A Global Outlook from the Asian Perspective
The National University of Singapore (NUS) is one of Asia’s leading universities, ranked eighth globally and first in Asia according to the QS World University Rankings 2025. The Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP), an esteemed institute within NUS, has been dedicated to public policy education and research since its founding in 2004. Named after Singapore’s founding father and first prime minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, the school aims to uphold his legacy through a forward-looking vision and an unwavering commitment to its mission. LKYSPP envisions a world transformed through good governance and leadership excellence.
Where the Best Talents Converge
As a member of the
Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs (APSIA) and the first institution in Asia to join the
Global Public Policy Network (GPPN), LKYSPP has built a robust collaborative network with leading academic institutions worldwide. These partnerships include Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) in the US, the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) in the UK, and Sciences Po in France, among others. In March 2019, LKYSPP hosted the GPPN Annual Conference, bringing together public policy scholars across the world to discuss pressing global public policy issues.
LKYSPP Now Consists of 4 Research Centres:
The Asia Competitiveness Institute (ACI): Established in August 2006, ACI aims to build the intellectual leadership and network for understanding and developing competitiveness in the Asia region. ACI seeks to contribute to the enhancement of inclusive growth, living standards and institutional governance through competitiveness research on sub-national economies in Asia.
The Centre on Asia and Globalisation (CAG): Founded in 2006, CAG is dedicated to conducting in-depth research on developments in the Asia-Pacific and beyond. CAG’s mission is to conduct rigorous and impactful research on Asia and the world to advance global peace and prosperity. Since the Centre’s establishment, it has developed collaborative networks and relationships with research institutes internationally. Through these collaborations, CAG aims to provide opportunities to facilitate constructive and substantive exchanges among leading experts on vital issues of international politics.
The Institute of Policy Studies (IPS): As an independent think tank established in 1988, IPS joined LKYSPP in 2008 as an autonomous research centre. Today, IPS continues to analyse public policy, foster dialogue among thought leaders, and disseminate its findings to a broad audience. The Institute examines critical national issues across various fields and surveys public perceptions to understand the attitudes and aspirations of Singaporeans. It adopts a multidisciplinary approach in its analyses and takes a long-term perspective in its strategic research.
The Institute for Environment and Sustainable Development (IES): IES is a newly formed think tank aimed at helping governments and stakeholders achieve their sustainability goals. Its research focuses on creating "fit-for-purpose" policy solutions to address Southeast Asia's most pressing environmental and sustainability challenges. IES aims to bridge the gap between policy goals and outcomes, supporting policymakers in creating a sustainable future.
These research centres have achieved significant milestones over the years by facilitating policy dialogues among policymakers, scholars, and stakeholders to address Asia’s policy challenges. Over the past decade, they have collectively published 299 books, 1,320 journal articles, and 1,992 research papers, translated into 36 languages. Their work has been cited in 17,000 media articles, reaching audiences across 127 countries and regions.
Building the Future of Public Policy Together
LKYSPP currently offers a doctoral degree programme and four master's degree programmes: Doctor of Public Policy (PhD), Master in Public Administration (MPA), Master in Public Policy (MPP), Master in International Affairs (MIA), and Master in Public Administration and Management (MPAM). These programmes feature a diverse curriculum, including group discussions, debates, case studies, policy simulations, and field trips, integrating theory with practice to develop effective administrators, leaders, and decision-makers.
As a part of the Policy Analysis Exercise (PAE), second-year MPP students will have the opportunity to collaborate with industry leaders to conduct research and analysis on real-world issues, providing fresh perspectives and actionable insights to prestigious organisations such as the Prime Minister's Office (Singapore), Citibank, and Google to name a few.
Outstanding students may further enrich their academic experience through dual-degree programmes with top-tier higher education institutions worldwide, enhancing their global perspective and preparing them for future roles in academia and beyond.
Connecting Global Leaders of Today and Tomorrow
Over the last 20 years, LKYSPP has established itself as an institution that connects Asia with global future policymakers and leaders, facilitating conversations between current graduate students, alumni, and world leaders. The School’s exclusive lecture series, features prominent global figures, providing students the opportunity to engage directly with distinguished individuals on theoretical and practical aspects of public policy. Notable guests include David Cameron and Tony Blair, former Prime Ministers of the UK; Kevin Rudd, former Australian Prime Minister; Amartya Sen, Nobel Laureate in Economics; Paul Mashatile, Deputy President of South Africa and Tshering Tobgay, former Prime Minister of Bhutan, among others.
As part of its outreach, LKYSPP has also signed several Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with various governments and global institutions to enhance collaboration on executive education, Master’s programmes and other measures to facilitate training. Such initiatives deepen students’ understanding of contemporary public policy, sharpening their critical thinking and practical skills for future leadership roles.
With nearly 80% of student intake being international, LKYSPP also has a vibrant and diverse cultural environment, and the school promotes the exchange of intercultural ideas through a myriad of activities. One of these,
Festival of Ideas, a 5-day Biennial festival, brings together policy makers, thought leaders, academics, among others, to foster discussion and reflection on public policy through a series of lectures, seminars and book launches. Another, Cultural Night, celebrates our multi-racial and global cohort, providing a platform for students from different nations to come together to showcase their home countries. Additionally, our podcast series,
Foreseeable Podcast, gives voice to insights from LKYSPP faculty, policy experts and policy practitioners on analysis of the impact of current issues, future trends and policy.
