Tay Eng Soon

Tay Eng Soon (20 January 1940 – 5 August 1993) was a Singaporean academic and politician who served as Senior Minister of State for Education from 1988 until his death in 1993.

Early life and education
Tay was born in Singapore on 20 January 1940. He was educated at the Anglo-Chinese School, before graduating from the University of Bristol with a Bachelor of Science with first class honours degree in electrical engineering.

Tan was later awarded a scholarship by the Royal Society and went on to obtain a PhD in microwave engineering from the University College London in 1966. He also completed a diploma in business administration at the University of Singapore in 1979.

Political career
Tay was a Member of Parliament for River Valley Constituency with walkovers in both 1980 and 1984 General Election.

He was appointed Minister of State for Education in 1981 and Senior Minister of State for Education in 1988.

Tay was part of a three-member PAP team against the Worker's Party team for Eunos GRC. The PAP defeated WP with 50.89% of the valid votes in the 1988 general election.

During the 1991 General Election, Tay was part of the four-member PAP team against the Worker's Party team. The PAP team defeated the WP team for the second time with 52.28% of the valid votes. Tay was a Member of Parliament of Eunos GRC for Tampines North ward from 1988 to 1993 as he died on 5 August 1993 due to heart failure while his term in office.

Personal life
Tay was married to Rosalyn Carson, a scientist, and had 2 daughters and a son.

Tay was hospitalised on 2 August 1993 and died of acute heart failure on 5 August.

Legacy
One of the two libraries at the Singapore Institute of Management is named after him, in recognition of Tay's contributions to the SIM's UK Open University Degree Programme.

The Tay Eng Soon Health Sciences Award, Tay Eng Soon Gold Medal, and Tay Eng Soon Convention Centre at ITE College Central are named after him.