Shih Choon Fong

Professor Shih Choon Fong (施春风; born 1945) is President of the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology(KAUST) and a world renowned fracture mechanics expert. Before that he has been the president of National University of Singapore (NUS) for 9 years and has been widely acknowledged for creating the University’s research-intensive focus as well as for NUS’ elevated global reputation. Drawing from his experiences abroad, Shih institution... more

Professor Shih Choon Fong (施春风; born 1945) is President of the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology(KAUST) and a world renowned fracture mechanics expert. Before that he has been the president of National University of Singapore (NUS) for 9 years and has been widely acknowledged for creating the University’s research-intensive focus as well as for NUS’ elevated global reputation. Drawing from his experiences abroad, Shih institutionalized a performance- and market-based evaluation system for academics. Shih also added more flexibility and responsiveness to the rigid British-based Singapore higher education system by implementing new teaching and grading methodologies from the American system . Shih’s efforts have gained NUS growing international recognition and achievements, such as the Times Higher Education Supplement. On 13 January 2008, the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) announced that Shih will be its Founding President. Shih will fully... less