Lim Pin



Singapore Infopedia

by Chua, Alvin

Lim Pin (Dr) (b. 12 January 1936, Penang, Malaysia) is an academic and a medical doctor.1 He was vice-chancellor of the National University of Singapore (NUS) for 19 years from 1981–2000, the longest term for that office.2 Lim chaired the Bioethics Advisory Committee from 2001 to 2011, and the National Wages Council from 2001 to 2014.3

Education and early career
Lim attended Raffles Institution and received three distinctions at principal level in the Cambridge Overseas Higher School (Full) Certificate examination in 1956. The following year, he was awarded a Queen’s Scholarship and pursued medical studies at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom. He graduated in 1963 and obtained his Master of Arts degree, a year later.4 Lim then worked as a registrar in the Diabetic Department at King’s College Hospital in London, and completed his Membership of the Royal College of Physicians in 1965.


Lim returned to Singapore as a specialist in endocrinology and metabolism, and was a medical officer with the Ministry of Health from 1965 to 1966, before becoming a lecturer with the Department of Medicine at the University of Singapore (now National University of Singapore).6 In 1970, he was awarded the Commonwealth Medical Scholarship, and was attached to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh in Scotland.7 In the same year, he received his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Cambridge.8

In 1974, Lim became an associate professor at the University of Singapore, and four years later, was promoted to professor and the head of the Department of Medicine.9 As head, Lim introduced the practice of having lecturers assessed by students in 1979. That year, he was appointed deputy vice-chancellor of the university.10

Career at NUS

When the University of Singapore merged with Nanyang University to form NUS in 1980, Lim headed a committee that was convened to oversee staff integration.11 The following year, he was appointed vice-chancellor of NUS and early on, signalled his intention to place greater emphasis on the university’s research and development efforts.12 

During his term, the number of research institutes established at NUS increased. These include the Centre for Advanced Studies (1982), Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (1987), Institute of Micro-electronics (1990) and Institute of Molecular Agrobiology (1995). In addition, the university’s research and development  programmes in areas such as software and systems engineering, and molecular and cell biology complemented Singapore’s push into knowledge-intensive, high-technology and high value-added industries.13 Lim’s role as deputy chairman of the Economic Development Board from 1995 to 2000 allowed him insight into the expertise and manpower needs of the economy, and he actively supported research and development collaboration with private companies.14 

NUS Technology Holdings, was formed in 1995 to develop the university’s research efforts into commercial applications.15 Lim later regarded the establishment of a research culture as his most important contribution to NUS.16 In addition, he increased the number of foreign teaching staff at NUS, revamped its curriculum to allow for more cross-discipline flexibility, and cut lecture hours in favour of more tutorial time.17 

During Lim’s term as vice-chancellor, there were two high-profile departures from NUS – neuropsychology lecturer and politician Chee Soon Juan, who was sacked for misconduct in 1993, and American lecturer Christopher Lingle, who left Singapore abruptly in 1994 and returned to the United States amid police investigations into his alleged contempt of court. He was later found guilty in absentia. Another significant incident was the protest by students against a fee increase in 1997. Lim, and then Deputy Prime Minister Tony Tan met the students, and the protest ended after discussions between the two parties.18

Lim stepped down as vice-chancellor in May 2000, and returned to academia as Professor of Medicine at NUS. He also began practising as a senior consultant in endocrinology at the National University Hospital, and was named University Professor, the highest academic award accorded by the university to a senior faculty member.19

Holding a clinical interest in endocrinology, Lim has produced more than 100 research papers, including a number on the areas of calcium and magnesium metabolism, diabetes mellitus and thyroid disease.20 

Bioethics Advisory Committee
Lim was appointed chairman of the newly formed Bioethics Advisory Committee (BAC) in December 2000.21 The BAC examines legal, ethical and social aspects of biomedical research in Singapore and makes policy recommendations to the government.22 It also carries out consultations with various public groups, including religious and professional ones as part of the recommendations process.23

In November 2001, the BAC gave its approval for the use of embryos no older than 14 days for human stem cell research.24 In June 2002, the BAC also recommended that therapeutic cloning of embryos to produce stem cells be allowed under strict regulation.25 Its recommendations on stem cell research, reproductive and therapeutic cloning were accepted by the government in July 2002, and later adopted into legislation.26

Under Lim’s chairmanship, the BAC also produced ethical guidelines on the collection, storage and use of human tissue for research, genetic testing and human-animal combinations in stem cell research among others.27 He stepped down as chairman in 2011, and was named the committee’s emeritus adviser.28

