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History & Milestones

Mochtar Riady Building

Which Business School has History on its Side – and the Future in Its Sight?

NUS Business School, one of the leading centres of business education in Asia-Pacific, has come a long way in a short time. The area of business administration as a proper academic field was first taught at the then University of Singapore in 1961. Back then, Business Administration was just a subject in the Department of Economics.

Four years later, in 1965, the Department of Business Administration was set up to meet the growing needs of a formal business education in Singapore. The Department began with a full-time staff strength of four. It quickly grew in size and scope. In 1969, it was merged with the Department of Accountancy, and the School of Accountancy and Business Administration was formed.

In 1980, another major reorganisation took place, when the University of Singapore and Nanyang University merged. With the merger of the two universities, the School became known as the Faculty of Accountancy and Business Administration. The Faculty comprised the Department of Accountancy as well as the Department of Business Administration. In 1983, the Faculty was restructured again, and the School of Accountancy and the School of Management were formed. Four years later, in 1987, the School of Accountancy was moved to the then Nanyang Technological Institute. Following this move, the Faculty’s name was shortened to become the Faculty of Business Administration.

NUS Business School, as we are called today, was established in 2002. The school now has about 149 full-time faculty members with a student population of over 3,000, both undergraduates and post-graduates. Riding on its rich history and appeal to so many bright and talented students, NUS Business School is poised for a new take off.

  • 2017

    The NUS MBA launched an Innovation and Entrepreneurship specialisation to groom dynamic entrepreneurs and future business leaders.

    The NUS Executive MBA programme celebrates its 20th Anniversary.

    NUS Business School establishes a Master of Science Programmes Office as part of the Graduate Studies department.

    A new Master of Science in Finance programme is launched to address changes in the regulatory and institutional environments faced by the financial sector.

    NUS Business School partners with Pearson India to launch an exclusive executive education programme for young business professionals in India.

    NUS Business School Executive Education signs a Memorandum of Understanding with BPJS Ketenagakerjaan, Indonesia’s National Social Security Agency, to develop a bespoke programme to strengthen leadership and industry competencies.

    In partnership with Mapletree Investments, NUS Business School launches an executive training centre in Foshan, a high-tech development hub in South Eastern China.

    School introduces “Leveraging Big Data in Management” a new Executive programme in Chinese for senior business leaders to respond to the relevant needs of enterprises in the age of big data.

    Mr Liew Mun Leong, Chairman of Changi Airport Group, is appointed as the Chairman of NUS Business School Management Advisory Board.

    NUS Business School and NUS School of Computing signs a Memorandum of Understanding with China Fortune Land Development to enhance experiential learning through intensive internships and a joint talent development programme.

    NUS Business School students teamed up with General Electric Digital to bring traditional industries into the digital world.

    A new undergraduate curriculum with stronger industry collaborations and specialisations is launched to prepare students to meet 21st century market demands.

    A historic win of NUS Bizad team for sweeping all five major awards this year at NUSSU Rag & Flag- Flag Shield, Rag Gold Award, highest amount raised for FLAG, Best Float and Best Costumes. Students raised over SG$109,000 in donations in support of the Metta Welfare Association.

    The Department of Decision Sciences is officially renamed the Department of Analytics and Operations (DAO), reflecting the department’s vision to instil analytical thinking among students and drive impactful research in Asia and beyond.

    The annual NUS Bizad Charity Run 2017 raises more than $140,000 for financially disadvantaged NUS Business School undergraduates and the Autism Resource Centre (ARC).

  • 2016

    The NUS MBA celebrates its 35th anniversary. The flagship programme’s 100-strong full-time cohort consists of over 30 nationalities from diverse professional backgrounds.

    The Asia Accounting Research Centre was launched to develop market-relevant research to meet the industry’s needs for more applied research in the areas of standards development, business management, tools and methodologies.

    The Asia Pacific Executive MBA (APEX) is renamed The NUS Executive MBA in recognition of the programme’s increasingly international geographical footprint that extends beyond Asia.

    NUS Business School partners with the Stockholm School of Economics to launch the K-A Bonnier International Fellows Programme to provide opportunities for students with a passion for entrepreneurship to earn two Master’s degrees from schools on two continents.

