Nanyang Technological University facts for kids

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Nanyang Technological University

南洋理工大学 (Chinese) Universiti Teknologi Nanyang  (Malay) நன்யாங் தொழில்நுட்ப பல்கலைக்கழகம் (Tamil)
Coat of arms
Former name	Nanyang Technological Institute (1981–1991)
Type	Public research university
Established	1 August 1981; 43 years ago (1981-08-01)
Endowment	S$2.3 billion (US$1.8 billion)
Chancellor	Tharman Shanmugaratnam
President	Ho Teck Hua
Provost	Ling San
Academic staff	1,775
Administrative staff	6,608
Students	31,687
Undergraduates	23,665
Postgraduates	8,022
Address	50 Nanyang Ave, Singapore 639798
Campus	50 Nanyang Ave, Singapore 639798 (Main campus) 11 Mandalay Road, Singapore 308232 (Novena campus)
Colors	NTU Red      NTU Blue
Affiliations	ACU, APRU, ASAIHL, AUN, DAAD, UAiTED, WA, Global Alliance of Technological Universities
Website	www.ntu.edu.sg

Nanyang Technological University (NTU) is a large public university in Singapore. It was started in 1981, making it the second-oldest independent university in the country. NTU is often ranked among the top 30 universities in the world. It is considered one of Singapore's most important universities, along with the National University of Singapore.

NTU has many different colleges and schools. These include the College of Engineering, College of Science, and the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine. It also has special research centers, like the Earth Observatory of Singapore. NTU's main campus is huge, covering 200 hectares (490 acres) of land. This makes it the biggest university campus in Singapore.

The main campus is in the western part of Singapore. NTU also has two other smaller campuses. These are located in areas known for healthcare and new businesses. In 2021, NTU had over 34,000 students and more than 7,600 staff members.

History of NTU

Early Beginnings: Nanyang University (1960–1980)

Before Singapore became independent, Nanyang University (NU) was founded in 1955. It was located near where NTU stands today. The old administration building of NU is now the Chinese Heritage Centre. This building is a national monument.

Joining Forces: Renaming and Merger (1980)

NTU is not a direct continuation of the old Nanyang University. In 1980, the Government of Singapore combined Nanyang University with the University of Singapore. This created the National University of Singapore (NUS). Many students and alumni of the old Nanyang University were unhappy. Nanyang University taught in Chinese, but the new NUS used English.

Later, as NTU grew, efforts were made to connect it to Nanyang University. In 1996, the records of Nanyang University alumni were moved to NTU. This helped NTU feel more connected to the older university's history.

Nanyang Technological Institute (1981–1991)

After Nanyang University merged, the Nanyang Technological Institute (NTI) was created in 1981. NTI was connected to the National University of Singapore. It took over the old Nanyang University campus.

NTI's main goal was to train engineers for Singapore. When it opened in 1982, it had 582 students. They studied civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering. By 1990, NTI had grown to over 6,800 students. More engineering schools were added. The School of Accountancy also moved to NTI. In 1990, the government decided to merge the Institute of Education with NTI. This would form the new NTU.

NTU Today: Present Form

In 1991, NTI officially merged with the National Institute of Education (NIE). This created the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) as we know it today. In 1996, the alumni records of the original Nanyang University were given to NTU.

For a while, NTU and NUS shared applications and fees. This changed in 2004 as both universities became more distinct. In 2006, NTU became an independent university. Today, it is one of Singapore's two largest public universities. NTU also works with other universities and research agencies. They offer a special scholarship for PhD students worldwide.

NTU's Coat of Arms

When NTU was founded in 1991, it adopted the Coat of Arms from NTI. This special symbol was given to NTI in 1982.

The Coat of Arms has a shield divided into two parts. The bottom part shows a lion walking on a white background. The top part has two atomic symbols and a cog-wheel on a red background.

Each part of the symbol has a meaning. The lion shows the close ties between NTI and NUS. The battlement represents the School of Civil and Structural Engineering. The atoms stand for the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. The cog-wheel represents the School of Mechanical and Production Engineering.

NTU Campuses

Campus Design and Buildings

NTU is known for its beautiful campus. It has been called one of the "World's Most Beautiful Universities." The ADM building and the Learning Hub are especially famous.

Many well-known architects designed buildings at NTU. Kenzō Tange, a famous Japanese architect, designed the main campus layout. This includes the North Spine, which opened in 1986. The ADM building was designed by Singaporean architect Lee Cheng Wee. The unique Learning Hub, also called the Hive, was designed by British designer Thomas Heatherwick.

Yunnan Garden Campus

Yunnan Garden Main Entrance

NTU's main campus is the 200-hectare (2.0 km²; 0.77 sq mi) Yunnan Garden Campus. It is next to the town of Jurong West. This is Singapore's largest university campus. It has 24 student dorms for undergraduates and two for graduate students.

The land for the campus was first given by the Singapore Hokkien Association to Nanyang University. In 1981, it was given to the Nanyang Technological Institute. When NTI became NTU, the land was given to the new university.

