Endowed Professorship

The Canon Visiting Professorship was launched in November 1997 with S$2 million from donations and government matching funds. Canon established this fund on its 60th anniversary to support education and global knowledge sharing, reflecting its Kyosei philosophy.

The Cham Tao Soon Career Development Professorship in Engineering named after the University’s founding president, Professor Cham Tao Soon, was launched in 2022.

The professorship provides recognition for existing mid-career faculty members with distinguished achievements. The award specifically recognises and rewards outstanding mid-career faculty to increase the likelihood that their careers continue to flourish and that they remain at the University. 

The current Cham Tao Soon Career Development Professorship in Engineering Professor is Professor Xu Yan.​

The Cheng Tsang Man Professorship in Energy was launched on 4 July 1999 with a total capital of S$3m, comprising a $1.5m gift from Prima Group and $1.5m from the government as matching fund.

The fund has attracted top scholars and scientists from prestigious institutions like Carnegie Mellon University, Stanford University, Hosei University (Japan), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Centre National se la Recherche Scientifique (France), Princeton University, and Harvard University. Over the past decade, around 20 leading experts have shared research at NTU in areas like wireless communications, computer graphics, computational electromagnets, nanoscience and molecular electronics, and signal processing.

Rather than rotating short-term researchers, the professorship now hires a permanent Chair Professor to lead energy research and mentor younger scientists.

The current Chair Professor is Professor Chan Siew Hwa.

The Mediatek Professorship in Integrated Circuit (IC) Design was launched in 2011 with a total capital of S$5m comprising donations and matching fund from the government.

The fund will support innovative research in integrated circuit design, groom the next generation of engineer-leaders who will bring the company’s philosophy of constant innovation and quality product creation to the next level. The fund will help to attract eminent professors who can drive knowledge creation through inquiry and research in IC design; inject new knowledge and experience garnered from other research centers, encouraging cross-fertilisation of ideas; spearhead cutting edge R&D in strategic technologies in IC design; and nurture engineer-leaders who will lead the industry.

The Michael Fam Chair Professorship in Food Science and Technology was launched in June 2013 with a total capital of S$1,205,978.82 from donations and government matching funds. It honours Dr. Michael Fam Yue Onn for his contributions to tertiary education, society and nation. Dr Fam was conferred Honorary Doctorate in NTU in 1993.

The professorship aims to promote high-quality research in food science and technology, focusing on food safety and security.

The current Chair Professor is Professor William Chen Wei Ning.

The MPA Professorship in Shipping Management was established in 2004 with a S$4 million endowment. The scheme has three categories:

MPA Visiting Professor: Promotes research and expertise in Shipping Management.

MPA Visiting Fellow: Focuses on educational training and specialist courses in Shipping Management.

MPA Distinguished Visitor: Experienced industry professionals teaching undergraduate and graduate courses.

The SP Group Professorship was launched in 2019 with a total capital of S$12m comprising donations and matching fund from the government.

The SP Group Professor will contribute to the objectives and scope of the joint lab between the University and the SP Group and/or any collaborations between SP Group and the University. 

The Tan Chin Tuan Centennial Professorship in Engineering was established in August 2008 with a $10 million donation from the Tan Chin Tuan Foundation to celebrate Tan Sri Dr. Tan Chin Tuan's birth centennial.

1. Promote high-standard research that benefits industry and the community.
2. Develop local researchers and attract new talent to NTU.

Open to candidates both internally and worldwide, the professorship is awarded to those who have made significant contributions to research and education in a specific branch of engineering, been a role model for younger professors or researchers in his/her institution and has made noteworthy contribution to the development of his/her institution.

The current Centennial Professor is Professor Louis Phee Soo Jay, Vice President (Innovation & Entrepreneurship) of NTU and Acting Chairman of NTUitive

The Tan Kah Kee Professorship was launched on 21 October 1996 by President Ong Teng Cheong at the National Institute of Education (NIE) to honour the late Mr. Tan Kah Kee and to pay tribute to his exceptional and wide-ranging contributions. A S$1.5 million donation from the Tan Kah Kee Foundation and a matching government grant funded the professorship.

Its goal is to enhance NTU's research profile by appointing eminent persons in the various fields of specialisations.

The Tan Swan Beng Professorship in Construction Industry was established in 1998 by a fundraising committee with 270 donors. With 1:1 government matching fund, a total capital of S$2,578,741.74 was raised.

The SMRT Professorship in Transportation Studies was established in 2000 with a $1.5 million donation from SMRT to attract top academics and professionals in transportation to NTU.

Initially, the professorship funded visiting professors, where they shared their insights to enhance NTU's transportation studies.

Now, the fund also supports Renaissance Engineering Programme (REP) scholarships, research, and final-year projects in transportation engineering.