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It is an immense honour to be appointed Rector of Ridge View Residential College, National University of Singapore. I welcome the opportunity to support the vibrant community of students, fellows, and staff as we embark on the next chapter in RVRC’s journey.

As we enter our second decade, let us reaffirm our commitment to make our college one of the most esteemed places to be as a student. We have an incredible opportunity to demonstrate how the RVRC community can advance education, foster friendships, and explore networks and spaces to collaborate in finding solutions to current multi-dimensional challenges. I hope I can play some part in leading our college’s focus on the twin themes of sustainability and workplace readiness. We are fortunate to be part of NUS, the best Global University in Asia, preparing students for the future. There is much we can learn and harness in terms of talent, leadership and imagination as we work on the agenda focused on people and the planet.

I thank you for entrusting me with this responsibility. I hope that the journey we take together will build our resolve and resourcefulness to contribute to our planet’s well-being and the flourishing of our humanity.

 

Dr Noeleen Heyzer

Rector

 

 

Dr. Noeleen Heyzer was an Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations (2007-2015) and the first woman to serve as the Executive Secretary of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) since its founding in 1947. Responding to the 2008 global financial crisis, she developed ESCAP as the platform for the region to rethink and implement new drivers of inclusive and sustainable development. Before that, she was the first Executive Director outside of North America to lead the United Nations Development Fund for Women (1994-2007). She was widely recognized for playing a critical role in the Security Council’s adoption and implementation of landmark Resolution 1325 (2000) on Women, Peace and Security, undertaking numerous missions to conflict-affected areas worldwide. Dr. Heyzer served under four UN Secretary Generals (UNSG) and was the UNSG’s Special Adviser for Timor-Leste (2013-2015), working to support peacebuilding, state-building, and sustainable development. She was also a member of the UNSG’s High-Level Advisory Board on Mediation (2017-2021) and the UNSG’s Special Envoy for Myanmar (2021-2023).

Dr. Heyzer has served on numerous boards and advisory committees of international organizations, including the UNDP Human Development Report, Board of Trustees of the National University of Singapore (NUS), the Governing Board of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy(NUS),  the Kofi Annan Global Commission on Elections and Democracy in the Digital Age. She was also on the High-level Commonwealth Commission on Respect and Understanding chaired by Nobel Laureate Prof. Amartya Sen, and appointed a jury member of US, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s Innovation Award for Women’s and Girl’s Empowerment 2010.

Click image for Dr Noeleen Heyzer's CV

Rector’s remarks at the RVRC 10th Anniversary Dinner

It is my honour to be a part of the RVRC 10th Anniversary Celebration. Congratulations to everyone who has helped to bring us to this moment. Let’s acknowledge all with a round of applause.

On this special occasion, let me address the student community to share what makes RVRC so special. You have the privilege of being in the top university in Asia, you are being prepared to be future-ready graduates provided with a holistic education to position you well to move through your working life. But there is something more. As I walked through the corridors of RVRC, I saw a poster with the words “The World is Our Classroom”. Yours is an interconnected world that is changing fast, especially with AI. Very likely you will have more than one job and more than one career. You will have to engage in life-long learning and keep gaining new skills. What is important is not just what to learn but learning how to learn.

The focus of RVRC is sustainability. In our complex world challenged by disruptions, we desperately need wise and ethical leadership to be sustainable. My wish for you on this 10th Anniversary is to become thought leaders of the future, practicing quality leadership in whatever field you choose to be in. May RVRC become the caring heart of NUS.

Gala Dinner - Rector

Upcoming Events for Rector

Rector-dialogue

You can watch the lecture on YouTube by clicking here.