The Elise and Walter A. Haas International Award honors an alum who is a native, citizen, and resident of another country and who has a distinguished record of service to that country in the arts, science and engineering, education, business, environmental protection, government, or any other field. We are particularly focused on welcoming nominations that represent the full diversity of our wonderful international alumni — including race, ethnicity, gender, and age — whose service to their country and community has been extraordinary. The award includes a cash prize of at least US $35,000, an engraved medallion, and travel expenses for the recipient to attend the award presentation at Berkeley’s winter commencement (travel may be restricted based on local, national, and international health restrictions). Please review the past recipients for examples of successful nominations.
The Haas International Award was established in 1964 by Mr. and Mrs. Walter A. Haas, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Peter E. Haas, and Mr. and Mrs. Richard N. Goldman. Created to mark the 50th wedding anniversary of Walter, longtime head of Levi Strauss, and his wife, arts patron Elise, the award acknowledges their devotion to UC Berkeley and interest in international affairs. Its presentation at commencement echoes both the global character of Berkeley’s faculty, students, and curricula and the university’s long-standing commitment to improving the human condition around the world.
2025 Recipient
San Ling Ph.D. ’90
Dr. San Ling, a passionate academic and visionary leader, began his career at the National University of Singapore. He joined the Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore, in 2005 as the founding head of the Division of Mathematical Sciences in the School of Physical & Mathematical Sciences (SPMS). After stints as chair of SPMS and dean of the College of Science, Dr. Ling served as NTU’s provost from 2018 until June 2025. He was also acting president between December 2022 and April 2023. Dr. Ling was concurrently the chief scientific adviser at Singapore’s National Research Foundation from August 2022 to July 2024, providing advice for the development and implementation of Singapore’s Research, Innovation, and Enterprise (RIE) plans.
As a firm believer in talent attraction and development, innovation in education, and wellbeing, Dr. Ling helped steer NTU Singapore in its formative years to become one of the world’s fastest-rising top-ranked universities.
Dr. Ling played a key role in establishing the Graduate College, Asian School of the Environment, and School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering & Biotechnology at NTU, and introduced the Interdisciplinary Collaborative Core Curriculum and mandatory internships for all undergraduate students. He also set up the Institute for Pedagogical Innovation, Research and Excellence (InsPIRE) to promote innovation in teaching and learning, and the University Wellbeing Office to improve wellbeing for students and employees.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Ling’s decisive leadership helped to ensure the safety of the campus community and to provide financial relief to students.
Extending his passion and expertise beyond Singapore, Dr. Ling recently assumed a part-time role at VinUniversity — a very new university — in Vietnam, to help shape talent development, research, and education.
Nomination Process
Deadline:
The next nominations will be due on Monday, June 1, 2026.
Eligibility requirements: Alumni who were enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student at Berkeley for at least one full year and who are a native, citizen, and resident of another country are eligible for the Haas International Award. (A Berkeley degree is not required.)