Hernaikh Singh

Introduction

Hernaikh Singh has more than 30 years of experience in Singapore government and non-government organisations, business sector and academia. He has managed a diverse range of portfolios, including international relations, policy and business development, administrative management (encompassing human resource, finance, fundraising, corporate communications and events management), editorial and publications management, and training and research development.

Hernaikh was a pioneer staff of the Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS) during its formative period from September 2004 to December 2009. He rejoined ISAS in April 2017. He works with the Chairman and Director in the overall management of the Institute and, together with them, charts the think-tank’s strategic directions. He also manages ISAS’ overall administrative functions.

Prior to rejoining ISAS, Hernaikh was an Associate Director at the International Office at Singapore Management University, overseeing the South Asian, Southeast Asian, African, Middle Eastern and Central Asian regions. He served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry from 2010 to 2012. He also held various appointments at the Singapore International Foundation between 1994 and 2004. He started his career at the then-Singapore Trade Development Board (now International Enterprise Singapore) in 1989.

Hernaikh has been contributing papers and publishing from time to time. In 2020, he co-authored a paper on ‘Maritime Security of ASEAN States in the Indo-Pacific: Engagement with Extra-Regional Powers’ for the publication, Security and Economic Challenges in the Indo-Pacific, which was brought out by the Consortium of South Asian Think Tanks and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung. His recent book, India On Our Minds, was co-edited with Ambassador-at-Large Tommy Koh and was published by World Scientific in December 2021. He also contributed the chapter on ‘Nalanda University in India: Reviving Ancient Glory’ for the book. He is currently working on another co-edited book tentatively titled ASEAN-India: Tryst with Destiny?, which is scheduled to be published in the second half of 2022.

Hernaikh is active in public and community service. He currently serves as a member of the National Archives of Singapore’s Indian Community Oral History Committee and the Singapore Indian Development Association’s Community Engagement Sub-committee. He is also the President of Singapore Khalsa Association and a Trustee of Khalsa Dharmak Sabha. He was the founding President of Young Sikh Association (Singapore), a non-profit organisation dedicated to fulfilling the aspirations of young Singaporeans. He has served as a member on the Taxpayer Feedback Panel (Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore); Youth Network Committee (National Youth Council); Singapore Youth Award Selection Panel on Entrepreneurship; Working Group of the Tripartite Workgroup on Community Engagement at Workplaces (Ministry of Manpower); and Small and Medium Enterprise Infocomm Adoption Committee. He was also member of the Feedback Groups on Community Development and Political Development; Programme Quality Resource Panel of OLI 96.8 FM of the Radio Corporation of Singapore; and the Economic Planning Committee (Ministry of Trade and Industry). Hernaikh has had the privilege of serving as an Honorary Aide-de-Camp to two presidents of Singapore – President S R Nathan and President Ong Teng Cheong.

Hernaikh holds a Master’s degree in Arts (Southeast Asian Studies) from the National University of Singapore. For his outstanding academic achievements, he was awarded the Dr Benjamin Batson Gold Medal. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree from the same university.