Tony Tan - Seventh President of Singapore, Facts and Life
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Tony Tan Keng Yam is the current and seventh president of Singapore
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthday | February 7, 1940 |
| Nationality | Singaporean |
| Famous | Massachusetts Institute Of Technology, Leaders, Political Leaders, Presidents, Educators, Seventh President of Singapore |
| Spouses | Mary Chee Bee Kiang |
| Known as | Tan Keng Yam Tony |
| Universities |
|
| Notable Alumnis |
|
| Birth Place | Singapore |
| Religion | Anglicanism |
| Gender | Male |
| Father | Tan Seng Hwee |
| Mother | Jessie Lim Neo Swee |
| Net Worth | $1.06 Billion as of Jan 26,2017 |
| Sun Sign | Aquarius |
| Born in | Singapore |
| Famous as | Seventh President of Singapore |
Tony Tan's photo
Who is Tony Tan?
Tony Tan Keng Yam is the seventh president of Singapore. He was a bright student and attended the University of Singapore, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and University of Adelaide, ultimately earning his doctorate in applied mathematics. While he is best known for his political career, he started off teaching physics and mathematics at the University of Singapore and a few years later took a position as a banking manager at Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation. Ten years later, he was elected to serve in Singapore's Parliament. He also joined the Singapore Cabinet and served in several different roles during his tenure including Minister for Finance, Minister for Education, among others. Outside of his Cabinet posts, he continued his work with the University of Singapore as Vice Chancellor. His emphasis on education and reform is a common theme throughout his career with many achievements in standardizing Singapore's educational system as the country reached greater economic heights. In 2010, he decided to run for the presidency and won in 2011. He has championed investments in society and encouraged fundraising and volunteerism among his constituents. His achievements and leadership have been celebrated with awards on many occasions by several institutions.
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Childhood & Early Life
Tony Tan Keng Yam was born on February 7, 1940 in Singapore to Tan Seng Hwee and Jessie Lim Neo Swee.
His studied at St Patrick's School and St Joseph's Institution in Singapore. Therafter, he attended the University of Singapore with a scholarship and earned his undergraduate degree in physics.
He acquired his Master's degree in operations research from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). After that, he obtained his doctorate degree in applied mathematics from the University of Adelaide.
Career
After finishing his higher education, he went on to teach math and physics at the University of Singapore in 1964.
Five years later, he took a position with Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation (OCBC) where he worked for ten years.
His political career began in 1979 when he became a member of parliament and soon after was appointed a Senior Minister of State of Education.
In 1980, he joined the Cabinet of Singapore and served in several positions separately during his time in the Cabinet, including the Minister for Trade and Industry, Minister for Finance, Minister for Education and Minister for Health. He made some of his most important contributions during his time as the Minister for Education during which he made many changes to the educational system.
He oversaw the merger of Singapore University and Nanyang University to form the National University of Singapore in 1980.
He served as Vice Chancellor for a year at the University of Singapore and then moved up to Minister-in-charge for another two years until 1983. He was the youngest Vice Chancellor in the history of the university.
In 1991, Tan relinquished his Cabinet position, but kept his place in Parliament, and took up the position of chair and CEO at the OCBC.
He returned to serve in the Cabinet in 1995 and took the positions of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence.
In 2003, he become coordinating Minister for Security and Defence but kept his position of the Deputy Prime Minister.
After stepping down from the Cabinet for a second time, he assumed the chairman position of the National Research Foundation, deputy chairman of the Research, Innovation and Enterprise Council as well as the role of the Executive Director of the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation and Chairman of Singapore Press Holdings Limited in 2005.
In 2010, he resigned from his positions and started his campaign for the presidency of Singapore.
He won the presidency in 2011 and remains in office currently. He is the seventh president of Singapore.
During his political career, he has steadfastly worked towards economic solvency for Singapore, while also pushing backup plans should economic crisis occur. His presidency is marked by his encouragement of social economy, termed "social reserves," which includes volunteerism and social movements.
Awards & Achievements
In 1988, he was presented the National Trades Union Congress Medal of Honour for his work on elevating and preserving the economic status of Singapore during his time as Minister for Trade and Industry.
