: From left: Justice Judith Prakash, Senior Judge and a former judge of the Singapore Court of Appeal; Ravi Menon, former Managing Director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore / NUS

The NUS Board of Trustees recently expanded its membership with the addition of three distinguished individuals, two of whom are of Indian origin. These esteemed alumni of the National University of Singapore (NUS) commenced their tenure on Apr. 1, 2024. The new members are Justice Judith Prakash, a Senior Judge and former judge of the Singapore Court of Appeal, and Ravi Menon, the former Managing Director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

Justice Judith Prakash made history when she was appointed as a Justice of Appeal on Aug. 1, 2016, becoming the first woman to hold a permanent position on the Singapore Court of Appeal. Later, she was re-designated as a Justice of the Court of Appeal. After serving with distinction, she retired on Dec. 18, 2023, only to return as Senior Judge on Jan. 2, 2024.

Graduating from the University of Singapore in 1974, Justice Prakash embarked on a notable legal career. She was admitted as an advocate and solicitor in Singapore in 1975 and subsequently practiced law in the private sector until 1992. Initially specializing in shipping law, she later expanded her practice to include commercial law areas such as banking, finance, and company law.

In 1992, Justice Prakash transitioned to the judiciary, joining the Supreme Court as a Judicial Commissioner. Over the years, she ascended to the position of High Court Judge in 1995. Until 2022, Justice Prakash played a pivotal role as the Lead Judge for arbitration matters, presiding over numerous cases involving arbitration issues. Her expertise extended to various legal domains, including family law, trusts, banking, finance, shipping, and insurance law.

Beyond her judicial duties, Justice Prakash remains actively involved in community organizations, serving on the Boards of Trustees of the Singapore Indian Development Association and The Eurasian Association.

Ravi Menon, who served as the longest-tenured Managing Director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) from 2011 to 2023, spearheaded significant transformations during his tenure. Under his leadership, MAS implemented effective monetary and macroprudential policies, revamped the financial regulatory framework, and positioned Singapore as a prominent green finance center and global FinTech hub.

Prior to his role at MAS, Menon held key positions in various government ministries. As Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Trade & Industry from 2007 to 2011, he played a crucial role in bolstering the economy during the global financial crisis. Earlier, as Deputy Secretary at the Ministry of Finance from 2003 to 2007, he contributed to the formulation of fiscal policies.

Menon's influence extends beyond Singapore, as he has played a pivotal role in international finance. He served as Chairman of the Network of Central Banks and Supervisors for Greening the Financial System and the Financial Stability Board Standing Committee on Standards Implementation.

Additionally, Menon has served on numerous boards across the public, private, and people sectors, including as Chairman of the Institute of Banking and Finance and the Singapore Cooperation Enterprise, and Deputy Chairman of the Central Provident Fund Board.

Currently Menon holds the position of Chairman of the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ) Asia-Pacific Advisory Board and serves as a member of the GFANZ Principals Group. He also serves as a Trustee of the Singapore Indian Development Association. His educational background includes a Master's in Public Administration from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Social Science (Honours) in Economics from the National University of Singapore.

Tan Chong Meng, who currently serves as Chairman at JTC and Deputy Chairman on the board of the National University Health System (NUHS), further enriches the board with his extensive leadership experience.

In welcoming the new appointees, Hsieh Fu Hua, Chairman of the NUS Board, expressed confidence that their diverse backgrounds and expertise will enhance board discussions and provide valuable perspectives to guide the university's growth amidst evolving challenges.

“Their breadth and depth of experience will enrich board discussions and bring useful perspectives to guide the growth of the University amid a fast-changing and challenging environment,” he said.

As part of the board's renewal process, three non-executive members - Ambassador-at-Large Prof Chan Heng Chee, veteran social worker Dr. Sudha Nair, and Allen and Gledhill partner Andrew Lim Ming-Hui - will retire from their positions on Mar. 31, 2024. Hsieh expressed gratitude for their exemplary service and steadfast commitment to NUS, acknowledging their invaluable contributions to the board.

“We will miss Heng Chee, Sudha and Andrew. They have served the Board very well, supporting the University through various challenges and providing guidance on many strategic issues. We are deeply thankful for their service and unwavering commitment to NUS,” Hsieh added.

With a total of 20 members, the NUS Board of Trustees comprises eminent leaders from diverse sectors, appointed by the Minister for Education. Collaborating closely with the university's management and stakeholders, the board plays a pivotal role in shaping NUS's vision, setting strategic directions, and guiding major initiatives.