The old Nanyang University administration building is now the Chinese Heritage Centre. It became a national monument in 1998. The Nanyang University Memorial and its original arch are also national monuments. There is a small lake called Nanyang Lake on campus. Only members of the NTU Anglers' Club can fish there.

The campus was also used as the Youth Olympic Village in 2010. This was for the first-ever Youth Olympic Games.

Novena Campus

Clinical Sciences Building

NTU has a third campus called Novena Campus. It is near the Tan Tock Seng Hospital in Novena. This campus is used for medical teaching and research. It is home to the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine. The new 20-story Clinical Sciences Building was finished in 2016. It has laboratories and spaces for researchers.

Student Dorms

NTU has 23 Halls of Residence for undergraduate students. Each hall can hold between 500 and 659 students. In total, they can house 14,000 students from Singapore and other countries. All new students are guaranteed a room for their first two years.

All dorms are co-ed, meaning both boys and girls live there. They are separated by floor or wing. Students can choose single or double rooms. Double rooms are shared by students of the same gender. Each hall has common areas like lounges, reading rooms, and laundry rooms.

Getting Around Campus

NTU provides shuttle buses to help students get around. The Campus Loop Red and Blue buses go around the campus. The Campus Rider bus connects the campus to the Pioneer MRT station.

• Architecture/Facilities of NTU
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  Administration Building of Nanyang Technological University.

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  Chinese Heritage Centre, formerly the Administration Building of Nanyang University.

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  Nanyang Lake

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  The Hive

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  Interior of The Hive

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  North Spine

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  South Spine

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  School of Art, Design and Media

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  Business School

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  Business School

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  Hall of Residence 5

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  Student Accommodation

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  Hall of Residence 9

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  NTU shuttle bus on Campus Rider

Colleges and Schools at NTU

NTU is divided into several colleges and schools. Each one focuses on different subjects. Some of the first colleges, like the College of Engineering, have been part of NTU since 1991. Over the years, NTU has added more schools. These include schools for Biological Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Art, Design and Media. In 2013, NTU also opened a new medical school with Imperial College London.

Nanyang Business School

The Nanyang Business School (NBS) is the largest business school in Singapore. It has over 6,800 students. It is ranked as the best business school in Singapore. NBS has more than 160 professors from over 20 countries. They have advanced degrees from top universities worldwide.

NBS also has the Centre for Applied Financial Education. This is Singapore's largest finance lab. It has many special computer terminals. These allow students to get real-time financial news and information.

College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences

This college has four different schools:

• The Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information teaches about communication. It offers courses in Journalism, Broadcast, Advertising, and Information Studies. It was named after Singapore's former president, Wee Kim Wee.
• The School of Art, Design and Media is Singapore's first professional art school. It offers programs in Art, Design, and Media. Its building has a unique sloping grassy roof.
• In 2016, NTU divided the School of Humanities and Social Sciences into two separate schools. This was done to make space for more students.
  • The School of Humanities offers subjects like Chinese, English Literature, History, and Philosophy.
  • The School of Social Sciences offers Economics, Psychology, and Sociology.

College of Engineering

The College of Engineering is the biggest part of NTU. It is ranked among the top 5 engineering schools in the world. It is also said to be the world's largest engineering college. It has over 10,500 undergraduate students and 3,500 graduate students.

The college has six different schools. These focus on subjects like Chemical, Civil, Computer Science, Electrical, Materials, and Mechanical Engineering. They offer many different programs. Students can choose from single degrees, double degrees, or special programs. NTU also has the only aerospace engineering program in Singapore.

College of Computing and Data Science

In 2024, the areas of Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Data Science, and Artificial Intelligence became their own college. They used to be part of the College of Engineering. This new college offers exciting new programs. These include Applied Computing in Finance and Artificial Intelligence & Society.

College of Science

The College of Science has three schools. It has about 150 professors and many research and administrative staff. It also has 4,000 undergraduate and 750 graduate students.

• The School of Biological Sciences offers programs in Biological Sciences. It also has a special program in Biomedical Sciences and Traditional Chinese Medicine. This program is offered with a university in China.
• The School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences offers subjects like Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. Students can also study combinations like Chemistry with Food Science.
• The Asian School of the Environment was started in 2015. It focuses on environmental challenges in Asia. It combines different sciences to understand the environment and sustainability.

Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine

In 2010, NTU announced it would open a new medical school. This was a partnership with Imperial College London. The medical school, called the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, opened in 2013. It received large donations to help it get started. Its main partner hospital is the National Healthcare Group.

Graduate College

NTU's Graduate College was formed in 2018. It manages all the graduate programs at NTU. One program is the Interdisciplinary Graduate Programme (IGP). It allows students to do research with professors from different schools. Another program is the Industrial Postgraduate Programme (IPP). This program works with companies for industrial research.

National Institute of Education

The National Institute of Education (NIE) is Singapore's main college for training teachers. It is located on NTU's Yunnan Garden campus. NIE works closely with Singapore's Ministry of Education. Teachers in Singapore's public schools must complete a course at NIE. NIE is also known internationally. It helps other countries with their education systems.

