“The Strange Start of Psychology at the National University of Singapore” was launched online on 10 December 2021, Friday, 11am (SGT), with more than 100 faculty, students, and alumni in attendance.

The book showcases the history of the NUS Department of Psychology—Singapore’s oldest psychology programme, which started during the 86/87 academic year at the Department of Social Work (renamed the Department of Social Work and Psychology), and became a department in 2005. The programme’s history is recounted by book author and former Faculty member, the late Associate Professor John Elliott. A/P Elliott had the distinction of teaching the first cohort of Psychology students at NUS, and continued to educate the next generation of psychology academicians and practitioners here before he retired in 2018.

During the online launch, Guests of Honour Professor Tan Tai Yong, Emeritus Professor S. Vasoo, and Honorary Fellow Chua Fook Kee shared their experiences and the Department’s significant milestones over the years. Their discussion was moderated by Associate Professor Melvin Yap from the NUS Department of Psychology, who is also the Vice Dean of Undergraduate Studies at FASS and the NUS College of Humanities and Sciences.

Read more about the book in FASS’ interview with Associate Professor Winston Goh, the current NUS Department of Psychology Head, and Emeritus Professor S. Vasoo, who led the then NUS Department of Social Work and Psychology from 1987 to 1999: https://fass.nus.edu.sg/news/2021/12/08/an-interview-with-emeritus-prof-s-vasoo-and-assoc-prof-winston-goh-on-the-strange-start-of-psychology-at-the-national-university-of-singapore/

“The Strange Start of Psychology at the National University of Singapore” is now available for order here: