Vasoo, S

Sushilan Vasoo (b. 1941) is an academic, politician and a pioneer in initiating critical services in the social service sector. He served as a member of parliament (MP) for over 15 years.  He was conversant in all four official languages – English, Mandarin, Malay, and Tamil - an uncommon phenomenon among politicians.

Born to an Indian father and a Chinese mother, Vasoo completed his secondary school education in 1959 and began his career as a trainee factory supervisor in a rubber plantation in Kluang, Malaysia. After three years in this role, he became a psychiatric nurse at the Woodbridge Hospital in Singapore. Later, in 1967, he enrolled in social studies at the University of Singapore (now the National University of Singapore, NUS) and graduated with a diploma with distinction in 1969. Subsequently, he obtained his master's degree in 1976 and a Ph.D. in 1986, both in social work from the University of Hong Kong.

In 1971, Vasoo became the first President of the Singapore Association of Social Workers. He then worked as the Deputy Director at the Singapore Council of Social Service from 1973 to 1979. In 1974, he initiated the Henderson Old People’s Community Home, the first community home for the aged, which became a blueprint for subsequent homes. His pioneering effort in 1976 in starting the Ang Mo Kio Social Service Centre was later replicated in many towns as today’s Family Service Centres. The same year, he set up the first volunteer service bureau, paving the way for the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre. He also served as the director of the National Council of Social Service and Community Chest from 1984 to 1986.

Later, Vasoo pursued an academic career at the University of Singapore as a Lecturer from 1979 in the social work department. He became a senior Lecturer in 1987 and eventually an associate professor in 1998.

He was fielded as a candidate by the People’s Action Party (PAP) in the 1984 general elections and was elected as an MP from Bo Wen constituency. In the 1988 general elections, he moved to the Tiong Bahru GRC, which was allocated to multi-ethnic candidates. Vasoo was considered an ethnic Indian owing to his paternal ethnic identity. He moved over to Tanjong Pagar GRC in the 1991 general elections, representing the Radin Mas division until 2001 when he stepped down. He continued as an honorary advisor to Ang Mo Kio GRC, promoting active ageing in place for seniors. On the academic side, NUS appointed him an associate professorial fellow in 2002 and an emeritus professor in 2020.

Vasoo was recognised with several awards for his contribution to social service. In 2023, he received the Lifetime Volunteer Award from Allkin Singapore, and in 2024, he received the Outstanding Lifetime Volunteer Award from the Ministry of Social and Family Development, on which occasion the Minister, Masagos Zulkifli, referred to his reputation as the ‘father of community work’.



For more information
Vasoo, Sushilan (Dr). Oral history interview by Claire Yeo, 31 August 2009. Transcript and MP3 audio, 12:27:49. National Archives of Singapore (accession no. 003410)
“Champion for the poor.” The Straits Times, 29 July 1990, 23. (From Newspaper SG)
“Multi- lingual man of the people.” The Straits Times, 10 April 1984, 9. (From Newspaper SG)
“Our Advisors.” Ace Seniors. Accessed 1 August 2025. https://www.aceseniors.org/copy-of-our-profile-1

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The information in this article is valid as of August 2025 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. If you have any feedback on this article, please submit here.