Ms Sylvia Yap Swee Beng, a student from the pioneer biological sciences batch, graduated in 1973 from the University of Singapore with Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Zoology. In 1975, she obtained her postgraduate diploma in Library and Information Science from the University of London.

She is an alumna who served her alma mater upon graduation for 41 years until today. She was the University Librarian from 2003 until she retired in February 2014. She views NUS Libraries as a place where the NUS community could go to for quality information, interact with other intellectuals, discover innovative leads and incubate ideas. Over the years, she engineered the transformation of the Library into a 21st century information hub bringing full-text content and online services to users’ desktops, 24X7. One of her proud achievement was the setting up of the Science Library in 1986. Besides the Science Library she was also involved in the upgrading of the Central, the Chinese and CJ Koh Law Libraries as well as the supervision of the building of the Central Library Annexe.

Ms Yap is an ardent and dedicated advocate of the library profession. She was the President of Library Association of Singapore (LAS) from 2005-2007, a member of the National Library Board (2005-09) and National Archives of Singapore Board (2009 – 2011) and is the Chairperson, LAS Professional Development Scheme (PDS) Board (2009).

In recognition of her dedicated services and many contributions, Ms Yap was awarded the Efficiency Medal in the National Day Awards in 1988, Long Service Medal, National Day Awards, 2006 and the Public Administration Medal (Silver), National Day Awards 2010. For her many contributions to the profession, she received the Library Association Singapore Professional Service Award in 2009.

“You don’t think your way into a new kind of living. You live your way into a new kind of thinking.” ~ Henri J.M. Nouwen

In recognition of her accomplishments and contributions, we honour Ms Sylvia Yap with the 2014 Outstanding Science Alumnus Award.