Mr Leong Choong Yew is Director of the Centre for Geohazard Observations (CGO) at the Earth Observatory of Singapore. He was appointed to this role in 2018, after a 30-year career in the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF).
The CGO is responsible for installing, maintaining, and managing scientific geohazard observation stations in Southeast Asia. It also conducts geophysical surveys in aid of research and provides support in various technical matters that include the acquisition, computing, and archiving of geophysical data. In his role as Director CGO, Choong Yew is responsible for the planning and operations of the Centre, and for managing and promoting relations between EOS and several foreign research institutes and government agencies in Indonesia, Myanmar, and the Philippines to advance scientific collaboration and the regional geohazard research community.
In 2012, Choong Yew was appointed Director of the RSAF’s Airbase Development Programme Office. He led development projects to expand Singapore Changi Air Base and the Tengah Air Base as well as oversaw the planning for the relocation of Paya Lebar Air Base, collaborating across ministries and government agencies.
In previous senior command and staff appointments in the RSAF, he has served in leadership position in key areas including organisational and project development, planning and conduct of operations, capability transformation, communication and engagement, and diplomacy. For his outstanding service to the nation, he was awarded 3 National Day Awards – Public Administration Medal – Silver (Military) in 2017, Public Administration Medal – Bronze (Military) in 2011, and Long Service Medal (2012). He is also a recipient of the Singapore Armed Forces Long Service Award (30 years) and the Defence Technology Prize (Commendation).
Educated at Raffles Junior College, Choong Yew was awarded the Singapore Armed Forces Merit Scholarship to study Aeronautical Engineering at Imperial College London, where he graduated with First Class Honours. Between 2002 and 2012, he enrolled in management programmes at world-class institutes including the National University of Singapore, University of Canberra, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National Institute of Education in Singapore, and most recently, at the Stanford Graduate School of Business/NUS Business School.