    NUS Business School undergraduates won a gold award for their dazzling performance at the annual NUSSU Rag & Flag. Students raised $50,000 for 21 charities supported by the Community Chest.

    Into its 6th year, NUS Bizad Charity Run raises over 160,000 for the Boys’ Town, the Muscular Dystrophy Association and financially disadvantaged NUS business undergraduates.

    NUS Business School’s Global Alumni Network Office introduces its first alumni chapters in Korea and Bengaluru, India.

    The Asia Centre for Social Enterprises and Philanthropy (ACSEP) collaborates with the Tanoto Foundation to launch the “Crossing the Chasm Challenge,” to bring together social enterprises, industry mentors and students to strengthen the regional social sector.

    Nine of the 18 most influential professors aged 40 and under selected by “Singapore Business Review” are from NUS Business School.

    Professor Michael Frese, Provost’s Chair and Head of Management and Organisation, receives the Distinguished Career Contributions Award by the Leipzig Congress of the German Psychological Society in recognition for his contributions over a lifelong career in psychology.

    NUS Business School collaborates with TODAY newspaper for the first time to host a panel discussion on “Leading Innovation”.

    The China Business Centre partners with China’s Ministry of Environmental Protection for the first time to organise a flagship forum that addresses pertinent issues China is facing towards a sustainable transformation.

    The Centre for Governance, Institutions and Organisations and ASEAN CSR Network launch the first Sustainability Consortium of Professionals and Educators (SCOPE) to promote research, teaching and practice of sustainability and responsible business in the region.

    NUS Business School hosts the inaugural DRUID Asia conference in Singapore to debate the future of Asian innovation. A global community of academics and researchers from more than 40 universities took joined.

  • 2015

    NUS Business School celebrates its 50th anniversary

    More than 1,300 staff, students and alumni of NUS Business School as well as members of the public came together at the NUS Bizad Charity Run to raise over $140,000 for students of Assumption Pathway School and financially needy NUS business undergraduates.

    NUS Business School join hands with Chicago Booth to launch an executive education programmes under “The Asia Executive Series” in November 2015. The first programme to focus on emerging CFO’s in the dynamic Asian market.

  • 2014

    NUS Business School launched the Asia Leaders in Financial Institutions (ALFI) programme to equip industry practitioners with the capabilities to assume regional and global responsibilities, including Chief Executive Officer-level leadership and specialist roles.

    The School honoured prominent leaders in business, health, property and sports at the Eminent Business Alumni Awards.

    Assoc Prof Ishtiaq Pasha Mahmood from NUS Business School became the first faculty member at a Singapore university to be conferred the prestigious Aspen Faculty Pioneer Award, dubbed ‘Oscars of the business school world’ by the Financial Times.

    NUS Business School established a $1.11 million memorial fund in honour of the late Professor Leong Siew Meng, a key faculty member of the School who passed away in September 2013 after a prolonged battle with cancer.

    NUS Business School launched the China Business Centre (CBC) with the aim of providing policy makers, practitioners and academics with a world-class resource centre and research platform for China business and education.

    Students from NUS Business School emerged as champions in both the international and national categories of this year’s UOB-NUS Case Competition.

    Mr Masaaki Shirakawa, former Governor of the Bank of Japan, was appointed as Distinguished Visiting Fellow at NUS Business School from 25 August 2014 to 10 September 2014.

  • 2013

    Professor Bernard Yeung, Dean and Stephen Riady Distinguished Professor of NUS Business School, won the prestigious Irwin Outstanding Educator Award, becoming the first person from an Asian institution to win the honour.

    NUS Business School addressed opportunities and challenges in China’s asset management sector at fifth Wee Cho Yaw Singapore-China Finance and Banking Forum.

    Founding President and Chief Executive Officer of CapitaLand Group, Mr Liew Mun Leong, was appointed as Provost’s Chair Professor (Practice) in both the National University of Singapore (NUS) Business School and the Faculty of Engineering.

    NUS & IBM joined hands to establish Centre for Business Analytics to build world-class analytics capabilities.

  • 2012

    Ranked top university in Asia, and 8th in the world, in the 2012 QS World University Rankings by Subject (Accounting & Finance). Ranked 3rd in Asia-Pacific in the 2012 QS Global 200 Business Schools Report.

