Mr Janadas Devan Appointed Chairman of Singapore International Foundation

Singapore, 30 March 2023 – Mr Janadas Devan will be the new non-executive Chairman of the Singapore International Foundation’s (SIF) Board of Governors with effect from 1 April 2023. He succeeds Ambassador Ong Keng Yong, who has served in the post for eight years.

Mr Devan is the Director of the Institute of Policy Studies at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore. He was a journalist before joining the public sector in 2012 as Chief of Government Communications, Ministry of Communications and Information. He relinquished this position in March 2023, and remains Deputy Secretary, Prime Minister’s Office.

On his new role at the SIF, Mr Devan said, “The Singapore International Foundation has done much to connect Singaporeans to the region and the world. It exists because we know we really aren’t an island, but a piece of the continent, a part of the main. By working together with friends, near and far, SIF has helped raise mutual understanding and deepened people-to-people ties across the region. I am honoured to be asked to step into Keng Yong’s oversized shoes and to be a part of the Foundation.”

During his tenure, Ambassador Ong saw the SIF through significant milestones and breakthroughs. These included the Foundation’s 25^th and 30^th anniversaries in 2016 and 2021 respectively, as well as the launch of programmes such as the Arts for Good initiative (2016), Young Social Entrepreneurs Regional (2016), and the ASEAN Youth Fellowship (2018). He witnessed long-standing signature programmes such as Young Social Entrepreneurs and Our Better World achieve their 10-year mark.

Under his guidance, the Foundation made significant shifts to meet the demands of a changing milieu due to COVID-19. New online initiatives launched during the pandemic included the Impact Media Fellowship (2021) and e-volunteering programmes DigiLABS (2022), and youth-focussed Climate Hack (2022).

In 2022, Ambassador Ong was awarded the Medal for Peace and Friendship among Nations¹ by the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO). The SIF had undertaken important cooperation programmes with partners in Vietnam during his chairmanship.

Ambassador Ong said, “It has been my immense privilege to serve as the SIF Chairman for the last eight years. I am honoured to have played a part in the growth of the Foundation. I am touched by the many friendships forged and nurtured across borders. This would not have been possible without the steadfast support of our donors, volunteers, programme partners, and friends of Singapore, throughout the years, as well as the dedicated and professional service rendered by the staff of SIF.”

He added, “I have worked with Mr Devan in other activities and institutions where he led inspired teams to achieve significant outcomes for our society and friends. He will lead the SIF to greater heights as it continues on its mission to strengthen ties between Singapore and world communities at the people-to-people level.”

¹The award represents the highest honour awarded by VUFO for individuals who have made significant contributions in promoting cooperation between Vietnam and their respective countries, including the deepening of ties and friendship at the people-to-people level.