Mr Teo Chee Hean Outlines Singapore’s Systems Approach to Resilience at the JY Pillay Distinguished Speaker Series hosted by SUSS

Date: 14 Nov 2025

  • The second edition of annual speaker series explores how nations can thrive amid global uncertainty

Singapore, 14 November 2025 – Against a backdrop of global uncertainty and rapid change, the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) today hosted the second edition of the JY Pillay Distinguished Speaker Series, held in honour of one of Singapore’s most respected public servants, Mr JY Pillay, and his enduring contributions to public service.

Mr Teo Chee Hean delivering his lecture at SUSS’ JY Pillay Distinguished Speaker Series event

This year’s lecture, themed “Navigating Tomorrow: Resilience in an Uncertain World”, featured Mr Teo Chee Hean, Senior Advisor, Prime Minister’s Office and Chairman, Temasek Holdings as the Guest-of-Honour and keynote speaker. Held at Sofitel Singapore City Centre, the event welcomed over 300 attendees, including business leaders, industry professionals and students. 

Resilience in an Uncertain World – A Systems Approach

In line with the series’ spirit of reflection and collective learning, Mr Teo emphasised the importance of building resilience to Singapore’s continued success in today’s uncertain and troubled world. He added resilience must be built – deliberately over time – for a small and globally connected country like Singapore, and as a cohesive system where every part reinforces the other.

Drawing on examples from Singapore’s nation-building journey, he outlined four guiding principles that underpin the country’s systems approach:

  1. Gathering collective strengths to maximise our advantages and minimise our disadvantages of being small;
  2. Thinking strategically and creatively to turn adversity into advantage;
  3. Working as a system, not in silos, across government, business and community; and
  4. Learning from others while innovating and creating solutions tailored to Singapore’s unique context.

He also emphasised that “resilience is not built by government alone, but by all of us,” calling for deeper collaboration and a continued culture of learning, innovation and unity to keep Singapore adaptable and confident in the years ahead

Group photo (from left to right): Associate Professor Ding Ding, Dean, School of Business, SUSS; Mr Hsieh Fu Hua; Mr Teo Chee Hean, Senior Advisor, Prime Minister’s Office and Chairman, Temasek Holdings; Mdm Halimah Yacob, Chancellor, SUSS; Professor Tan Tai Yong, President, SUSS; Mr JY Pillay; Mrs Mildred Tan, Chairman, SUSS Board of Trustees and Professor Robbie Goh, Provost, SUSS

Dialogue and Reflections

Following the keynote lecture, attendees engaged in a Q&A session with Mr Teo. Moderated by Professor Tan Tai Yong, President, SUSS, the robust discussion explored how countries, businesses and communities can strengthen resilience, foster collaboration, and build a sustainable and confident future together.

Professor Tan Tai Yong, President of SUSS, said “As a university dedicated to the social sciences, SUSS plays a vital role in deepening understanding of the forces shaping society and developing leaders who respond with insight and purpose. The JY Pillay Distinguished Speaker Series honours Mr Pillay’s legacy of public service and reaffirms our commitment to thoughtful discourse on governance, leadership, and resilience. We are privileged to have Mr Teo Chee Hean articulate how nations can navigate complexity with purpose, lead with foresight, and strengthen the foundations of a resilient society.”

Honouring a Legacy of Vision and Service

The JY Pillay Distinguished Speaker Series, established by SUSS in 2024, celebrates Mr Pillay’s lifelong contributions to Singapore’s development and governance, as well as his commitment to principled leadership and excellence in public service.

Made possible through the generosity and partnership of Mr Hsieh Fu Hua and friends of Mr Pillay, whose continued support has sustained this meaningful platform for dialogue and reflection, the series brings together distinguished leaders and thinkers to share perspectives on governance, leadership and resilience – values that remain foundational to Singapore’s continued success.