The SG60 Booklet is published by the Institution of Engineers, Singapore (IES).
All rights reserved. No part of this booklet should be reproduced, mechanically or electronically, without the prior consent of IES.
Unless otherwise stated, all images included in the booklet are credited to the respective organisations or photographers, as indicated in the book published by IES, with the following title:
‘ENGINEERING A FIRST WORLD 50 FEATS THAT TRANSFORMED SINGAPORE’.
This year, as Singapore marks 60 years of independence, we celebrate not only the resilience of our people, but also the vital role that engineering has played in powering our nation’s journey.
Since our early days as a young country with limited resources, engineers have been at the forefront of nationbuilding, transforming constraints into opportunities and visions into reality.
Over the past six decades, engineering excellence has underpinned many defining milestones in Singapore’s story. From world-class infrastructure such as Changi Airport, Marina Barrage and the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system to extensive public housing development that provided quality homes for our people, engineers have transformed our urban landscape. We have also advanced water sustainability through NEWater and desalination plants and are shaping the future of global trade with Tuas Port, which upon completion, will be the world’s single largest container port – among many other breakthroughs.
All these achievements reflect the ingenuity, tenacity and dedication of our engineers. They stand as enduring testaments to how bold imagination and technical mastery can empower a small island nation to innovate, adapt and thrive on the global stage.
As we look ahead to the next chapter of Singapore’s growth, the role of engineers will become more pivotal than ever. Challenges like climate change, energy transition, digital transformation and an increasingly uncertain world demand solutions that are multidisciplinary, practical and futureready. Engineers will be called upon to harness emerging technologies, reimagine urban living and champion sustainable practices that safeguard Singapore’s future.
The Institution of Engineers, Singapore (IES) is proud to be the collective voice of our profession, upholding standards of excellence, fostering innovation and nurturing future generations of engineers.
Let this SG60 booklet serve as both a tribute to the extraordinary contributions of engineers over the past 60 years and an inspiration for the road ahead.
Together, we will continue to engineer possibilities, strengthen resilience and shape a Singapore that will flourish for generations to come.
Er. Chan Ewe Jin President
The Institution of Engineers, Singapore