World-Class Faculty in Global Policy Studies
The distinguished and diverse faculty at LKYSPP underpins its exceptional teaching and research. With over 45 full-time and visiting professors, the school benefits from the expertise of renowned scholars who bring valuable academic research and policy insights to the classroom, exemplifying LKYSPP’s educational approach of teaching through experience and example.
In 2024, eight faculty members from Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP) have ranked among the top 2% of all scientists in the world, according to a
2024 assessment by researchers at Stanford University.
Two LKYSPP faculty members who have ranked among the world's top 1% for both lifetime and 2023 citation impact, the current report’s period of assessment, are:
- LKYSPP’s Dean and Li Ka Shing Professor in Economics, Danny Quah
- Li Ka Shing Professor in Public Management and Director, Institute for Environment and Sustainability (IES), Benjamin Cashore
They are joined by five other LKYSPP faculty who rank among the top 2% for their citations in 2023:
*they both rank among the top 2% in lifetime citation impact for their work in the same period
To round this up, Visiting Professor
Emmanuel Skoufias has also been named among the top 2% for lifetime citation impact.
Beyond their academic achievements, LKYSPP’s faculty play a crucial role in guiding the school towards a brighter future. We are proud to introduce the esteemed members of our Senior Leadership Team:
Danny Quah
Dean of LKYSPP and Li Ka Shing Professor in Economics
Francesco Mancini Vice Dean (Executive Education) and Associate Professor in Practice
Kanti Prasad Bajpai
Vice Dean (Research and Development) and Wilmar Professor of Asian Studies
Ong Toon HuiVice Dean and Executive Director, Institute for Governance and Leadership
Suzaina Kadir
Vice Dean (Academic Affairs) and Associate Professor
Distinguished Alumni: Cultivating the New Generation of Leaders
The LKYSPP classroom offers a truly global experience, with approximately 80% of its students coming from over thirty countries and regions across five continents. This diversity creates a vibrant learning environment and brings a wealth of global cultures into the classroom. LKYSPP counts over 3,900 alumni across more than 90 countries, many of whom are actively involved in twenty alumni associations worldwide. They also hold positions in government and policymaking. Among those are Mr Kwok Fook Seng, Ambassador to Indonesia, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Singapore; Ms Khemmani Pholsena, Minister and Director of the Office of the President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic; Mr Prum Sokha, Senior Minister of Cambodia; and Mr Lu Kang, former Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, among others.
Beyond public service, our alumni have made valuable contributions in their respective fields, driving economic and social development and improving living conditions in their own communities.
Alumni Story 1:
Three LKYSPP alumni from Mongolia - Solongo Batsuren, Saruul Khatanbaatar, and Temuulen Bayarra - became friends during their studies at LKYSPP, and returned to Mongolia after graduation to co-found Equity Lab. They raised 105 million Mongolian Tugrik, and launched the “After School” mobile app, serving over 9,000 users in Mongolia with the aim to bridge the education gap for disadvantaged children and promote healthier societal development.
Alumni Story 2:
When Pham Tuan Anh (MPP 2003) enrolled in the LKYSPP two decades ago, her goal was to “join the dots” by integrating her experience and training in various fields, including policy, law, and finance. She recalls the academic rigour of her LKYSPP experience, particularly the demanding quantitative modules. “It’s not easy, but it shows the high standards of the school. We learned about cost-benefit analysis and did a lot of stakeholder analysis, all of which applies in my work.” Work, for Tuan Anh, is serving as president and CEO of Viet Nature, an NGO dedicated to halting the loss of biodiversity in Vietnam and contributing to the country’s sustainable development. As a self-described “city girl,” she says her decision to become a nature conservationist surprised many. But it’s a role that she’s fully embraced, and below, she tells us why.
Alumni Story 3:
Smarak Swain’s career exemplifies a dynamic blend of expertise and impact from financial investigations to policymaking. As the Director in charge of Financial Action Task Force Cell (FATF Cell) in the Finance Ministry of India, Swain’s journey began with an altruistic angle. From Swain’s perspective, this aspect of the job has a degree of public service. In 2020, Smarak sought a transition from fieldwork to a policy-oriented role, pursuing a Master in Public Administration at LKYSPP. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, his time at NUS proved transformative.
“The Master in Public Administration programme was an eye-opener for me,” he shares, highlighting how it reshaped his approach to policy through lessons on the consultative process and project management. Today, with a role that sees him lead the charge at the FATF Cell, Swain focuses on coordinating India’s national response to money laundering and terrorist financing. His role involves collaboration across multiple agencies and crafting policies that address evolving financial crimes.
These remarkable achievements by our alumni drive LKYSPP’s mission to nurture the next generation of global leaders. These individuals are catalysts for positive change, promoting development, peace, and prosperity worldwide, while preparing future leaders to envision new possibilities.
Towards the Future We March On
The 20th anniversary of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy is a significant milestone that invites both celebration and reflection. Over the years, LKYSPP has been integral to Singapore’s advancements in public policy, and has nurtured alumni who have made meaningful contributions to society. As we enter an era of rapid changes and new challenges, LKYSPP remains at the forefront of public policy education. We will continue to guide our students and alumni in their intellectual pursuits, helping them transcend limitations and achieve greater accomplishments. Through excellence in governance and leadership, we are confident we can overcome future challenges ahead.
Quotes
“The time for Asia is now... According to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, Asia is and will continue to be the world’s fastest-growing region, with China and India leading the charge. By 2050, these two countries will become the world’s largest economies. The world’s economic centre will be in Asia. A new world order is taking shape, definitely economically but potentially politically as well.”
Professor Danny Quah
Dean and Li Ka Shing Professor in Economics, LKYSPP