Vivian Balakrishnan

Vivian Balakrishnan (born 25 January 1961) is the Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports in Singapore.

Biography

Early life

The son of a Telugu father and a Chinese mother, Balakrishnan was educated at the Anglo-Chinese School and National Junior College. In 1980, he was awarded the President's Scholarship to study Medicine at the National University of Singapore. He was elected President of the National University of Singapore Student's Union (NUSSU) from 1981 to 1983, and Chairman of NUSSU in 1984/1985. He then pursued post-graduate specialist training in Ophthalmology and was admitted as a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in 1991.

Medical career

Between 1993 and 1995, he worked at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London. Upon his return, he was appointed Consultant Ophthalmologist at the Singapore National Eye Centre and became its Medical Director in January 1999. He was later appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore General Hospital from June 2000 till December 2001.

Dr Vivian Balakrishnan was the Commanding Officer of the 2nd Combat Support Hospital of the Singapore Armed Forces from November 1999 to January 2002. He was a Council Member of the Singapore Medical Association (1998 to 2001), member of the National Library Board (1997 to 2001), member of the National Volunteer Centre Committee (1999 to 2001).

Political career

In the 2001 General Election, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan was elected member of parliament for Holland-Bukit Panjang GRC. In January 2002 he was appointed Minister of State, Ministry of National Development. In August 2004, he was promoted to Acting Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports and Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Trade and Industry. He became Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports as well as Second Minister for Trade and Industry in April 2005. In March 2008, as a result of a Cabinet reshuffle, Dr. Balakrishnan was moved out of MICA, whilst retaining his appointment at MCYS. This was done so that Dr. Balakrishnan will be able to effectively oversee the developments with the Youth Olympics and other major sporting events due to take place in Singapore.

Personal life

Balakrishnan is married with four children. He is married to Joy Balakrishnan, a Chinese lady, also the head of Girl Guides Singapore.

External links

* [http://app.mcys.gov.sg/web/home_main.asp Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (Singapore)]
* [http://www.parliament.gov.sg/AboutUs/Org-MP-MP-Prof-Vivian.htm Singapore Parliament profile of MPs]