Professor Andrew Y C Nee 倪亦靖

Professor Andrew Y. C. Nee 倪亦靖教授 received his PhD from the Institute of Science and Technology, Victoria University of Manchester (UMIST) in 1973. He joined the then University of Singapore in 1974. In 1982, he became the first recipient outside USA to receive the Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer’s Award from the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. In 1986, he was appointed Director of CAE/CAD/CAM Centre when it was first established, a position which he held until 1995. In 1989, he was promoted to full professorship. In the same year, he was appointed Vice-Dean (Academic Affairs). In 1990, he was elected an Active Member of CIRP and a Fellow of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, he was the first person in the ASEAN region to be elected in each case. From 1993 to 1996, he was appointed Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering. He was appointed Dean of the Faculty of Engineering from August 1995 to August 1998.

After completing the 3-year term as Dean of Engineering in August 1998, he was appointed directors of two offices at the University level, Director (Special Projects) of the Office of University Relations, and Director of the Office of Quality Management. From 1 August 1999 to December 2000, he was appointed Dean of Admissions to head the then newly established Office of Admissions. From January 2001 to February 2002, he was appointed the Deputy Executive Director, Science and Engineering Research Council (SERC) of the National Science and Technology Board. From 1 March 2002 to 28 February 2005, he was appointed the Co-Director of Singapore-MIT Alliance (SMA), which is an innovative engineering education and research collaboration among the National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). In 2002, he was awarded the Doctor of Engineering (DEng) degree from UMIST for his research achievements in manufacturing engineering. From September 2003 to August 2004, he was appointed as the CEO of the Design Technology Institute. From 1st March 2005, he was appointed the Director of the Office of Research of NUS. In August 2006, he was elected the Chairman of the CIRP STC Design (Dn), and a Council Member of CIRP. He is currently Chairman of an NUS-spin off company, Manusoft Technologies Pte Ltd which specializes in plastic injection mold design, and markets the commercial product IMOLD. In 2012, he was elected President of CIRP, and was the first ethnic Chinese to hold this office since 1953. In July 2018, he was awarded the prestigious title of Emeritus Professor, the first recipient in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. He has a google citation of more than 32,829 and a H-index of 86.

Research Interests

  • Computer-aided design of metal stamping dies and plastic injection moulds
  • Virtual and augmented reality applications in manufacturing
  • Computer-aided process and fixture planning
  • Application of AI techniques in manufacturing
  • Sustainable product design and manufacturing

High Doctoral Degree Conferment 2002

Awarded and Honored with DEng – High Doctoral Degree – Doctor of Engineering Degree 2002. Awarded a Doctor of Engineering degree (DEng) by the University of Manchester, Institute of Science and Technology in 2002 for revolutionary achievements and significant and impactful research in the areas of precision engineering, particularly in injection mold and stamping die design, as well as in machining fixture analysis.

Distinguished Public Lecture – The Next Reality + the Nth Sense

NUS Faculty of Engineering Lecture Series – 14 April 2014. Delivered a public lecture on The Next Reality + the Nth Sense.

Research Publications

Current and Past Editorial Board Members and Associate Editors

  1. International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology (Springer) – Editor-in-Chief
  2. International Journal of Machine Tools & Manufacture (Elsevier), Past Regional Editor for Asia and the Middle East
  3. IIE Transactions – Design and Manufacturing (IIE) – completed
  4. International Journal of Production Research (Taylor & Francis)
  5. Journal of Materials Processing Technology (Elsevier) – completed
  6. Journal of Engineering Manufacture, Proc. Part B of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE, UK)
  7. Short Communications in Manufacture and Design (IMechE, UK) – completed
  8. Journal of Manufacturing Systems (SME) – completed
  9. Journal of Manufacturing Processes (SME) – completed
  10. Robotics and Computer Integrated Manufacturing (Elsevier)
  11. Production Engineering and Computers (Institute for Production Engineering & CIM, Slovenia)
  12. International Journal for Manufacturing Science and Production (Freund Publ)
  13. International Journal of Computer Applications in Technology (Inderscience)
  14. International Journal of Automotive Technology (KSAE)
  15. International Journal of Precision Engineering and Manufacturing (KSPE, Korea)
  16. Computer-Aided Design and Application (Elsevier)
  17. Word Scientific Book Series on “Manufacturing Systems and Technology” – Editor-in-Chief
  18. Scrivener Publishing, Collection on “Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering” – Editor-in-Chief
  19. Springer Reference Handbook Series on “Manufacturing Engineering and Technology” ISBN 978-1-4471-4669-8, Editor-in-Chief
  20. Chinese Journal of Aeronautics (CSAA, China)
  21. International Journal of Manufacturing Research (Inderscience)
  22. International Journal of Sustainable Design (Inderscience)
  23. International Journal of Product Lifecycle Management (Inderscience)
  24. CIRP Journal of Manufacturing Science & Technology (Elsevier)
  25. Advances in Manufacturing (Springer & Shanghai University) – Associate Editor-in-Chief

