National University of Singapore Notable Alumni

NUS Singapore needs no introduction among international students. The #1 university in Singapore has nurtured world leaders, influential CEOs, and renowned experts across various fields. The alumni network of the National University of Singapore (NUS) is diverse, with graduates making significant contributions globally in politics, business, law, and technology.

The National University of Singapore is the No. 1 university in the country. It was founded in 1980 with the merger of the University of Singapore and Nanyang University. According to the QS World University Rankings 2025, NUS is ranked 8th in the world. Prime Ministers of multiple nations, CEOs of various companies, and several other notable personalities were once students at this prestigious university in Singapore.

NUS Singapore is consistently ranked among the top 10 universities in the world, highlighting its global reputation. In this article, we will explore the notable alumni of the National University of Singapore and their achievements.

List of Notable Alumni of NUS Singapore

Check out the list of reputed alumni of the NUS Singapore:

1. Goh Chok Tong, 2nd Prime Minister of Singapore
2. Mahathir Mohamad, 4th and 7th Prime Minister of Malaysia
3. Abdul Razak Hussein – Second Prime Minister of Malaysia
4. Jayakumar – former Deputy Prime Minister, Singapore
5. Chew Choon Seng – former chairman of Singapore Airlines, Chairman of the Singapore Exchange and the Singapore Tourism Board
6. Parinda Ranasinghe Jr. – Attorney General of Sri Lanka
7. Min-Liang Tan: Co-founder, chairman, chief executive officer (CEO)

Let’s explore more about these famous alumni of the National University of Singapore:

Goh Chok Tong

Goh Chok Tong was the 2nd Prime Minister of Singapore, serving from 1990 to 2004. He was a student at the National University of Singapore (NUS), where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with first-class honours in economics. He played an important role in shaping Singapore’s economic policies and governance and contributed to the country's development. He was a Member of Parliament (MP) when he retired from politics in 2020.

Mahathir Mohamad

Mahathir Mohamad is a popular leader in world politics. He served as the 4th and 7th Prime Minister of Malaysia. Mahathir held PM office from 1981 to 2003 and later from 2018 to 2020. He graduated with an MBBS degree from NUS’ predecessor institution, King Edward VII College of Medicine, in 1953. Mahathir Mohamad is Malaysia’s longest-serving Prime Minister.

Abdul Razak Hussein

Abdul Razak Hussein was the 2nd Prime Minister of Malaysia. He introduced the New Economic Policy (NEP) to reduce poverty and promote economic growth. He studied at Raffles College, a predecessor of the National University of Singapore (NUS).

S. Jayakumar

S. Jayakumar is a senior politician and a former deputy prime minister in Singapore. He graduated from the National University of Singapore with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) degree and was called to the Bar in 1964. He served as minister of foreign affairs, home affairs and other important ministries of the Singapore government.

Chew Choon Seng

A well-known Singaporean businessman and former chairman of Singapore Airlines, Chew Choon Seng was once a student at the National University of Singapore (NUS). He played a significant role in shaping Singapore’s aviation and financial sectors. After earning his degree in mechanical engineering from the National University of Singapore, he pursued a master’s degree at Imperial College London.

Parinda Ranasinghe Jr.

Parinda Ranasinghe Jr. was a popular legal expert from Sri Lanka who served as the Attorney General of Sri Lanka. He made significant contributions to improving the country's legal system, including the judiciary. Parinda completed his law degree at the University of Singapore, now known as the National University of Singapore (NUS).

Min-Liang Tan

Min-Liang Tan is a Singaporean entrepreneur and the co-founder, chairman, and CEO of Razer Inc., a leading global gaming hardware and software company. He studied law at the National University of Singapore (NUS) before venturing into the gaming industry. Under his leadership, Razer Inc. has become a renowned brand in the gaming industry.

Also Read:

• MBA in Singapore
• MS in Singapore
• Scholarships to Study in Singapore

That concludes our list of reputed alumni of the National University of Singapore, representing various fields and countries. These individuals have made remarkable contributions in their respective fields and NUS has played an important role in being who they are today.

As Singapore’s #1 university, NUS offers world-class education and opportunities for aspiring students. If you’re planning to pursue higher studies in Singapore, being part of NUS could be a transformative experience you don’t want to miss! Check out the NUS Singapore Admission page for information related to enrollment.