Developed upon the foundations of NIE philosophies since our establishment in 1991, namely i) values-driven paradigm; ii) responsiveness, relevance, rigour; and iii) future-orientation, Learning Initiatives for the Future of Education at the National Institute of Education Singapore (LIFE@NIE SG ®) comprises a set of Institute-level key priority areas and initiatives for NIE’s next lap of growth. They serve to create knowledge and advance research across disciplines. As the Institute builds capacity and reputation in these areas, they also serve as a focus for the investment of NIE resources for the next few years.
STRATEGIC GROWTH AREAS
By gaining deep insights into the different aspects of human development, e.g., physical, cognitive, language and socio-emotional, meaningful educational experiences can be created to impact the lives of diverse learners, be they early childhood learners, adolescent learners, learners with special education needs or low-progress learners.
Recognising the unique needs of our diverse learners, NIE aims to foster multiple research interests and generate interdisciplinary knowledge to improve educational practices and policies and enhance the well-being of our learners. By studying normal developmental processes in learners and those at risk for adverse outcomes or disorders, we strive to engender innovative programmes to enhance the learning and well-being of our learners and mitigate risks if and when they occur.
Supporting these research interests are the Centre for Research in Child Development (CRCD) which advances the science of child development, as well as the Psychology and Child & Human Development (PCHD) Academic Department which advances the research and application of psychology and education.
STEERING COMMITTEE
A/P Lim Kam Ming
Chair
A/P Caroline Koh
Co-chair
Translation Workstream
| Dr Sa'eda Bte Buang | Member |
| Dr Yvonne Seng | Member |
| A/P Toh Tin Lam | Member |
Research Workstream
| Dr Melvin Chan Chee Yeen | Co-lead |
| Dr Imelda Santos Caleon | Co-lead |
| A/P Lum Chee Hoo | Member |
| Dr Luo Qingming | Member |
| Dr Ng Ee Lynn | Member |
Supporting Officers
| Dr Shallu Sansanwal | Research Fellow |
| Mr Chris Chua Wee Ann | Secretariat |
In an increasingly complex and diverse landscape, learners who are grounded with strong moral character and ethical values are better placed to make sound decisions and be active, positive contributors to the well-being of those around them and the larger society.
Through carefully designed programmes, research and innovative pedagogies informed by evidence, NIE inculcates and promotes positive values and ethics in educators and learners ‒ empowering them to lead, teach and learn ably and responsibly; seize opportunities for self-directed learning; and embrace an experimenting disposition for solutioning, based on mastery. Research in this strategic area is supported by the Policy, Curriculum and Leadership (PCL) Academic Department which studies, researches and analyses topics of significance in the fields of policy, curriculum and leadership studies as well as related topics in education.
On 30 May 2023, NIE launched the Singapore Centre for Character and Citizenship Education (SCCCE). The Centre seeks to advance professional learning and research in Character and Citizenship Education (CCE) to support the development of children and youth in Singapore and beyond.
STEERING COMMITTEE
Prof Low Ee Ling
Chair
Dr Dennis Kwek
Co-chair
Prof Tan Oon Seng
Dir. SCCCE
| A/P Suzanne Choo | Member |
| A/P Jude Chua | Member |
| A/P Ivy Lim | Member |
| A/P Jasmine Sim | Member |
Special Interest Group (SIG) Members
| A/P Jude Chua | Member |
| A/P Jasmine Sim | Member |
| A/P Loh Chin Ee | Member |
| A/P Mohd Mukhlis | Member |
| A/P Mary Anne Heng | Member |
| A/P Yang Peidong | Member |
| A/P Koh Koon Teck | Member |
| A/P Leonel Lim | Member |
| A/P Rasooli Amirhossein | Member |
| Ast/P Ann Ang Su Lee | Member |
| Dr Christine Anita Xavier | Member |
| Ms Liaw Shao Jun Nicole | Member |
| Ms Ng May Gay | Member |
| Ms Sandra Wu | Member |
Supporting Officers
| Ms Jocelyn Tan Shi Yah | Secretariat |
| Ms Nadiah Brown | Research Assistant |
A better understanding of the science of learning enables educators and learners to tackle learning issues and difficulties with enhanced precision, personalisation and differentiation.
NIE aims to promote knowledge, cultivate collaborations and develop thought leadership in science of learning in education through the Science of Learning in Education Centre (SoLEC@NIE) and programmes such as the Master of Science in Science of Learning, bringing together multiple disciplines that includes neuroscience, cognitive science, psychology, technology and AI in education. These endeavours will contribute to a deeper understanding of learning processes and better ways to support successful school learning.
