Adjunct Professor Quek Gim Pew (Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering) has been honoured with the prestigious Outstanding Service Award as part of the NUS University Awards 2023.
The Award was presented to Mr Quek at a ceremony held at Singapore's Raffles Hotel on the evening of September 8.
Mr Quek is currently Chairman of the National Supercomputing Centre Steering Committee and Co-Chair of National Quantum Steering Committee.
Commenting on the award and his long-running ties to the University, he said: “NUS has nurtured generations of talents over the years and contributed much to the success story of Singapore. It is my fervent wish that NUS will continue to spearhead our country’s growth and development through its leadership, excellence and dynamism.”
Mr Quek’s association with NUS dates back to his days as a student, graduating with a Bachelor of Engineering (1st Class Hons) in Electrical Engineering in 1981. His strong connection with NUS continued over the years, earning him the NUS Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award in 2014.
Throughout his career, Mr Quek has been a leading figure in the development of advanced defence technologies. Serving as CEO of DSO National Laboratories for 12 years until 2016, he then assumed the role of Chief Defence Scientist at the Ministry of Defence, where he played a pivotal role in shaping cutting-edge technological solutions for Singapore's national security.
Read the award citation and watch the video here.
Beyond his contributions to defense technologies, Mr Quek also spearheaded initiatives in space, quantum, and digital technologies. He has also been a strong advocate for STEM education, initiating various nationwide programmes, such as the Young Defence Scientist Programme, which introduces students to emerging topics in science and engineering.
From 2016 to 2022, Mr Quek served as the Chairman of the Governing Board of the Centre for Quantum Technologies (CQT) hosted at NUS and he continues to Co-Chair the National Quantum Steering Committee, as well as serving as consultant and holding several board memberships.
Presented annually, the NUS University Awards recognise individuals who have distinguished themselves with their achievements and contributions in the areas of education, research and service to the University, Singapore and the global community.
Congratulating this year’s award winners, NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye said: “As NUS strives to be a leading global university, we want to be known for our commitment to the continual pursuit of excellence. I am very proud of the award winners who have dedicated themselves to scale new heights in their professional pursuits and achieved exceptional results in their journey. They have demonstrated vision, focus and a strong commitment to hard work and continuous learning. My heartiest congratulations to all of them!”
