Lim Pin

Appointing Governor, IPS Board of Governors (1987 – 2002)

As the Vice-Chancellor of the National University of Singapore (NUS) when IPS was founded, Professor Lim Pin was a member of the founding board of governors. He described how the university assisted in arranging for premises and other resources when IPS was at Hon Sui Sen Memorial Library and Heng Mui Keng Terrace. The board had a great working relationship with the directors, and gave the latter free rein in running the Institute. He said the directors had been dedicated and very capable, both in terms of knowledge and interpersonal skills, which were important as they helmed the Institute. 

Prof Lim talked about the Corporate Associates programme, which he felt provided useful input to government officials inexperienced in business. He saw IPS as an “important asset” that was non-partisan and non-confrontational, especially in a country that lacks a strong opposition. IPS had done well in his view, having done good research, surveys and data collection, and provided information and feedback to the government. He had not participated in IPS activities, but he had encouraged and tried to help wherever possible after he had left NUS and the IPS Board of Governors. Looking forward, Prof Lim expected that the issues that IPS would have to tackle would become more challenging but believed that the Institute was up to the task.


This interview was conducted on 18 Nov 2019. Click here to listen to the full interview.