Professor Ooi Beng Chin (1961 - 2026)

I am very sorry for hearing this news. I still remember that I gave my talk in NUS 20 years ago, when I was still a first year assistant prof, and Prof. Ooi gave me a lot of advice. He treated me a delicious "spicy crab" lunch, and we had a lot of fun in basketball games. Prof. Ooi, thanks for giving me your advice and support in my career path. My condolences, and best wishes to your family to get through this difficult time.

I am shocked and saddened. Beng Chin always had what's best for the School in his heart and has been instrumental in getting us to where we are now. He will be badly missed.

悼念恩师黄铭钧院士

我是浙大本科毕业的，后来考取了黄老师的研究生，1999年到新加坡国立大学跟着他读研。前几天凌晨老师走了，到现在还是觉得不真实。

在NUS那几年，老师对我们这些留学生很照顾。他知道我们背井离乡不容易，逢年过节总会叫上大家一起吃饭。有一回他开车带我们几个学生去马来西亚，说“周末别老窝在实验室，出去走走”。那次我们吃了什么具体记不清了，好像是路边摊的肉骨茶和炒粿条，老师一边吃一边跟我们聊他年轻时候的故事。那时候觉得他就是个普通的长辈，没什么架子，笑眯眯地看着我们抢菜吃。

回来路上天都黑了，车里的音响放着老歌，我们几个在后座东倒西歪地睡着了。迷迷糊糊听见师母说“开慢点”，老师轻声回了一句“让他们睡吧”。那句话我一直记着。

老师平时话不多，但心里装着每一个学生。毕业这些年，遇到难处的时候，常常会想起他。想起他带我们出去吃饭时说的那些话，不是大道理，就是“好好吃饭，好好做人”。

没想到他走得这么突然。65岁，太早了。

谢谢老师当年的收留和教诲。您带我们去马来西亚吃的那顿饭，我会一直记得。

愿您安息。

您的学生
黄梧
2026年4月29日

My deepest condolences to the family members of Prof Ooi.

I am fortunate to have the opportunity to be mentored by Prof Ooi for my HYP. I still remember him motivating me to continue pursing knowledge after my honours.

May he rest in peace and his values live on.

We were a small fish in your big portfolio.
But we felt your strong presence and huge support!

Some of us called you OO1 :-), a formidable commander, may be like 007.

You rewarded us generously when we did well.

We became better because you scolded us fiercely when we fell short.

You told us 'Your performance is my performance!'
Now I say the same to spur others.

You stood for what is right but agreed to suck it up when needed.

We knew we could strive forward fearlessly
because we felt your force behind us.

You came with us to that fine dining meal at Tung Lok...alamak...it couldn't fill our stomachs lah!

When you first became our boss, some colleagues trembled.
HTH assured me that you would be a fair boss.
Truly you were! More than that, you stood up for your people and led by example!

It has been a tremendous blessing to have known you as our Boss!

黄公铭钧，当世数据库旷世宗师，计算机学界一代鸿儒。
我辈幸列门墙，久承教诲，常蒙提携厚爱；共事朝夕，亦为知己良朋。
忆昔往日，每周球场同驰，意气相契；闲时举觞对酌，放歌言欢，言笑晏晏，暖意长存。
教诲润物无声，风骨温润谦和。今南天星陨，哲人长逝，往事历历，悲慨难平。
谨题五律一章，以寄追思，永怀感念。

旷世开绝学，宏怀毓后昆。
球场留旧迹，樽酒忆余温。
至教昭尘宇，清风裕后根。
鸿儒辞远海，千载仰贞魂。

于我们而言，先生是仰望的学术泰斗，是引路授业的恩师，是悉心庇护的师长，更是随性相处、把酒言欢的挚友。
无数日夜的耳提面命，球场并肩的自在时光，杯酒畅谈的真切温情，皆为此生珍贵印记。
山河依旧，音容难再，万般不舍，铭心永念。
先生之风，山高水长，千秋不忘。

Shocked and sad by Beng Chin's sudden passing.
When I last met him, he seemed happy with his new endeavor.
My deepest condolences.

I am deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Professor Huang.
He kindly guided me through several research papers and offered selfless support. I am truly grateful for his generous help and valuable academic guidance.
My sincere condolences go to Prof Huang's family. May he rest in peace forever.

Dear Boss,

Even now, everything still feels unreal to me. I keep wondering what you might be doing in another parallel universe right now, perhaps editing my paper as you always did.

Over the past two days, so many memories have replayed in my mind, the first time I met you in your office, seeing you run with Bubble, writing side by side on overleaf, sharing drinks and laughter together… Through all the ups and downs, those memories have become something I will carry with me for the rest of my life. And yet, I still feel I have not had enough time with you.

You changed my life. I am grateful that I had the chance to give you a thorough update at Monday’s group meeting, and that you were pleased with the progress. Over the years, you taught me so much, not only about work, but also about life and how to be a better person. Whenever I made foolish mistakes, you would complain, “aiyo, how could you be so careless,” and then quietly become the cushion beneath me when I fell, helping me solve every problem. You were always so generous and loyal. Without realizing it, you became more than just my mentor, you became family to me.

There is so much gratitude in my heart, and so many things I still want to say to you. Please watch over me from above. I will keep working hard and will not let down your expectations. I still have so much to tell you, I’ll share it with you little by little. Please don’t mind me being so talkative.

I will miss you always.

My story with Prof Ooi starts from 2012, and has never ended since then. After my first day admitted as his PhD student, he hosted a 1-1 conversation with me in the Dean's Office at SoC. I still remember his advice: "If you cannot survive the QE, I will kick you out of the lab. Without fundamental knowledge, don't bother to say anything about research." Since then, I failed a lot, sometimes succeeded, and failed again and again, but I never gave up---just like he never gave up on me. Thanks to his supervision and support, I became the person I ever dreamed I would be.

Upon attaining my PhD degree, I recalled an email he sent to the lab: "PhD study is not only about earning a certificate, more importantly, it is a kind of training for how to conduct serious research, and evolve from what you have built up." Along with Prof Ooi's guidance and support, I spent the most insightful 8 years in the NUS Database System Research Group, from a fresh PhD student to a senior research fellow.

Initiated by the opportunities offered by Prof Ooi, I gradually settled my family down in Singapore. Beyond being my life-long supervisor, Prof Ooi also brought me insights about running a proper life. He is always the model I respect and make every endeavor to follow. After the weekly group meetings on Monday afternoons, he usually organized badminton games for the lab. I can't believe there are no longer any games where I can defend his strikes. Like the shuttlecock flying back and forth in different curves and eventually dropping to the ground, we tried our best to produce a wonderful match. That reflects the matches of life, together with his moments.

There was a time when I was a bit frustrated receiving Prof Ooi's rejections for my poor writing in papers and ugly drawings in PPTs, until they all finally formed the right shape. I hope I can make more slides to showcase our outstanding works, with the knowledge he taught me, and with all my heart.

Rest in peace, my dear boss.

I have worked with Beng Chin during my term in NUS Smart Systems Institute. He has an interesting sense of humour and deep commitment to work to be done; and huge responsibility to his colleagues and peers. While he is a man of few words, we all know that he is someone whom we can count on whenever you genuinely need some to trust and keep a promise. He once mentioned to me that we should work hard and be consistent, even if we are smart. Thats the simple formula for success. He named his pet project Apache SINGA, a nice present to Singapore for the breakthroughs and leadership in his expert field. Lets all take his wonderful work and continue to shine the path for more talents for a better world.

Dear Prof. Ooi,

Even today, I am in disbelief that you are no longer with us. It all feels so surreal. The memories from the past many years of learning and working with you keep flashing through my mind, and it is hard to process the reality that you are no longer here to guide us.

I will always remember you as a tremendous teacher, mentor, and great leader, someone who was firm on the outside, but incredibly warm on the inside. When I first joined your lab as a research assistant during the final year of my Ph.D., you did not force me to work on your own research topics. Instead, you gave me the space to complete my thesis independently. Afterward, you encouraged me to explore new, practical research directions that could yield a greater impact. You constantly pushed us to read broadly and deeply, to think critically, and to drive our work with purpose and missions. You taught us that research is not just about publishing papers, but about truly making a difference. And that we need to be hungrier, more ambitious, and always striving to lead the field rather than just being followers.

All these years, I have always looked up to you and tried to follow in your footsteps. Your research group was always large, sometimes with more than thirty staff and students, yet you always remembered the specifics of everyone's work. During our Monday meetings, you asked sharp questions, pressing us to ensure we were heading in the right direction. I was constantly in awe of your ability to manage both the big picture and the detailed progress of everyone's work. I vividly remember the many times I was working with the junior Ph.D. students on their paper deadlines, and you would log into Overleaf to check our progress and leave comments. You could always spot problems in our work instantly, whether they were in the writing, the implementations, or the experiments, and urge us to fix them immediately. You demanded that we take responsibility for our work, but most importantly, that we own it and take pride in it. Your dedication to research and to your students has been a profound inspiration to me.

