Meet NTU's new Provost

by Tan Zi Jie

You had a successful career at ETH Zürich as a scientist, educator, startup founder and academic leader. Why did you decide to leave familiar ground for NTU?

I’m a big fan of universities with technical strengths, especially given my background in biomedicine. NTU’s focus on linking disciplines like medicine, engineering and social sciences is exciting. I believe this interdisciplinary approach represents the future.  

Singapore has a great ecosystem with lots of potential. NTU and Singapore are vibrant, agile and dedicated to excellence. People here want to move forward, to develop something novel to advance their fields. I look forward to helping shape the next generation of researchers and graduates here.   

Plus, I’m a foodie and there’s no place like Singapore when it comes to food variety. 

For those who might not know, what does a Provost do and how do you plan to make a difference in the lives of NTU students?

The Provost is in charge of academic affairs, which means I support both students and professors. I see my job as building up optimal systems in NTU, so that we’re one of the best places for you to get an education or do research, to achieve your best.    

We want to bring in top students and top researchers with very deep expertise, to work with others from different disciplines. That’s how we can create innovations with the biggest impact. 

You’ve founded two startups, including a biotech firm that uses your research to develop food to manage diabetes and obesity. How will you help NTU researchers and students turn their discoveries into concrete solutions?

Next, you can either bring the solution to market yourself or develop something with industrial partners. Not everyone wants to run their own business, so collaborating with a company can be a worthwhile route. 

Whatever you choose, NTU will help you to move forward quickly and efficiently. We’ll support you in many ways, such as helping patent your technology and incubating your spin-off on campus. The initial phases of a startup are usually the most unstable, so the university ecosystem will give you time and space to grow, to massively improve your chances of success. 

I want to foster a culture at NTU where students are not afraid to take risks. Failure helps you learn, improve and grow over time. But you can only learn if you’re willing to take the first step and start something new.  

What most excites you about AI in education? And what most concerns you?

AI can help personalise learning, such as tailoring course materials to your unique learning needs. 

But when it comes to developing complex problem-solving and critical thinking skills, personal interaction is key. That’s why being on the NTU campus, to exchange ideas and learn across disciplines with your peers, remains important.  

The danger is that students may rely on AI as an easy way out, for instance, using it to develop a thesis statement without much thought. But just like doping in sports, the technology to detect AI abuse will catch up. These shortcuts won’t work forever.  

Prof Wolfrum is married to a researcher and has two daughters.

How can students dive into research or try out different disciplines without feeling overwhelmed?    

Be open-minded and curious. Go to lectures outside your field. Join projects that combine disciplines. You’ll meet new people, see what they’re doing, and discover a direction that excites you. 

In research, you’re free to follow your interests and even combine fields. When picking my major, I was keen on both medicine and chemistry. I chose chemistry and thought I was stuck on that route. However, during my postgraduate studies, I realised I could move into biochemistry, then physiology, and later found my niche in applied medicine. 

Whether you choose to focus on one field or combine areas, it’s important to clearly define your research topic and be passionate about it. Academic research takes a lot of time and effort, but if you treat it like a hobby, the journey will be rewarding.

You studied and worked in Germany, the US and Switzerland. How have these places changed you?

Each stint was a completely novel experience. You get new ideas and learn new things at a different place. You realise, they did this very well over here, why don’t we implement this back home too? 

It’s so important for students and researchers to get out of their comfort zones and learn about other cultures, which is why NTU offers joint education programmes, study and research exchange opportunities and more.    

If you could switch careers for a day, what would you do? 

I’d be a chef, because I love food. But I have to say, it’s still best to be a researcher because I can research whatever I like, even food, nutrition or cooking.

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Up close with the Provost

🌶️ Chilli champ This German scientist doesn’t just eat spice; he makes it. Prof Wolfrum grows his own chilli plants to create DIY spice blends. “Making a chilli powder mix is like being in the lab,” he says. “You try things, observe the results and tweak the protocol until it’s just right.”  

🎤 Karaoke kingpin At ETH Zürich, he kicked off office parties with karaoke duets. Musicals, 90s boybands or classic rock – the Prof is game for any genre, even if he’s “really bad” at it. “I’m very happy that no videos of me singing have made it out,” he quips.  

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This story was published in the Jan-Feb 2025 issue of HEY!. To read it and other stories from this issue in print, click here.