Ong Siew May (OSM) Professorship

Ministry of Information and the Arts Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore - The late former President Ong Teng Cheong (husband of the late Mrs Ong Siew May) attended the launch of the professorship in 2000, alongside late President S. R. Nathan and Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam, then Deputy Prime Minister.

NUS established the Ong Siew May (OSM) Professorship in Architecture 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). This Professorship enables the Department of Architecture at the College of Design and Engineering to appoint internationally renowned practitioners, academics, and emerging architects. Through this initiative, architectural education is enriched, challenging issues related to architecture and Asian urbanisation are addressed, and new ideas for design excellence are explored.

The OSM Professorship was 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, NLC Construction Pte Ltd, and individual supporters.

Over the years, several distinguished architects have served as OSM Visiting Professors, bringing diverse perspectives and expertise to the department. Their engagement has inspired both students and faculty through direct interaction with leading figures in the architectural field.

Call for Applications

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 2027/2028. We seek a distinguished practitioner or educator whose work advances the discipline of architecture and its allied fields. For more information about the terms of the appointment, click here.