Posted on December 5, 2022
Professor Low Teck Seng, Senior Vice President (Sustainability & Resilience) of the National University of Singapore and former Chief Executive Officer of the National Research Foundation, Singapore (NRF), has been appointed the new Chairman of the Singapore Maritime Institute (SMI) with effect from 1 January 2023. Prof Low will succeed Mr Wong Weng Sun who has served as SMI Chairman since 1 January 2017.
Prior to his appointment at NRF where he played an integral role in charting the nation’s research and development (R&D) roadmap to realise the R&D plans of Singapore, Prof Low served as the Managing Director of A*STAR from 2010 to 2012, and was the founding principal of Republic Polytechnic from 2002 to 2008. In 2016, Prof Low was conferred the Order of the Legion of Honour with the grade of Knight (Chevalier) by the French Government. He was awarded the Public Administration Medal (Gold) in 2007 by the President of Singapore for his outstanding contributions to the development of technical education and the management of science and technology for the nation. In 2004, Prof Low was awarded the National Science and Technology Medal for his exceptional contributions to the strategic development of Singapore through the promotion and management of R&D.
Mr Wong, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sembcorp Marine, provided valuable guidance to SMI on developing initiatives to drive the transformation of the maritime sector. Under his leadership, SMI has refreshed and launched the Singapore Maritime R&D Roadmap in 2019, which outlined the key thrusts for our research community to channel their R&D efforts. Mr Wong was instrumental in the establishment of four maritime research centres of excellence (CoEs) funded by SMI. He most recently oversaw the five-year funding renewal for two of the CoEs to focus efforts on translating the Centres’ rich R&D capabilities for industry adoption. In addition, Mr Wong was the cochair of the International Advisory Panel on Maritime Decarbonisation in 2020, which aimed to champion decarbonisation efforts in the shipping industry.
Mr Wong said, “It has been a great joy and privilege working with the SMI Board and Governing Council, as well as the management team and staff over the past six years. I wish SMI the very best as it continues its journey to drive the R&D agenda for Maritime Singapore.” Said Professor Low, “SMI has been actively building and deepening maritime R&D capabilities through various programmes and initiatives since its inception in 2011. I look forward to working with the SMI team, the R&D ecosystem and partners of the maritime community to stimulate a more dynamic, resilient and sustainable maritime sector through impactful R&D efforts.”
Mr Niam Chiang Meng, Chairman of Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, said, “I would like to congratulate Professor Low Teck Seng on his appointment as the incoming Chairman of SMI. Prof Low’s deep experiences in driving national Research, Innovation and Enterprise plans will enhance Singapore’s maritime innovation and help drive the R&D roadmap. We are confident that he is well positioned to drive SMI and MPA’s aspirations in maritime innovation, digitalisation and decarbonisation.” “We would also like to thank Mr Wong Weng Sun for his leadership and his many contributions to Maritime Singapore, including the launch of the Singapore Maritime R&D Roadmap, creation of the four maritime research centres of excellence, and his role as co-chair of the International Advisory Panel on Maritime Decarbonisation. We wish Weng Sun fair winds and following seas.”
