International Corporation (S) Pte LtdMr Koh Yong Guan
Managing Director, Monetary Authority of Singapore
BG (Ret) Tan Chin Tiong
First Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign AffairsProfessor Michael Leifer
(until time of passing in 2001)Director, Asia Research Centre, The London School of Economics and Political ScienceAssociate Professor Tan Tai Yong
Dean, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, NUSProfessor Neo Boon Siong
(from 1 Jan 2002)Director, Information management Research Centre, Nanyang Business School, NTU
July 1998 - June 2000
Dr Andrew Chew
ChairmanChairman, Public Service Commission
Members
Mr Eddie Teo
Chairman, Public Service CommissionMr Peter Seah
Chairman, Singapore Technologies Engineering LtdProfessor Wang Gungwu
Director, East Asian InstituteKishore Mahbubani
(until 31 July 1998)Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign AffairsDr Cheong Choong Kong
Deputy Chairman, Singapore Airlines LtdProfessor Chia Siow Yue
Director, Institute of Southeast Asian StudiesMr Wee Ee Cheong
Director, Institute of Southeast Asian StudiesProfessor Chen Charng-Ning
Deputy President, NTU
Mr Ho Kwon Ping
President, Wah-Chang International Corporation (S) Pte LtdMr Koh Yong Guan
Managing Director, Monetary Authority of SingaporeBG (Ret) Tan Chin Tiong
(from 1 Aug 1998)First Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
July 1996 - June 1998
Dr Andrew Chew
ChairmanChairman, Public Service Commission
Members
Mr Eddie Teo
Chairman, Public Service CommissionMr Peter Seah
(from 26 July 1996)Chairman, Singapore Technologies Engineering LtdProfessor Wang Gungwu
(from 19 February 1998)Director, East Asian InstituteMr Kishore Mahbubani
(from 26 July 1996)Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign AffairsDr Cheong Choong Kong
(from 26 July 1996)Deputy Chairman, Singapore Airlines LtdProfessor Chia Siow Yue
(from 26 July 1996)Director, Institute of Southeast Asian StudiesMr Wee Ee Cheong
(from 26 July 1996)Director, Institute of Southeast Asian StudiesProfessor Chen Charng-Ning
(from 26 July 1996)Deputy President, NTU
Mr Ho Kwon Ping
(from 26 July 1996)President, Wah-Chang International Corporation (S) Pte LtdMr Koh Yong Guan
(from 26 July 1996)Managing Director, Monetary Authority of Singapore