Outside of work, you were a friendly boss who loved to mingle with your students. I will miss our Chinese New Year meals, the celebration dinners when your students graduated, or just those casual, simple lunches. I will dearly miss your jokes and laughter, which so often brightened our moods during stressful times. I will miss your quotes about life and work, your advice on how to strive to be the best while remaining a good person, and your reminders about the importance of family and friends. I will deeply miss the football matches you played with us. We were all surprised by how quickly you picked up the game. We knew you regularly played basketball and badminton, but on the football pitch, you still managed to score goals and defend very well. In some games, we played for over two hours; while most of us were exhausted, you were still actively playing right until the end.

There are so many other memories that I want to keep deeply in my heart. Words cannot express how much I appreciate your guidance and support all those years. You have left an incredible mark on my life that will stay with me forever. I will miss you dearly.

May you rest in peace. Your legacy will continue to inspire us all.

Your student,
Ta Quang Trung.

To my supervisor for my third‑year undergraduate project, my Master’s by Research, and later my boss at the NUS School of Computing IT Unit, the intersection of our journeys as student and supervisor, and later as employee and boss, laid the foundation for the upward trajectory of my entire career.

Without our years of interaction, my grit, resilience, and relentless focus on excellence would never have been forged so deeply. You were the one who taught me how to push through complexity, how to stay steady when the system wobbles, and how to keep moving when the path is unclear.

A part of my entrepreneurship bug, the courage to start my own company more than twenty years later, came from the time you involved me in your first startup. That experience planted a seed I didn’t even recognise then. It grew quietly, and at age 48, it finally bloomed. Without you, that courage would never have taken root.

Because of you, I learned to cross disciplines fearlessly. It was your influence that gave me the resilience to pursue my PhD part‑time in Information Systems, even though my roots were in Computer Science. You showed me that boundaries are often imagined, and that curiosity is a discipline of its own.

You also taught me empathy, not through lectures, but through the way you treated people. My commitment today to give back, to volunteer nationally and internationally, and to serve the less fortunate is in no small part shaped by your example. You showed me that brilliance means little without compassion.

Being around you always lit up the “never say die” spirit in me. No matter how much life threw me off balance, memories of our conversations and your unwavering belief in me helped me stand up again and move forward. Without you, I would never be the Jenson I am today.

Thank you for the life lessons.
Thank you for the opportunities.
Thank you for shaping my mind, my courage, and my heart.

Rest in peace, my dearest supervisor, teacher, and boss.
The world is so much less interesting without you in it.

I am profoundly saddened by the news of Professor Ooi's passing. I was fortunate enough to share many meaningful conversations with him, particularly during our encounters at SIGMOD and VLDB conferences. What always stood out to me was his deep rigor for research and the incredibly high standards he held for himself and the field. Every interaction with him was inspiring and left me with much to reflect upon. His passing is a tremendous loss to the database community. My deepest condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.

Beng Chin is one of the seniors I truly admire. Our close friendship began when we co-chaired the organization of SIGKDD 2021, where we built a strong bond through our work. Later, we served together as co-PIs on Singapore’s first government-funded blockchain research and innovation platform, SBIP, meeting weekly to discuss and drive the project forward. We also made time to share good food and drinks. So many wonderful memories…

It is a great loss, and deeply saddening. May he rest in peace.

It is hard to accept this reality. Even now, it still feels impossible. His words often echo in my mind: “Work la, hope it works.”

In my eyes, my supervisor was like a great, strong tree: sheltering us from the noise of the outside world, and guiding us toward the right direction. It was his recognition and trust that gave me the courage and opportunity to pursue a higher goal and begin a PhD journey. Over the past few years, he was strict, but also thoughtful and generous. I am especially thankful that he always noticed me, the quiet one in the corner. Just a week ago, he was still online at 4 a.m., editing my paper. When I was rushing to meet a deadline, he bought me chocolate croissants, giving me enormous motivation and encouragement that made me feel I was not alone.

For all of this, I will always be deeply grateful. I will remember, continue to discipline myself, and strive to live up to the trust and care he gave me.

We used to play football with Prof. Ooi. We know he is a famous professor in NUS, he came down to earth to play football with us, as students in NUS playground. He also joined us for the FPT Singapore 5v5 football tournament. Then, at first, I think he was just there to support and cheer us. But, it was not, he wore the shoes, and play very hard. I told the opponents that the professor is more than 60 years-old, and they are very surprised that he could play a match. Afterward, he still drank with us and talked with us also.
I am very fortunate to know Prof. Ooi. He will be missed. Rest in peace.

Rest in peace, Prof. Ooi. My condolences to Prof. Ooi's family and loved ones.

Prof. Ooi changed my life.
As a PhD student, research assistant, and postdoc, I had the privilege of working with him for almost six years. As a database researcher, he stood at a height I had never even imagined reaching.

One thing he said has always stayed with me: “When the lion wakes up, it must run to hunt. When the goat wakes up, it must run to survive.” I often feel that I was too slow to keep up, and I am sorry that I did not always follow his advice as well as I should have.

But I am deeply grateful for the many times we drank together. Those were some of my happiest memories with him. After drinking, he would change from a strict supervisor into an old friend, and we could talk freely about life, dreams, and all the beautiful, trivial things in the world.

It was my great privilege to know him, to learn from him, and to share those moments with him.

I miss you, Boss.

I was a PhD student at SoC during Beng Chin's deanship, supervised by another professor in the DB group. So I knew as someone whose presence/care was impossible to miss, in the lab late at night, on the courts, at the dinners and gatherings he so often pulled his students into.
I'll admit I quietly envied his students. The way he cared for them... He pushed them hard, but he also fed them, travelled with them, celebrated with them, and worried about them in ways that went far beyond what a supervisor is asked to do. From the outside, it looked less like a research group and more like a family.
My deepest condolences to his family, his students, and all who were close to him.

I am absolutely stunned and deeply saddened to hear this most unfortunate news! I am struggling to process this.

Beng Chin was synonymous with NUS School of Computing (SoC) and SoC’s rise. I personally have worked very closely with him for decades in SoC and also in IDMI/SSI. He exhibited tough yet fair leadership that was strategic and forward looking. No wonder that he created an outsized impact everywhere he went. He was very helpful and generous to so many people. He deeply cared about people, SoC and NUS.

I wish and pray for strength to his family during this very trying period.

Very saddened and heartbroken when I heard the shocking news, could not concentrate to work whole day.

Prof Ooi was our group boss during my one and half years at NUS. I applied joining his team from another group and there were some troubles. He assured me and took care of everything and asked me just concentrate in research.

He worked very hard and became then youngest full professor in Singapore, showed us high academic standards and required us the same. Many of us benefited from his supervision and encouragement, even after these many years.

Most of his students are not local Singaporean, he likes to took us enjoy different restaurants nearby and hosted us for Chinese New Years. He really impacted us in many ways deeply.

He will be remembered and missed.

The passing of Prof Ooi came as a shock to everyone who knows him...

Prof Ooi was our final year project supervisor in 1992 while SOC was known as DISCS (Department of Information System & Computer Science) then. The project was titled "Database User Interface Design Editor". In the course of the project, Prof Ooi suggested we submit the report to a database conference held in Korea, which we did. Never in our wildest dreams we expect the paper was accepted. For undergraduates, it was a fantastic achievement and we got a high A for our final year project.

Looking back, we found the project most challenging. Prof Ooi did not give us unnecessary pressure and guide us along in an encouraging manner. This also prepare and help us in our working life.

From guiding a small group of undergraduates through their first research submission to steering DISCS into the thriving School of Computing, Prof Ooi’s impact has always been rooted in his belief in people. We are deeply grateful for the patience, wisdom, and quiet encouragement he shared with us in 1992, and we know countless others carry the same gratitude. His legacy lives on in every student he mentored, every colleague he inspired, and every line of code, system, or idea that traces back to his teaching.

Thank you, Prof Ooi Beng Chin, for your lifelong dedication to education and for leaving the academic community better than you found it. Rest in peace.

Choo Ging Yang (chooging)
Phua Kia Chek (phuakiac)
Robin Seow (seowchin)

A few days have passed, I still haven't been able to recover from the shock of Bengchin's passing.Life is so fragile , Even a strong and proud warrior like Bengchin could not escape a sudden catastrophe. Thousands of thoughts are welling up that I hardly know where to begin. I can only leave this message here as a memorial: -Rest in peace.

I am shocked and deeply saddened by the passing of Beng Chin — it is truly hard to take in such sudden news. I have known him for many years and had the privilege of visiting him several times in Singapore. He always welcomed me with warmth, kindness, and remarkable generosity. I still vividly remember the times we spent together — discussing new research directions, chatting about characters in Chinese martial arts novels, enjoying fine cuisine (especially crabs and durian), and playing ping pong.