    The Princeton Review places NUS Business School among world’s best in “The Best 294 Business Schools: 2012 Edition”.

    The NUS MBA ranked 23rd worldwide in the Financial Times MBA 2012 Rankings.

    NUS Business School ranked 42nd in 2012 University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) Top 100 World Rankings of Business Schools based on Research Contribution from 2007-2011.

    NUS Business School debuts in Financial Times Executive Education rankings at 64th in the open enrolment category, an d 67th in the customised programme category.

  • 2011

    The NUS MBA ranked 23rd worldwide in the Financial Times MBA 2011 Rankings.

    Launch of Centre for Strategic Leadership.

    Launch of Centre for Governance, Institutions and Organisations.

    Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) list ranked NUS Business School first in Asia and 15th in the world for accounting and finance.

    Ranked top school in Singapore and Asia, and fourth among business schools outside the United States, in Forbes rankings for two-year MBA programmes. This is the first time a Singapore business school has made the list.

    The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) – NUS Executive MBA ranked 9th worldwide in the Financial Times EMBA 2011 Rankings, the first time the programme is included in the list.

    The NUS Asia-Pacific Executive (APEX) MBA ranked 19th worldwide in the Financial Times EMBA 2011 Rankings, as among the top 5 in Asia. The APEX MBA, offered in English and Chinese, topped the ‘International Students’ category for three consecutive years.

    Named ‘Best Business School in Far East Asia’ in Eduniversal 2011 Rankings.

  • 2010

    Launch of Centre for Asset Management Research and Investments. NUS Business School’s 45th Anniversary Celebrations – Grand Opening of the Mochtar Riady Building named after Dr Mochtar Riady, Lippo Group’s Founder and Chairman, in recognition of its generous gift to the School.

    Cited as ‘the topmost business school in Asia’; named one of the best 300 business schools worldwide, according to The Princeton Review.

    Launch of Asia’s first PhD-MBA programme.

    Faculty research ranked among Top 100 Business Schools by University of Texas at Dallas (No. 48 globally and No. 2 in Asia).

    The NUS EMBA ranked 27th worldwide in the Financial Times EMBA 2010 Rankings.

  • 2009

    The NUS EMBA ranked 11th globally in the Financial Times EMBA 2009 Rankings, the highest ranking ever achieved by any Singapore MBA programme in global MBA rankings.

    The NUS MBA ranked 35th globally (5th in Asia Pacific) in the Financial Times MBA 2009 Rankings, including 11th globally in International Experience and 1st in Singapore in Career Progression and Placement Success.

    Ranked 1st in Asia-Pacific most favored by global recruiters by QS Top MBA.

    NUS business graduates are the most desired by employers, securing the highest full-time permanent employment rate, according to the 2008 Graduate Employment Survey data released by the Ministry of Education.

    The NUS MBA ranked 89th globally, including top 20 in the School’s education experience and salary increase post-graduation by Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).

    Rated 1st among all Business Schools in Asia in Eduniversal 2009 Rankings.

    Received the renowned European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS) accreditation.

    Launch of Asia Centre for Social Entrepreneurship and Philanthropy.

    Appointment of new management advisory board, comprising prominent business leaders, corporate chiefs and alumni.

  • 2008

    The NUS MBA ranked 89th globally, 9th in Asia by Economist Intelligence Unit ‘Which MBA?’ Rankings (one of the only two Business Schools in Asia to have moved up in rankings).

    First Asian School to be a full member of CEMS (The Global Alliance in Management Education).

    Ranked 2nd in Asia and 88th globally by Aspen Institute for ‘Beyond Grey Pinstripes’ Rankings for 2007-2008.

    Faculty research ranked among Top 100 Business Schools by University of Texas at Dallas (No. 47 globally and No. 4 outside of North America).

    Ranked among top 3 Business Schools in the Far Eastern Asia region by Eduniversal.

    Official opening of the S3 Asia MBA programme, a double degree MBA programme jointly established by Fudan University, Korea University and NUS Business School.

    Appointment of Prof Bernard Yeung as the new dean of NUS Business School starting from 1 Jun 2008.

  • 2007

    The NUS MBA ranked among Top 100 MBA Programmes (No. 81) globally by Financial Times, including No. 2 in International Mobility and No. 12 in International Experience rankings.