Outstanding Research Leadership, Awards and Recognition

  1. Emeritus Professor, 1 July 2018, National University of Singapore
  2. Top 100 Asian Scientists, January 2016 (NUS details, Faculty details)
  3. Gold Medal, US Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME), received in Detroit during SME International Awards Gala, 9 June 2014, 4th Asian recipient since Gold Medal was established in1955. http://www.sme.org/Tertiary-nosharethis.aspx?id=80454
  4. Editor-in-Chief, International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology (Springer). http://www.springer.com/engineering/production+engineering/journal/170?detailsPage=editorialBoard
  5. Elected President, CIRP International Academy for Production Engineering, August 2011 – August 2012. First ethnic Chinese president since the establishment of CIRP (http://www.cirp.net/) in 1953.
  6. Engineering Research Leadership Award, National University of Singapore, Singapore (December 2012). For outstanding contribution to engineering research leadership and service at the Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore.
  7.  Founding Fellow, Singapore Academy of Engineering, Singapore (2012).
  8. 10th International Conference on Frontiers of Design and Manufacturing Best Paper Award, China (2012). For paper on “A Framework for Feature-based Product Modeling in a Collaborative Environment”, L. Yang, S.K. Ong and A.Y.C. Nee, Proceedings of ICFDM2012 10th International Conference on Frontiers of Design and Manufacturing Sciences, 10 – 12 Jun 2012, Chongqing, China.
  9. Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Welfare Foundation Research Award 2010, Mitsui Sumitomo Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Welfare Foundation (2010). For research invention on an “Augmented Reality-Enhanced Navigation Assistance System” for enhancing the welfare of the elderly and physically challenged.
  10. IMechE Joseph Whitworth Prize 2009, Institution of Mechanical Engineers (2009). For paper on “Adaptable design: concepts, methods, and applications”, P. Gu, D. Xue and A.Y.C. Nee, Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Part B-Journal of Engineering Manufacture, Vol. 223, no. B11 (2009): 1367-1387.
  11. National Day Award – Public Administration Medal (Silver), Singapore Government (2007). For outstanding contributions to the research administration at the National University of Singapore.
  12. Samsung DigitAll HOPE Award 2005, Samsung Corporation (2005). For research invention on “Augmented Reality Assistive Keyboard” that marries Assistive and Augmented Reality technologies, to help the elderly and disabled use full computer functions in composing and sending emails, control household appliances, such as television sets and lights.
  13. 10th Natural Science Outstanding Paper Award 2004, Natural Science Foundation China, China (2004). For paper on “An Internet-Enabled Image- and Model-Based Virtual Machining System”, Y.B. Luo, S.K. Ong, D.F. Chen and A.Y.C. Nee, 2002, International Journal of Production Research, Vol. 40, No. 10, 2269-2288.
  14. Norman Dudley Award 2003, International Journal of Production Research (2003). For paper on “Hybrid Genetic Algorithm and Simulated Annealing Approach for the Optimization of Process Plans for Prismatic Parts”, W.D. Li, S.K. Ong, A.Y.C. Nee, 2002, International Journal of Production Research, Vol. 40, No. 8, 1899 – 1922. 1st team in the Asia-Pacific region to have received this award.
  15. Doctor of Engineering Degree (DEng), 2002 University of Manchester. For achievements and significant and impactful research in the areas of precision engineering, particularly in injection mold and stamping die design, as well as in machining fixture analysis.
  16. National Technology Award 2002, Singapore National Science and Technology Board, Singapore (2002).For revolutionary contributions to the industry to enhance the computer-aided design of progressive metal stamping dies.
  17. Honorary Member, The Romanian Society of Mechanical Engineers (1994), Romania.
  18. Honorary Member, The Chinese University Society of Machining & Advanced Manufacturing, China (1992).
  19. Elected Fellow, College of Fellows, Society of Manufacturing Engineers, USA (1990). For having made outstanding contributions to the social, technological and educational aspects of the manufacturing profession.
  20. Elected Fellow, CIRP International Academy for Production Engineering Research (1990).
  21. Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer Award, Society of Manufacturing Engineers, USA (1982). For having made exceptional contributions and accomplishments in manufacturing under the age of 35.
  22. De Beers Industrial Diamond Division Scholarship (1971 to 1974), De Beers Industrial Diamond Division, London, UK. For PhD and Post-Doctoral Fellowship at UMIST.