His presence will be profoundly missed, both in the research community and among friends. His insight, generosity, and warmth will continue to stay with us.

My deepest condolences go out to his family and loved ones.

I saw and I wept.

I shall always remember you said, it is not only big things we do that matter but the small ones, too.

We shall have in our time once a while the whale moments, if we are lucky. But they are culminations of guppies moments. You have so many whale moments that seem to make you almost superhuman. But the ride you gave me in your car, bumping into you at a mall, the friendly and numerous nods from afar at corridors, your attentiveness to SoC, your voice, your gait, your carriage and many, many such moments defined you as much as your success.

Thank you Prof. Ooi.

Prof. Ooi (our boss) never treated us like just students. He treated us with a warmth that felt almost parental. He would bring us around to try all kinds of food in hawker centres, little stalls, places we might never have gone on our own. It always struck me how someone so accomplished could sit with us so casually, eating, chatting, and drinking, as if we were simply friends. He made us feel comfortable, seen, and included.

One memory that keeps coming back is from Harbin. We were walking along the river. At some point, we came across a sign that said, “Do not beat or scold the boss.” It was such an odd and funny thing that we all stopped and took photos. All these memories have been replaying in my mind, over and over again. They feel so vivid, as if they just happened yesterday.

Thank you, boss, for everything. You will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.

Truly sad and heartbroken to hear that Bengchin has passed. He became Dean shortly after I joined NUS, and I was privileged to be a faculty member under his leadership.

Bengchin was one of the most genuine people I have met----a scholar without the pomp, direct yet gentle, stoic-faced but possessing a heartwarming smile. It was truly my honor to have known him.

Rest in peace, Prof. Ooi. You are missed.

We are deeply saddened and shocked by the unfortunate passing of Professor OOI. We extend our heartfelt gratitude for his profound contributions to the advancement of China's database community and the cultivation of outstanding talents. May he rest in eternal peace in heaven, free from all pain and toil, and his legacy will be cherished and remembered by all forever.

I remember meeting Prof. Beng Chin Ooi many, many years ago, when he came to the very first talk that I gave as a junior faculty member. I also remember that many years later, he told me that 我还记得你刚出道的时候. For all these years, Beng Chin had been a constant presence in our community, full of vitality and passion for whatever he did. I find it so hard to process his passing --- we are losing a towering figure in our field, and he will be deeply missed.

I will always remember Professor OOI as a strong person who truly loved life. He loved doing bench press, and during my PhD, I watched him progress from about 80 kg to nearly 100 kg. He also liked to use his strength during basketball games. I think that, in playing with students, he may have found a sense of youth again, and we gained both a strong team spirit and a way to relieve the stress of research.

Whenever he bought a new pair of basketball shoes, he would excitedly call on students to go play together. His mid-range shot was very accurate, the kind of parabola that those of us in science and engineering especially appreciated. He was competitive, and he had excellent passing vision on the court. He trusted his younger teammates, much like in his approach to research and work.

We played like kids, fairly and without politics and so, the games could sometimes get intense. In one game, I irritated him after gaining a big lead. He then made many shots in a row and led a comeback. I remember he was very happy that day.

He would sometimes talk about his work ethic, saying that he often worked late into the night. He said he had already achieved everything he wanted, and that we were still young and should work hard.

I feel deeply saddened to have lost a mentor like him, someone who truly loved sports and competition. I hope that wherever he is now, he can still find the things he loved.

Deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Prof Ooi. Although I did not have the privilege of working with him directly, I have long known of his respected contributions to NUS and Singapore’s AI and computing research community. In my earlier years supporting Prof Chua and NExT Search Centre under the then Smart Systems Institute, I came to appreciate how senior academic leaders like Prof Ooi helped shape the environment in which important research initiatives could grow.

I also remember him as one of the familiar faculty members I would occasionally see at the NUSS Guild House gym, a quiet but human memory of someone whose presence extended beyond the academic setting.

My deepest condolences to his family, colleagues, students, and the wider NUS community. His legacy will continue through the many people and institutions he has influenced.

I briefly interacted with Prof. Ooi when he was general chair of SIGKDD 2021 and before that he was a very gracious host at NUS. He was a giant in the DB community and a pioneer in spatial databases (from his PhD dissertation in GIS at Monash). In no small part he was instrumental in creating the template at NUS that was embraced across universities in Asia to bootstrap their research.

Sanjay Chawla

I was deeply saddened to hear that Prof. Ooi/ boss had passed away, just six months after I left the group. Every memory of him remains vivid, as if it all happened only yesterday. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family, students, and friends.

He held himself to the highest standards in research and led us by example. “You have to run, no matter who you are”, he often shared the story of the gazelles and the lions, reminding us never to stay comfortable and to keep pushing forward. “Research waits for no one,” he told us, urging us to constantly think about research ideas, act quickly, and give our best during our Ph.D. journey. “Never be a follower; always be a leader.” He always shared his vision and shaped our research tastes to tackle impactful problems. “Winners are simply willing to do what losers won’t,” another quote he liked and he was an epitome of it. He set hard goals, put in his best efforts, and achieved successes in his legendary life. In work, he was serious and exacting, with a clear purpose in mind.

His teachings extended far beyond research. He spoke of how his mentors and friends helped him in his life, and he reminded us to treat others with kindness and generosity. He believed in cherishing every encounter along the way. He celebrated every milestone with us and brought us together during holidays, strengthening our bond as a group and building a unique culture. He once said that our hands bend only inward, a metaphor that deeply touched me showing his care for his students.

During my six years in the DBSystem group, he changed me profoundly, shaping my career, views and values. Boss, thank you so much for your guidance and support over the years. I always thought that we would have many more years ahead. I was not prepared for this day to come so soon.

Last Saturday, I was at NUSS, a place filled with our shared memories. I saw the courts where our intense badminton matches happened, the smith machine you always did bench press on in the gym, the tables where we sat together at the café and bar, and the karaoke where you sang classic songs with us. I walked around hoping to see you and have another drink, but I know I have lost you forever. Boss, I miss you.

May you rest in peace.

Prof Ooi was the dean when I was a graduate student at SOC and I attended his Database lecture and got A grade. When I met him later before graduation he still remembered me and congratulated me the A grade in his class. He is so kind and patient and I learnt many frontier database research and knowledge from him.
Rest in peace Prof Ooi!

Dear Boss,

Thank you for replying to my visit application email and accepting me to do research in Singapore. Thank you for helping me become part of the DB LAB family. Thank you for offering me the new position, allowing me to continue working in Singapore for a while longer. Thank you for hosting my husband when he came to Singapore for a conference. Thank you for guiding me through your everyday example, showing me what it means to work diligently and treat people sincerely. You have been like a patriarch to all of us, always inviting us to meals, watching us chat, and saying, "Drink up" or "Eat up." It has been an honor to know you, to work in your lab, and to learn from you.

May you rest in peace.

I had lunch with you in June 2023, and I still remember how you told me to let go of the past and move forward. You shared many kind and thoughtful words, some of which I only truly understood after I returned to the U.S.

I’ve felt deeply saddened, especially thinking that I might see you again when I returned to SG in a few years. It was hard to accept how suddenly you were gone, just as you once spoke about.

Rest in peace.

We remember you as “Boss” — a mentor who shaped not only our research, but our lives.

Beyond the lab, you were warmth and laughter: sharing late-night drinks, bringing us together over durians, reminding us that life was to be lived fully, even amidst deadlines. In research, you were exacting and relentless, pushing us to think deeper, work harder, and never settle for less. Many nights were spent together revising papers line by line, chasing clarity and excellence under your unwavering guidance.

You demanded much because you believed in us. And in doing so, you gave us far more — resilience, rigor, and a standard we will carry forward.

Thank you for the lessons, the memories, and the example you set. You will be deeply missed, and forever remembered.

My deepest condolences to Professor Ooi’s family. May God’s comfort and mercy be with them during this difficult time.

It was shocking and completely unexpected to hear that Prof. Ooi Beng Chin has passed away. Prof. Ooi gave me the opportunity to be part of his select Database Systems Research Group from 2018 to 2023. From 2021, he entrusted me with overseeing the Singapore Blockchain Innovation Programme. During the period I spent working with him, I grew both professionally and personally. He was always supportive, and he knew how to motivate all of us. He was an example not only in terms of academic life and research, but also personally, by encouraging us to always stay fit, exercise, and read. I will deeply miss the football games we played with him at NUS.

May you rest in peace.

I worked as a research assistant at NUS with Prof. Ooi for one year, he always made us feel comfortable calling him boss or "laoban" in Chinese. I came in with low expectations of myself, as I had little experience in databases or data systems at the time. But fortunately and surprisingly, that year turned out to be incredibly fruitful and full of happiness, not only because he always treated us to drinks (he even gave me a whole bottle of Maotai when I finished a project while on crutches with a broken leg), but also because of the wonderful lab he had built, full of kind and talented people.

