NTU at a Glance

Our History 

Nanyang Technological University (NTU) has a distinguished lineage with roots that go back to 1955, when Nanyang University (Nantah), the first Chinese-language University in Southeast Asia, was set up with donations from people of all walks of life. Nanyang University was built on land donated by Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan, a well-known clan association.

Nanyang Technological Institute (NTI) was established on the same campus in 1981 with government funding to educate practice-oriented engineers for the burgeoning Singapore economy. In 1991, NTI became Nanyang Technological University with the absorption of the National Institute of Education. The alumni rolls of the former Nanyang University were transferred to NTU in 1996.

In April 2006, NTU was corporatised. Autonomy brings about increased flexibility and new opportunities, allowing NTU to draw on its strengths to enhance global education and research, and to soar to greater heights on the world stage.

 

 Year  Milestone
1955

Nanyang University (Nantah) is established as the first Chinese-language university outside China. It is funded through donations from people from all walks of life.

The Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan donates the Yunnan Garden campus.

1980 Nanyang University merges with the University of Singapore.
1981

Nanyang Technological Institute (NTI) is established with three Schools of Engineering on the premises of the former Nanyang University. Lessons are conducted in English.

1985 NTI is named "one of the best engineering institutions in the world" by the Commonwealth Engineering Council.
1987

The School of Accountancy and Business is established. (It is now known as the Nanyang Business School).

1988

The School of Applied Science is established.

1991

NTI becomes Nanyang Technological University (NTU) with the absorption of the National Institute of Education, which becomes an autonomous institute of NTU.

1992 The School of Communication Studies is launched. (It is now known as the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information).
1995 The School of Accountancy and Business is renamed the Nanyang Business School. NTU adopts the Chinese name "Nantah" to embody the pioneering spirit of the former Nanyang University.
1996 The alumni rolls of the former Nanyang University are transferred to NTU.
2000 The School of Applied Science is restructured to form the School of Computer Engineering and School of Materials Engineering (now known as School of Materials Science and Engineering).
2001

The School of Biological Sciences is set up.

The School of Civil and Structural Engineering is renamed the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

2003

Dr Su Guaning is inaugurated as the second President of NTU and the successor to former NTI/NTU President Dr Cham Tao Soon.

NTU receives a mandate to expand and build three new schools.

The NTU Undergraduate Experience initiative is launched. It emphasises a holistic and comprehensive education, nurturing creative, entrepreneurial global leaders.

The Research TechnoPlaza, NTU's research hub, is completed.

2004

URECA (Undergraduate Research Experience on CAmpus) is launched to cultivate a strong research culture among students.

Discretionary admissions is introduced for up to 10% of undergraduate enrolment to seek out well-rounded individuals to groom as global leaders.

NTU'S tie-up with the Singapore Sports School provides a non-traditional route for top athletes to achieve an NTU university education, with greater flexibility in curriculum.

The School of Humanities and Social Sciences is established.

2005

NTU celebrates its 50th anniversary, unifying alumni from the various chapters of its heritage - Nanyang University, NTI and NTU. 

The first batch of students embark on NTU's flagship Global Immersion Programme to China and the US, to get a unique multi-country experience of language, culture, industry and entrepreneurship.

The School of Art, Design and Media, and School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences are established.

The School of Mechanical and Production Engineering is renamed the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and becomes the first in Singapore to offer a degree programme in aerospace engineering.

The School of Materials Engineering is renamed the School of Materials Science and Engineering.

The School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering is formed with the merger of two departments under the College of Engineering – Bioengineering and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering.

The endowed Institute of Advanced Studies is established to develop future Nobel laureates and to bring together the best of NTU's science and engineering schools.

NTU boosts its overseas presence with offices in Beijing and Shanghai near top universities and hubs of business and finance.

2006

NTU turns autonomous and a Board of Trustees is appointed. Greater operational autonomy gives NTU added ballast to advance as a great global university founded on science and technology.

NTU holds its first overseas convocation in China to celebrate the graduation of its China-based graduates.

The 37th International Physics Olympiad, the biggest and most prestigious physics competition for pre-university students, is held at NTU, the games village. The turnout of 400 physics prodigies from 86 countries sets an IPhO record.

Five NTU schools are reorganised into two colleges (College of Science and College of Humanities, Arts, & Social Sciences) for enhanced synergy in education and research so more students can benefit from a well-rounded, interdisciplinary education. The six Engineering Schools and the Nanyang Business School (offering Accountancy and Business) have been in a College structure for some time.

The CN Yang Scholars Programme, named after Nobel laureate CN Yang, is unveiled as a special tailored programme for top NTU students passionate about science and technology.

The Global Summer Studies Programme is rolled out to give NTU students more opportunities for overseas exposure.

NTU unveils the NTU@one-north campus, a hub of education and recreation for the university community in the heart of Singapore's new R&D district.

NTU announces the appointment of Prof Bertil Andersson, Chief Executive of the European Science Foundation, to the post of Provost with effect from April 2007.

The School of Communication and Information is named after the late Dr Wee Kim Wee - an outstanding journalist, diplomat and President of Singapore - and launched as the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information.

The S Rajaratnam School of International Studies is officially unveiled as NTU's 13th school and an autonomous graduate institution of NTU, with the renowned Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies as a key component.

2007

NTU’s second campus, NTU@one-north, and the NTU Alumni Clubhouse officially open. NTU unveils plans to set up a graduate school, which will focus on bio-engineering research and boost NTU's collaboration with research institutions in one-north.
 
The global search for a business dean concludes with the appointment of Prof Jitendra V Singh (the former Vice-Dean of the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania) as Dean of the Nanyang Business School.

NTU develops the Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute (NEWRI) as a hub of excellence in research, education and technology development in environmental and water technologies.

The University Scholars Award is launched to affirm the achievements of top NTU graduates while honouring the teachers who have inspired them.

A Blue Ribbon Commission is established to conduct a bottom-up review of the university’s undergraduate education philosophy and curriculum.

NTU launches alumni associations in Jakarta, Mumbai, Shanghai, Beijing and Shandong.

NTU secures up to $20 million from the Competitive Research Programme Funding Scheme of the National Research Foundation, to advance research in eco-friendly water purification and artificial media for next-generation electronics and photonics technology.

The Nanyang Assistant Professorship scheme is established to recruit top researchers and scholars from around the world, to drive the university’s new wave of multi-disciplinary and integrative research.

Confucius Institute, NTU, is officially opened by Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew as a key institute leveraging the strengths of NTU and China to promote the Chinese language and culture in Singapore and beyond.

Mr S Chandra Das, an iconic figure in public service and business, is appointed Pro-Chancellor of NTU by Singapore President Mr S R Nathan, the Chancellor of NTU. 

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