Thought Leadership

Some of the world’s leaders, and leading thinkers from NUS and overseas, regularly gather and add to the rich diversity of thoughts and ideas on our campuses, in Singapore and across the globe.
Here’s what they had to share.

To tackle Kpods and vaping, young people need facts, not fear

To tackle Kpods and vaping, young people need facts, not fear

Speaker: Elyssa Liu 26 September 2025

From 1 September, the government classified etomidate – an anaesthetic found in Kpods – as a Class C controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act. Dealers may face jail terms and even caning, while users will be placed under supervision and rehabilitation, with repeat offenders potentially facing imprisonment. History shows that when demand remains, supply finds a way to adapt. Elyssa Liu, Team Leader for Legal Frameworks and Governance at the Duke-NUS Centre for Outbreak Preparedness, notes that unless demand is curbed, new substances will continue to surface and take the place of etomidate in vapes.

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Four Asian Tigers ready to roar in the Year of the Tiger, but challenges lie ahead

Four Asian Tigers ready to roar in the Year of the Tiger, but challenges lie ahead

Speaker: Speaker: Dr Xu Le | 24 February 2022

Pay attention to avoid being scammed

Pay attention to avoid being scammed

Speaker: Speakers: Associate Professor Irene Y.H. Ng, Ms Ong Qiyan, Ms Evelyn Kok and Ms Sandy Chen | 24 February 2022

Looking to 2022: An inclusive and forward-looking Budget on the tax front

Looking to 2022: An inclusive and forward-looking Budget on the tax front

Speaker: Speaker: Associate Professor (Practice) Simon Poh | 21 February 2022

The Singapore Media's Long and Winding Road: 1824 to 2022

The Singapore Media's Long and Winding Road: 1824 to 2022

Speaker: Speaker: Mr Patrick Daniel | 17 February 2022

Why it pays for Singapore to be much more ambitious in raising carbon tax

Why it pays for Singapore to be much more ambitious in raising carbon tax

Speaker: Speaker: Visiting Professor Viond Thomas | 16 February 2022

Will China abandon its ‘no first use’ nuclear policy

Will China abandon its ‘no first use’ nuclear policy

Speaker: Speaker: Dr Li Nan | 15 February 2022

Why is inflation so hard to control?

Why is inflation so hard to control?

Speaker: Speaker: Professor Sumit Agarwal | 15 February 2022

Looking to 2022: The road ahead for the COVID-19 pandemic

Looking to 2022: The road ahead for the COVID-19 pandemic

Speaker: Speakers: Professor Paul Tambyah and Assistant Professor Lionel Lum | 10 February 2022

Placing Asean on stronger footing in a net-zero future

Placing Asean on stronger footing in a net-zero future

Speaker: Speakers: Associate Professor Simon Tay and Ms Meixi Gan | 25 January 2022

The great resignation wave is equally frustrating for employers, if not more

The great resignation wave is equally frustrating for employers, if not more

Speaker: Speaker: Dr Wu Pei Chuan | 24 January 2022