6 June 2008

With effect from 9 June 2008, Mr Ong Keng Yong will become the Director of Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), an autonomous research centre of the NUS Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP). He is concurrently an Ambassador-At-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore.

Mr Ong Keng Yong is the first Director of IPS since its merger with the LKYSPP. In his announcement of the new appointment, IPS Chairman Professor Tommy Koh said that Mr Ong brings to IPS his wealth of experience in dealing with public policy issues at the national and at the international levels. Under Mr Ong’s leadership, Prof Koh was confident that IPS would rise to a higher peak. Dean Kishore Mahbubani also warmly welcomed Mr Ong to the LKYSPP. Given Mr Ong’s sterling record in public service in Singapore and the region, he would contribute significantly to the understanding of Singapore’s public policy experience in the IPS as well as develop and strengthen the natural synergies between IPS and the School.

Brief Biography of Mr Ong Keng Yong

Mr Ong Keng Yong is Ambassador-At-Large in the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He was Secretary-General of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) from 2003-2007. His earlier diplomatic postings took him to Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, the USA, India and Nepal. He was appointed Press Secretary to the Prime Minister of Singapore and concurrently held senior positions in the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts, and the People's Association in Singapore from 1998-2002. He graduated from the University of Singapore and Georgetown University (Washington DC, USA).

For additional queries, please contact:

Ms Chang Li Lin
Public Affairs Manager
Institute of Policy Studies
DID: 6516 8380
Email:
www.lkyspp.nus.edu.sg/ips

Ms Elizabeth Quah
Director, Strategic Planning
Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy
DID: 6516 7905
Email:
www.lkyspp.nus.edu.sg