SUTD Appoints New Provost/Chief Academic & Innovation Officer After International Search

SUTD Appoints New Provost/Chief Academic & Innovation Officer After International Search

DATE
03 Feb 2025
  • Professor Chee Yeow Meng, currently Vice President (Innovation and Enterprise) and Professor of Industrial Systems Engineering and Management at the National University of Singapore (NUS), will join the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) as its new Provost/Chief Academic & Innovation Officer (CAIO) on 2 April 2025.
  • The position of Provost/CAIO is a role redefined as part of SUTD Leap, a multi-year, multi-pronged strategic plan, that was launched in March 2024 with the aim of propelling SUTD to the forefront of the Design AI academic world.
  • The appointment comes after a 10-month long international search in which over 10 candidates, both local and international, were considered.

After an extensive international effort, the Singapore University of Technology and Design’s search for a dynamic innovation-led academic for the role of Provost/Chief Academic & Innovation Officer (CAIO) has concluded with the appointment of Professor Chee Yeow Meng, currently Vice President (Innovation and Enterprise) and Professor at the Department of Industrial Systems Engineering and Management at the National University of Singapore (NUS).

 

Prof Chee, who is also Director of the NUS Enterprise Academy, will join SUTD as its new Provost/CAIO on 2 April 2025, bringing with him 28 years of experience in both industry and academia – a rare combination amongst academics.

 

Prof Chee, who has held senior academic positions in both NUS and the Nanyang Technological University (NTU), has also been in top posts in public service including Head of Security (Information Infrastructure) and Assistant Director (Internationalisation) at the National Computer Board, Deputy Director (Strategic Programmes) at the Infocomm Development Authority, and Programme Director (Interactive Digital Media R&D) at the Media Development Authority. He has also participated in national level committees and represented Singapore in various international forums and councils.

 

On his decision to accept the appointment, Prof Chee said: “Joining SUTD is an extraordinary opportunity to shape the future of a bold, innovative university that is redefining education and the role of design and technology, especially AI, in tackling the world’s challenges. My time at NUS has been deeply rewarding, but SUTD’s dynamic spirit and forward-thinking vision truly excites me. It’s a chance to contribute to a vibrant, young institution with a clear mission to inspire creativity, innovation, and impactful problem-solving. I’m drawn to SUTD’s focus on breaking traditional boundaries, equipping students to thrive in a rapidly evolving world, and supporting our faculty in meaningful research with the potential for societal impact.”

 

Describing the appointment of Prof Chee as SUTD Provost/CAIO, SUTD President Prof Phoon Kok Kwang said: “The creation of Provost/CAIO is a break from the traditional Provost role of most IHLs. Not only will Yeow Meng have supervision and oversight of curricular, instructional, and research affairs, but he will also look into aligning education to Design AI, all whilst ensuring that the Office of Provost works seamlessly with the Office of Innovation and Enterprise to bring innovations from the SUTD community to the real world. SUTD is extremely fortunate to have Yeow Meng onboard as Provost/CAIO as his extensive experience and network in the areas of innovation and enterprise will contribute significantly to what SUTD hopes to achieve in bridging academia and industry.”

 

Prof Phoon added that the University had embarked on an extensive international executive search which spanned Asia, the United States as well as Europe, but landed on Prof Chee because of his very unusual talents in both public and private sector, as well as his strong links and deep understanding of industry in Singapore and the region.

 

“Yeow Meng is almost a unicorn in the world of academics!” said Prof Phoon.

 

He went on to thank Prof Lim Seh Chun for holding the fort as Acting Provost the past few months. “He has been a pillar of strength and continuity during a time of great change in SUTD,” said Prof Phoon.

 

Prof Lim, who has been with SUTD since 2014, will stay on as Senior Advisor, Special Projects to Provost, after he hands over the reins to Prof Chee.

 

The appointment of the Provost/CAIO concludes the series of top management changes at SUTD which began last August with the appointment of Prof Phoon as President and Prof Tai Lee Siang as Depuy President/Chief Innovation and Enterprise Officer. These, in turn, form part of SUTD Leap, a multi-year, multi-pronged strategic plan that was launched in March 2024 with the aim of propelling SUTD to the forefront of the Design AI academic world. It also aims to create an environment that promotes design and creative co-solutioning with industry partners by bringing the real world into campus and vice versa through an unusual “cross-pollination” of academia and enterprise.

 

Just last month, SUTD announced the appointment of award-winning architect Mr Khoo Peng Beng as Professor of Practice and new Head of the Architecture and Sustainable Design (ASD) pillar. Mr Khoo brings with him valuable real-world experience into the classroom.

 

SUTD’s purposeful march towards its mid-term goal of being a leading Design AI university received a boost last month when it announced that it was pivoting towards AI with a $50 million investment over the next three to five years – a move that establishes it as the world’s first university to specialise in design and AI across education and research, for both undergraduates and postgraduates. Its cohort-based learning is uniquely suited to nurturing innovators in the presence of AI as a team partner, beyond a tool or a copilot.

 

Prof Chee, who has founded several start-ups and remains actively involved in that ecosystem, brings with him extensive experience in the field of innovation and enterprise. At 58, he is not one to slow down. In fact, he is “eager to hit the ground running”. He said: “My focus will be on developing SUTD’s branding, forging deeper connections between academia and industry, enhancing global collaborations, and empowering students and faculty to turn bold ideas into reality. I want to ensure that SUTD stands out as a trailblazer in education and a place where groundbreaking innovations take place. Most importantly, I’m committed to nurturing a culture where creativity, curiosity and collaboration thrive at every level.”

 

“This role is a dream for someone who is passionate about integrating education, innovation, and industry. As Provost/CAIO, I will have the unique privilege of not only shaping academic excellence but also driving SUTD’s bold mission to embed innovation and enterprise into the core of what we do. It’s not just about maintaining standards. It’s about redefining them. My approach will be to inspire a culture where ideas flow freely between disciplines, research is translated into real-world impact, and students are empowered to be creators and changemakers. I’m excited to work alongside the brilliant minds at SUTD to push boundaries and create transformative opportunities,” he added.

 

While he recognises the challenges of aligning the pace of academia with the rapid changes in industry and technology, he is also excited about them. He said: “These challenges excite me. Universities and industry are like two halves of a whole. They’re both essential to driving progress. By collaborating with industry, universities can ensure that research doesn’t just stop at discovery but makes its way into society to solve real-world problems. It’s about impact. These partnerships also expose students to real-world challenges, preparing them to be agile and adaptable leaders. By working hand-in-hand with industry, universities can bridge the gap between ideas and implementation, creating ecosystems where innovation flourishes and benefits everyone.”

 

“It’s about creating an ecosystem where entrepreneurial thinking, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and industry partnerships thrive. Universities must inspire a mindset where students and faculty see challenges not as obstacles, but as opportunities to innovate and lead,” he added.

 

Prof Chee’s research interest lies in the interplay between combinatorics and computer science, especially coding theory, extremal set systems, and their applications. Maths, to him, is not just research but also one of his greatest joys. He finds satisfaction in exploring maths concepts, reading up on the history of maths, and seeing how maths underpins the many aspects of our world. Beyond maths, Prof Chee loves to walk to clear his mind and enjoys building LEGO creations – a playful yet creative outlet that keeps his imagination alive – all hobbies that help bring balance and energy to his life and enrich his approach to work and leadership.

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