LIFE BEFORE BECOMING THE PRESIDENT…

Before Mr Nathan become the President of the Republic of Singapore, he was Ambassador–at-Large and Director of the Institude of Defense and Strategic Studies at the Nanyang Technological University, which he was appointed in June 1996.

Between 1955 to the time when he was appointed President, he was appointed many positions, both politically and also non-political related.

Mr Nathan first began his career in the Singapore Civil Service as a medical social worker in 1955. In the following year, he was appointed Seamen’s Welfare Officer, and in 1962, he was seconded to the Labour Research Unit of the Labour Movement, first as Assistant Director, then later, Director until Jan 1966.

He continued as its board of trustees until April 1988.

He was transferred to the Foreign Ministry in Feb 1966. There, he served as the Assistant Secretary and rose to become the Deputy Secretary. Subsequently, he was appointed Acting Permenant Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs in January 1971.

In Aug the same year, Mr Nathan moved to the Ministry of Defence. He was director with the rank of Permenant Secretary.

However, in Feb 1979, he returned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the rank of First Permenant Secretary until Feb 1982. He left to become the Executive Chairman of the Straits Times Press Ltd (1975).

Between 1982-1988, Mr Nathan held directorship of several large companies. They include the Singapore Mint Pte Ltd, the Straits Times Press Ltd (London), Singapore Press Holdings Ltd, and Marshall Cavendish Ltd. He also held Directorship in the Singapore International Media Ptd Ltd between Sept 1996 and Aug 1999. He was also Chairman of Mitsubishi Singapore Heavy Industries (1973-1986).

From 1983-1988, Mr Nathan was Chairman of the Hindu Endowments Board. He was also a fouding member of SINDA(Singapore Indian Development Association) and its term trustee until 1999. In April 1988, Mr Nathan was appointed Singapore's High Commissioner to Malaysia. In July 1990, he became Ambassador to the United States of America where he served until June 1996.

Upon his return, Mr Nathan was appointed Ambassador–at-Large and Director of the Institude of Defense and Strategic Studies at the Nanyang Technological University.

He resigned as Ambassador–at-Large and Director of the Institude of Defense and Strategic Studies at the Nanyang Technological University on Aug 17 to stand for Election.

Mr Nathan was conferred the Public Service Star Award(1964), the Public Administration Medal(Silver)-1967-and the Meritorous Service Medal in 1974.

Encik Yusof Bin Ishak  Dr Benjamin Sheares CV Devan Nair  Dr Wee Kim Wee  Ong Teng Cheong  S R Nathan

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