Distinguished Service to Singapore Education Recognised: DOA Members Receive 2026 National Day Awards
The Department extends its congratulations to Associate Director Ms Wong Foong Foong on receiving the Commendation Medal at the 61st National Day Awards. This honour recognises individuals who have distinguished themselves through commendable performance and conduct, or through significant efficiency, competence, and devotion to duty.
We also extend our heartfelt congratulations to Associate Professor Fu Yuming who has been awarded the Long Service Medal for irreproachable character and more than 25 years of distinguished service.
Both recipients are among twenty-four NUS College of Design and Engineering (CDE) members honoured with National Day Awards this year for their exceptional leadership and dedication to the University and to Singapore.
Over the past 21 years, Ms Wong has had the privilege of serving in diverse roles across the University, working alongside dedicated colleagues, faculty members, students, and leadership teams. Looking back, some of the most rewarding experiences have not been the milestones themselves, but the opportunity to help people succeed, strengthen teams, improve the way the University works, and contribute to an environment where others can thrive. Whether supporting organisational excellence initiatives, developing talent, streamlining complex processes, leading change management efforts, or embracing digital transformation, she has always believed that sustainable improvements are achieved when people are empowered, supported, and united by a shared purpose.
“This recognition serves as a reminder that meaningful contributions are rarely the work of one individual. Progress is achieved through collaboration, continuous improvement, and a commitment to serving others. To our students and younger colleagues, I encourage you to remain curious, embrace change, invest in developing those around you, and never underestimate the impact of small, consistent efforts. Every contribution matters, and together we can build stronger institutions, more resilient communities, and a better future for generations to come.
I am deeply grateful for the opportunities that NUS has given me over the years to learn, grow, and serve. It has been a privilege to contribute alongside so many dedicated colleagues in advancing the University’s mission of education, research, and service to society, and I look forward to continuing this journey of learning, collaboration, and contribution.”
– Associate Director Ms Wong Foong Foong
For Associate Professor Fu, receiving the Long Service Medal fills him with deep gratitude. Over the past 25 years at NUS, he has been fortunate to have had many wonderful opportunities. These include building a PhD programme in real estate finance and economics, establishing the NUS Institute of Real Estate Studies (IREUS), and championing and exploring multidisciplinary thinking about urban solutions in the former School of Design and Environment (SDE) and at the Future Cities Lab. More recently, having joined the urbanism group in the Department of Architecture, he has had the opportunity to delve into the intricate questions of ethics and complexity at the core of what urbanists grapple with.