ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute: New Name, Continued Vision

On the 105th anniversary of Encik Yusof Ishak, ISEAS was renamed “ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute” on Wednesday, 12 August 2015. Mr Heng Swee Keat, Minister for Education, launched the Institute’s new name. Puan Noor Aishah, wife of Encik Yusof Ishak, graced the occasion as ISEAS’ Special Guest.

In 2014, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced the plan to rename the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS) to “ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute”, as one of the three ways to pay tribute to Encik Yusof Ishak, Singapore’s first President; the other two being the naming of a new mosque in Woodlands and establishing a Yusof Ishak Professorship in Social Sciences at NUS.

In his opening remarks at the renaming ceremony, Professor Wang Gungwu, Chairman, ISEAS Board of Trustees, observed that, “We all know that Yusof Ishak believed in multi-culturalism and secularism. Similarly, ISEAS studies the complexity and diversity that is Southeast Asia, as well as the integrative process happening within the ASEAN framework, and the region’s interactions with the rest of the world.” Read Professor Wang Gungwu’s speech.

Minister Heng Swee Keat also acknowledged the Institute’s growth in scope and repute over the years, as it developed its own independent identity and priorities as a think tank. He emphasised Encik Yusof’s commitment to the vision of Singapore as a progressive, meritocratic, and multicultural society, and expressed his hope that “as ISEAS continues in its next 50 years as the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute,….its name will constantly call to mind all that vision – of equality, justice, harmony and strength amid diversity.” Read Minister Heng Swee Keat’s speech.

On the occasion, the Institute also launched a monograph and photo exhibition on Encik Yusof Ishak – about the man, his ideals, and his role in Singapore’s nation-building.

From left: Minister Yaacob Ibrahim, Dr Imran Yusof Ishak (son of Encik Yusof Ishak), Puan Zarinah (wife of Dr Imran Yusof Ishak), Puan Noor Aishah (wife of Encik Yusof Ishak), Minister Heng Swee Keat, Minister Masagos Zulkifli and Professor Wang Gungwu.

Mr Heng Swee Keat presented Puan Noor Aishah with the monograph “Yusof Ishak – Singapore’s First President” by ISEAS Fellow, Dr Norshahril Saat, featuring recollections from his colleagues, friends and family. Contributions from Puan Noor Aishah, Minister Yaacob Ibrahim, Mr Winston Choo, military aide-de camp to Encik Yusof, and Mr Larry Ong, Encik Yusof’s personal private secretary are featured in the monograph.

A photograph exhibition on Encik Yusof Ishak was also opened at the Institute’s Library by Puan Noor Aishah. A book entitled, “ISEAS: Studying Southeast Asia”, which traces the history and evolution of the Institute in the last 50 years, was also launched at the ceremony. Veteran Straits Times journalist, Mr Lee Kim Chew, authored the book.

(Seated, from left): Prof Wang Gungwu, Puan Noor Aishah, Puan Zarinah, and Mr Tan Chin Tiong (Director, ISEAS)
(Standing, from left): Mr Hawazi Daipi, Dr Imran Yusof Ishak, Minister Heng Swee Keat, Minister Masagos Zulkifli, Dr Norshahril Saat and Mr Zainul Abidin Rasheed

The ceremony, held at the Institute, was attended by over 120 guests including Associate Professor Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for Communications and Information and Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs, Mr Masagos Zulkifli, Minister, Prime Minister’s Office, Second Minister for Home Affairs and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Hawazi Daipi, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Education, family members, close friends and associates of Encik Yusof Ishak, representatives from the academic and business community, community leaders, and members of the diplomatic corps.