I learned so much from him across every dimension, and have always looked up to him as a role model in life. His recommendation letter paved the road to my PhD journey. Even now, I still cannot fully believe that he is gone. I remember how energetic and full of life he was during the time I worked with him. This is a profound loss, and he will be deeply missed. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family, I hope they find comfort in knowing how deeply he touched the lives of so many around him.

I met Beng Chin two decades ago at SIGMOD. Over the years I had many interactions with him on various professional matters (community or research) and every time was impressed by his clarity of thought, his unique and pragmatic thinking, his straightforward way of solving challenging database performance problems, but above all his kindness, natural humility and generosity. I extend my most heartfelt condolences to his family and colleagues; we all were lucky to have met and worked with him. His memory will be in our hearts forever.

A distinguished genius on VLDB

Today I learned that Prof. Beng Chin Ooi passed away at the young age of 64. Beng was a friend whom I last met in Singapore two years ago. In 2019 Beng, Mohan and I together organized a Dagstuhl seminar on blockchain of which I have vivid memories. Beng was a leading database researcher and will be missed by the entire DB community. RIP Beng

Prof Ooi was my FYP supervisor in 2023. To Prof:

Thank you for always upholding the highest standards in your students. Although you always appeared stern in-person (and sometimes also over emails), you cared deeply for your students’ academic and personal well-being and aspirations.

Thank you for instilling in me the value of clear presentation. I remember you inviting me to your office to review my midterm FYP report. I then received a well-deserved dressing down on my report format and organisation (or lack thereof). From you, I’ve learnt that presentation is as important as the research itself – and arguably more so – a principle I still hold dear to this day.

Thank you for writing my recommendation letter to Berkeley, and for supporting your students’ career paths whatever they may be. I wouldn’t be where I am today without you.

Rest In Peace, Prof Ooi. It’s been an honour to have you as my Prof.

I had the privilege and pleasure of working as a VLDB officer (Treasurer) under Beng Chin while he was the President of the VLDB Endowment. In addition to being a prolific systems researcher, Beng Chin was a wonderful human and a great community servant and leader. I always enjoyed his energy and attitude - and the fact that he never felt the need to dress up for conference activities (:-)) - as well as the fun of his presence at annual VLDB Endowment dinners. Beng Chin's passing is definitely a loss for the database community; he will surely be missed.

Prof Ooi was my FYP supervisor. He was extremely kind and intelligent. His leadership and impact on me as a student will stay with me for life. Not only as a great prof, but as a great role model. Rest in peace, professor!

Prof Ooi was the SOC dean while I was an undergrad. I got to attend a couple of school related events/dinners with him where we were often seated together. I remember having great conversations - even as a clueless undergrad, he was patient and kind towards my naive (and sometimes probably too forward) questions, and explained a number of things about the non-academic side of being a Professor.

Later on, I followed his lab's research work from a distance and always quietly rooted for the team. Sad to hear his passing, but I know that his impact and legacy is with us all. Rest in peace.

I was deeply shocked and saddened to hear of Prof. Ooi’s passing, and I still cannot believe it is true.

I was fortunate to be admitted as a research fellow in Prof. Ooi’s lab at NUS in 2019. I remain deeply grateful for the opportunity he gave me to work there for four and a half years. That experience changed both my career and my life.

He guided us by example. He was self-disciplined and serious about research. I still vividly remember how carefully he revised our papers, sometimes paying attention to every sentence and word. He often reminded us to write what we truly believe. When we felt nervous about important matters, he would comfort us by saying: “Take it easy - we do our best, the rest leaves it to fate”. These words will stay with me.

Beyond research, he was kind and generous to students, friends, and many others around him. He always treated us to good meals and drinks. He also played basketball and badminton with us after work, and sometimes, when the schedule allowed, he would treat us to dinner afterward. These ordinary moments have now become my precious memories.

Boss, may you rest in peace. Our heartfelt condolences to your family and loved ones. You will be dearly missed and always remembered.

I'm very sad to hear the sudden loss and still can't believe the news. I sincerely hope his family and friends can go through this difficult time. I took Prof Ooi's database class in 2024. It was a small class, so it was quite lively and fun. He was chill, nice to talk to, and taught the concepts nice and clean. Like many SoC profs, on top of your research excellence, you treat us students with kindness and care. You have shaped the next generation of Singapore, and we miss you.

- from just one of many of your students

Though I was with SoC HR team for 2 years, I have heard many good things about Prof Ooi.
After getting to work with and support him though briefly, I understand why so many people respect and admire him.
Rest in peace, Prof Ooi.

I am deeply saddened to hear of Beng Chin's passing. He was a truly dedicated and inspiring colleague. He will be dearly missed.

Today I learned that my PhD supervisor Prof Ooi has passed away. I am deeply saddened by this loss. He was not only an exceptional scholar, but also a generous mentor who shaped my thinking, guided my research, and supported me through challenges. His patience, rigor, and curiosity will remain with me in every piece of work I do. I am grateful for the time I had to learn from him. His legacy lives on in his students and in the knowledge he shared. Rest in peace, Professor. You will always be remembered. May his kindness and wisdom continue to inspire us.

I am deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Professor Ooi Beng Chin. Even now, it is still hard for me to believe that our seemingly invincible Boss has left this world so suddenly.

During the first two years of my PhD, Professor Ooi had been my co-supervisor and guided me with great care in my research work. He gave me invaluable support at an important stage of my academic starting line. With his support, I had the opportunity to spend seven months as an intern at NUS, an experience that has stayed with me ever since, including working, sports and wine with your voice around.

To me, Professor Ooi was strict, but never cold, demanding, but never intimidating. He held very high standards, yet behind those standards there was genuine care and patience. From him, I tried to learn not only how to work, but also what it means to pursue excellence with discipline and integrity.

After my PhD, I did not have many chances to meet Professor Ooi again. I never imagined that a brief encounter from years ago would become our final meeting. I had always thought that one day, when I had made more progress in my own career, I would visit him again in Singapore. Sadly, that opportunity will never come.

I will always remember Professor Ooi with deep respect and gratitude. Rest in peace, Boss. You will be deeply missed.

Deeply saddened and shocked by the sudden passing of Dr. Ooi. He was my FYP professor at NUS and guided me not only in databases, but also in developing a deeper, more rigorous way of thinking in scientific research.

Beng Chin hosted me at NUS during my first sabbatical, some 20 years ago. During my stay I had to deal with unexpected personal issues and he was very supportive and understanding --something I have not and will not forget. The database community is losing not only a top researcher but also an excellent colleague. My condolences to his family.

I was deeply shocked to hear of Prof. Ooi’s passing. He help to established the collaborative program with Fudan University, which gave me the opportunity to pursue my graduate studies at NUS. He served as dean and provided us with an excellent environment for both study and campus life during my entire time at NUS. He was very down-to-earth and loved spending time with student. We even had Maotai together and played basketball a few times together with his students. May he rest in peace. My heartfelt condolences to his family.

Rest In Peace, Beng Chin.

In Memory of Prof. Beng Chin OOI

I had the honor of visiting Prof. Beng Chin OOI's group as an intern during my PhD studies in 2006. He was not only an exceptional researcher but also an inspiring mentor who taught me how to approach research with passion and rigor. His guidance and encouragement left a lasting impact on my academic journey.

Beyond academia, Prof. OOI was a kind and generous individual. I fondly remember playing badminton and basketball together, and how he always treated his students to drinks. His warmth and care extended far beyond the lab, creating a supportive and nurturing environment for those around him.

Prof. OOI also visited Tsinghua University many times, further strengthening the academic connection between NUS and Tsinghua.

His passing is a great loss to the database community and to all who had the privilege of knowing him.

May he rest in peace.

Therefore, send not to know
For whom the bell tolls,
It tolls for thee. john donne

Beng Chin invited me to spend the summer of 2012 at NUS. It was a wonderful stay, both professionally and personally. I got to know a sensitive and really nice person. I’ll miss him and our great conversations.
My condolences to his family and relatives.

I was a PhD student in the computational biology lab from 2008, but I had close friends in the DB lab and used to spend a lot of time there, chatting, exchanging ideas, and working through many late nights that defined our graduate years.

During those times, I would often see Prof. Ooi Beng Chin. He was almost always there, late evenings and weekends, showing up consistently, checking on his students, and pushing them with a level of discipline that was unmistakable. It was demanding, but you could see what it led to, as his students went on to publish in top venues and build strong careers.

I never had the chance to speak with him directly, but I learnt a great deal just by observing him. His work ethic and his commitment to his students left a deep impression on me. Those memories have stayed with me and continue to shape how I approach my work even today.

My heartfelt condolences to his family, students, and colleagues. His influence lives on in the many lives he shaped, far beyond those who knew him personally.