Other offices
Lim succeeded fellow academic Lim Chong Yah as chairman of the National Wages Council (NWC) in April 2001.29 The council is a tripartite body bringing together representatives from employee unions, industry and the government, and makes recommendations on wage adjustments.30 In 2003, the NWC called for wage reform with salary structures to be made more flexible through the use of monthly variable components linked to performance and productivity, and for salaries to be delinked from seniority.31 In 2012, the NWC recommended minimum built-in wage increase for low-wage workers.32 Lim stepped down from the position in 2014.33


In September 2007, Lim chaired a committee that studied and proposed a national annuity scheme.34 The committee, which included representatives from the unions, non-governmental and grassroots organisations as well as academia, proposed 12 annuity plans that were accepted by the government in February 2008 to make up the National Lifelong Income Scheme (also known as CPF Life).35

Lim is the founder-president of the Endocrine and Metabolic Society of Singapore, a former Master of the Academy of Medicine (Singapore) and Overseas Advisor to the Royal College of Physicians of London. He has been chairman of Applied Research Corporation and NUS Technology Holdings, and director of companies such as Neptune Orient LinesOverseas Union Bank and United Overseas Bank. Lim has also sat on the boards of a number of think tanks, including the Institute of Policy Studies, the Institute of East Asian Political Economy and the Singapore International Foundation.36

Awards
37 

1976: Fellow, Royal College of Physicians, London.
1978: Fellow, Royal Australasian College of Physicians.
1981: Fellow, Royal College of Physicians, Edinburgh.
1981: Fellow, American College of Physicians.
1982: Honorary Fellow, College of General Practitioners, Singapore.
1982: Eisenhower Fellowship.
1984: Pingat Pentadbiran Awam (Emas) (Public Administration Medal, Gold).
1988: Officier, Ordre des Palmes Academiques.
1990: Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Meritorious Services Medal).
1992: Honorary Fellow, Royal Australian College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists.
1992: Honorary Member, National University of Singapore Society.
1995: Friend of Labour Medal, National Trades Union Congress.
1997: Honorary Fellow, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow.
1999: Honorary Doctorate of Science, University of Hull.38
1999: Honorary Fellow, Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.39
2000: Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (Distinguished Service Order).
2002: Lifetime Achievement Award, Lee Foundation-National Healthcare Group.
2003: Outstanding Service Award, National University of Singapore.40
2015: Distinguished Service Medal, National Trades Union Congress.41

Family42
Lim met his wife, Shirley Loo, a Kuala Lumpur-born law student, in the United Kingdom. They have two sons and a daughter.