STEERING COMMITTEE
Prof Kenneth Poon
Advisor
Prof David Hung
Co-chair
A/P Teo Wei Peng
Co-chair
| A/P Chen Wenli | Member |
| A/P Teo Wei Peng | Member |
| Ast/P Azilawati Jamaludin | Member |
| A/P Gregory Arief D Liem | Member |
| Dr Elizabeth Koh | Member |
| Dr Teo Chew Lee | Member |
| A/P Eddy Chong | Member |
| Dr Peter Seow | Member |
| Ms Wah Shih Fen | Member |
Supporting Officers
| Eric Chong | Administrative Support Officer |
| Steffi Kong | Secretariat |
NIE promotes the assimilation of knowledge and skills for the effective design, development and use of innovative pedagogies and learning technologies through educational programmes, ethical interventions, collaborations and thought leadership. The Institute also aims to exemplify how emerging pedagogies, technology and spaces may be used to enhance life-long learning outcomes.
By leveraging state-of-the-art technologies such as artificial intelligence in education, educators and learners can more effectively customise content, augment cognition, assess and evaluate learning outcomes, and enhance the overall learning process with the aid of simulations, visualisations and learning analytics. To further establish NIE as a hub of innovation for AIEd, the Institute aims to advance research on innovative and ethical applications of AIEd as well as develop, test and deploy viable products that transform pedagogical practices and address authentic problems in schools and educational institutions.
STEERING COMMITTEE
A/P Ang Keng Cheng
Advisor
A/P Tan Seng Chee
Chair
A/P Chen Wenli
Co-chair
A/P Chua Bee Leng
Co-chair
| A/P Victor Lim | Member |
| A/P Teo Tang Wee | Member |
| Asst/P Tanmay Sinha | Member |
| Dr Alwyn Lee | Member |
| Mr Benny Lam | Member |
Emerging Technologies SGA Workstreams (WS)
| A/P Tan Seng Chee | Co-lead of AIEd WS |
| A/P Chen Wenli | Co-lead of AIEd WS |
| A/P Teo Tang Wee | Co-lead of meriSTEM@NIE WS |
| A/P Tan Aik Ling | Co-lead of meriSTEM@NIE WS |
| Ms Shamini Thilarajah | Co-lead of Innovation in Learning WS |
| Dr Tricia Seow | Co-lead of Sustainability Learning Lab WS |
| Ast/P Edward Park | Co-lead of Sustainability Learning Lab WS |
Supporting Officer
| Mr Ling Cheng Kiat | Research Assistant |
Literacy in assessment and evaluation is crucial to educators in making informed decisions about teaching and learning. Through the assessment and evaluation processes, educators collect and analyse evidence on student learning against pre-defined standards and how a programme or initiative affects the intended or unintended outcomes of learning.
NIE aims to develop new knowledge, expertise, collaborations and thought leadership in the areas of assessment and evaluation through education, research and outreach programmes and initiatives.
In 2022, NIE launched the Centre for Assessment and Evaluation (CAE). CAE seeks to be a one-stop hub and catalyst for research and teaching in Assessment and Evaluation (AE), with the aim of encouraging greater growth in these two areas and promoting literacy in AE among educators so that they are better placed to make informed decisions about teaching and learning.
STEERING COMMITTEE
Prof Chang Chew Hung
Chair
| A/P David Ng Foo Seong | Member |
| Dr Dennis Kwek | Member |
CENTRE FOR ASSESSMENT & EVALUATION
Dr Chue Kah Loong
Head (Assessment)
A/P Chong Wan Har
Head (Evaluation)
| Ms Kanetha Yongxin Prakap | Admin Support |
| Ms Teo Qing Sibelle | Admin Support |
| Mdm Lena Boo | Research Associate |
| Ms Linapriya Muniandy | Research Assistant |
| Mr Lee Jian Xiong | Research Assistant |
Strand Leaders
| Dr Christina Lim-Ratnam | Strand Leader |
| Dr Chue Kah Loong | Strand Leader |
| Ast/P Rasooli Amirhossein | Strand Leader |
| Ast/P Amelia Yeo | Strand Leader |
Supporting Officers
| Mr Lee Jian Xiong | Secretariat |
EVERGREEN STRENGTHS AND DISTINCTIVE CAPABILITIES
Disciplinary Knowledge and Curriculum
NIE has the unique value proposition of being able to leverage synergies among content and curriculum experts working alongside one another, which enables us to stand out among teacher education institutions globally.
Teacher Education and Professional Development
Education, Transformation and Sustainability
The NIE Sustainability Plan aligns with NTU's sustainability manifesto, leveraging our strategic position within the Singapore education system. NIE spearheads innovative approaches to teaching and learning about sustainability while nurturing next-generation learners as passionate advocates for environmental stewardship.
To further cultivate sustainability knowledge as well as foster adaptable and inclusive shared futures, NIE launched the Sustainability Learning Lab (SLL) on 26 September 2025. SLL aims to establish itself as a leading regional centre for sustainability and sustainability education, delivering impactful research and excellence in educational practice.
Download the NIE Sustainability Plan e-brochure here.
How to cite this brochure: National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. (2024, June). The NIE Sustainability Plan [Brochure]
For copyright requests, email [email protected].
NIE Green Clan
Green Clan is a group of NIE staff volunteers actively promoting sustainability as a lifestyle within NIE.
For more information, contact us at: [email protected]