LIM Siong Guan 林祥源
Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) Project,
Accession Number E000817
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 1
Total Reels
- Rachel Hau
Interviewer
- 00:39:30
Total Running Time
- English
Language
Copyright Notice
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Reel/Disc 1 of 1
Metadata
- 11 Nov 2019
Recording Date
- 00:39:30
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Lim Siong Guan was appointing governor of IPS from 1999-2005, when he was Singapore’s Head of Civil Service. He first spoke about the beginnings of IPS. He had suggested calling it Institute of Policy Studies, rather than Institute of Political Studies. He recounted frustration among IPS research staff that their work had limited policy impact; his suggestion was to look at future trends and propose policies accordingly, instead of trying to influence present-day policies.
He did not see the direction of IPS change although different directors brought different perspectives. However, he recalled a period of uncertainty when there was “the sense that you have been abandoned by your initial parentage”. IPS could have been shut down. Thus, he saw the merger with Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy as a good decision. He spoke about social challenges and needs that existed despite Singapore’s economic success. Looking forward, IPS should focus on social issues. He mentioned social challenges, innovation and graciousness, topics which he covered in his IPS-Nathan lectures (which he delivered from September-November 2017).
Ultimately, while IPS had attained a professional standing and occupied a unique space in Singapore, if it wanted to do big picture, forward looking work, it would need a patron, as regular clients would not pay for research with such a long term view (e.g. 10-30 years ahead).
