National University of Singapore brings home two wins at the SBR Management Excellence Awards

The visionary leadership of its CPO and NUS’s social responsibility programme benefitted around 40,000 individuals.

The National University of Singapore (NUS) bagged two major titles at the coveted SBR Management Excellence Awards for the visionary leadership of its Chief People Officer (CPO) Dr. Janson Yap, as well as the Sukahati Raya Celebration that bridges gaps within the university.

Dr. Yap has been recognised by the awards programme as he redefines HR excellence through pioneering AI strategies, positioning the university as an innovation leader. As a CPO at NUS, Dr. Yap is focused on reshaping NUS’s HR strategy to align with the institution’s evolving needs and overarching goals.

To contribute to the overall success and growth of the organisation, he has spearheaded several innovative staff progression and talent development initiatives in the areas of career advancement, employee engagement, enhancing organisational culture, and attracting top talents, amongst many others.

His strategic use of AI and data analytics in talent acquisition and human resource performance management has not only streamlined processes but also positioned NUS as a leader in HR innovation within the academic sector.

Moreover, his commitment to diversity and inclusion is evident through his creation of groundbreaking programmes that foster an inclusive campus culture. He has led initiatives to increase ethnic diversity within the department and staff, promoting an environment where every individual is valued. 

Amongst the events his team organised is the Sukahati Raya event which made an impact for more than 900 households through the festive giveaway initiative during Hari Raya Puasa observation.

Within NUS, the Office of Human Resources (OHR) staff organised a heartwarming celebratory lunch to honour the invaluable contributions of NUS's blue-collar workers. Over 300 blue-collar workers, including cleaners and bus drivers, were invited to this special event, which aimed to recognise their dedication and service to the university.

OHR also arranged a CSR event to support underprivileged households in the wider community. Over 60 dedicated staff volunteers enthusiastically participated in this event, providing over 900 underprivileged households with free or heavily subsidised groceries, helping to alleviate their financial burdens and spreading joy during the festive season.

The leadership of Dr. Yap and the Sukahati Raya event both allowed for a more inclusive and compassionate community within NUS, benefitting 40,000 people across Singapore. “We are confident that this event has made a lasting impact on the lives of those involved and has set a positive example for others to follow,” the company said.

Dr Yap was recognised as the Executive of the Year - Education, whilst the event took the  Diversity & Inclusion Initiative of the Year - Education category win in the awards programme.

The SBR Management Excellence Awards is an esteemed awards programme dedicated to recognising and celebrating the remarkable achievements of leaders, innovators, teams, and initiatives that drive growth and make a positive impact on both the business operations and its workforce.

The SBR Management Excellence Awards is presented by Singapore Business Review Magazine. To view the full list of winners, click here. If you want to join the 2024 awards programme and be acclaimed for your company's employee engagements and management initiatives, please contact Julie Anne Nuñez at [email protected].