The 15th Lau Teng Chuan Physical Education and Sports Science Symposium
The 15th Lau Teng Chuan Physical Education and Sports Science Symposium, hosted by the Physical Education & Sports Science (PESS) Department, is scheduled to take place on Friday, 6 November 2026, from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. The main venue for this event will be Lecture Theatre 1 at the National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. This year's symposium revolves around the theme of "Human Performance in the Real World: Science, Systems, and Impact".
We are honoured to announce the presence of keynote speakers, Lieutenant Colonel Foo Yiing Kai, Head of National Service Training Group, Civil Defence Academy, Singapore Civil Defence Force, and Mr. Luthfil Aidiel Bin Abdul Razak, Manager of Sports Division, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth.
During the symposium, Associate Professor Adrian Kee, Head of PESS, will deliver a welcome address. Mr. Lau Cheng Hock, the son of the late Dr. Lau Teng Chuan, will also share his insights and thoughts on this occasion.
The event will include research project presentations conducted by final year students from the Physical Education and Sports Science (PESS) and Sport Science and Management (SSM) programmes.
All are welcome!
Registration closes on Friday, 30 October 2026, 11:59 pm.
Programme
Note: All events will be held at Lecture Theatre 1 (LT1) unless otherwise stated
8:30 am - 9:15 am - Arrival of Guests / Breakfast Reception (LT1 Foyer)
9:15 am - Guests to be Seated
9:30 am - 9:35 am - Opening Address by Associate Professor Adrian Kee, Head/PESS
9:35 am - 9:45 am - Address by Mr Lau Cheng Hock, son of the late Dr Lau Teng Chuan
9:50 am - 10:10 am - Talk by Keynote Speaker, Lieutenant Colonel Foo Yiing Kai
10:15 am - 10:35 am - Talk by Keynote Speaker, Mr. Luthfil Aidiel Bin Abdul Razak
10:45 am - 11:05 am - Panel Discussion and Q& A Session with Keynote Speakers
11:10 am - 11:25 am - Presentation of Tokens of Appreciation and Photo-Taking
11:40 am - 12:40 pm - Student Research Project Presentations Session 1 (Seminar Room)
12:45 pm - 1:45 pm - Lunch Reception (Foyer between Block 4 & 5)
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm - Student Research Project Presentations Session 2 (Seminar Room
3:15 pm - 3:30 pm - Announcement of Project Presentation Winners
3:30pm - End of the 15th Lau Teng Chuan Physical Education and Sports Science Symposium
Dr Lau Teng Chuan BPE, MSc (1929-2012)
The Father of Physical Education in Singapore
Introduction
Dr Lau Teng Chuan was a distinguished Singaporean sportsman, coach, teacher, and sports administrator, often hailed as the 'father of physical education' in Singapore. Born on April 13, 1929, he left an indelible mark on the world of sports in the island nation and was instrumental in shaping its sporting landscape.
Education
Dr Lau's journey into the world of sports and physical education began at Victoria School in Singapore, where he demonstrated remarkable prowess in various sports disciplines. His formal education continued at Loughborough College in the United Kingdom, where he pursued physical education, eventually graduating with DLC 1st Class Honours in 1956. Later, in 1973, he earned a Master of Science degree from the University of Oregon in the United States.
Career
Dr Lau's illustrious career spanned various facets of sports and education. He represented Singapore as a national badminton player from 1956 to 1958 while simultaneously serving as a lecturer and later as the Chief of Physical Education at the Institute of Education until 1975.
His contributions extended beyond the badminton court as he assumed the role of Singapore's chief badminton coach from 1963 to 1965 and later served as the honorary visiting coach of the New Zealand national badminton team.
From 1975 to 1992, Dr Lau served as the Executive Director of the Singapore Sports Council. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in shaping and implementing Singapore's strategy for physical education and sports. He spearheaded initiatives to enhance coaching education and development in the country and introduced the National Physical Fitness Award/Assessment (NAPFA) test for students. This test later evolved into the Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT) used by the Singapore Armed Forces.
In 1995, Dr Lau was appointed to the Singapore National Olympic Council, where he took over as Secretary-General in 1996. His leadership and dedication to sports administration were evident as he actively promoted physical education in schools and advocated for sports facilities in the community. He also championed mass sports participation events, leaving an indelible legacy in Singapore's sporting culture.
Additionally, Dr Lau served as a Vice-President of the Singapore Amateur Athletics Association and held the position of Honorary Secretary of the Football Association of Singapore from 1982 for over a decade.
