Dr Su Guaning is made a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour (Légion d'Honneur) for his outstanding efforts in promoting ties with France in science, academia and the military.

He was both "honoured" and "fascinated" when he learnt of his admission to the Order in a letter from Mr Jacques Chirac, President of the French Republic.

Honoured, because the award is the highest distinction France can bestow for service to the nation.

And "fascinated", Dr Su added candidly at the award ceremony on 21 November, because of "the privilege of being admitted into 'knighthood'".

Dr Su received the coveted decoration from the French Ambassador to Singapore, His Excellency Jean-Paul Réau, in the presence of colleagues, family and friends.

Highest distinction for service to the nation
The title of Chevalier (Knight) in the National Order of the Legion of Honour is the highest distinction awarded by the French government. It recognises eminent service to the nation regardless of citizenship or nationality.

Dr Su received the honour for promoting ties with France in the scientific, academic and military fields.

Instituted by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, the National Order of the Legion of Honour has five classes, the Knight ("Chevalier") being of the highest status.

Dr Su joins the ranks of luminaries such as Mr David Marshall, Mr Tommy Koh and Tan Sri Dr Runme Shaw in receiving the badge of the Legion – a white enameled star of five rays on a wreath of leaves with a gold medallion in the centre ringed by blue enamel.

Long-standing relations and pioneering ties
Dr Su's engagement with France can be traced back to his years in defence science and technology, when he was Director of the Defence Science Organisation – which he started from scratch and helmed from 1986 to 1997 – and Deputy Secretary for Technology in Singapore's Ministry of Defence (1998 to 2000).

Key to this long-standing relationship between France and Singapore is a joint frigate programme kick-started by Dr Su, in which Singapore's defence scientists and engineers work alongside their French counterparts on advanced combat systems and stealth technology. Singapore's first stealth frigate, RSS Formidable, arrived in Singapore from Lorient, France, in August this year. 
          
Ambassador Réau observed, in his citation, that Dr Su's strong support of the Singapore and France Advanced Research Initiative (SAFARI) had helped Singapore become "the third most important partner of France in defence R&D".

Under Dr Su's leadership as the founding Chief Executive of the Defence Science & Technology Agency (DSTA), a joint laboratory was also set up in France to conduct basic research in advanced electromagnetics and radar. DSTA joined forces with France's leading aerospace research agency, ONERA, renowned French university Supélec, and the National University of Singapore to set up the defence technology laboratory.

NTU's expanding partnerships in France
As President of NTU, Dr Su has greatly enhanced the university's alliances in France. Two months ago, he established ties with three leading French universities – University of Technology of Troyes, University of Technology of Compiegne and INSA Lyon – launching the European leg of NTU's flagship Global Immersion Programme.

And in February 2005, NTU signed a Memorandum of Understanding with global electronics group, Thales, to set up a joint research laboratory, Thales@NTU, which is the first joint venture between Thales and a non-European university. The laboratory develops technologies for commercial and defence applications.

Another landmark agreement – in academic exchange – was formalised in September 2005 with Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), the French national centre for scientific research and one of Europe's largest publicly-funded research organisations.

"France is world-renowned for her leading science and technology capabilities, excellent education standards and research prowess," said Dr Su. "I am gratified to be able to extend NTU's global links with our French partners to enable our students and faculty to enjoy the benefits of such interactions." 
                 
Ambassador Réau is keen to see more cooperation "in the field of PhD curriculum, post-doc stays and grants between France, NTU, A*STAR and other leading organisations".

"My conviction is that a close partnership between our two countries is needed if we both intend to play out our roles in the globalisation trend." Dr Su's "dynamism", he added, would "enable Singapore and France to go on working together successfully for the progress of both our countries".

© Corporate Communications Office