S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies

The S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) is an independent graduate school at NTU. It is named after S. Rajaratnam, a former Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore. RSIS offers graduate programs in international relations. It has a research institute that is well-known for studying strategy and terrorism. RSIS was ranked highly among university-linked think tanks in Asia.

Research at NTU

NTU has three special Research Centres of Excellence (RCEs).

• The Singapore Centre on Environmental Life Sciences Engineering (SCELSE) studies tiny living things called biofilms. It combines Life Sciences with Engineering to understand and control these communities.
• The Earth Observatory of Singapore (EOS) is a research institute that studies the Earth Sciences. It researches earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, and climate change in Southeast Asia. Its goal is to help societies be safer.
• The Institute for Digital Molecular Analytics and Science (IDMxS) is another interdisciplinary RCE. It uses new science to improve how we measure and diagnose biomoleculars. This helps to improve global health.

Student Life and Clubs

NTU has over 100 student organizations. These include clubs for academics, culture, welfare, sports, and arts. There are also clubs for different religions and interests. Many students also join sports and performing arts activities in their dorms.

University Rankings

Overall Rankings

NTU is highly ranked by many global organizations.

• It was ranked #15 in the QS World University Rankings 2025.
• It was #32 in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2024.
• It was #30 in the USNWR 2022–2023 Best Global Universities Rankings.
• It was #93 in the ARWU 2023.

Young University Rankings

NTU is also recognized as a top "young" university.

• It was ranked #1 in the Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2023.
• It was also #1 in the QS "Top 50 Under 50" 2021.
• NTU has been ranked as the world's #1 young university by QS since 2015.

Subject Rankings

NTU's different subjects are also highly ranked.

QS Broad Subject Areas (2023)

THE Subject Ranking (2023)

GRAS (ARWU Subject Ranking) 2022

Notable Alumni

Many successful people have graduated from NTU. They work in politics, business, arts, and sports.

Politics and Public Service

• Major Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono – From Indonesian National Armed Forces, son of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
• Thet Thet Khine – Union Minister in Myanmar
• Gen. Tito Karnavian – From Indonesian National Police

Current Members of Parliament (MP) in Singapore

• Masagos Zulkifli – Minister for Social and Family Development
• Low Yen Ling – Parliamentary Secretary
• Sim Ann – Minister of State
• Zaqy Mohamad – Senior Minister of State
• Melvin Yong – Assistant Secretary General, National Trades Union Congress
• Cheryl Chan
• Yip Hon Weng
• Wan Rizal Wan Zakariah
• Ng Ling Ling – Former Managing Director of Community Chest
• Darryl David
• Derrick Goh
• Ang Wei Neng
• Desmond Tan Kok Ming
• Gerald Giam Yean Song

Retired Politicians in Singapore

• Ang Mong Seng
• Intan Azura Mokhtar
• Lee Bee Wah
• Inderjit Singh
• Teo Ser Luck
• Yu-Foo Yee Shoon
• R Sinnakaruppan – First Students' Union President
• Yee Jenn Jong
• Cheo Chai Chen
• Sebastian Teo Kway Huang – Former President of the National Solidarity Party

Business and Technology Leaders

• Tan Chin Hwee – CEO of Trafigura
• Richard Teng – CEO of Binance
• Chade-Meng Tan – "Jolly Good Fellow" at Google Inc

Academia and Research

• Shirley Meng – Professor of NanoEngineering
• Yew-Kwang Ng – Professor of Economics
• Anthony Fok – Economics tutor and author

Arts and Humanities

• Ho Ho Ying – Abstract artist
• Liang Wern Fook – Composer, poet, and essayist
• Sarah Choo Jing – Multidisciplinary fine artist
• Zihan Loo – Film director, actor, dancer
• Quek See Ling – Poet, writer, and painter

Media and Entertainment

Sports Stars

• C Kunalan – Former National Sportsman and Educator
• Calvin Kang Li Loong – National Sprinter
• Lee Wung Yew – Multiple SEA Games gold medallist in shooting
• Wong Wei Long – Professional Singaporean basketball player

Notable Faculty

Many talented professors teach at NTU.

Medicine, Science and Engineering

• Bertil Andersson – Biochemistry
• Freddy Boey – Materials Engineering
• Balazs Gulyas – Neuroscience
• Philip Ingham – Zebrafish models for Human diseases
• Daniela Rhodes – Structural and Molecular Biology
• Kerry Sieh – Geology and Seismology
• Rudolph A. Marcus – Nobel Laureate in Chemistry 1992
• George James Augustine – Professor in Neuroscience

Humanities and Social Sciences

• Li Chenyang – Philosophy academic, specialist in Confucian ethics
• Grace Chia – Literature
• Liang Wern Fook – Chinese Studies, Mandopop singer-songwriter

Business and Technology

• Vijay Sethi – First Economist Intelligence Unit Business Professor of the Year

Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information

• Richard Ling (retired) – Studied social effects of mobile communication

See also

In Spanish: Universidad Tecnológica de Nanyang para niños