Speech by Chairman, SUSS Board Of Trustees, Mrs Mildred Tan at the JY Pillay Distinguished Speaker Series 2025

Date: 14 Nov 2025

Mr Teo Chee Hean, Senior Advisor, Prime Minister’s Office and Chairman, Temasek Holdings

Mr JY Pillay

Mdm Halimah Yacob, Chancellor of SUSS

Professor Tan Tai Yong, President of SUSS

Professor Robbie Goh, Provost of SUSS

Distinguished guests

Ladies and gentlemen

  1. It is both a joy and a privilege to stand before you today – an occasion dedicated to celebrating a man whose wisdom, integrity, and lifelong service have shaped modern Singapore in countless ways.

     

  2. Mr JY Pillay’s legacy is woven deeply into the fabric of our nation. From his pivotal role in building world-class institutions to his steadfast commitment to good governance and principled leadership, he has exemplified what it means to serve with vision, humility, and conviction, like at Singapore Airlines.

     

  3. The JY Pillay Distinguished Speaker Series, established by the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS), honours Mr Pillay’s lifelong contributions to public service and governance. Each year, it brings together eminent leaders and thinkers from Singapore and beyond to share perspectives on governance, leadership, and resilience. These are values that remain the bedrock of Singapore’s continued success.

     

  4. This morning, we are honoured to have Mr JY Pillay and his daughter in the audience with us. Thank you for gracing this occasion and for the inspiration you continue to provide to all of us at SUSS and to generations of Singaporeans.

     

  5. We live in a time of extraordinary uncertainty. The rules and norms that once underpinned global stability are shifting. Geopolitical tensions, rapid technological advances, and the growing pressures of climate change are reshaping the world around us and redefining what it means to lead, to serve, and to sustain progress.

     

  6. These challenges are deep and structural – and for a small, globally connected country like Singapore, they are magnified. Yet, it is in moments like these that our resilience matters most – the strength that allows us to stay anchored amid uncertainty, adapt with purpose, and keep faith in the future.

     

  7. On this topic of resilience, we are incredibly honoured to have Mr Teo Chee Hean with us for today’s lecture – where he will share his own perspectives about the challenges and opportunities facing nations in this uncertain time, and the mounting stress on our shared environment and resources. He will share his views on resilience – what is needed to survive and thrive in an uncertain world.

     

  8. Throughout his distinguished career, Mr Teo has played a pivotal role in strengthening Singapore’s security, governance, and sustainability. From leading the Republic of Singapore Navy to helming key ministries and now guiding long-term national priorities, he has consistently championed preparedness, institution-building, and the development of people. His leadership reminds us that resilience is not something inherited or to be taken for granted, but cultivated deliberately through vision, discipline, and service.

     

  9. On behalf of everyone here today, I would like to express our heartfelt thanks to Mr Teo for joining us, and for his many years of dedicated service to Singapore. We are deeply grateful for your time, your insights, and your steadfast leadership in helping our nation navigate change with confidence and hope.

     

  10. I would also like to thank our long-standing partners, donors, faculty, students, and friends of SUSS. Your continued trust and collaboration are vital to our mission of nurturing lifelong learners here in our university who serve society and contribute meaningfully to our nation’s progress.

     

  11. And none of this – the continuation of this lecture series, would have been possible without the generosity and dedication of Mr Hsieh Fu Hua. I want to personally thank Mr Hsieh for leading the charge and gathering a group of friends of Mr Pillay, many of whom are here today, and whose commitment and partnership have made this lecture series possible.

     

  12. We continue to draw inspiration from Mr Pillay’s example – to lead with integrity, to act with humility, and to serve with dedication to the greater good.

     

  13. As we reflect on Singapore’s nurturing and enduring spirit of resilience and the values that have guided our nation’s journey over the past 60 years, let us take this moment to celebrate our shared milestones, and to look ahead with optimism and purpose.

     

  14. On this note, I thank you for coming and joining us, and I wish you a very eventful and successful morning. Thank you.