NTU Singapore and HCIS Partner on $5 Million AI Education Chair

NTU Singapore and HCIS Partner on $5 Million AI Education Chair

Hwa Chong International School has pledged $5 million to fund a new endowed academic position at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. The initiative, formally designated as the Hwa Chong International School – Tooh Fee San Distinguished Professorship in Education and Artificial Intelligence, will be hosted within the university’s National Institute of Education. The endowment is designed to recruit prominent global academics dedicated to integrating artificial intelligence into pedagogical frameworks and redefining modern learning environments.

The chair bears the name of Mr Tooh Fee San, who served as the founding chief executive officer of HCIS and previously led Hwa Chong Institution as principal until his passing in 2023. A graduate of Nanyang University, Mr Tooh dedicated 21 years to Hwa Chong, where he championed academic rigor and holistic student development. Notably, he recognized the educational value of computing decades ahead of its time, requiring computer literacy for all students starting in the early 1980s. As a school alumnus, he consistently emphasized resilience, lifelong learning, and community connection.

The appointed scholar will lead cross-disciplinary studies focused on developing and evaluating smart technologies that improve teaching methods, curriculum design, student assessment, and classroom engagement. Beyond academic research, the position emphasizes international partnerships, working alongside educators, researchers, and technology developers to position Singapore as a central node for AI-driven education. The role also involves direct engagement with educational institutions, utilizing them as practical environments for piloting new instructional tools, hosting expert workshops, and co-developing educational technology initiatives.

NTU President Professor Ho Teck Hua highlighted Mr Tooh’s foresight in adopting technology and expressed pride in honoring his contributions to Singapore’s educational landscape. He noted that the endowment will enable the university to secure a globally recognized expert who can guide the ethical and effective integration of AI in academic settings. Dr Sia Nam Chie, chairman of the HCIS Board, described the fund as a lasting tribute to Mr Tooh’s conviction that education can fundamentally transform society. He emphasized the partnership’s goal of preparing both teachers and learners for an increasingly automated future. Meanwhile, NIE Director Professor Liu Woon Chia stressed the practical value of combining academic inquiry with classroom implementation. He added that close ties with schools will ensure that theoretical advancements in AI are effectively converted into tangible teaching resources and learning enhancements.