Two CDE faculty members are taking key leadership roles in a major new NUS initiative aimed at tackling climate change and sustainability challenges.
Announced on 6 May 2025, the University-wide NUS Sustainable Futures (NUS SF) initiative will drive interdisciplinary research, education, and cross-sector partnerships to develop practical, scalable solutions for a greener and more resilient future.
As part of NUS SF, Professor Lee Poh Seng, Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, will lead one of three core research missions. His team will focus on enhancing energy sustainability and resilience, particularly in tropical and urban environments.
“Our research aims to accelerate the deployment of low-carbon technologies that are suitable for dense, hot and humid cities like Singapore,” said Prof Lee, who is also Co-Director of the NUS Energy Solutions Hub (NESH). “Through collaboration across disciplines and sectors, we’re aiming to develop solutions that are not only technically sound but also scalable and impactful across the region.”
Leading another of the initiative’s research pillars, Associate Professor Yuan Chao, Deputy Head (Research) at the Department of Architecture, will focus on advancing urban sustainability and resilience in Singapore and the ASEAN region.
As Co-Director of the Integrative Urban Solutions group under NUS SF, Assoc Prof Yuan will work with colleagues across engineering, urban planning and design, economics, health, and public policy to address the complex challenges of sustainable development in rapidly growing cities.
“Sustainability challenges in cities are multifaceted, touching on energy, water, mobility, housing, health and economics and many other areas,” said Assoc Prof Yuan. “Our goal is to develop place-based solutions that support inclusive and climate-resilient urban futures.”
In total, NUS SF will invest S$10 million to support research, education, and engagement activities across three focus areas: energy resilience, climate and nature-based solutions, and urban sustainability. The initiative will also support continuing education through the new NUS Sustainability Academy, and promote stakeholder engagement via the Sustainability Plaza.
Led by Professor Koh Lian Pin, NUS Vice President (Sustainability and Resilience), the initiative represents a whole-of-university approach to sustainability, bridging academia with policymakers, industry, and civil society.
For more details on other programmes under NUS SF, see the NUS news release.
