Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy @ NUS

While much of the field was focused on China and the United States, Kanika Kaur was drawn to the relationship fewer people were studying: China and India. A graduate of the Master in International Affairs (MIA) programme at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP), Kanika is now a research analyst at the Institute of South Asian Studies at the National University of Singapore, working on China-India relations, South Asian security and technology policy. She credits LKYSPP's Socratic teaching with changing the way she thinks, and says that nearly two years on, she can still hear her professors' voices in her head whenever she sits down to work. Read her story here: https://lkyspp.sg/inquiry-judgement-and-the-human-role-in-research-and-policymaking

While much of the field was focused on China and the United States, Kanika Kaur was drawn to the relationship fewer people were studying: China and India. A graduate of the Master in International Affairs (MIA) programme at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP), Kanika is now a research analyst at the Institute of South Asian Studies at the National University of Singapore, working on China-India relations, South Asian security and technology policy. She credits LKYSPP's Socratic teaching with changing the way she thinks, and says that nearly two years on, she can still hear her professors' voices in her head whenever she sits down to work. Read her story here: lkyspp.sg/inquiry-judgement-and-the-human-role-in-research-and-policymaking

🤖 AI is changing the rules: Are governments and organisational leaders ready? From public policy to organisational decision-making, AI is reshaping how leaders operate. But turning its potential into real impact requires more than adopting new technology. Join Prof Vu Minh Khuong (LKYSPP) and Dr Xavier Xie (NUS-ISS) for an in-person fireside conversation: 📍 Ho Chi Minh City (24 October 2026): lkyspp.sg/AI-changing-the-rules-hcm Moderated by Mr Le Quang Phong, Managing Partner, Aurora Advisory and LKYSPP MPM Class of 2019. 📍 Hanoi (25 October 2026): lkyspp.sg/AI-changing-the-rules-hanoi Moderated by Ms Bui Kim Thuy, Vice Chairwoman, President Club VN and LKYSPP MPM Class of 2014. Together, they will explore how governments and organisations can harness AI effectively, navigate emerging challenges, and build capabilities for the future. 🔗 Register now. Limited seats available. Co-hosted by the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, NUS-ISS and NUS SCALE.

Major powers are reshaping the regional order through tariff and bargains, but what does it mean for the countries caught between them? Organised by LKYSPP’s Centre on Asia and Globalisation (CAG), join our expert panelists in the third installment of Counterpoint Indo-Pacific as they explore the growing prominence of economic coercion and how regional economies can protect their openness and autonomies. Tune in to the webinar on 20 October, 4 pm – 5:30 pm Singapore time (GMT+8). Register here: cag-lkyspp.com/cip3

As great-power rivalry sharpens and conflicts disrupt global energy supplies, how should Southeast Asia protect itself? In episode 15 of ASEAN in Practice, host Denis Hew, Senior Research Fellow at the Centre on Asia and Globalisation (CAG), speaks with Dr Mirza Sadaqat Huda, Senior Research Fellow at ODI Global, about the region's energy security in a more volatile world. His argument is a clarifying one: today's crisis is less a one-off shock than a symptom of a changing global system, one defined by transactional diplomacy. And in that environment, he suggests, regional cooperation is the biggest buffer a region like ASEAN has. Watch the full episode here: https://lkyspp.sg/AIP-ep15

US foreign policy has increasingly relied on political assumptions rather than observable facts. But conflicts happening now have had their seeds planted even in the post-Cold War period, leading to instability in Europe now despite a promise for peace then. This extended conflict in Europe directly affects Asian nations through possible disruptions and elevated nuclear risk, giving Pacific states a direct interest to engage in efforts to end this conflict. Read the full article here: https://lkyspp.sg/post-cold-war-peace-to-magical-realism

As a child, Bhavya Gupta never imagined a career in sustainability. Today, she is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Oxford, where her research helps governments, financial institutions, and international organisations track progress towards net-zero goals. A PhD graduate of LKYSPP, Bhavya shares how her time at the School evolved into a career focused on addressing climate change through research and evidence-based policymaking. Read her story here: https://lkyspp.sg/bridges-the-gap

What does the quantitative and analytical side of a Master in Public Policy (MPP) really look like — and do you need to be good at maths to succeed? Led by LKYSPP's Professor Lea Bou Sleiman, this webinar will address some of the questions prospective students often have about the MPP, from how much maths, statistics, and data analysis the programme requires, to how students use data and analytical methods to tackle real-world policy problems. Drawing on examples from the Methods and Tools for Policy Analysis course, we will show how students move from a policy question to evidence and analysis, and ultimately to an evidence-based policy recommendation. Whether you are wondering if an MPP might be ‘too quantitative’ for you, or simply curious about what studying policy analysis looks like in practice, this session will give you a clearer picture of what to expect. Register here: https://lkyspp.sg/Policy-Meets-Data-Webinar-2026

We recently hosted the UK Parliament's Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee for a roundtable on public service reform, as part of its work examining the organisation, performance and transformation of the UK Civil Service. The conversation covered wide ground — from governance, trust and integrity to civil service resilience, digital transformation and the use of AI. We also exchanged views on longer-term policy challenges like falling birth rates, childcare and housing, and what these mean for how governments build capability and deliver public services. Conversations like these reflect our commitment to bridging research, practice and policy across borders. 🌏

Local human activities are doing more damage than rising sea temperatures alone. In a study about collapsing coral reefs, it explains how since the 1950s, the world has lost around 50 per cent of its live coral cover (LCC), a key indicator of overall reef health. With fishing pressures and rapid urbanisation on the rise, more community-led management could lay the blueprint towards better reef protection. As Asst Prof Tong Liu, one of the lead authors of the study, shares, “the conversation needs to shift from conservation as a cost to conservation as an investment." Read the full article here: lkyspp.sg/life-or-death-for-coral-reels