    Launch of Commencement Class Giving programme.

    Launch of Building Excellence Campaign.

    School received a $21 million gift from the Lippo Group and the Riady family.

    Groundbreaking Ceremony of the Mochtar Riady Building.

    Ranked No. 1 in Asia-Pacific most favored by global recruiters by QS Top MBA.

  • 2006

    The NUS MBA ranked among Top 100 MBA Programmes (No. 92) globally by Financial Times, including No. 5 in International Mobility and No. 12 in International Experience rankings.

    The NUS MBA ranked among Top 100 MBA Programmes (No. 99) globally by Economist Intelligence Unit.

    Faculty research ranked among Top 100 Business Schools by University of Texas at Dallas (No. 51 globally and No. 4 globally outside of North America).

    The NUS APEX MBA ranked among Top 30 Executive MBA Programmes (No. 29) globally by Financial Times.

    Ranked No. 1 in Asia-Pacific most favored by global recruiters by QS Top MBA.

  • 2005

    School celebrates 40th Anniversary.

    Launch MBA with Specialisation in Healthcare Management with Faculty of Medicine.

    Launch of MSc(Management) for all NUS undergraduates and a double honours degree programme with NUS Faculty of Law.

    NUS APEX MBA ranked among Top 30 (No. 30) Executive MBA Programmes globally by Financial Times.

  • 2004

    Launch of Saw Centre for Financial Studies.

    Launch of MBA with Specialisation in Real Estate with School of Design and Environment.

    Launch of Business School Overseas Alumni Chapter in Beijing.

  • 2003

    Accredited by AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) International.

    Launch of NUS-UCLA Executive MBA programme, a double degree programme in collaboration with UCLA Anderson School of Management.

    School goes on air with television commercial on CNBC (followed by spots on CNN and Channel News Asia in 2004).

  • 2002

    Faculty of Business Administration renamed School of Business.

    School ranked among Top 100 Business Schools globally by Economist Intelligence Unit.

    Launch of Corporate Governance and Financial Reporting Centre.

  • 2001

    Launch of International MBA (IMBA) programme, a double degree program in collaboration with Peking University.

    NUS MBA programme ranked among Top 100 MBA Programmes globally by Financial Times.

  • 2000

    Formation of NUS Business School Alumni Association.

    Set up of Centre for e-Business.

  • 1999

    Faculty of Business Administration ranked the top MBA school in Asia by Asia Inc magazine.

  • 1997

    Launch of Asia-Pacific Executive MBA (APEX-MBA) in both English and Chinese.

  • 1993

    Introduction of a first hybrid modular system by Faculty of Business Administration.

  • 1992

    Launch of Modern Management Programme (Mandarin) Alumni.

  • 1987

    School of Accountancy moves to newly-formed Nanyang Technological Institute.

    Faculty’s name shortened to the Faculty of Business Administration.

  • 1985

    Formation of MBA Alumni.

  • 1983

    Reorganisation of Faculty of Accountancy and Business Administration into School of Accountancy and School of Management.

    Launch of Stanford-NUS executive programmes in Asia.

    Formation of MBA Club.

  • 1982

    Launch of Modern Management (Mandarin) Programme.

  • 1980

    Set up of the Faculty of Accountancy and Business Administration at the newly established National University of Singapore. The Faculty comprises the Department of Accountacy and Department of Business Administration.

    Launch of part-time MBA programme.

  • 1978 – 1980

    Relocation from Bukit Timah to Kent Ridge campus.

  • 1978

    Implementation of joint-campus scheme between the Nanyang University and the University of Singapore.

  • 1972

    Graduation of first batch of 26 students in the Diploma of Business Administration programme.

  • 1969

    Formation of School of Accountancy and Business Administration with the merger of the Department of Business Administration of the then Singapore University and the Department of Accountancy of the Singapore Polytechnic.

  • 1966

    Enrolment of first cohort of 24 students.

    Set up of University of Singapore Business Administration Society.

  • 1965

    Set up of the Department of Business Administration, under the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, led by Acting Head Professor A H Zecha.

  • 1961

    Staff from the University of British Columbia seconded to the sub-department of Business Administration, Department of Economics.

    Business administration introduced as a course in the Department of Economics at the University of Singapore.