In recognition of Mr. E.W. Barker’s contributions to the sports scene in Singapore, The E.W. Barker Professorship was launched by President S.R. Nathan on 27 August 2002.
The E.W. Barker Professorship aims to promote and foster collaborative research among stakeholders - PESS, Sport Singapore, the Singapore Sports School, Singapore Sports Hub, local schools and other universities.
The E.W. Barker Professor will share his or her expertise with athletes, teachers, coaches, and academicians in physical education and sport.
Source: https://www.ntu.edu.sg/nie/faculty/professorships/ew-barker-professorship
Mr. Edmund William (E.W.) Barker (1 Dec 1920 – 12 April 2001) was an outstanding politician and lawyer in Singapore. He was a brilliant student at Raffles Institution and studied law at Cambridge University on a Queen’s scholarship. One of the People’s Action Party’s key pioneer leaders, his Cabinet portfolio included Minister for Labour, National Development, Home Affairs, Environment, Science and Technology. As President of the Singapore National Olympic Council, he was also the first Singaporean to receive the Olympic Order from the International Olympic Committee in 1986 for his outstanding merit in the cause of world sport and faithfulness to the Olympic ideal.
In honour of Mr. Edmund William Barker and his contribution as a statesman, scholar, sportsman and supporter of sports, the E.W. Barker Professorship and Scholarship Fund were established on 27th August 2002 and was launched by the late President S.R Nathan.
The E.W. Barker Professorship Scheme was introduced to promote and enhance physical education (PE) and sports in Singapore. The aim was to develop the academic study and the application of this area of expertise to athletes, educators, coaches, parents who wish to engage in physical play with their children, as well as sports aficionados.
The E.W. Barker Scholarship Scheme was enacted to nurture the next generation of scholars in growing the sports knowledge pool in Singapore. Many of the award recipients have been making notable contributions to the local sports scene and to the community.
Read the E.W. Barker commemorative book here:
