Dr Tay Eng Soon

Tay Eng Soon, Dr (b. 20 January 1940, Singapore - d. 5 August 1993) contributed greatly to the moulding of technical and polytechnic education in Singapore as Senior Minister of State (Education). He spearheaded the Gifted Education Programme in 1981, set up Singapore's fourth polytechnic, Nanyang Polytechnic and established the Singapore Open University Degree Programme. 

Education
His early education was at Anglo-Chinese School, Singapore.
1960 : Topped the Higher School Certificate Exams
1960 - 1963 : University of Bristol, United Kingdom, graduated with 1st Class Honours in Electrical Engineering, Bachelor of Science.
1963 - 1966 : University College, London, United Kingdom, graduated with Ph.D. in Microwave Engineering.
1977 - 1979 : University of Singapore, graduated with Diploma in Business Administration.

Career
1966 - 1970 : Research Associate, Culham Laboratory, United Kingdom.
1970 - 1978 : Associate Professor, Engineering Faculty, University of Singapore
1971 - 1981 : Board Member, Science Council of Singapore
1972 - 1974 : Board Member, Singapore Telephone Board
1974 - 1981 : Board Member, Telecommunication Authority of Singapore
1976 - 1979 : Board Member, Singapore Science Centre
1978 - 1980 : Director of Defence Science Organisation, Ministry of Defence
1979 - 1981 : Board Member, Singapore Institute of Standards and Industrial Research
1979 - 1980 : Board Director, Avimo Singapore Pte Ltd, Singapore Electronic & Engineering Ptd Ltd; Chairman of Samaritans of Singapore.

Politics
1980 : First entered politics and elected Member of Parliament for River Valley.
1980 - 1984 : Member of Parliament for River Valley constituency
1 Apr 1981 - 12 Sep 1988 : Minister of State (Education)
2 Jan 1985 - 17 Feb 1986 : Minister of State (Ministry of Information and Arts)
13 Sep 1988 - 5 Aug 1993 : Senior Minister of Sate (Education)

Hobbies
Swimming, tennis

Award
1978 : Public Service Medal
4 Dec 1999 : Commendation Award from People's Action Party.

Dr Tay died of heart failure at the age of 53 whilst still in office.

Family
Wife: Dr Rosalyn Carson
Son: Robert Tay
Daughters: Lucy Tay and Tay Su Lian



Author
Jenny Tien



References
Ministry of Culture. (1977). Biographical notes of the President, Prime Minister and ministers. Singapore: Publicity Division, Ministry of Culture.
(Call no.: RSING 328.59570922 BIO)

Ng, I. (1993, August 7). Tay Eng Soon revealed. The Straits Times, Life, p. 1.

Ng, W. J. (1993, August 6). Dr Tay Eng Soon dies of acute heart failure. The Straits Times, p. 1.

Zuraidah Ibrahim. (1993, August 6). A moral man and a good brother. The Straits Times, p. 34. 



The information in this article is valid as at 2002 and correct as far as we can 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.

Subject
Personalities>>Biographies>>Political Leaders
Cabinet officers--Singapore
Politicians--Singapore
Education>>Special education>>Gifted students
Education>>Higher education
Law and government>>Public administration>>Ministries of state



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