Research Publications Awards

  1. L. Yang, S.K. Ong and A.Y.C. Nee, “A Framework for Feature-based Product Modeling in a Collaborative Environment”. Proceedings of ICFDM2012 10th International Conference on Frontiers of Design and Manufacturing Sciences, 10 – 12 Jun 2012, Chongqing, China. Best Paper Award.
  2. P. Gu, D. Xue and A.Y.C. Nee, “Adaptable design: concepts, methods, and applications”. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Part B-Journal of Engineering Manufacture, Vol. 223, no. B11 (2009): 1367-1387. IMechE Joseph Whitworth Prize.
  3. Y.B. Luo, S.K. Ong, D.F. Chen and A.Y.C. Nee, “An Internet-Enabled Image- and Model-Based Virtual Machining System”, 2002, International Journal of Production Research, Vol. 40, No. 10, 2269 – 2288. 10th Natural Science Outstanding Paper Award 2004. This paper won the top honor (best 5 out of 7000) in the Hubei Province Excellent Paper Competition.
  4. W.D. Li, S.K. Ong and A.Y.C. Nee, “Hybrid genetic algorithm and simulated annealing approach for the optimization of process plans for prismatic parts”, International Journal of Production Research, Vol. 40, No. 8, pp. 1899 – 1922 (2002). Paper received the Norman A. Dudley Award 2003. The paper was judged to have the potential for making the greatest contribution to the advance of manufacturing practice.
  5. W.D. Li, Y.Q. Lu, H. Zhou, S.K. Ong, A.Y.C. Nee, J.Y.H. Fuh and Y.S. Wong, 2002, “A Distributed Feature-based Environment for Collaborative Design”. Proceedings of the 6th World Multiconference on Systemics, Cybernetics and Informatics, SCI2002, 14-18 July 2002, Orlando, USA, 69 – 74. Best Paper Award.
  6. Y.F. Zhang, G.H. Ma and A.Y.C. Nee, “Modelling process planning problems in an optimization perspective”. Proceedings of the 1999 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation, Vol. 3, pp. 1764 – 1769 (1999). IEEE Kayamori Best Paper Award.
  7. H.C. Khaw, A.Y.C. Nee and H.T. Loh, “Exploiting parametricity in CADCAM: A case study using the IC encapsulation mould”. Proceedings of the Second Asia Pacific Industrial Automation IA’92 Conference, 20-23 May 1992, Vol. II, pp. 101 – 114. Outstanding Paper Award.
  8. A. Bhattacharjee and A.Y.C. Nee, “Machining sculptured surfaces using a two and half dimensional (2.5D) approach”. Proceedings of Asia Pacific Industrial Automation (IA)’90 Conference, 23-25 May 1990, Singapore, pp. 474 – 481. Outstanding Paper Award.
  9. A.Y.C. Nee, “Optimisation of machining conditions with a programmable calculator”, Technical Paper No. MS82 945, Society of Manufacturing Engineers, USA, 1982. Paper was selected as one of the most outstanding SME technical papers of the year 1982. Published separately in Proceedings of the SME Manufacturing Engineering Transactions and NAMRC 11, pp. 111 – 116 (1983). Awarded Outstanding SME Technical Paper.
  10. A.Y.C. Nee, “On some parameters of the tangential skiving process”, Technical Paper No. MR82 232, Society of Manufacturing Engineers, USA, 1982. Paper was selected as one of the most outstanding SME technical papers of the year 1982, published separately in Proceedings of SME Manufacturing Engineering Transactions and NAMRC 11, pp. 105 – 110 (1983). Awarded Outstanding SME Technical Paper.
  11. A.Y.C. Nee, N. Rajoogopal and N. Mustapha, “A fundamental study of the skiving process”, Technical Paper No. MR80 922, Society of Manufacturing Engineers, USA, 1980. Paper was selected as one of the most outstanding SME technical papers of the year 1980. Awarded Outstanding SME Technical Paper.

International Professorships

  1. Honorary Professor, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology (November 2023), China
  2. Honorary Professor, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (January 2014), China
  3. Honorary Professor, Shanghai University (October 2013), China
  4. Honorary Professor, Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (November 2012), China
  5. Honorary Professor, Tianjin University (November 2012), China
  6. International Advisor, Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center, King Saud University (2007), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
  7. Advisory Board Member, Chinese University of Hong Kong Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering (2004 to present)
  8. Honorary Advisor, Jianshe Industries Co., Ltd (Group) (2004), China
  9. Advisory Professor, Chongqing University (2004), China
  10. Visiting Professor, Wuhan University of Technology (2001), China
  11. Honorary Professor, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (1999), China
  12. Advisory Professor, Harbin Institute of Technology (1996), China
  13. Advisory Professor, Shanghai Jiaotong University (1996), China
  14. Visiting Professor, Northeastern University (1996), China

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