Autobiography and Philanthropy
Dr Lau's passion for sports and desire to share his experiences led him to write an autobiography titled "Lau Teng Chuan: Sportsman, Teacher, Sports Administrator" in 2012. Over 400 copies of this book were distributed to the sporting community in Singapore, with the proceeds going to the Lau Teng Chuan Scholarship Fund, benefiting physical education teachers.
Awards and Recognitions
Dr Lau Teng Chuan's remarkable contributions to sports and education earned him numerous accolades. He received the National Day Public Service Administration awards in 1969 (bronze) for education and 1981 (silver) for sports. In 1997, he was honored with the International Badminton Federation's Distinguished Service Award. In recognition of his significant contributions, Loughborough University conferred upon him an Honorary Doctorate (Honoris Causa) in 2003.
Personal Life and Legacy
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Dr Lau had a close-knit family, being married to Mary and fathering two sons and a daughter. His family expanded to include seven grandchildren.
On May 8, 2012, Dr Lau Teng Chuan passed away at the age of 83 due to stomach cancer, leaving behind a profound legacy. His dedication, passion, and relentless pursuit of excellence in the field of sports and education continue to inspire generations of athletes and educators in Singapore.
Source: Wikipedia
Lieutenant Colonel Foo Yiing Kai
Head, National Service Training Group, Civil Defence Academy, Singapore Civil Defence Force
LTC Foo Yiing Kai currently heads the National Service Training Group at the Civil Defence Academy, Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF). Over his career, he has held various leadership and operational appointments, including Commander of Yishun and Punggol Fire Station. He is also a member of SCDF's elite Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (DART), having participated in overseas humanitarian and disaster relief missions in the aftermath of the Sichuan and Nepal earthquakes.
His professional interests span training transformation, innovation and human performance. Drawing on his operational background and training in sports and exercise science, he developed SCDF's Responder Functional Fitness Training (RFFT) programme, which aims to strengthen the functional physical capabilities of emergency responders in line with the demands of frontline operations.Outside of work, Yiing Kai is an avid ultra-endurance runner and certified UESCA Ultra Running Coach. His racing journey has taken him through some of the world's most demanding events, including the Gobi March, Marathon des Sables (MDS) and UTMB — encompassing both hard-earned finishes and the lessons that come with DNFs, injuries and setbacks.
He holds a degree in Sports and Exercise Science and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Exercise and Sports Studies at NTU-NIE. His interests sit at the intersection of exercise science, endurance performance, leadership and human resilience.
Drawing from emergency response, humanitarian missions and years in endurance sport, Yiing Kai believes that the most valuable lessons in human performance often emerge when conditions get hard and plans fall apart. For him, performance is not simply about how far or how fast we go — but how we adapt, how we support those around us, and who we become through the journey.
Mr Luthfil Aidiel Bin Abdul Razak
Manager, Sports Division, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth
Theme: Human Performance in the Real World: Science, Systems, and Impact
Title: Beyond Ultra Gobi 121 KM: Human Performance When Science Meets Reality
Speaker: Lieutenant Colonel Foo Yiing Kai
Synopsis: This session explores how years of ultra-endurance racing have shaped Yiing Kai's understanding of human performance, resilience, and life beyond sport. Drawing on his journey from DNFs and setbacks to completing demanding challenges such as the 121 km Ultra Gobi, he will share how principles of exercise science, preparation and recovery hold up — and sometimes bend — under fatigue, heat, and uncertainty. He will also reflect on how endurance sport intersects with his experiences in emergency response, training, and leadership, where performance depends not only on individual capability but on teamwork and the systems that support people. At its heart, his journey traces a shift from asking "How far can I go?" to "How far can we go together?"
Title: What's Next? Reflections from Trying to Figure Things Out
Speaker: Mr Luthfil Aidiel Bin Abdul Razak
Synopsis: Luthfil will share his journey after graduating from NTU's Sport Science and Management programme, reflecting on the decisions, experiences and lessons that shaped his career path. Through sharing his observations and personal experiences, he hopes to offer perspectives on navigating life after graduation, embracing opportunities, and building a meaningful career in the sports industry.
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Registration closes on Friday, 30 October 2026.
We wish to bring to your attention that photography (which includes virtual snapshots and screen captures) and video recording may be conducted during the event for use in our publicity materials such as our website and social media. By attending this event, we deem that we have your consent to use your photo(s) and/or video recording(s) for publicity. Please notify us via email at pess@nie.edu.sg by 4 November 2026 if you wish to withdraw the consent.