I am deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Beng Chin Ooi.
I have known Beng Chin for a very long time, dating back to his early years as a researcher. We had the opportunity to work together in the 1990s, and I have followed his remarkable career ever since. Over the decades, he became not only a leading figure in the database community, but also a source of inspiration for many of us through his vision, his intellectual generosity, and his strong commitment to advancing our field. Beng Chin’s contributions have shaped modern data management research in profound ways, and his impact will continue to be felt for many years to come. Beyond his technical achievements, I will remember him for his collegiality, his mentorship, and the respect he showed to colleagues across generations.
He will be deeply missed by our community.

I am deeply saddened and shocked by the sudden passing of Beng Chin. We have known each other for a long time, and I still remember his kindness and generosity when he hosted me at NUS. I will always cherish those moments, just as I will remember how genuinely pleasant and never trivial it was to meet him at conferences and share conversations. He will be greatly missed, not only as an outstanding scientist, but as a truly kind and thoughtful person. My heartfelt condolences go to his family, friends, and colleagues.

Beng Chin was a resourceful scientist and an interesting and kind person. I cherish the time we spent together during my visit to NUS. He will be remembered and missed. My condolences to his family, relatives, friends.

I was very shocked and saddened to learn of the sudden passing of Professor Ooi.
I still remember he visited Fudan several times and facilitated the cooperation between Fudan and NUS. It was thanks to his research connections with Fudan, I had the chance to come to NUS for further study.
Professor Ooi was an energetic man with great passion for his research and work. He was also very kind to students. Though I was not a student in Database group,
he once greeted me with a gentle smile in the hallway and shared a few kind, encouraging words that I still remember clearly.
May Prof. Ooi rest in peace. Our heartfelt condolences extend to his family and loved ones.

Since 2019, I have felt truly blessed to have had the opportunity to work with Professor Ooi Beng Chin for the past seven years. I am deeply grateful for all his guidance and help over the years. I have lost not only a deeply respected mentor, but also a dear friend. I will always remember what you taught me: “It does not matter who you are — you have to run.” Thank You, Bboss

Beng Chin was the president of the VLDB endowment when I and colleagues proposed to organize VLDB in Brazil. He was always supportive and kind leading us to a very successful event. After that, he received me at NUS in 2020. During my stay in Singapore, he was a generous and friendly host, and shared with me very interesting research projects in development by his students. I am very grateful to him. RIP.

Your passing came as a great shock and brings deep sadness. It is difficult to come to terms with your absence.

You consistently encouraged me to work hard and often reminded me of the importance of maintaining a good work-life balance. I am deeply grateful for your guidance and support.

May you rest in peace. Our heartfelt condolences to your family.

Beng Chin will be sadly missed by all of us - his direct manner, cheeky smile and unwavering commitment to the school and the community. To his family - I am so sorry for your loss; In NZ we would say "Kia Kaha" (be strong - we are with you).
Rest in peace Prof.

My team and I are deeply saddened by the passing of Prof Ooi.

We have known Prof Ooi since 2010. Over the years, we had the privilege of working with him through different phases. It has truly been a long journey together.

Beyond his many achievements, what stayed with us was how he showed up, always cheerful, sharp in his insights, and clear in his convictions. He was deeply committed to building something meaningful for Singapore.

Many of us will remember the conversations and the steady presence he brought. He made a lasting difference not just through his work, but in the people he connected with and influenced.

We are grateful for the opportunity to have worked alongside him over the years. He will be deeply missed.

Our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.

My deepest sympathies go out to all of us in the database community and to the family.
I was one of the many lucky people hosted by Beng Chin.
I will remember his kindness and smile.

Beng Chin was an outstanding researcher and even better person. His willingness to help, commitment to the community, mentorship, as well as his many contributions to research and service have no equal and will be sorely missed. My condolences to his family, his former students, and the whole NUS community for the sad loss.

Thank you for everything🙏🙏🙏. Rest in peace, Prof Ooi.You will be greatly missed.

I am completely shocked and deeply saddened by the passing of Beng Chin. Over the years, I had limited opportunities to directly interact with Beng Chin, but almost every time, he taught me new insights about doing good research. His influence further extended to my students, who learned from students in Beng Chin’s group. We are all deeply indebted to him. We will never forget Beng Chin’s teachings, and his memory will live on forever in our hearts.

The passing away of Beng Chin deprives the database community of one of its most capable and helpful members. He will be sadly missed.

Prof. Ooi, or Laoban as we always called you.

All the memories come rushing back to me, each one vivid, stretching all the way back to 2021. When I was browsing faculty pages looking for a PhD supervisor, you admitted me partly because you thought I was tall and played basketball. I did not.

The five years of PhD life were full of challenges, especially in research, which was an entirely new world to me. Thank you for never giving up on me. You supported me in joining top research groups for internships and helped me build connections with leading researchers I would never have reached on my own.

After graduation, you recommended me for the position at SJTU, saying that a girl is better off living closer to her parents. You were always dependable when I encountered challenges in almost every aspect of my career. I am gentle by nature and not particularly aggressive, but at the critical moments you pushed me just enough, and because of that I reached milestones in my academic career I would not have believed possible.

I still remember that you were the first person to call me after an important proposal defense. You told me it was time to relax, and to accept whatever the outcome might be. Just like a parent would.

You once told us that you were the youngest full professor at SoC in NUS (applied at 37 and got at 38). That planted something in me, and I quietly set the same milestone as a goal for myself. Over these sixteen years, you have been my guiding light, guiding me forward without even knowing it sometimes. One phrase from you has stayed with me all along: "work hard and let the future take care of itself".

I feel so fortunate that I got to visit you in NB not long ago. In what turned out to be our last meeting, you encouraged me to collaborate with your students at NUS and ZJU. I will. That is a promise.

Laoban, rest well. The many students you guided will carry your legacy forward, so that you are never forgotten.

Prof Ooi or boss was a kind and generous leader, mentor, and teacher to us. While he often looked stern with few words, we knew he wanted the best for us. We were fortunate to learn from him most during the team's weekly meetings, where he shared his time, wisdom, and guidance so generously. These moments will always be deeply treasured.

He constantly encouraged us to strive for excellence, innovation, and speed, shaping not only our work but also our mindset. Beyond work, we remember his warmth in bringing the team together — whether through sports, dinners or get togethers — creating a sense of camaraderie that we will always hold dear.

He leaves behind a lasting legacy in all of us, and he will be deeply missed.

Thank you boss/Prof Ooi for everything you have done for us and your silent support. We will miss you.

We were deeply saddened and could hardly believe that Prof. Ooi passed away. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family.

I first met him when I was an undergraduate student at Renmin University. He delivered a speech at the university’s 30th anniversary ceremony in 2008. At the time, I had no idea how profoundly he would shape my life.

In 2011, I received an offer to pursue a PhD at SoC through the Dean’s Program. From then on, I worked with Prof. Ooi for nearly ten years. I still vividly remember how he guided us in research and system development, treated us to food and drinks, and pushed us with candid critique. He was highly self-disciplined and led by example in so many ways—both in research and in life. He held himself to the highest standards, yet was generous to everyone: students, friends, and even strangers. He treated us like his own children—driving us sightseeing during conferences, advocating for our interests, and offering career advice and opportunities. There are simply too many unforgettable moments to count.

Prof. Ooi is a legend to me, and I will miss him dearly!
May you rest in peace, Boss.

Beng Chin has been a visionary leader for the School of Computing. I remembered how he had steered the School during his deanship; quite a challenging period for the School. He has been instrumental in uniting the School towards the lofty goal of being one of the top schools in the world. The School is indebted to him for the strong foundations which he had laid. I have also lost a great friend and colleague. Rest in Peace, Beng Chin. My deepest condolences to Beng Chin's family. He is a big loss to you, NUS and Singapore!

Prof Ooi,

Though you may appear tough, I have always felt that you cared deeply for your staff in your own quiet and unspoken way. I still remember how you gave both me and another colleague a pair of gloves when we happened to visit the gym at the now-defunct Staff Club. It was a small gesture, but one that reflected your thoughtfulness and kindness.

You will be deeply missed by all of us at NUS School of Computing.

Saddened to hear of Prof. Ooi’s passing. He was a true visionary leader who dedicated his life to research. May he rest in peace. My heartfelt condolences to his family.

My deepest condolences to Prof Ooi's loved ones. He had departed too soon and too sudden. I hope you can take comfort in knowing that he had touched many lives and made the world a little better.

Prof Ooi was my Masters thesis advisor when I was among the pioneer batch of Singapore MIT Alliance. I recalled that my apprehension while I was presenting the work. Prof Ooi had a neutral/fierce expression throughout. It turned out that my fears were unfounded. He was and had been kind than his poker face suggested. This is attested by the tribute and memories of his students.

While I didn't have another chance to work with him after my Masters, I continue to follow his impressive contributions to mankind's quest for knowledge and a better way to do things. Recently, I was even planning for a joint collaboration with with him but it was not to be.

