HCIS and NTU Establish New Professorship in Education and AI

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Hwa Chong International School gifts NTU Singapore $5 million to set up new Professorship in Education and AI

02 May 2026

Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) and Hwa Chong International School (HCIS) will establish a new Professorship in education and artificial intelligence (AI), aimed at attracting leading international scholars to advance transformative education and shape the future of teaching and learning through AI.

The Hwa Chong International School – Tooh Fee San Distinguished Professorship in Education and Artificial Intelligence at NTU’s National Institute of Education (NIE) is supported by a $5 million gift from HCIS.

The Professorship honours the legacy of former Hwa Chong Institution principal and HCIS founding CEO, Mr Tooh Fee San. A Nanyang University graduate, Mr Tooh was an extraordinary educator and leader who passed away in 2023.

It will support the appointment of an internationally recognised academic who will drive interdisciplinary research, foster global collaborations, and translate cutting-edge AI innovations into impactful educational practices.

NTU President Professor Ho Teck Hua said: “Mr Tooh was truly a visionary educator and leader. In the early 1980s, he saw the great potential in technology and mandated computer classes for all students. We are proud to name this distinguished professorship after Mr Tooh, for his outstanding contributions to Hwa Chong and the educational sector in Singapore. This distinguished professorship will allow NTU to attract a world class scientist and educator to advance the responsible use of AI in education.”

Dr Sia Nam Chie, Chairman of the HCIS Board, said: “This Professorship is a tribute to Mr Tooh’s enduring legacy and his belief in the transformative power of education. Through our partnership with NTU and NIE, we hope to inspire new frontiers in teaching and learning, and empower both educators and students to thrive in an AI-driven future.”

Advancing the Future of Learning through AI

The endowed Professorship will drive interdisciplinary research and innovation that harnesses AI to enhance educational outcomes, strengthening AI literacy and readiness among students and educators.

The Professorship supports research and innovation in the design and evaluation of intelligent technologies to enhance pedagogy, curriculum development, assessment, and learner engagement.

The appointed Professor also foster global collaborations by bringing together leading researchers, educators, and industry partners to strengthen Singapore’s position as a global hub for AI-enabled education.

As part of its applied research and outreach mission, the Professorship will collaborate closely with schools as real-world testbeds for innovation. Such partnerships may include leading seminars and masterclasses, driving collaborative education technology research projects, or test bedding AI-enabled pedagogical tools in schools.

NIE Director Professor Liu Woon Chia said: “The Professorship and partnership with HCIS bring together research and practice in a meaningful way. By working closely with schools, we can translate new ideas into real-world applications that support teaching, enrich learning, and better equip educators and students for what lies ahead.”

Honouring a Legacy of Educational Excellence

The Professorship seeks to carry forward Mr Tooh’s unwavering commitment to excellence, which left a lasting impact on countless students and educators.

Mr Tooh dedicated 21 years of his life to Hwa Chong, where his visionary leadership transformed the school into a leading institution known for both academic excellence and holistic development.

He nurtured a strong culture of resilience and perseverance, instilling in generations of students a deep sense of pride and belonging to the Hwa Chong family.

An alumnus of Hwa Chong himself, Mr Tooh embodied the school’s enduring values of lifelong learning, courage in embracing challenges, and strong bonds within the community.