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 August 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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We, the Robots?

We, the Robots?

Speaker: Professor Simon Chesterman, Dean, NUS Law | 30 July 2019

The lower immunity behind the current dengue outbreak

The lower immunity behind the current dengue outbreak

Speaker: Associate Professor Alex R Cook, Vice Dean (Research), Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health | 24 July 2019

AI and the Future of Healthcare Transformation

AI and the Future of Healthcare Transformation

Speaker: Professor Tan Chorh Chuan, University Professor and Singapore’s Chief Health Scientist | 1 July 2019

How can scientists become role models

How can scientists become role models

Speaker: President’s Assistant Professor Benjamin Tee, NUS Engineering | 1 July 2019

The Past and Future of the International Law on Foreign Investment

The Past and Future of the International Law on Foreign Investment

Speaker: Professor M Sornarajah, C J Koh Professor at NUS | 3 June 2019

A deep dive on AI in Singapore

A deep dive on AI in Singapore

Speaker: Professor Ho Teck Hua, NUS Senior Deputy President and Provost | 20 April 2019

How the West can adapt to a rising Asia

How the West can adapt to a rising Asia

Speaker: Professor Kishore Mahbubani, Distinguished Fellow, NUS Asia Research Institute | 18 April 2019

Before Nation and Beyond: Places, Histories and Identities

Before Nation and Beyond: Places, Histories and Identities

Speaker: Speaker: Professor Tan Tai Yong, 6th S R Nathan Fellow for the Study of Singapore | 9 April 2019

Who is responsible for the ethical implications of AI?

Who is responsible for the ethical implications of AI?

Speaker: Speaker: Professor Leong Tze Yun, NUS Computing | 4 April 2019

U@live: Education – Still a Social Leveller?

U@live: Education – Still a Social Leveller?

Speaker: Speaker: Mr Ong Ye Kung, Minister for Education | 27 March 2019