SINGAPORE — The law professor who was due to take over as dean of the National University of Singapore’s (NUS) Faculty of Law in July has relinquished the role for medical reasons just two weeks after his appointment was announced.
Professor Hans Tjio, 55, who was slated to have taken over from Professor Simon Chesterman, 48, as the faculty’s 15th dean, will continue in his other roles at the university, NUS said in a media release on Wednesday (March 31).
The university initially said Prof Tjio was stepping down for “personal reasons”, but a few hours later updated its statement to say that he was making the move for medical reasons instead.
“It is with deep regret that I step away from the Law Dean appointment,” said Prof Tjio. “I am grateful for the confidence and support of the university, the Law Dean search committee and colleagues have shown me during the search and appointment process.”
No elaboration of Prof Tjio’s condition was given, and NUS declined comment when approached by TODAY.
Prof Tjio, who is currently the faculty’s CJ Koh Professor of Law and the director of its EW Barker Centre for Law and Business, had informed the university’s leadership of his decision on March 26, which they accepted. His appointment was announced on March 12.
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NUS said Prof Tjio remains a senior member of the law faculty, and he will continue to focus on his responsibilities in teaching, research and engagement with the industry and legal profession.
The university added that Prof Chesterman, who has led NUS Law since Jan 1 in 2012, will continue on for a fourth term until June 30, 2023.
Read more at https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/nus-law-professor-relinquishes-faculty-dean-role-personal-reasons-2-weeks-after-news
