The Department of Architecture at the National University of Singapore (NUS) invites applications and nominations for the Ong Siew May (OSM) Professorship in Architecture for the academic year 2026/2027. We seek a distinguished practitioner or educator whose work advances the discipline of architecture and its allied fields.

Established in 2000 to honour the late Ong Siew May, one of Singapore’s foremost architects and former First Lady (wife of President Ong Teng Cheong), the Professorship recognises and supports exceptional individuals who have demonstrated sustained design excellence, and a strong commitment to shaping the built environment in Asia and the Pacific region.

The Professorship is made possible by generous contributions from the Ong family, as well as corporate donors such as Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple, Lee Foundation, Lien Foundation, Woh Hup, NLC Construction Pte Ltd, and individual supporters.

Eligibility

Candidates should hold a terminal degree in architecture and possess an outstanding international record of academic, professional, or creative achievements in Asia and the Pacific region. They should demonstrate a dedication to architectural education, critical inquiry, and fostering inclusive and socially responsible practices.

Terms of Appointment

The OSM Distinguished Professorship is tenable for one semester. For this round of applications, candidates are required to specify the semester for which they are applying—either Semester 1 (3 August 2026 to 5 December 2026) or Semester 2 (11 January 2027 to 8 May 2027).

The appointee will be expected to be in residence during the appointed semester and contribute to the intellectual and pedagogical life of the department. The appointee will deliver a public lecture, meet up with members of the donor family, senior faculty of NUS and relevant authorities like the Singapore Insitute of Architects, Board of Architects, etc.

A competitive remuneration of up to SGD$20,000 (before tax) per month, accommodation and return airfare will be offered.

Past OSM Professors

Over the years, several distinguished architects have served as OSM Visiting Professors, bringing diverse perspectives and expertise to the department. They include:

– Huang Sheng-Yuan, Principal of Fieldoffice Architects.

– Sho Yukata (Dr), partner and co-founder of General Architecture Collaborative (GAC) and Professor of Architecture at Meiji University in Tokyo, Japan.

– Alain Bourdin (Dr), ESSEC’s Chair of Urban Economics at the Paris and Rabat campuses and Professor of Urbanism (Urban Planning and Urban Design) at the Raymond Lemaire Center for Heritage Preservation at the University of Louvain (K.U. Leuven).

– Hitoshi Abe (Dr), Director of Paul I. and Hisako Terasaki Center for Japanese Studies, and the Terasaki Chair for contemporary Japanese study as well Professor of Architecture and Urban Design at the University of California Los Angeles.

– CJ Lim, Professor of Architecture and Urbanism, Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment at University College London.

– Craig Hodgetts and Hsinming Fung, founders of hplusf.

– Kazuyo Sejima, co-founder of Sejima + Nishizawa & Associates (SANAA).

Application Process

Interested candidates are invited to submit:

1. A cover letter outlining their interest and fit for the Professorship.

2. A detailed curriculum vitae.

3. A statement of teaching and design philosophy (max. 2 pages).

4. Names and contact details of two referees.

Key Dates

Closing date: 30 November 2025. Please submit all application materials to Alicia Wong (aliciawong@nus.edu.sg).

Notification of result: 16 January 2026.

Contact

Please reach out to Alicia Wong (aliciawong@nus.edu.sg) for any questions you may have.