Navin Rajagobal

20 years of experience and achievements in higher education, academic and research innovation, public policy, diplomacy and international relations, sustainable development and community service.

Demonstrated senior leadership, external engagement, strategic planning, programme and project management, risk management, COVID mitigation, transformation and innovation, diversity and inclusion, service integration, and new institution start-up expertise, including overseeing very large multi-functional and cross-campus teams.

Current or past responsibility for departments such as Academic Services & Operations, Admissions & Financial Assistance, the Registrar, Career Centre, International Exchange and Summer Programmes, Academic Affairs, Research & Grant Administration, Research Institutes & Centres, Faculty Affairs, Faculty Human Resources, Student Services, and Law and Liberal Arts (Head of Studies).

Trained by the United Nations and Singapore's Ministry for Foreign Affairs, and worked for the Ministry of Trade & Industry, Ministry of the Environment & Water Resources (now, Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment) and other agencies in international relations and industry development roles.

Representation at United Nations (e.g., UN Commission on Sustainable Development, UN Environment Programme, UNESCAP), Alliance of Small Island States, ASEAN, IAEA, FTA and other international negotiations and fora.

Partnered with institutions such as the World Bank, ADB, ASEAN and UN on sustainable development and other impactful initiatives and agreements.

Lectured in the Global Affairs major of Yale-NUS College, the Political Science Department of the National University of Singapore, and the Masters/Graduate Diploma of Trade & Diplomacy program of Monash University.

District Councillor in Singapore's east with a focus on future ready skills, environmental sustainability, education, youth, and corporate social responsibility (CSR).

Ph.D. from Monash University and a B.A. (Honours) First Class from the University of Tasmania, which were obtained under the auspices of prestigious Australian OPRS, MGS and Tasmania Honours scholarships.

Accolades include: Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Prize, Athol Townley Memorial Prize, George Wilson Prize, F. C. Green Prize, and Australia-Asia Association of Tasmania Prize.

Senior Management Programme of the NUS Business School.

Member of Mensa Australia. Tested by the University of Melbourne.

Senior Director, Singapore Management University (current).

Director of Academic Affairs, Yale-NUS College, Yale University & National University of Singapore  (2014-2021).

Deputy Director, Centre for International Law, National University of Singapore (2009-2014).

Senior policy, international relations, diplomacy and sustainable development roles, Singapore Government (2003-2009).

Research Fellow, Monash Asia Institute, Monash University (1998-2002).

Ph.D. / doctorate from Monash University.

B.A. (Hons) First Class from University of Tasmania.

Senior Management Programme, National University of Singapore (NUS) Business School.