In 2013, IPS announced the S R Nathan Fellowship for the Study of Singapore to honour the many contributions of Singapore’s sixth and longest-serving President. On 22 August 2016, it was with heavy hearts that we honoured Mr S R Nathan for giving a lifetime of service to Singapore.
Mr Nathan was born on 3 July 1924. He played a key role in building the Singapore we know today; he started out as a medical social worker, and served in the National Trades Union Congress, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Defence, among others.
While he accomplished much in his long and full life, perhaps the most vivid memories that Singaporeans have of him is as our country’s President from September 1999 to August 2011. During his term, he founded the President’s Challenge, raising $135 million over 13 years for the less fortunate. Mr Nathan was distinguished and dignified, yet warm and friendly to all he met. All of us at IPS always looked forward to seeing him at the Institute’s events. We will miss him dearly.
Read IPS Director Janadas Devan’s tribute to Mr Nathan.
The 2014/15 S R Nathan Fellow for the Study of Singapore, Ho Kwon Ping, shared his memories of Mr Nathan at a memorial service held at the Singapore Management University on 26 August 2016. The 2015/16 S R Nathan Fellow for the Study of Singapore, Ambassador Bilahari Kausikan, also paid tribute to Mr Nathan at a private remembrance ceremony at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 24 August 2016.
IPS Special Adviser, Professor Tommy Koh, delivered a eulogy at the state funeral for Mr Nathan on 26 August 2016.