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Outstanding Graduate Mentor Award

Celebrating Excellence and Dedication in PhD Mentoring
About the Award
Graduate Mentors play a significant role in fostering and steering the development of postgraduate scholars in their research pursuits, and professional and personal growth as the latter navigate their academic journeys. The Outstanding Graduate Mentor Award is a university-level award to formally acknowledge, inspire, and encourage excellent mentorship, and to recognise a mentor's lifetime contributions in nurturing the next generation of future scholars, thought leaders, and game changers.
Award Entitlement
  • Monetary value of S$3,000
  • One (1) Research Scholarship Block (RSB) scholarship
Eligibility
The Award is intended for faculty who have demonstrated sustained, career-long excellence in mentorship.
  • Full-time faculty member, with a primary appointment in NUS
  • Graduated at least 10 graduated students (PhD and/or Master's by Research) as the main thesis advisor.
  • One-time honour. Past winners are not eligible for re-nomination.
Evaluation Criteria
Nominations will be evaluated with reference to evidence of strength, positive impact and commitment to the support and development of the students’ postgraduate journey. The focus is on long-term impact and career success.

  1. Lifetime Impact: Emphasis on the nominee's long-term impact on students’ development and career trajectory, not primarily on immediate research results or publication counts. Success in different sectors (academia, industry, government, etc.) will be highly recognised.
  2. Successful Mentoring: Successful completion of degree through well-structured relationships and the willingness to invest time and effort in guiding and supporting students’ personal and professional development.
  3. Ethical Practice: Promotes good scientific practice, research, and academic integrity.
  4. Supportive Environment: Providing a supportive, inclusive, and conducive environment, including advocating for students and helping them access resources.
  5. Career Preparation: Effectiveness in preparing students to be innovative scholars and thought leaders, and commitment to supporting their continued success and professional growth post-PhD.
  6. Service Contribution: Significant contributions to department/faculty/university graduate committees.
Nomination and Submission Process
01
NUSGS sends the Call for Nominations to Faculty Vice Deans (Graduate).
November 2026
02
Faculty Vice Deans solicit nominations from Heads of Department. Each department may nominate one candidate to the Faculty.
Faculty/School Deadline
03
Faculties will review nominations and submit up to two candidates, with complete nomination packages to NUSGS.
Early-February 2027
University-Level Evaluation and Award Conferment
04
Evaluation of submissions by the University Graduate Mentoring Committee (UGMC).
For shortlisted candidates, the Evaluation Committee may, if necessary, seek additional letters from alumni as part of the evaluation process.
Mid-March 2027
05
Submission of recommendations to Provost and President for approval
Mid-May 2027
06
University Awards
May- August 2027
Required Documents
  1. Candidate's reflection (up to three (3) pages): In the reflection, nominees should articulate their understanding of what it means to be an outstanding graduate mentor and the goals that guide their mentoring practice. They should reflect on their mentoring journey and how their approach has evolved over time. Nominees are encouraged to consider both their most meaningful or proud mentoring experiences and their most challenging experiences, including where they believe their guidance made a meaningful difference and where they see room for further growth and improvement. The reflection should also include:
    • The nominee’s mentoring philosophy, including their values, beliefs and goals;
    • An impact narrative outlining contributions to the academic and professional development of graduate students; and
    • Other evidence of contributions to graduate education at NUS and their significance.
  2. A list of current and past PhD/Master's by Research students mentored by the candidate (as the main thesis advisors), along with their placements and noteworthy achievements at NUS or later in their career; template attached.
  3. Curriculum Vitae (up to five (5) pages).
  4. Testimonials from at least 10% of the nominee’s graduated students, or three (3) to five (5) letters, whichever is appropriate. Testimonial must focus on the candidate's long-term impact on the career trajectory of their mentees, covering both academic and personal support. Diversity of placement and achievements (including academic and non-academic paths) are especially encouraged. Alumni letters should address 2–3 of the guiding questions:
    • How did your advisor support your intellectual and academic development?
    • How did your advisor influence your long-term career trajectory?
    • What specific examples or experiences demonstrate the impact of your advisor's mentorship?
    • Do you maintain contact with your advisor after graduation?
  5. A nomination letter from Head of Department (HoD) (up to two (2) pages) outlining why the candidate is an outstanding mentor. In addition to the candidate’s contributions to graduate mentoring, the letter should also briefly comment on other aspects of the candidate’s contributions to the NUS community, such as teaching and service, where relevant, as the award recognises faculty members who serve as role models within the University.
Evaluation Committee
Nominations will be first evaluated by the Faculty Vice Dean for Graduate Studies, and finally by the University Graduate Mentoring Committee (UGMC) which comprises of a chairperson and four other members from STEM and non-STEM disciplines:
Professor
Shen Zuowei
Faculty of Science, Department of Mathematics/
Director, Institute of Mathematical Sciences (Chairperson)
Emeritus Professor
Shirlena Huang
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences,
Department of Geography
Professor
Yan Ning
College of Design and Engineering,
Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Professor
Wong Lim Soon
School of Computing, Department of Computer Science/
Deputy Dean, NUS Graduate School
Associate Professor
Sylvie Alonso
Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine,
Department of Microbiology and Immunology
Past Award Recipients
Professor Abhik Roychoudhury
2024 Award Recipient
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Professor Yan Ning
2025 Award Recipient
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Professor Liu Xiaogang
2026 Award Recipient
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