Former NUS law dean Thio Su Mien dies at 86

Former National University of Singapore (NUS) law dean Thio Su Mien died at the age of 86 on the morning of June 30.

- Wong Yang

Dr Thio died from acute myeloid leukaemia, which she was diagnosed with in early May.

She was the first woman dean of the NUS law faculty, holding the post from 1968 to 1971. At the age of 30, she was also the youngest person to assume the role.

Paying tribute to Dr Thio, Law Minister Edwin Tong called her a "trailblazer" who set the highest standard for excellence, integrity and dedication to the legal profession throughout her career.

Dr Thio influenced and impacted Singapore's legal landscape with her work, both as an academic and as a practitioner, Mr Tong said in a Facebook post on June 30.

"She led by example, with an impeccable work ethic, leaving a legacy and a sterling example for many female lawyers after her, proving that both women and men can excel and contribute immensely and on equal terms in the legal field and to the society at large and beyond," he said.

Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam also paid tribute to Dr Thio.