Join us in Jakarta for an in-person Information Session and discover how postgraduate study at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP) can support your academic and professional aspirations. Whether you are looking to deepen your expertise in public policy, strengthen your leadership capabilities, or pursue a career addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing Indonesia, Asia and the wider world, this session offers an opportunity to learn more about the LKYSPP experience and the pathways available to you. Our team will provide an overview of LKYSPP's postgraduate programmes and practical guidance to help you identify the programme that best aligns with your experience, interests and career aspirations. Places are limited. Advance registration is encouraged. Register here: lkyspp.sg/Jakarta-Info-Session-2026

Modern governance faces complex public challenges that no single agency can tackle alone, making the Whole-of-Government (WOG) approach essential. By breaking down administrative silos, WOG fosters policy coherence, optimises resources, and streamlines service delivery. While implementation must navigate systemic friction and blurred accountability, success relies on strong commitment and an adaptable culture. Ultimately, sustaining collaboration means empowering civil servants and prioritizing citizen needs over narrow departmental targets. This post is part of the "Governance Explainers" series by the Institute for Governance and Leadership, designed to unpack complex frameworks and key concepts in an accessible format for all readers. Read the full article at: lkyspp.sg/governance-explainers-wog

A flagship policy to feed millions of children. A first delivery that arrived spoiled. The gap between those two sentences is where most social policy actually succeeds or fails. On a humid morning in early 2025, a primary school in eastern Indonesia received its first delivery under the country's new free school meal programme. The promise was simple: no child would learn on an empty stomach. Yet the food arrived late, and several items had spoiled in transit. That single moment captured the real test facing Indonesia's Program Makan Bergizi Gratis: not whether to feed children, but whether a vast, decentralised state spread across more than 17,000 islands can turn a bold promise into safe, reliable delivery. Featured in a prize-winning LKYSPP case study by Lim Jun Yi, the case study examines why social policy is won or lost not in the announcement, but in the delivery systems and public trust behind it. Read the full piece here: lkyspp.sg/nourishing-a-nation

Master in Public Administration (MPA) graduate, Hatem Amer, reflects on his lively days and insightful takeaways during his time at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore. Hatem was an Associate Minister for International Relations at Egypt's Ministry of Health and Population prior to joining the MPA programme. His typical day at LKYSPP consisted of taking core classes and engaging in intellectual discourse with his cohort. He points to the diversity of perspectives gained and meaningful connections established, as the highlights of his one-year programme. ➡️ Read his full story and other inspiring stories at lkyspp.sg/alumni-stories

(#2 of 2) This conversation was moderated by Dean Joseph Liow and featured: H.E. Alexandra Baumann, Swiss Ambassador to Singapore and Brunei Darussalam, Ms Carmen Walker Späh, President of the Government Council of Zurich, Mr Fabian Streiff, Head Office for Economy, Canton of Zurich, Prof Kishore Mahbubani, Distinguished Fellow, Asia Research Institute, NUS, Prof Reto Steiner, Dean, ZHAW School of Management and Law.

(#1 of 2) Two small states. One big conversation. This event brings together LKYSPP and ZHAW School of Management and Law to explore how open, innovative economies can thrive in a world shaped by geopolitical tensions, technological disruption, and economic fragmentation. The discussion highlighted a shared commitment to multilateralism and the importance of remaining "technologically trusted" partners rather than being forced into binary geopolitical alignments. It also further emphasises how there is a need for resilience and adaptability to maintain relevance amidst geopolitical tensions between the US and China.

Following the first official announcement of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) in October 2023, it is timely to assess whether its ambition to harness the strengths of Johor and Singapore, and their shared value proposition for attracting global investment is beginning to translate into results. In an upcoming webinar hosted by LKYSPP’s Asia Competitiveness Institute (ACI), “Assessing the Impact of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone on Foreign Direct Investment,” our speakers will examine the key policy initiatives behind the JS-SEZ, as well as recent investment patterns in Johor and other Malaysian states. The webinar will provide policymakers and businesses with an evidence-based view of where the JS-SEZ appears to be making the strongest impact, and what the evolving investment landscape may mean for future opportunities. Register here: https://lkyspp.sg/assessing-the-impact-of-js-sez

Got an innovative way to manage public policy changes? Or a compelling solution to a policy challenge? Turn it into a compelling case study! 💡 Submit your case study and stand a chance to win up to $4000! The competition is open to all students from public universities in Singapore in degree-awarding programmes, including Bachelor, Master’s and PhD Programmes. Students can participate individually, or as a group of up to 3 members. Registration closes 18 September 2026 For more details, visit: lkyspp.sg/cwc26 Or to find out more, you can email us at lkysppcase@nus.edu.sg

New faces, big ideas — meet the people powering the programmes at LKYSPP! Get to know a different side of our faculty members as they share about their favourite eats, lingo and hobbies. If you would to hear more about their research, and their experience teaching at LKYSPP, watch the full video here: lkyspp.sg/meet-the-faculty-2026

Orientation 2026 kicked off with much buzz and excitement! In a warm welcome to new LKYSPP students, our Dean and Wang Gungwu Professor in East Asian Affairs Joseph Liow set the tone for a year of learning, growth, and transformation. Faculty members also introduced themselves to the cohort, sharing their passion for public policy and their dedication to supporting students through their academic journey. The week was packed with a vibrant mix of engaging activities and essential onboarding sessions, from programme briefings to Djembe drumming and the Amazing Race. These experiences gave students the chance to learn more about Singapore and the School, while also building meaningful connections with classmates and faculty members. Welcome to the LKYSPP community and here’s to the experience of a lifetime! 🎉