Singapore School Names Former Leader as First Chancellor
Heng Swee Keat will help lead the Singapore Institute of Technology and attend important ceremonies.
The Singapore Institute of Technology has chosen a new leader to help guide the school. Heng Swee Keat, who used to be Singapore's deputy prime minister, will become the school's first chancellor. He will start this important job on June 1 and work until May 31, 2031. This is a big honor for both Heng and the technology school.
As chancellor, Heng will have the highest ceremonial position at SIT. He will attend graduation ceremonies and represent the school at important events. His job is to be an ambassador for SIT and help make it more well-known. He will also use his experience to help the school work better with companies and other organizations.
SIT said that Heng's long experience as a leader will help the university grow stronger. The school wants to create partnerships with businesses and raise money for special projects. Heng knows many important people from his years in government. This will help SIT connect with new partners and supporters.
The school created this new chancellor position to show how much it has grown. SIT wants to train students who are ready to work in real jobs right after graduation. The university focuses on hands-on learning and working closely with companies. Having a chancellor like Heng shows that SIT is becoming more important in Singapore's education system.
Heng has had many important jobs in Singapore's government over the years. He was deputy prime minister from 2019 to 2025, which made him one of the most powerful leaders in the country. Before that, he was the Minister for Education from 2011 to 2015. He also served as Minister for Finance from 2015 to 2021, managing Singapore's money and budget.
Today, Heng still works in other important roles even though he is no longer deputy prime minister. He leads the National Research Foundation, which supports science and technology research in Singapore. He also serves on the board of GIC, which is Singapore's wealth fund. These jobs show that people still trust him to make important decisions.
I share SIT's conviction that applied research and deep industry partnership are not complementary to education - they are central to it.
Comprehension quiz preview
1. When will Heng Swee Keat start his job as chancellor?
2. What was Heng Swee Keat's job from 2019 to 2025?
3. How long will Heng serve as chancellor?