Author

Alvin Chua



References
1. Tan Guan Heng, 100 Inspiring Rafflesians, 1823–2003 (Singapore: World Scientific, 2008), 135–37 (Call no. RSING 373.5957 TAN); Low Kar Tiang, ed., Who’s Who in Singapore (Singapore: Who’s Who Pub, 2006), 308. (Call no. RSING 920.05957 WHO)
2. M. Nirmala, “Don Who Launched a Gentle Revolution in an Ivory Tower,” Straits Times, 18 March 2000, 54. (From NewspaperSG)
3. Amelia Tan, “Former NWC Chief Helps Low-Wage Workers,” Straits Times, 30 April 2015, 3 (From NewspaperSG); “Past Members,” Bioethics Advisory Committee, accessed 20 September 2016.  
4. “The Queen’s Scholarships for Three,” Straits Times, 18 May 1957, 4 (From NewspaperSG); Lee Eng Hin, “Citation on Professor Lim Pin – 16th Gordon Arthur Ransome Orator,” Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore 32, no. 2 (March 2003)
5. “Lim Pin,” National University of Singapore, accessed 20 September 2016; Lee, “Citation on Professor Lim Pin – 16th Gordon Arthur Ransome Orator.” 
6. National University of Singapore, “Lim Pin”; “Honourary Graduate, Lim Pin During His Conferment of the Degree of Doctor of Science,” National University of Singapore, accessed 20 September 2016.
7. National University of Singapore, “Lim Pin.”
8. National University of Singapore, “Honourary Graduate, Lim Pin During His Conferment of the Degree of Doctor of Science.”
9. National University of Singapore, “Lim Pin.”
10. Christine Khor, “V-C Who Puts People First,” Straits Times, 18 May 1981, 6. (From NewspaperSG)
11 Edwin Lee and Tai Yong Tan, Beyond Degrees: The Making of the National University of Singapore (Singapore: National University of Singapore, 1996), 188. (Call no. RSING 378.5957 LEE)
12. “Needs of Our Society – New Focus of NUS Research,” Straits Times, 2 June 1981, 9 (From NewspaperSG); Lee and Tai, Beyond Degrees, 196.
13. Lee and Tai, Beyond Degrees, 216–19; M. Nirmala, R&D Generates Fame – and a Little Fortune – for NUS,” Straits Times, 30 August 1995, 3; Chua Mui Hoong, “NUS Hopes To Produce Well-Rounded Graduates With Global Outlook,” Straits Times, 28 September 1996, 33. (From NewspaperSG)
14. M. Nirmala, “He’s Never Afraid To Try New Things,” Straits Times, 13 August 1999, 42; “NSTB Chairman Named EDB’s 2nd Deputy Chairman,” Business Times, 1 February 2000, 8. (From NewspaperSG)
15. “NUS Starts Seed Capital Company for R&D Spin-Offs,” Straits Times, 10 March 1995, 46. (From NewspaperSG)
16. M. Nirmala, “An Advocate of Change,” Straits Times, 13 August 1999, 42. (From NewspaperSG)
17. Lee and Tai, Beyond Degrees, 196–99, 205–6; Nirmala, “Don Who Launched a Gentle Revolution in an Ivory Tower”; M. Nirmala, “Bold Changes to NUS Curriculum,” Straits Times, 13 August 1999, 4. (Fromm NewspaperSG)
18. M. Nirmala, “Recalling the V-C Blues,” Straits Times, 18 March 2000, 54. (From NewspaperSG)
19. Tracy Quek, “Top University Honour for Prof Lim Pin,” Straits Times, 24 May 2000, 41; Ahmad Osman, “NWC Chief Will Keep ‘Open Mind’,” Straits Times, 7 April 2001, 8. (From NewspaperSG)
20. Lee, “Citation on Professor Lim Pin – 16th Gordon Arthur Ransome Orator.” 
21. “Lim Pin Gets New Job,” Today, 9 December 2000, 4. (From NewspaperSG)
22. “What We Do,” Bioethics Advisory Committee, accessed 20 September 2016.  
23. Chuang Peck Ming, “Ethical Issues Key Challenge for Bio-Ethics Team,” Business Times, 7 February 2001, 9; “Panel Sought Various Views for Guidelines,” Straits Times, 22 June 2002, 19. (From NewspaperSG)
24. Peh S. H., “Singapore Indicates Approval for Stem Cell Research,” Reuters, 17 November 2001. (From Factiva via NLB’s eResources website) 
25. “It Can Be Used As a Last Resort,” Straits Times, 25 June 2002, 8. (From NewspaperSG)
26. Chang Ai-Lien, “Human Stem Cell Research Gets the Green light,” Straits Times, 18 July 2003, 1. (From NewspaperSG)
27. Chang Ai-Lien, “Guidelines for Tissue Research Drawn Up,” Straits Times, 13 November 2002, 15; Chang Ai-Lien and Lee Hui Chieh, “22 Guidelines Set for Genetic Research,” Straits Times, 26 November 2005, 2; Grace Chua, “Health Ministry To Draft Bill on Stem-Cell Research,” Straits Times, 18 September 2010, 2. (From NewspaperSG)
28. Chang Ai-Lien, “Laws ‘Must Keep Pace With Science’,” Straits Times, 25 February 2012, 10. (From NewspaperSG)
29. Ahmad Osman, “NWC Chief Will Keep ‘Open Mind’.”
30. “National Wages Council,” Singapore Tripartism Forum, accessed 18 August 2016.  
31. Chia Sue-Ann, “Wage Cuts and Reforms Proposed,” Straits Times, 22 May 2003, 1. (From NewspaperSG)
32. Toh Yong Chuan, “NWC: Give Built-In Pay Rises,” Straits Times, 24 May 2012, 1 (From NewspaperSG); Tan,  “Former NWC Chief Helps Low-Wage Workers.” 
33. Tan, “Former NWC Chief Helps Low-Wage Workers.” 
34. Lee Siew Hua, “‘If You Think You’re Old, You Talk Yourself Into Being Old’,” Straits Times, 28 September 2007, 33. (From NewspaperSG)
35. Li XueYing, “CPF Annuities Scheme Will Offer Members 12 Options,” Straits Times, 13 February 2008, 26. (From NewspaperSG)
36. National University of Singapore, “Lim Pin.”
37. National University of Singapore, “Lim Pin.”
38. “University of Hull honours NUS Vice-Chancellor,” Campus News no. 137 (July–August 1999): 2. (Call no. RSING 378.5957 CN)
39. “Vice-Chancellor Honoured,” Campus News no. 139 (November–December 1999): 2(Call no. RSING 378.5957 CN)
40. “NUS’ Longest-Serving Vice-Chancellor Gets Service Award,” Straits Times, 27 August 2003, 6. (From NewspaperSG)
41. Tan, “Former NWC Chief Helps Low-Wage Workers.” 
42. Khor, “V-C Who Puts People First.” 

 

 

 


The information in this article is valid as at 7 October 2016 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.


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