History and Milestones

History and Milestones

NBS History and Milestones

(Information correct as at April 2024)
Established in 1956, Nanyang Business School (NBS) traces its roots back to Nanyang University, where it initially offered a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in accountancy. In 1987, NUS’ School of Accountancy (SoA) and its flagship BAcc programme relocated to NTI, marking a pivotal moment. NTI later evolved into Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in 1991. Concurrently, NBS expanded its academic offerings, introducing a Bachelor of Business (BBus) programme and an MBA programme.  
 
Officially named Nanyang Business School in 1995, our institution has grown steadily, providing robust foundational education alongside interdisciplinary and industry-focused degree programmes. Additionally, we offer short executive courses. Our diverse range of programmes includes the highly ranked Nanyang MBA programme, sought-after MSc programmes, and a variety of undergraduate offerings, as well as FlexiMasters for working adults.  

Our growth extends to impactful research initiatives with global recognition, as well as significant collaborations on large-scale projects with both government entities and businesses.   
 
As a premier business school within a leading technological university, NBS serves as the nexus of world-class innovation, research, and business education. At NBS, we inspire innovation through interdisciplinary exploration, cultivate culturally adept leadership, and champion sustainability-driven transformation. 

1959 Singapore Polytechnic

Photo Credits: Remember Singapore

1956: 

  • Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Accountancy was started in Nanyang University

1959:

  • Start of Diploma of Accountancy in Singapore Polytechnic

1964:

  • University of Singapore agreed to award Bachelor of Accountancy degree to Singapore Polytechnic students

1969:

  • Singapore Polytechnic’s School of Accountancy merged with Department of Business Administration to form the School of Accountancy and Business Administration at the University of Singapore (Bukit Timah campus)

1971:

  • Nanyang University’s Accountancy degree was accorded recognition by the Singapore Society of Accountants (on the same basis as the Bachelor of Accountancy from the University of Singapore)

1980 Kent Ridge

Photo Credits: chen0543

1980:

  • Nanyang University and University of Singapore merged to form the National University of Singapore (NUS) with the main campus at Kent Ridge

1981:

  • The Nanyang Technological Institute (NTI)  was set up with three engineering schools on the Yunnan Garden campus, the site of Nanyang University

1987:

  • NUS’ School of Accountancy (SoA) was relocated to NTI
  • Graduates from NTI continued to receive the NUS’ Bachelor of Accountancy (BAcc) degree until 1991

1988:

  • The SoA was renamed the School of Accountancy and Commerce (SAC)

1990:

  • Launch of Bachelor of Business in 1990
  • SAC was renamed the School of Accountancy and Business (SAB)
  • Launch of Information Management Research Centre (IMARC)

 

1991:

  • NTI became Nanyang Technological University (NTU), a full-fledged university with mandate to award degrees
  • The Bachelor of Commerce was changed to the Bachelor of Business (BBus) degree
  • Launch of Nanyang MBA programme

1994: 

  • Launch of Centre for Accounting and Auditing Research (CAAR) 
  • NBS Alumni Association established 

1995:

  • SAB was renamed Nanyang Business School

1998:

  • Launch of Nanyang Fellows MBA
  • Nanyang Executive Programme office, later renamed Nanyang Executive Education, was set up to provide executive education training as part of lifelong learning for working professionals in Singapore and the region 

1999:

  • Launch of MSc in Financial Engineering programme, a collaboration with Carnegie Mellon University

2000:

  • Launch of Asian Business Case Centre (ABCC)
NTU-PKU

2003:

  • Launch of Nanyang EMBA (Chinese), a collaboration with Shanghai Jiaotong University, China 
  • Nanyang MBA Alumni Association established 

2004:

  • NBS is the first business school in Singapore, and the third in Asia, to be accredited by both the European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS) and Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) 
  • NBS is also one of only a few business schools outside of the US to be accredited with the AACSB in Accounting 
  • Launch of Center for Leadership and Cultural Intelligence (CLCI) research centre 

2007:

  • Launch of MSc Finance (English and Mandarin) programme
  • Launch of Nanyang EMBA (English) programme  

2008:

  • NBS Advisory Board established 

2009:

  • The Nanyang MBA is ranked #24 in The Financial Times’ list of top global MBAs, the first Singapore business school to achieve a top 25 position 
  • Launch of Culture Science Innovation (CSI) research centre 

2011:

  • Launch of Insurance Risk and Finance Research Centre (IRFRC) with SCOR 

2012:

  • NBS’s Actuarial Science specialisation is accredited by the UK’s Institute and Faculty of Actuaries, the first in Singapore 

2014:

  • EMBA ranks #8 in Financial Times Executive MBA Ranking 2014. 
  • Launch of Centre of Excellence in International Trading (CEIT) research centre 
  • Launch of NTU-SBF Centre for African Studies
  • NBS Alumni Advisory Board established 

2015:

  • Launch of Centre for Business Sustainability (CBS)  

2016:

  • Launch of MSc in Accountancy 
  • Launch of Chartered Valuer and Appraiser programme with the Singapore Accountancy Commission’s Institute of Valuers and Appraisers of Singapore 

2017:

  • Launch of Nanyang Professional MBA programme  

2018:

  • Launch of the NTU NBS Alumni Association 

2019:

  • Launch of MSc in Asset & Wealth Management programme, jointly developed with the Wealth Management Institute 
  • Launch of Nanyang Centre for Emerging Markets (CEM)

2020:

  • Launch of MSc in Business Analytics 
  • Launch of MSc in Marketing Science 
  • Launch of FlexiMasters (previously called MiniMasters)  
Towards a Sustainable Future Casebook

2021:

  • Launch of Nanyang PMBA International Trading
  • MBA ranks #1 in Asia, in Economist Full-time MBA Ranking 2021 
  • MBA ranks top 29 in QS Global MBA Rankings 2022 

2022:

  • The Nanyang MBA ranks #2 in Asia (#1 in South East Asia) in Economist Full-time MBA Ranking 2022
  • Launch of Executive Certificate in Corporate and Environmental Sustainability, bringing together leading academics and industry experts from PwC, Willis Towers Watson, and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development 
  • Launch of Certificate Programme in Sustainable Finance, offered in collaboration with the United Nations’ Global Compact Network Singapore (GCNS) 
  • Nanyang Professional MBA in International Trading ranks #3 in the world by QS International Trade (in partnership with Hinrich Foundation)

2023:

  • Launch of Gaia, the new home of NBS by Education Minister Chan Chun Sing. Gaia is NTU’s 8th zero-energy building
  • Launch of Centre for Sustainable Finance Innovation (CSFI) research centre 
  • Launch of International Master of Business Administration (IMBA Vietnam), a collaboration with University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
  • Launch of Executive MSc in Sustainability Management 

2024:

  • Launch of a new interdisciplinary degree programme Bachelor of Applied Computing in Finance (BACF), jointly offered by NBS and the College of Computing and Data Science 
  • Launch of Accountancy for Future Leaders - Bachelor of Accountancy (Sustainability Management and Analytics) 
  • Launch of Nanyang Centre for Marketing and Technology (NCMT) research centre 

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