Professor Emeritus Leo Tan. Photo by Clare Yong

The Museum congratulates our advisor, Professor Leo Tan, on being conferred the Emeritus Professor award by the National University of Singapore (NUS)!  

The title of Emeritus Professor is an honour typically reserved for professors who have retired but continue to make significant contributions to their field. 

Prof Tan is a titan in the field of biodiversity conservation, sustainability and science education, having had an outstanding 50-year career as a marine biologist, educator and champion of science.  

Within NUS), he conceptualised and spearheaded the establishment of the Bachelor of Environmental Studies Programme, which placed NUS on the map for environmental sustainability education internationally due to its unique interdisciplinary nature. He led the fundraising efforts for the Bachelor of Science undergraduate scholarship and was a key figure in fundraising that led to the establishment of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, helping to realise Singapore’s dream of having a natural history museum. 

Beyond NUS, Prof Tan revolutionised science education and research through his leadership of the National Institute of Education, Science Centre Singapore, and the Singapore National Academy of Science. 

We thank Prof Tan for his invaluable and continuing contributions to the Museum, the university, and the field of science education and biodiversity conservation in Singapore!