Six CDE alumni have been honoured at the biennial NUS Alumni Awards, recognising University alumni who have distinguished themselves through significant and impactful contributions to their alma mater, society and the world.
Among the awardees this year, NUS conferred the Eminent Alumni Award on Ms Ho Ching (Bachelor of Engineering, 1976) Temasek Trust Chairman, in recognition of her exemplary leadership and lasting impact on Singapore.
This award is presented to NUS alumni who have distinguished themselves nationally or globally through their exceptional and sustained contributions and achievements in public or community service; in the arts, sports, culture or entrepreneurship; or in a profession or scholarly field. The Guest-of-Honour, Mr Desmond Lee, Minister for Education and Minister-in-Charge of Social Services Integration, presented the award to Ms Ho.
Launched in 2005, the 2025 NUS Alumni Awards ceremony was held on the evening of 25 November, 2025 with 22 alumni from across NUS receiving awards.
Other CDE alumni honoured at the 2025 ceremony were:
Distinguished Alumni Award
- Professor Lim Chwee Teck, NUSS Chair Professor, College of Design and Engineering, and Director, Institute for Health Innovation and Technology, NUS (2025 President’s Science Award)
(Bachelor of Engineering, 1990) - Er. Lim Peng Hong, Managing Director at PH Consulting
(MSc Civil Engineering, 1986; Bachelor of Engineering, 1983) - Dr Sharon Nai, Senior Principal Scientist at the A*STAR Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (A*STAR SIMTech) and Director of the A*STAR Additive Innovation Centre (AIC)
(PhD Engineering, 2009; Master of Engineering, 2003; Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering), 2000)
Outstanding Young Alumni Award
- Ms Chang Qingyang, CEO and Cofounder ConcreteAI
(BEng Civil Engineering, 2021) - Mr Chio Wen Tian, Principal Architect and QP(Architect) at CHIO Architects
(Master of Architecture, 2014; BA (Architecture), 2014)
Speaking at the ceremony, NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye said, “Beyond academics and research, a university’s achievements lie in the positive impact it has on mankind and the world. These exceptional alumni have dedicated their lives, harnessing the knowledge, skills, and values acquired at NUS to become forces for positive change ― revolutionising industries, uplifting the vulnerable, and mentoring those who walk the corridors of NUS after them. They have flown the NUS flag high, and we are very proud of them. Congratulations to all recipients of the NUS Alumni Awards 2025!”
Eminent Alumni Award 2025 Recipient – Ms Ho Ching
After graduating from NUS in 1976 with an engineering degree, Ms Ho began her career at the Ministry of Defence. She went on to serve as Director of the Defence Materiel Organisation and Deputy Director of the Defence Science Organisation. Her work at MINDEF contributed to strengthening Singapore’s defence self-reliance, and she was among a pioneering generation of engineers who laid the groundwork for critical national infrastructure.
In 1987, she joined Singapore Technologies (ST), where she played a pivotal role in advancing its engineering and technology capabilities, and led the formation of one of the largest engineering and development companies in the region. Her appointment as CEO of ST Group in 1997 distinguished her as one of the few women leading a major industrial group at the time.
Ms Ho joined Temasek Holdings as Director in 2002, later becoming Executive Director and CEO in the same year. She positioned Temasek as an active long-term investor, guiding its expansion into growth markets and emerging sectors, navigating multiple economic cycles, and expanding its network of international offices. Under her leadership, Temasek also nurtured local companies like Singapore Airlines, Singtel and DBS Bank — providing capital and strategic support that helped several evolve into strong regional or global players. When she stepped down in 2021, Temasek’s S$90 billion portfolio had grown to over S$380 billion, with investments around the world.
Since 2022, Ms Ho Ching has chaired Temasek Trust, the philanthropic arm of Temasek Holdings. In this role, she provides strategic oversight and guidance to the management team, shaping its vision and mandate and overseeing the stewardship of its philanthropic assets.
A passionate champion for social causes, Ms Ho is a longtime supporter of the Autism Resource Centre (Singapore) and patron of the Autism Association (Singapore). As founding Chairman of Trailblazer Foundation, she has backed its initiatives in education, health, sports, music, and community development for the uniquely talented. She has also supported organisations focused on dignity in healthcare such as the Assisi Hospice.
Over the years, Ms Ho has received numerous accolades, including the Public Administration Medal (Silver), the Public Service Star, and the Institution of Engineers Lifetime Engineering Achievement Award.
“I thank NUS for the signal honour of this award. It is a reminder of the privilege of a university education, and the responsibility it carries – to help open more pathways for others to strengthen society and build better for generations to come,” said Ms Ho Ching.
Past recipients of the NUS Eminent Alumni Award include Mr Lee Kuan Yew, Mr Goh Chok Tong, Professor S Jayakumar, Dr Noeleen Heyzer, Ambassador Chan Heng Chee and Madam Halimah Yacob.