He was awarded the National University of Singapore Eminent Alumni Award in 2005 for his contributions to the institution.
Most recently, his leadership and service was honored with a medal from the Foreign Policy Association in 2011.
Personal Life & Legacy
He is married to Mary Chee Bee Kiang and they have four children - three sons and one daughter.
He modernized standards for education in his country by making significant changes to Singapore's educational system, including the requirement that students had ten years of primary schooling before moving on to higher or career-based schooling.
He has contributed to several institutions and organizations including his alma maters - the Singapore Dance Theatre, the Singapore Computer Society, SJI International, among others.
He created the term "social reserves" for his efforts in cultivating social movements and giving.
Trivia
He was the youngest Vice Chancellor appointed at the University of Singapore.
His trademark symbol for his presidency is a pair of black glasses on white background.
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Tony Tan biography timelines
- // 7th Feb 1940Tony Tan Keng Yam was born on February 7, 1940 in Singapore to Tan Seng Hwee and Jessie Lim Neo Swee.
- // 1964After finishing his higher education, he went on to teach math and physics at the University of Singapore in 1964.
- // 1979His political career began in 1979 when he became a member of parliament and soon after was appointed a Senior Minister of State of Education.
- // 1980In 1980, he joined the Cabinet of Singapore and served in several positions separately during his time in the Cabinet, including the Minister for Trade and Industry, Minister for Finance, Minister for Education and Minister for Health. He made some of his most important contributions during his time as the Minister for Education during which he made many changes to the educational system.
- // 1980He oversaw the merger of Singapore University and Nanyang University to form the National University of Singapore in 1980.
- // 1983He served as Vice Chancellor for a year at the University of Singapore and then moved up to Minister-in-charge for another two years until 1983. He was the youngest Vice Chancellor in the history of the university.
- // 1988In 1988, he was presented the National Trades Union Congress Medal of Honour for his work on elevating and preserving the economic status of Singapore during his time as Minister for Trade and Industry.
- // 1991In 1991, Tan relinquished his Cabinet position, but kept his place in Parliament, and took up the position of chair and CEO at the OCBC.
- // 1995He returned to serve in the Cabinet in 1995 and took the positions of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence.
- // 2003In 2003, he become coordinating Minister for Security and Defence but kept his position of the Deputy Prime Minister.
- // 2005After stepping down from the Cabinet for a second time, he assumed the chairman position of the National Research Foundation, deputy chairman of the Research, Innovation and Enterprise Council as well as the role of the Executive Director of the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation and Chairman of Singapore Press Holdings Limited in 2005.
- // 2005He was awarded the National University of Singapore Eminent Alumni Award in 2005 for his contributions to the institution.
- // 2010In 2010, he resigned from his positions and started his campaign for the presidency of Singapore.
- // 2011He won the presidency in 2011 and remains in office currently. He is the seventh president of Singapore.
- // 2011Most recently, his leadership and service was honored with a medal from the Foreign Policy Association in 2011.
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Tony Tan's FAQ
What is Tony Tan birthday?
Tony Tan was born at 1940-02-07
Where is Tony Tan's birth place?
Tony Tan was born in Singapore
What is Tony Tan nationalities?
Tony Tan's nationalities is Singaporean
Who is Tony Tan spouses?
Tony Tan's spouses is Mary Chee Bee Kiang
What was Tony Tan universities?
Tony Tan studied at Massachusetts Institute Of Technology (MIT), University of Adelaide, National University of Singapore, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, St. Joseph's Institution, Singapore
What was Tony Tan notable alumnis?
Tony Tan's notable alumnis is Massachusetts Institute Of Technology (MIT)
What is Tony Tan's religion?
Tony Tan's religion is Anglicanism
Who is Tony Tan's father?
Tony Tan's father is Tan Seng Hwee
Who is Tony Tan's mother?
Tony Tan's mother is Jessie Lim Neo Swee
What is Tony Tan's sun sign?
Tony Tan is Aquarius
How famous is Tony Tan?
Tony Tan is famouse as Seventh President of Singapore