There will always be regrets in life. But I believe Prof Ooi had very few. May he rest in peace. His scientific contributions and his impact on his students live on.

I had the privilege of working with Prof. Ooi as a Research Fellow at the NUS for eight years. He was a truly wonderful and deeply respected mentor who shaped much of my academic journey.

I owe a great deal of my academic foundation to his guidance—always thoughtful, precise, and generous. Beyond his remarkable achievements, it is his humility and dedication to his students that I will remember most.

He will be greatly missed.

I am deeply saddened by the passing of Prof Ooi. He played a pivotal role in my academic journey --- he was the one who facilitated my transfer from the business school to the school of computing at NUS, a decision that fundamentally changed my career path and my life.
At several critical moments in my career, he also offered thoughtful guidance that shaped my choices and direction. I remain profoundly grateful for his wisdom, and support, with a sense of awe.
His passing feels sudden and deeply unreal. I carry forward his insistence on meaningful work, and the lessons of a man who changed the trajectory of my life. We honor his memory by continuing to strive for the high standards he set for us all.

Dear Professor Ooi,

Although I did not have the privilege of knowing you personally, I was an intern in the Database Group at NUS School of Computing 18 years ago, and I often heard stories about your extraordinary capability, dedication, integrity, and academic reputation.

At that time, as a 22-year-old student, I regarded you as a true role model and an academic idol. Over the years, you continued to push the boundaries of computer science and technology, making world-class contributions to the field and inspiring generations of students and researchers.

I also had the opportunity to work with several of your students, and through them I could feel the lasting influence of your mentorship, values, and academic spirit. You may have appeared serious and demanding on the outside, but many people knew that behind that was a warm heart, deep care for your students, and a strong commitment to advancing knowledge.

Thank you, Professor Ooi, for your lifelong contributions to NUS, to computer science, and to the broader academic community. Your legacy will continue through your work, your students, and the many people you inspired.

May you rest in peace. My deepest condolences to your family, colleagues, students, and loved ones.

I wish to express my profound condolences regarding the passing of Professor Ooi Beng Chin. His departure represents a significant loss to the academic community, particularly to those who benefited from his dedicated mentorship and leadership.

Professor Ooi was an eminent scholar and a notably altruistic mentor who maintained a deep commitment to his students. He was instrumental in supporting the academic development of numerous individuals, particularly those from China, facilitating their pursuit of advanced degrees at the National University of Singapore (NUS).

He actively sought to foster an inclusive environment for his international students. Notably, he frequently extended invitations to Chinese students residing abroad to join him at his residence for traditional festivals.

Professor Ooi's dedication to his students persisted long after their graduation. He remained deeply connected to his Chinese heritage, contributing significantly to the support of his domestic peers. Furthermore, he held professorships at several prestigious Chinese institutions, including Zhejiang University, Fudan University, Peking University, and Tsinghua University. Consequently, many of his former students now hold faculty positions at various universities, particularly within China.
His enduring legacy is reflected in the many students he inspired, who continue to make substantial contributions to academia and other sectors globally. He will be remembered for his intellectual rigor, his generosity of spirit, and his transformative impact on the lives of students.

May he rest in eternal peace.

Sheng Zhang Apr 27, 2026

I was deeply saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Professor Ooi. The news came as a shock, and I find it difficult to express this loss in words.

Professor Ooi was kind, wise, and remarkably patient. He mentored many with care and supported researchers and projects with unwavering dedication. His inspiring presence and commitment will remain with me always.

He will be deeply missed and always remembered.
Rest in peace, Professor Ooi.

Prof. Ooi — or Boss, as we all called him — was my PhD supervisor. I first came to NUS seven years ago as a research intern, and in 2021 I became his PhD student.
Boss was strict about research. He held himself to the same standard he held us to, maybe even higher. He worked seven days a week. Even past 60, he would still stay up through the night with students to revise papers. A week before he passed, he was still helping a junior in our group with hers.
Outside of work he was a different person. He played ball with us — I played basketball, table tennis, and badminton with him, and I heard he used to play squash and tennis when he was younger. We'd often run into him at the gym too. He always told us to keep our bodies strong, because that's what lets you do good work.
He was generous. He'd take us out for drinks whenever a project went well or a paper got in, just to take some of the pressure off.
Boss changed my life. I didn't come from a strong background, and I used to want to hide that. He told me not to. He said people who climb up from ordinary places earn more respect, not less, and he told me to keep going and not lose heart. I'm grateful he funded my PhD out of his own grants, and that he backed my research direction even when it wasn't an easy one to publish in. In group meetings he pushed me to go deeper, to practice my English, to read the news, to read more books in English.

Boss, thank you for everything. I'll miss you.

It came as a great shock to hear that Professor OOI, a true legend in databases and AI, has passed away.
He changed my life twice. In 2008, he admitted me to NUS for my PhD. Then in 2018, when he set up the AI Innovation and Incubation Center in Suzhou, he brought me back to NUS to lead its establishment. Beyond work, he also showed me how to live a fuller, different life.
Everything I do in my work today is built on the solid foundation he helped us lay. I deeply regret that I did not finish the work he entrusted to me well enough, and failed to live up to his guidance and expectations.
Now I have lost the chance to say thank you, and to say sorry to him. I am filled with endless sorrow and regret.
Rest in peace, Professor OOI. I will always remember you.

I am deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Prof. Ooi Beng Chin. Having been under his supervision since my final year project and through to the completion of my PhD, I feel incredibly fortunate to have learned from him for so many years. He was a mentor who balanced the highest standards with kindness and generosity toward his students. It was truly a privilege and an honor to have been his student andI will always be grateful for the opportunity to have learned from him. My deepest condolences go out to his family and loved ones.

Thank you, Prof Ooi, for laying my foundation in databases and for mentoring my daughter during her honours year. Your impact across two generations of IT in our family will always be remembered. Rest in peace.

Deeply in Mourning
My PhD supervisor at NUS, Professor B.C. Ooi (黄铭钧院士), may you rest in peace. 🕯️

The moment I came across the obituary, my hands trembled. I could never bring myself to believe that my beloved mentor—always gentle yet rigorous, the guiding light throughout my doctoral journey—has left us forever.

Academician Professor B.C. Ooi was my guiding mentor during my PhD studies at the National University of Singapore and will forever serve as my role model on the path of academia.

I still vividly remember every day and night spent in the SoC laboratory.

After landing in Singapore in the small hours following an international conference, exhausted from long travels, he would head straight to the lab without hesitation. It was never harsh reprimand, but his relentless pursuit of academic precision. He reminded us not to overlook a single research detail, embodying an innate dedication to scientific research.

Every Lunar New Year, he would warmly invite us Chinese students staying overseas to his home. We gathered to enjoy traditional Yu Sheng, celebrate the festival, and play Blackjack together. Free from the arrogance of an academician, he treated us like family, filling our hearts with a deep sense of belonging in a foreign land.

Beyond research, he often took me to play squash to unwind and recharge. After workouts, we would share drinks and conversations in the staff lounge, talking about academics, daily life, and future plans. He was both a teacher and a close friend, easing countless moments of confusion and struggle during my PhD years.

After graduating and starting my career in Seattle, I thought our meetings would grow sparse. Yet whenever he attended conferences in Seattle or San Francisco, he would make time to meet me for meals, checking in on my work and life, and continuing to offer invaluable guidance and encouragement as always.

A world-renowned computer scientist and an academic giant who has received all three top accolades in the database field, Professor Ooi possessed extraordinary academic vision and unwavering devotion to research. He stands as an eternal role model for all younger scholars. He wholeheartedly nurtured young researchers and dedicated his life to upholding the responsibility and original aspiration of an exceptional educator.

Though our beloved mentor has passed away, his noble spirit and legacy will endure forever.
Rest in eternal peace, Professor B.C. Ooi, 黄铭钧院士. 🕯️

My deepest condolences to Beng Chin’s family. When I served as Vice Dean under his Deanship, he was always there to support and guide me. I still remember the evening when we hosted visitors at Shangri-La. Knowing that I don’t drink, he quietly took on all the drink invitations from the guests. Later that night, I drove him home in his car, carefully maneuvering through the heavy rain.

To me, Beng Chin embodied both the Western culture of strong leadership and the Asian culture of a respectful kampong head. He advanced SoC’s progress through clear policy direction and by leading through example; he supported individual members of the SoC family through gentle care and subtle influence.

Beng Chin, your kindness and quiet guidance will always be fondly remembered.

Beng Chin was already a leader when I joined DISCS in 1996. He came across as stern initially, but that softened once I played squash with him.

Beng Chin was fiercely proud of, and loyal to, SOC, and he wanted all of us to feel the same. When I was a new staff, I was still using my MIT reply address in my emails, instead of my NUS one. BC chided me for this. Which was right, of course. I should be signalling the right allegiance. So I promptly switched address, and have not regretted since.

