Singapore's envoy to Malaysia becomes head of RSIS

SINGAPORE'S High Commissioner to Malaysia, Ong Keng Yong, will become the executive deputy chairman of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), succeeding Ambassador Barry Desker, who has led the think tank for 14 years.

Ambassador Ong's post is a newly created one under a revamped RSIS management structure, which also provides for a deanship for the school.

Under the new role, he will be the executive and administrative head of RSIS, and be responsible for providing overall leadership and strategic directions in professional, academic and administrative matters.

He will also manage policy research under RSIS' role as a think tank.

Professor Joseph Liow, the current associate dean, will be re-designated as the dean, and will have revised responsibilities.

He will be the chief academic officer of RSIS, with responsibilities for the conduct, coordination and quality of the school's academic programmes.

He will also lead in the school's academic development and assist the executive deputy chairman in the overall management of RSIS.

Ambassador Desker, who has until now held the title of dean of the institution, will be re-designated as Distinguished Fellow at RSIS after stepping down.