APAC Insider- Q4 2025 | 11 Legal and compliance frameworks are essential to the integrity and resilience of any institution, especially one as multifaceted as a global university. At Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University, the Legal and Secretarial Office plays a pivotal role in shaping governance, safeguarding operations, and supporting strategic growth across the University’s diverse ecosystem. Recognised for its dynamic approach and commitment to excellence, Nanyang Technological University’s Legal and Secretarial Office continues to set the standard for legal services in higher education. As it is honoured in the APAC Legal Awards 2025, we take a closer look at its outstanding operations. Nanyang Technological University (NTU) is a globally recognised academic and research institution based in Singapore. Ranked among Asia’s top universities, NTU is known for its strengths in engineering, science, and interdisciplinary innovation. With a campus that blends cutting-edge infrastructure and sustainability, the University continues to shape the future of education and research across the region. The University’s legal services are provided by its Legal and Secretarial Office (LSO), covering the University’s 19 colleges and schools, six autonomous institutes, 21 institutes and centres, 18 administrative departments, and 9 corporate subsidiaries – collectively referred to as the NTU Units. At its core, LSO aims to be the University’s Legal Architect, a dedicated dynamic team delivering legal and compliance solutions deeply rooted in the values of authenticity, accountability, and appreciation. LSO’s significant contributions to the University’s ecosystem include consolidating and centralising functions that previously sat elsewhere in the University, functions such as Corporate Governance and Secretarial, the Data Protection Office, and forming the Office of Ethics and Compliance to oversee disputes, whistleblowing, disciplinary matters, and personal data protection strategy; establishing a Legal Operations division to manage administration and lead legal technology initiatives; and relocating LSO staff – previously spread across three separate locations on NTU’s 200-hectare campus – into one consolidated office. The Office comprises a team of 19 lawyers and three nonlawyers, led by General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer, Mr. Gregory Chew. Gregory assumed the position in 2018, with the mandate to modernise and future proof the University’s Legal and Compliance Organisation. Together with the leaders of LSO, Gregory began to transform LSO’s vision, mission, and values. To date, LSO’s work has and continues to impact 33,000 students, 7,976 faculty and staff, campus tenants and service providers, and an innumerable number of external partners with whom NTU’s Units collaborate in order to embark on R&D initiatives, academic partnerships, and goods and services procurement endeavours. LSO’s work spans a wide spectrum of legal and compliance functions across the University. These include managing whistleblowing channels and investigations; participating in disciplinary proceedings; advising on disputes; leading NTU’s Data Protection Office and providing strategic direction to over 100 PDPA managers’ reviewing and developing non-academic policies such as the Volunteer Policy, Whistle Blower Protection Policy, Intellectual Property Policy and Data Governance Policy; delivering corporate and R&D corporate advisory; performing secretariat duties for the NTU Board of Trustees; and supporting governance and corporate secretarial needs for University leadership and In alignment with its vision of becoming NTU’s Legal Architect, LSO continually explores initiatives to innovate, improve, and simplify legal and compliance processes. Guided by stakeholder feedback, the team has embarked on a range of efforts to enhance efficiency and overall effectiveness. Driving digital transformation, LSO has developed and implemented University wide platforms for contract lifecycle management, board meetings, and whistleblowing reporting and case management. The selfcoded “JustAskLaw” chatbot and knowledge portals streamline legal support and empower stakeholders. These initiatives reflect LSO’s commitment to delivering best-in-class service, its alignment with NTU’s strategic goals, and its ability to think creatively while preserving a strong legal and compliance culture across the University. LSO’s evolution over the past several years reflects its deep integration into NTU’s institutional fabric. From foundational restructuring to the delivery of wide-ranging legal and compliance services, the Office has consistently demonstrated its value as a strategic partner to the University. With a clear vision, a collaborative team, and a commitment to excellence, LSO continues to uphold NTU’s standards of integrity and accountability – ensuring that Nanyang Technological University’s legal and governance frameworks remain robust, responsive, and future ready. As NTU continues to advance its global reputation for academic and research excellence, the Legal and Secretarial Office remains a cornerstone of its institutional strength. With a remit that spans governance, compliance, advisory, and innovation, LSO exemplifies the role of legal services in shaping resilient, forwardthinking organisations. Its recognition as Asia’s Best In-House Legal Team 2025 is a testament to the team’s dedication, impact, and enduring contribution to the University’s success. Contact: Carol Chia Jia Lin Company: Nanyang Technological University Web Address: www.ntu.edu.sg Best In-House Legal Team 2025 – Asia Jul25223
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