SINGAPORE: Mr Russell Tham will take over as chairman of the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) Board from Friday (Mar 15), succeeding Mr Chan Yeng Kit, who has held the post for nine years.
Mr Tham, who is head of emerging technologies at Temasek Holdings, has served as a member of the IMDA Board since Oct 1, 2020, and as the chairperson of IMDA’s technology sub-committee since Apr 1, 2023.
“With Mr Tham’s experience and expertise, he has been instrumental in advising IMDA on new and emerging digital technologies, the translation of these technologies for business adoption, as well as potential policy implications,” the Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI) said on Wednesday.
Mr Chan, who is also the Permanent Secretary for Health, was the CEO of the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) from January 2005 to November 2007.
He was Permanent Secretary for Information, Communications and the Arts from January 2008 to November 2012.
In November 2015, he took over as chairman of the IDA board and oversaw its merger with the Media Development Authority to form IMDA in 2016. He served as IMDA Board chairman after the merger.
He led the development of the Intelligent Nation 2015 Masterplan during his tenure as CEO and Permanent Secretary, including the roll-out of Singapore’s fibre-to-the-home Nationwide Broadband Network (NBN).
"These provided the foundation to help Singapore realise its Smart Nation vision. IDA launched the Infocomm Media 2025 (ICM 2025) Masterplan in 2015, which IMDA has implemented under Mr Chan’s chairmanship," said MCI.
It also highlighted Mr Chan’s role in helping to build Singapore’s digital future. IMDA has been rolling out future-ready digital infrastructure – from 5G standalone wireless networks to upgrading the wired NBN for 10Gbps access on broadband, digitalising enterprises, and anchoring a local core of globally competitive digital workforce.
"Mr Chan also led IMDA to punch above its weight on the global stage, in both the tech and media realms,” said MCI.
"Asia Tech x Singapore (ATxSG) has been convening policymakers and thought leaders for frank discussions on the challenges and opportunities of the latest tech trends."
Locally, Mr Chan guided IMDA to "build a safe and inclusive digital society, growing from direct outreach to seniors to bringing on board people and private sector partners with the Digital for Life national movement", the ministry added.
"MCI and IMDA are deeply appreciative of Mr Chan’s unwavering commitment and leadership of IMDA over the past two decades," it said.
"We look forward to Mr Tham’s continued guidance and leadership of IMDA in the coming years."
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Mr Tham, who is head of emerging technologies at Temasek Holdings, has served as a member of the IMDA Board since Oct 1, 2020, and as the chairperson of IMDA’s technology sub-committee since Apr 1, 2023.
“With Mr Tham’s experience and expertise, he has been instrumental in advising IMDA on new and emerging digital technologies, the translation of these technologies for business adoption, as well as potential policy implications,” the Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI) said on Wednesday.
Mr Chan, who is also the Permanent Secretary for Health, was the CEO of the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) from January 2005 to November 2007.
He was Permanent Secretary for Information, Communications and the Arts from January 2008 to November 2012.
In November 2015, he took over as chairman of the IDA board and oversaw its merger with the Media Development Authority to form IMDA in 2016. He served as IMDA Board chairman after the merger.
He led the development of the Intelligent Nation 2015 Masterplan during his tenure as CEO and Permanent Secretary, including the roll-out of Singapore’s fibre-to-the-home Nationwide Broadband Network (NBN).
"These provided the foundation to help Singapore realise its Smart Nation vision. IDA launched the Infocomm Media 2025 (ICM 2025) Masterplan in 2015, which IMDA has implemented under Mr Chan’s chairmanship," said MCI.
It also highlighted Mr Chan’s role in helping to build Singapore’s digital future. IMDA has been rolling out future-ready digital infrastructure – from 5G standalone wireless networks to upgrading the wired NBN for 10Gbps access on broadband, digitalising enterprises, and anchoring a local core of globally competitive digital workforce.
"Mr Chan also led IMDA to punch above its weight on the global stage, in both the tech and media realms,” said MCI.
"Asia Tech x Singapore (ATxSG) has been convening policymakers and thought leaders for frank discussions on the challenges and opportunities of the latest tech trends."
Locally, Mr Chan guided IMDA to "build a safe and inclusive digital society, growing from direct outreach to seniors to bringing on board people and private sector partners with the Digital for Life national movement", the ministry added.
"MCI and IMDA are deeply appreciative of Mr Chan’s unwavering commitment and leadership of IMDA over the past two decades," it said.
"We look forward to Mr Tham’s continued guidance and leadership of IMDA in the coming years."
Continue reading...