FORMER head of NTUC Cooperative Mr S. Chandra Das has been appointed NTU’s Pro-Chancellor from this year by the university’s Chancellor, President S. R. Nathan.

At the media conference announcing Mr Das’ appointment early this month, NTU President Su Guaning said: “Pro-Chancellors are role models for students, as they are active in private enterprise and serve the nation.”

A Pro-Chancellor oversees annual convocation ceremonies and other events assigned to him.

Dr Su added that Mr Das’ success in business and his public service record are something students should try to emulate.

Mr Das has had an illustrious career, with 16 years spent as a Member of Parliament and 12 years helming NTUC Fairprice Co-operative – earning him the nickname “Mr Fairprice”.

A recipient of many awards such as the President’s Medal in 2000 and the Distinguished Service Award in 2001, Mr Das has been chairman of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies Endowment Fund since January last year. He is also a Life Trustee of the Singapore Indian Development Association.

“I feel very honoured and proud,” said Mr Das on his appointment, adding that while he has not been assigned official duties from the Chancellor yet, he can share much of his experiences with the university.

This unpaid appointment brings NTU’s current number of Pro-Chancellors to four. Besides Mr Das, the other three NTU Pro-Chancellors are Mr Wee Cho Yaw, Mr Hsuan Owyang, and Mr Herman R Hochstadt.

Mr Das laughed when asked how he makes a living, since he will not be paid as Pro-Chancellor. “Don’t worry,” he said, adding that he still has business investments, although he keeps away from managerial duties.

Mr Das cited his links with the private sector in India that the university may benefit financially from as an example of how he can help students, and suggested sharing his expertise in business and entrepreneurship with them.

Drawing on his experiences with cooperatives – businesses that are owned and controlled by its members – like NTUC, Mr Das suggested NTU students set up such enterprises on their own to help the disadvantaged.

“I hope to promote the spirit of cooperatives,” in NTU, said Mr Das, but added that this will depend on students taking the initiative.

Mr Das has high hopes for NTU students, saying that they “should become competent in what they do, then volunteer in society so that they can give something back.”