FACULTY AND STAFF UPDATES
New Faculty and Staff
Professor Yeo Siew Haip
Department of Architecture
Professor Yeo Siew Haip joined the Department of Architecture as Professor of Practice and Director of NUS Cities. A distinguished architect, urban strategist, and design leader, Prof Siew Haip brings with him over 35 years of experience spanning architectural design, urban planning, and senior executive leadership in Singapore and the wider Asia-Pacific region. His career has been defined by an enduring commitment to shaping cities through design excellence, cross-sector collaboration, and the integration of architecture with infrastructure and systems thinking.
He was most recently Chief Executive of Buildings + Cities at Surbana Jurong Group, where he led the strategic integration of nine international design and consultancy firms into a cohesive, multi-disciplinary global platform. Under his leadership, the group delivered major urban and infrastructure projects that combined visionary planning with technical execution. Prior to this, as Chief Executive of SJ Global Architecture and Design, and previously as Managing Director of SAA Architects, Prof Siew Haip played a pivotal role in delivering landmark developments such as Changi Airport Terminals 4 and 5, the Woodlands Health Campus, HealthCity Novena, and the Jurong Lake District masterplan, projects recognised with multiple local and international design awards.
An alumnus of NUS Architecture, Prof Siew Haip has remained deeply connected to architectural education and professional development throughout his career. He has mentored countless young designers and urban thinkers, championed design innovation, and initiated cross-disciplinary research collaborations. In 2019, he established the SAA Enreach Fund at NUS to provide financial and developmental support to deserving architecture students, reflecting his belief in uplifting the next generation of design leaders. He has also contributed to the broader built environment profession as a Board Member of the Board of Architects Singapore (2022 - 2024), and remains active in regional architecture networks as a registered architect in Singapore and Australia, as well as an APEC and ASEAN Architect.
At NUS Cities, Prof Siew Haip brings his vision of integrating design, planning, governance, and sustainability into the discourse of urban development. He is passionate about building an interdisciplinary platform where research and practice converge to address the complex challenges facing cities today. He looks forward to fostering new models of teaching and engagement that prepare students to lead with purpose, collaborate across disciplines, and shape resilient, inclusive, and forward-thinking urban environments.
Associate Professor Michael Budig
Department of Architecture
Associate Professor Michael Budig is a designer, educator, and technology innovator whose work bridges architecture, digital technologies, and entrepreneurship. His work focuses on renewable materials, digitalisation, robotic fabrication, and circular construction. He champions hybridised timber systems to reduce embodied carbon and explores the integration of autonomous machines in building environments.
Previously, Michael was the inaugural CEO of an educational robotics startup and held academic positions at SUTD, MIT, ETH Zurich/FCL Singapore, the University of Applied Arts Vienna, and the University of Innsbruck. His built works span industrial, residential, and urban design, and have received multiple international awards. He has taught over 3,000 students across design studios, thesis projects, prototyping, and building technology courses. He has also contributed to national committees, including the Building and Construction Authority and the Singapore Civil Defence Force, and served as a Young Urban Leader for the World Cities Summit.
Professor Jiang Hongbin
Department of the Built Environment
Professor Jiang Hongbin FICE brings over 30 years of experience in the development of large infrastructure projects, encompassing project structuring and financing, procurement, contract management, and implementation. His work has spanned more than 30 countries, with extensive expertise in energy, transportation, environmental, urban development, and renewable sectors. Prof Jiang has published academic papers in prominent international journals and has held several senior positions in professional societies.
Before joining NUS, he served as the Principal Policy Specialist at one of the major multilateral development banks, being responsible for developing and overseeing the bank's operational procurement policies and providing assurance for investment projects. Prior to that, Prof Jiang was the Partner of one of the Big Four professional services firms, leading the firm's infrastructure financial advisory services in the Greater China region. Prof Jiang holds a Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) from Tsinghua University (1992), and a Master of Science (MSc) in Project Management and a PhD in Construction Management and Economics from NUS (2005).
Dr Moon Kongpyung
Assistant Professor, Division of Industrial Design
Dr Moon Kongpyung received his BArch in Architecture at Middle East Technical University, MArch in Architecture at University College London (UCL), and PhD in Industrial Design (HCI) at KAIST. His research empowers individuals such as designers, engineers, researchers, and makers, by democratising access to digital fabrication technology that incorporates innovative materials. He is particularly interested in developing generative design software for fabricating thermo-reactive and electrically conductive materials to produce interactive prototypes.
Ms Lee Sea Ming
Manager, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Ms Lee Sea Ming joined as the manager of the Coastal Protection and Flood Resilience Institute (CFI Singapore). The Institute, Singapore's first Centre of Excellence dedicated to strengthening local capabilities and expertise in coastal protection and flood management, is hosted by the Department. She leads the admin team at CFI Singapore in supporting the research programme in coastal protection and flood resilience. Prior to joining CFI, she was with the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), working in the area of student development and management. She is an NUS alumna, having graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Sciences.
Ms Hong Qianyi
Senior Executive, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Ms Hong Qianyi works closely with the CFI Singapore team to lead outreach campaigns, strengthen CFI's digital presence, and support stakeholder engagement efforts to advance coastal protection and flood resilience in Singapore and beyond. Before joining CFI, Qianyi worked in the private sector, managing campaigns across social media, content strategy, and online engagement. She is an alumna of NUS, where she studied Materials Science and Engineering.
Ms Siti Zubaidah Binte Yusuf
Executive, Office of Graduate Programmes, Dean’s Office
Ms Siti Zubaidah binte Yusuf brings with her experience from the NUS School of Computing and other higher education institutions. With a strong background in the higher education sector, she is eager to contribute and add value to CDE.
Management Updates
- Professor Yeo Siew Haip has been appointed as Director, NUS Cities with effect from 5 May 2025. The College extends our deepest appreciation to Professor Khoo Teng Chye, founding Director of NUS Cities, for his contributions and service.
- Ms Lynette Lai has been appointed as Head, Development with effect from 15 Apr 2025.
Retirement
Mr Chandra Mukaya, Laboratory Technologist, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, last day of service is on 31 May 2025.
The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering would like to express our appreciation to Mr Mukaya Chandra for his 47 years of dedication and support of the laboratory activities in the Power and Energy Systems area.
We wish him good health and a happy retirement.