As Dean, Beng Chin constantly urged us to be hungry for more grants/results/opportunities, warning that we may become irrelevant if we merely cruised along. And he fought hard to make our views known to NUS senior management. He has clearly set the standard, because since then we've always had someone "up there" to make sure SOC is seen and heard.

I will miss his self-deprecating jokes, which, when combined with a laser focus on what truly mattered, and a discipline to not be distracted by wayang, made him a formidable, capable, and yet approachable leader.

I'm saddened to learn of his passing. Sincere condolences to his family.

I first met Beng Chin in 2006, when I joined the Interactive Digital Media Program Office at the Media Development Authority. I was leading the iROCK programme, and he was then Dean of the School of Computing at NUS. Many found him reserved, even difficult to approach. But from the very beginning, we somehow just clicked. There was an ease, an understanding that did not need explanation. Work brought us together often, and our trips to China gave us time to talk, to laugh, and to know each other beyond our roles.

When I left MDA for NTU in 2008, our friendship did not fade. If anything, it deepened. On most evenings, I would stop by Kent Ridge Guild House on my way home, and we would sit over drinks, talking about everything and nothing. Those quiet, unremarkable evenings now feel priceless.

There was a moment when we almost became colleagues at NTU. I tried very hard to bring him over when I was Chair of SPMS, and came so close. Life, as it often does, took a different turn. A few years later, I found myself at NUS instead. And there, we finally worked side by side, co-authoring three papers and co-supervising a PhD student. It felt, in some way, like things had come full circle.

Even as we went on to different places, with him to Zhejiang University, and me to SUTD, we never lost touch. Just last week, we were bantering over WhatsApp, as we always did. The thought that there will be no more messages, no more conversations, is one I am not ready to accept.

Beng Chin was not just an outstanding scholar. He was a constant in my life for nearly twenty years: steady, sharp, wry, and deeply human in ways that those who knew him well will understand. I will miss our conversations. I will miss his presence. I will miss him.

During my Ph.D. candidature in NUS, I took Prof.Ooi's module regarding advanced databases. I was also attended several Prof.Ooi's presentations that shared his research and his research methodology. I was deeply impressed by his vision and wiseness. RIP.

Professor Ooi Beng Chin demonstrated exceptional leadership in the global database community. I had the privilege of attending several of his keynotes and talks, and I was deeply inspired by his passion, vision, and insightful views on future research directions. His influence extended far beyond his own institution, shaping and inspiring many scholars around the world, including myself. I was deeply saddened and shocked to hear the news of his passing. His contributions, leadership, and intellectual legacy will be remembered with great respect.

I was deeply saddened by the news of Professor Ooi’s passing. My heart goes out to Beng Chin’s family and friends during this incredibly difficult time.
He had a rare gift for balancing high standards with genuine kindness. While he was strict, he led an example working hard and demo to students. He was truly one of a kind, uniquely capable of bridging the worlds of academia, industry, and education all at once.
May he rest in peace.

Beng-Chin’s passing feels surreal—it was only a few days ago that we were in touch about the upcoming SIGMOD. I have known Beng-Chin since my visit to NUS in 2008, and over the years he became a dear friend. He was truly a unique individual—an exceptional scientist and, just as importantly, a remarkable human being: kind, compassionate, and always willing to help others. His memory will live on in the hearts of his friends and colleagues, and his profound contributions to computer science will endure for generations to come. Rest in peace, Beng-Chin.

Prof Ooi shaped many lives, including mine. He welcomed me, a person with no prior background in database research, into his world-leading group, and gave me every generous opportunity and encouragement to learn and then to contribute to the community. I am still living by his work and life philosophy - "work hard, and opportunity will come".

I am deeply grateful for the experience of being cared for, and being valued, by a respected figure that was at the top of the field.

Your life was an inspiration. May you rest in peace, boss.

I am deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Professor Ooi. The news came as a great shock, and it is hard to find the right words to express this loss.

I will always remember him as a dedicated and inspiring leader—someone who held high standards yet guided us with patience, wisdom, and kindness. He was not only a mentor, but also someone who genuinely cared for the people around him. His guidance and support have left a lasting impact on many of us.

He will be dearly missed, but his legacy will continue to live on through the many lives he has touched. May he rest in peace.

Although I did not know Beng Chin personally, I had heard of him over the past few years while teaching part-time (full-time teaching years from 1985 to 1991). Reflecting on his achievements, his passing is truly a great loss to SoC, as well as to his family, loved ones, friends, and the many students he inspired throughout his years of service.
He has passed on an enduring torch of inspiration to the countless students he mentored—encouraging them to move forward and to excel in all their endeavours. His legacy will continue to live on through them.
May the Almighty bless and guide his soul on his onward journey. His time on this earthly plane will always be remembered and cherished by those whose lives he touched.
To his family and loved ones, may they find strength and comfort in his many contributions and accomplishments, and may they be supported as they navigate this difficult time.

Although more than 20 years have passed, many of the moments I experienced at SoC NUS remain vivid in my memory, with your voice and smile woven into them—leaving a deep impression. You are one of the few people who changed the trajectory of my life by pushing me to pursue the PhD program at NUS. I have no idea where I would be otherwise. Thank you for your kind support and guidance!

I was deeply shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of Prof. Ooi. He was the first supervisor I ever reached out to at the start of my PhD journey. Although he did not have a quota at the time and kindly recommended me to Anthony, fate brought me back to him in 2009, when I had the privilege of becoming his RA.

Those three years were truly formative. Beng Chin shaped my academic taste and showed me what world-class research really means. He would go through my papers line by line with extraordinary patience and rigor. As early as 2008, he was already advocating for building impactful systems. His vision has profoundly influenced how I think about research.

Beyond academia, he cared for us like a parent, constantly sharing life lessons that continue to guide me today. He was exceptionally disciplined, leading by example in both work and life. At the same time, he brought warmth and joy to those around him. We spent years playing basketball together—I still remember how he started from barely making a shot under the basket, to soon confidently hitting three-pointers. He also invited us to his home, proudly showcasing his cooking skills, and loved gathering his students at staff lounge to share laughter and stories.

Even after I returned to China, we still reunited in Chengdu and Hangzhou on multiple occasions, where he offered invaluable advice on how to build a long and meaningful academic career. At several critical moments, his insight deeply shaped my path.

His passing leaves an immense void. I will always be deeply grateful for his mentorship, his wisdom, and his kindness. His spirit and legacy will continue to live on in all of us he inspired.

It is hard to believe that Beng Chin is gone. He was always there -- in Singapore, in China, and across the globe. His pioneering work in systems and applications, his dedicated services to the database community, his strong circle of colleagues at NUS, his outstanding students, and even his down-to-earth WeChat moments -- all of these are part of a legend in our field, a role model I deeply look up to.

I first met Beng Chin during my interview at NUS. I was impressed by the strong synergy of his group and genuinely grateful for the welcome from him and his database colleagues. He would often joke that I made the wrong choice by not joining NUS, and I always tried to prove to him that I could also do well closer to home.

Beng Chin's departure is too early and deeply saddening. Yet, I would like to think that it was his style - swift, decisive, and fearless. My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.

I am still shocked by this news.
I had the privilege of taking a data structures course with Beng Chin at NUS more than 30 years ago, and we remained in touch over the years—though I wish we had more opportunities to connect. When I was a professor at UC Santa Cruz, he was always welcoming whenever I visited Singapore during my summers, offering warmth, insightful advice, and encouragement. He was deeply committed to mentoring students and consistently provided thoughtful guidance.
He will be greatly missed. Deepest condolences to his family and loved ones

I am deeply saddened by the passing of Prof. Ooi Beng Chin. He was a brilliant researcher and an inspiring leader in the database research community. I was fortunate to have many opportunities to interact with him through technical discussions and professional events. I vividly remember his team presenting the Apache SINGA project in the same room at VLDB 2015 in Hawaii. He was always easygoing, intellectually sharp, and full of humor. His passing is a tremendous loss to NUS and the database community, and he will be dearly missed as a pioneer, a mentor, and a friend.

Beng Chin is the epitome of 身教重于言教 (lead by example, not by words). He was strict but principled, firm but empathetic. His time at the NUS School of Computing helped shape the culture we cherish. Thank you, Beng Chin. May you rest in peace.

I was deeply sorry and shocked to hear of Prof. Ooi’s sudden passing. I had met him occasionally at the NUSS gym recently, and he seemed as strong and energetic as always.

Prof. Ooi was someone who took research extremely seriously. He was also a true competitor in many aspects of life, whether in basketball, in the gym, or in his entrepreneurial pursuits. Although I was not his student, he generously gave me advice on both research and life, and even offered to connect me with excellent researchers.

I feel very grateful to have known him in person. I will always remember his kindness, generosity, and inspiring spirit.

I am deeply shocked and saddened by Beng Chin's sudden passing. He was just starting a new journey that could have brought him to even greater heights he deserved. I shall always remember Beng Chin as a demanding yet reasonable boss who was generous with smiles and advice. He was the epitome of a true leader - firm yet kind, to whom subordinates are not just tools to be used and cast away, many of whom became friends.

