The Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies (IDSS) at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) was established on 30 July 1996 by Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam, then Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence. On 1 January 2007, ten years after its establishment, IDSS was formally inaugurated to become the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS). In the new School, IDSS remains as a key component Institute focusing on security research to serve national needs while the School would take over its teaching functions. (See Annex A for the structure of the RSIS.)Since its establishment, the School has acquired the reputation as a leading research and graduate teaching institution in strategic and international affairs in the Asia-Pacific region. RSIS will bring IDSS and NTU to the next level besides enhancing Singapore’s standing as a regional and international hub for higher education and research.IDSS’ new name also serves to honour the contributions of the late Mr. S. Rajaratnam who held various Cabinet appointments until his retirement. He was also one of Singapore’s founding fathers and well respected as a visionary diplomat and strategic thinker.