Page 80 - NYAA GAHA 30th Anniversary "Service Beyond Gold"

Dr Ong Kian Pin, Ken

Managing Director

Chuan-Fa Auto Pte Ltd
NYAA Council Member
NYAA Gold Award Holder (1995 Cohort)

Dr Ong Kian Pin, Ken is a visionary engineer, In parallel, Dr Ong held key leadership roles within
entrepreneur, and community leader whose Singapore’s national youth structures — including the
career reflects a rare combination of technological National Youth Council, the Youth Expedition Panel
innovation, youth development, and dedicated - Advisory Panel, the PAYM Central Youth Council,
grassroots service. With a Ph.D. from the University and the Youth Executive Committee — where he
of Edinburgh, his pioneering research on signal championed youth leadership, shaped community
processing for airborne bistatic radar laid the initiatives, and empowered young Singaporeans to
foundation for advancements in next-generation serve and lead.
defence and communications technologies.
Dr Ong’s community leadership extends across
As the Managing Director of Chuan-Fa Auto Pte multiple platforms, including his active involvement
Ltd, Dr Ong leads efforts to advance vehicle safety in the Tampines East Community Club Management
technologies in Singapore, contributing to safer Committee, Active Ageing Committee, Senior Citizen
roads and innovative solutions in the transportation Executive Committee, and the Singapore Ho San
sector. Prior to his current role, he served as a Senior Kong Hoey Executive Council. He has co-organised
Research Engineer at DSO National Laboratories national-level projects such as the 60th National Day
and as an Adjunct Research Scientist at Nanyang Heartland Celebration @ North East, the Singapore
Technological University, where his expertise Ho San Kong Hoey 95th Anniversary Events, and
shaped national defence research and cutting-edge various sustainability-driven workshops, creating
engineering solutions. platforms that have benefitted tens of thousands of
Singaporeans.
Dr Ong’s journey has also been marked by academic
excellence and global research impact. Awarded a His contributions to environmental stewardship
full research grant by BAE Systems, authored multiple and youth advocacy have earned him numerous
peer-reviewed papers, and presented his work at accolades, including the NYAA Gold Award, Ngee
international conferences. His accomplishments were Ann Polytechnic Alumni Award, and leadership roles
recognised with the Class Medals and the Hewlett- on international platforms such as the International
Packard Prize for academic distinction. Award Council and the Asia-Pacific Youth Water
Forum.
Beyond his engineering achievements, Dr Ong has
contributed significantly to youth development and Through his work in engineering, entrepreneurship,
community building. Since 2003, he has played an youth mentorship, and community leadership, Dr
instrumental role in shaping youth programmes and Ong Kian Pin embodies the GAHA ethos of ‘Service
mentoring leaders. As Chairman of the NYAA Gold Beyond Gold’—leveraging innovation, compassion,
Award Holders’ Alumni (GAHA) from 2003 to 2007, and lifelong dedication to inspire future generations
and later as Advisor (2009–2019), he spearheaded and build a stronger, more resilient society.
initiatives such as the GAHA Development Committee
Taskforce and international youth exchange
programmes.

78 30 Years of Service and Leadership