Professor CHEW Kim Lin

From the Address delivered by the President of Operations Research Society of Singapore (ORSS) upon presenting the Honorary Fellow Award to Prof Chew Kim Lin on 15 Nov 1995 (mirror of text posted at sunsite.nus.sg/ORSS/news-9602.html):

"We are glad tonight to present to Prof Chew the first Honorary Fellow Award in recognition of his significant contributions to the development of OR in Singapore. Prof Chew initial academic interest was in Pure Mathematics in Algebra. He made the switch to OR in 1973. As we all know, Prof Chew is the prime mover in the formation of the OR Society in 1975. He was the founder President in 1975 and have since then served as either President or Vice-President each term right up to the year 1989 for a total period of 15 years.

Academic Contributions

Under his strong leadership, the Society has achieved its aim to promote an awareness of the applications of OR to social, organisational and management problems.

Another of his major achievements is the launching of the publication of the Asia-Pacific Journal of Operational Research by the Society. The journal was adopted in 1986 as the official journal of the Association of Asian-Pacific Operational Research Societies. Prof Chew has been the chief editor since the first issue.

His other academic contributions towards the development of OR include numerous publications of research papers in international, regional and local journals. Just to highlight, some of these journals include (which I am sure would be familiar to you all ) :

  • Canadian Journal of Mathematics
  • Journal of Optimization Theory and Applications (USA)
  • Journal of Theoretical Biology (UK)
  • Nanyang University Journal
  • Southeast Asian Bulletin of Mathematics

    Applied Research Work

    In addition to the academic contributions to the development of OR, Prof Chew has also accomplished major applied research projects with large organisations, and these include -Computerisation of duty roster for parking attendants with the Ministry of National Development

  • A Dynamic Stock Control Model for Machinery Spares with the Port of Singapore Authority
  • Crew Management Planning which covers Block Rostering, Flight Crew Rostering Expert System and Crew Operating patterns with the Singapore Airlines
  • Computer-Based Seasonal / Master Roster with the Singapore Airport Terminal Services

    I am sure that the extensive time and effort that he has spent on the development and promotion of OR has to a some extend sacrificed at the expense of his pure research activities and maybe perhaps his career. Looking back, I may conjecture that Prof Chew would probably have a mixed feeling of satisfaction and regret. But I believe it would be more of a satisfaction judging from his unrelenting work on promoting OR for the past 20 years.

    Prof Chew is well deserved to be the first recipient of the Honorary Fellow Award from the very Society he has help to build and nurture over the years."




    Posted 2006 by EC.