Duke—NUS governing board chairman to step down

SINGAPORE: Mr Tony Chew Leong—Chee is to step down as Chairman of the Duke—NUS’ governing board on Monday.

The business leader has been at the helm for seven years.

He remains on the Duke—NUS Board till the end of February 2013.

Ex—banker Mr Kai Nargolwala, who joined the Duke—NUS Board in January this year, will assume the appointment of Chairman from 1 January 2013.

Mr Nargolwala is the Chairman of Clifford Capital, a company supported by the Singapore Government to facilitate the financing of long—term cross border projects by Singapore—based companies.

National University of Singapore (NUS) president Tan Chorh Chuan said the university is grateful to Mr Chew for his outstanding leadership and immense contributions.

Professor Tan Chorh Chuan, President, National University of Singapore (NUS) said: "It has really been a great pleasure and privilege to work closely with Mr Tony Chew. His vision, passion, extraordinary commitment and meticulous attention to details created among the stakeholders, the strong sense of common purpose that has underpinned the remarkable progress that the school has made in a very short time.

"We are all very proud of the many achievements which Duke—NUS has made in Singapore and internationally. We are indeed grateful to Tony for his outstanding leadership and immense contributions."

Chancellor for Health Affairs at Duke University, Dr Victor Dzau said Mr Chew’s visionary leadership and remarkable commitment has been absolutely critical and has made an incredible difference to the school.

Dr Dzau said: "The success of Duke—NUS has been integral to the success of Duke Medicine’s mission of transforming medicine and health to improve peoples’ lives around the world through service, research and education.

"Mr Tony Chew’s visionary leadership and remarkable commitment as the inaugural Chairman of Duke—NUS has been absolutely critical and has made an incredible difference to the School. We are deeply indebted to him for his support and contributions."

Established in 2005, Duke—NUS is a landmark collaboration between Duke University in the United States and NUS.

It is Singapore’s first American—styled, research—oriented, graduate entry medical school.

The School’s governing board provides strategic direction and oversight on the development and management of the School to advance its objectives in education and research.

There are 16 members on the Board, who each serve a renewable three—year term.

— CNA/xq