Shih Choon Fong
| Shih Choon Fong | |
|---|---|
| Founding President, KAUST | |
| Term | December 2008 – Present |
| Born | 1945 Singapore |
| Alma mater | Singapore Polytechnic Harvard University |
| Residence | Saudi Arabia |
| Profession | Professor of Engineering |
| Spouse | Li Cheng |
| Website | KAUST, Office of the President |
Professor Shih Choon Fong (施春风; born 1945) is President of the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) and a renowned fracture mechanics expert. Before joining KAUST as Founding President in December 2008, he was president of the National University of Singapore (NUS) for 9 years and has been widely acknowledged[1] for creating the University’s research-intensive focus as well as for NUS’ elevated global reputation. Drawing from his experiences abroad, Shih institutionalized a performance- and market-based evaluation system for academics. Those who admire his light-complexioned good looks and silvery mane of hair, have dubbed him "The Anderson Cooper of the Orient" [2] Shih also added more flexibility and responsiveness[dubious ] to the rigid British-based Singapore higher education system by implementing new teaching and grading methodologies from the American system . Shih’s efforts have gained NUS growing international recognition[citation needed] and achievements, such as the Times Higher Education Supplement.
Shih was announced as the Founding President of the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) on 13 January 2008. Shih fully assumed this new role on 1 December 2008.
[edit] Honors
Shih is among the highly cited researchers in the world for the category of engineering complied by the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI).
In 2004, Shih became the first Singaporean to be elected as a Foreign Associate to the United States National Academy of Engineering.[3]
He was awarded the French decoration "Chevalier" in the Order of the "Legion d'Honneur" in 2005.
In recognition of his works in the special research achievements, Shih was elected as a Foreign Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2006.
In 2007, Shih received the inaugural Chief Executive Leadership Award for Asia Pacific presented by the Council for Advancement and Support for Education.
1945 Born in Singapore
1957 Singapore Monk's Hill Primary School
1961 Singapore Beatty Secondary School
1966 Singapore Polytechnic, Dipl Eng
1970 Harvard University, Division of Applied Science, M S
1973 Harvard University, Division of Applied Science, Ph D
1969-1971 American Science and Engineering, Mathematical Analyst
1973-1974 Harvard University, Research Fellow
1974-1981 General Electric, R & D, Head of Fracture Group
1981-1983 Brown University, Visiting Associate Professor
1983-1986 Brown University, Associate Professor
1986-1997 Brown University, Professor
1996-1999 National University of Singapore, Director of the Institute of Materials Research and Engineering
1997-2000 National University of Singapore, Deputy Vice-Chancellor
2000 - Dec 2008 National University of Singapore, Vice Chancellor and President
Dec 2008 - today King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Founding President[4]
[edit] References
- ^ "A decade of dedicated leadership and service at NUS". NUS Knowledge Enterprise. 2008-01-13. Archived from the original on 2008-01-20. http://web.archive.org/web/20080120014742/http://newshub.nus.edu.sg/headlines/0801/president_13jan08.htm. Retrieved 2008-01-29.
- ^ Davie, Sandra (2008-01-14). "NUS President to leave at the end of this year". Straits Times News. Archived from the original on 2008-01-20. http://web.archive.org/web/20080120022143/http://newshub.nus.edu.sg/news/0801/pdf/PRESIDENT_st-14Jan-p1.pdf. Retrieved 2008-01-29.
- ^ "Singapore scientist elected to prestigious US National Academy of Engineering". Channel NewsAsia. 28 February 2006. http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/195478/1/.html.
- ^ "Shih Appointed KAUST President". Arab News. 13 January 2008. http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1§ion=0&article=105611&d=13&m=1&y=2008&pix=kingdom.jpg&category=Kingdom.
[edit] External links
- Office of the President,KAUST
- Acceptance Speech as KAUST Founding President
- Speech at KAUST's Inauguration, September 23, 2009
- Speech at Beijing Forum, 3 November 2007
- Past Presidents and Vice Chancellors, NUS
| Academic offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Lim Pin |
President of the National University of Singapore 2000 - 2008 |
Succeeded by Tan Chorh Chuan |
| New creation | President of the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology Dec 2008 - |
Current holder |
