In memory of Dr Richard Hu

Dr Richard Hu Tse Tau was Singapore’s longest-serving Finance Minister, and SMU’s second and longest-serving Chancellor from July 2002 to August 2010. He passed away on 8 September 2023.

Dr Hu was an eminent figure in Singapore’s public and financial sectors, exemplifying selfless sacrifice and distinguished leadership. Having dedicated over 20 years to Shell in his early career, he became Managing Director of the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC) and Managing Director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) successively. Dr Hu entered public service in 1984 when he was elected Member of Parliament. He held several key ministerial positions, the most notable one being Minister for Finance from May 1985 to November 2001. He was also a member of the Board of GIC and Chairman of GIC Real Estate Pte Ltd.

At SMU, the Richard Hu Visiting Professorship of Finance programme was established in 2016 to honour Dr Hu’s legacy and achievements. Supported by Southern Capital, Mr Kwee Liong Tek and the Nanyang Hwu Clan General Association, this endowed professorship is awarded biennially.  The latest Richard Hu Visiting Professor of Finance was Professor Lukas Schmid, Professor of Finance and Business Economics from the University of Southern California, who came to SMU in June 2023.