This must be a difficult time for his loved ones. I wish them the deepest condolences. He will remain in the good thoughts and memories of many of us. May such positive energy somehow lead to his rest in peace.

I started the STMI and was blessed with strong support from great colleagues, including faculty and administrative teams. Like all startups, the initial inertia took great efforts and perseverance. Beng Chin was the Dean of SoC then and had given his fullest support which till today, I am very grateful for. For without his support, STMI would not have grown and achieved in such a remarkable pace then. He was a well-respected man with few words and his actions had created huge legacy & impact to the community. I am deeply saddened to hear his passing, my thoughts are with his family and loved ones. May he rest in peace.

I had a chance to attend his advanced database course and interact with him. He was a truly knowledgeable person and a leader in the database field.
My deepest condolences to his family members during this difficult time.

上联：自小负笈，名扬学林，叹奇才自此零落
下联：两心相契，互为知己，任浮议不问短长
横批：惺惺同慨

Dear Beng Chin,

Your passing feels so sudden and deeply saddening. It’s hard to take in that you are no longer with us.

I will always miss the moments we shared — the conversations at meetings, the laughter on the sports courts, and the easy camaraderie over drinks. Those memories will stay with me.

Thank you for your friendship, your warmth, and everything you brought into our lives. You will be greatly missed.

Rest in peace.
Jin-Song

Professor Ooi had a profound impact on many of us during our time at NUS. I deeply value the insightful discussions we shared regarding database systems and algorithms. Beyond his academic brilliance, I fondly remember his spirited presence on the basketball court, where he was a formidable competitor, a skilled shooter, and a strong rebounder.

We maintained a meaningful connection long after my graduation, a testament to his enduring mentorship. His passing is a significant loss to the academic community and all who knew him. My deepest condolences go out to his family during this difficult time. May he rest in peace.

It is very sad news. Even though I didn't have many interactions with Prof. Ooi Beng Chin, I truly appreciated his dedication and the positive impact he made. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family during this difficult time.

Dear Prof Ooi,

Thank you for being our ITU Coordinator and truly valuing and appreciating us. Thank you for giving us a cosy office with a signage of our own called COMCITA.

Thank you for popping by now and then — sometimes giving us a scare — to make sure we were really working. Thank you for fighting for us when we were faced with overtaking possibility. Thank you for always acknowledging me with a nod and smile along the corridoor.

Thank you for everything you had done for us. We are truly fortunate to have known you, and you shall forever be in our memory.

May you rest in peace 🙏🏻
My deepest condolences to Prof Ooi’s family members and loved ones.

A true hero in the database community and a warrior who showed Mongolian spirit to the very end. He possessed the soul of a traditional Chinese painter, bringing an artist’s vision to his lifelong academic journey.

To me, he was far more than a member of my PhD committee; he was a mentor for a lifetime.

It was Beng Chin’s determination that brought VLDB to mainland China for the first time. Our entire research community owes him a profound 'thank you' for the doors he opened for us all."

May Beng Chin rest in peace. May his strength and spirit continue to guide his family, and inspire all of us who were fortunate enough to know him.

一路走好！求学之时，承您教诲，嘱我惜时奋进、潜心科研；工作之后，蒙您提点，教我强身健体、拥抱智能新局。您的音容笑貌历历在目，言传教诲终身难忘。愿先生驾鹤西归，天堂静谧安然，往后千秋永安。

Rest in peace! In my PhD days, you taught me to cherish time and dedicate myself to research. In my career, you guided me to stay healthy and embrace the AI era. Your voice and smile are forever etched in my heart; your teachings I will never forget. May you depart in peace and rest eternally in serene heaven.

Beng Chin was a defining mentor at a critical point in my academic journey. At quite some important moments, he stepped in with clarity, decisiveness, and conviction. One of the most important turning points for me was when he invited me for a lunch in 2015 and guided me about the research development and future, an opportunity that shaped my path in a lasting way.

What set him apart was not just his support, but his decisiveness and high standards. He pushed us to aim higher—to work on problems that truly matter and to build systems with real impact. This way of thinking continues to guide me today.

He cared deeply about his students and younger researchers. Many of us share the same feeling: deep respect, a sense of awe, and above all, gratitude.

Since his passing, I have felt a profound sense of loss—not only of a mentor, but of someone who constantly pushed me to do better. He was someone who would point things out when I was wrong, or when I was drifting away from the right direction. Without him, I feel I have lost a voice that kept me grounded and striving.

His passing is still difficult to process. It feels sudden and unreal.

What remains is his spirit—his clarity, his boldness, and his insistence on meaningful impact. That is something we will carry forward.

Rest in peace.

I am deeply saddened to hear of Prof. Ooi’s passing. Beng Chin was the Dean of SoC when I first joined NUS, and I vividly recall the driving energy of his speeches. His tenacity and unwavering commitment to excellence left a lasting impression on me; his words remain just as impactful today as they were then.

I'm deeply saddened by the passing of Prof. Ooi! He was still so young and forward-looking that I still expect to hear more from his work and his thoughts. Although I'm not one of his students, during my PhD study in NTU, Singapore, my supervisor shared many of Prof. Ooi's ideas and quotes that guided our research in the system field, not only technically, but also mentally regarding of how shall we approach research as a long-term responsibility that we shall try very hard to excel. I've encountered many of Prof. Ooi's students in the industry, all of whom are very talented and hard-working. This is why I think we shall all appreciate Prof. Ooi's contribution to the Computer Science Education that benefits all of us in the industry. Please rest in peace, dear professor.

I am saddened by the passing of Beng Chin. He was kind, generous and a bulwark in the Database Research Community. My deepest condolences to his family.

May he rest in peace! My sincere condolences to Prof Beng Chin’s family and friends.

My condolences to Beng Chin's family and friends. At the School of Computing, NUS, we were extraordinarily fortunate to have him as a colleague, leader, mentor, supervisor and teacher. We will miss him dearly. I remember Beng Chin most vividly from staff meetings and email discussions where he shared his insights typically in a few well-chosen, incisive words.

My deepest condolences to the family of the late Prof Ooi Beng Chin. A man of little smiles. But to those who knows him, he has a beautiful heart. An excellent data scientist who always thrive to do better for himself and for others. May your soul rest in peace..

Beng Chin,
Thanks for your help and guidance over the years. You are sorely missed.
一路走好
Teck Khim

I am deeply saddened by the passing of Beng Chin. He has been a wonderful mentor, a critical collaborator, and a truly generous friend to me. It is hard to comprehend this loss—we had just chatted less than a week ago, still actively discussing ideas, with two co-authored papers under review and revision. His sudden departure feels unreal.
Beng Chin was not only an extraordinary scholar and visionary leader, but also someone who invested deeply in people. His guidance shaped my thinking, his collaboration pushed my work to be better, and his kindness left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know him.
His contributions to database systems, distributed systems, and large-scale data analytics have profoundly influenced our field, and his leadership helped build a vibrant global research community. Yet beyond all his achievements and honors, I will remember him most for his warmth, generosity, and unwavering support.
I will miss our conversations, his insights, and his encouragement. His legacy lives on in his groundbreaking work, in the communities he helped shape, and in the many lives he touched.
Wish Beng Chin peace, and strength to his family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.

Beng Chin, thanks for staying in touch throughout my time overseas, and being such a great mentor. I will always remember your zest for research and your lovely smile. You will be sorely missed.

Condolences,
Li Shiuan

Sincere condolences.

I will always remember Beng Chin for his humility and warmth. Though he is one of the greatest researchers in his field, and one of the most respected people in the University, he never failed to stop and chat with me whenever we bumped into each other. I also remember him as a wonderful teacher who cared a lot for his students.

He is very sorely missed.

It's hard to overstate the impact Beng Chin has had on the field but more personally, on the people in our School of Computing. Always an pragmatist, with clear opinions and cutting right to the chase, Beng Chin led the school through a tough period by making many hard decisions, and the school benefitted from the strong direction he set. He valued and epitomised hard work, setting a role model for others to follow.

He drove his students hard, pushing them to test their limits, but was always down to earth. Equally formidable in his academic skills as well in his trademarked informal style on the basketball court, he shared his prowess, strong opinions, and leadership with all.

I remember his participation in one of Tat-Seng's NExT++ workshops overseas in China, and in his leadership in SSI (precursor to IDS). He will be sorely missed, as he has influenced so many of our colleagues, students and friends as the maverick, ever changeable and adaptable from databases to deanship, from deep learning to basketball team player.

My deepest condolences to Beng Chin’s family and friends. His passing comes as a profound shock, and I am deeply saddened by the news. I will always remember the many moments of crossing paths with him around the school and he was always generous with his advice and guidance. Words feel inadequate at a time like this. We have lost an inspiring colleague and mentor.