Professor Lam Khin Yong is NTU Singapore’s first Vice President (Industry), driving strategic industry partnerships and fostering innovation. Previously, as Senior Vice President (Research) (2014–2022), he managed NTU’s research ecosystem, overseeing an annual budget exceeding S$700 million. He has held pivotal leadership roles, including Acting Provost, Chief of Staff, and Dean of the School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering.
A strong advocate of the Triple Helix framework, Prof Lam has established partnerships with industry leaders such as Continental, Alibaba, and ExxonMobil, as well as global research collaborations with institutions like the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and the University of Cambridge. Before NTU, he held senior positions at the National University of Singapore (NUS) and the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), where he founded key research institutions such as the Institute of High Performance Computing (IHPC).
Professor Lam’s numerous awards include the French Legion of Honour (2017) for fostering academic and industry collaborations that strengthened bilateral relations between France and Singapore, the honorary title of Senior Advisor to the Hungarian Minister of Culture and Innovation for his contributions to Hungary’s higher education and research-innovation-enterprise ecosystems, and, most recently, the title of Honorary Senator of the Technical University of Munich for his scientific achievements, academic leadership, and support of TUM in Singapore. In 2018, he received Singapore’s President’s Science and Technology Medal (PSTM) for his distinguished contributions to R&D management and development.
Currently, he co-chairs governing boards for NTU’s major partnerships and oversees NTU’s flagship initiatives. Prof Lam holds degrees from Imperial College London and MIT and attended Harvard’s Advanced Management Programme.
Hall C (Level 2)
Open
Technological breakthroughs are advancing at an unprecedented pace, driven by the rapid maturation of university-led research and industry partnerships. As fintech innovation accelerates in the areas of AI, digital assets, and digital transformation, collaborations between universities and industry players—combined with the development of real-world use cases—have become essential in empowering next-generation talent, creating new commercial solutions, and enhancing innovation capabilities within financial services. These efforts not only enhance the efficiency of humanitarian aid but also have the potential to address the sector’s most pressing and underfunded challenges.
This panel brings together leaders from academia, banking, and corporate treasury in the humanitarian sector to explore how industry-research collaboration can drive technological transformation, accelerate fintech innovation, and provide real-world experiences to the innovators of tomorrow.
Hall A (Level 2)
Open
What drives AI breakthroughs from research to real-world impact? This panel brings together global experts to discuss the collaboration needed to scale AI innovation, navigate regulation, and align research with market needs.