Academic Profile : Faculty

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Prof Michael Chia
Professor, National Institute of Education - Physical Education & Sports Science
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Professor Michael Chia is a tenured full Professor of Pediatric Exercise Science at the National Institute of Education (NIE), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), a first for Singapore. He served as the Dean for Faculty Affairs for 7 years (July 2011 to June 2018). His significant impact as Dean included his guidance, service, and mentorship of 12 Heads of academic groups, the formulation of leadership training for academic group heads, faculty teaching workload guidelines, start-up research grants for newly appointed professorial staff, enhancements to professorial and lecturer pathways, and his tenacity in defending academic staff in promotion and tenure exercises.

Academic peers nominated and elected him to the University Senate, and he served two consecutive terms (2014-2018), where in the second term, he chaired the Committee for University Development. He resumed his research and teaching duties as a full professor in PESS in 2019.

He previously headed the Physical Education and Sports Science Group (July 2006-June 2010) and was concurrently the Chairman of the NTU Healthy Lifestyle committee (2005-2010; National awards of 1 silver & 1 gold). His capstone impact as head of PESS included the launch of the Sports Science of Management program in 2009, the seeding of a single subject specialization for PE, the successful organization of the inaugural Youth Olympic Games academic conference over 5 days with more than 1000 attendees from more than 30 countries in 2010, and safety enhancements made to PESS outdoor facilities with improved lightning protection systems & court coverage, worth $1.75 million dollars. He remains an active and energetic faculty member of PESS, teaching, researching, and serving as a staff mentor.

Professor Michael Chia received his doctorate in Pediatric Exercise Physiology from Exeter University in the United Kingdom (UK), jointly on an Association of Commonwealth Universities Academic Staff Scholarship and a Nanyang University of Technology Staff Development Scholarship in 1995. He was conferred a first-class honors degree in Physical Education and Sports Science from Loughborough University in the UK in 1991 on an Independent School scholarship and a distinction diploma in Physical Education, where he received a Best Diploma Student Award and a Distinction Teacher of Physical Education Award from the College of Physical Education in Singapore in 1986.

Professor Michael Chia is a British Association of Sports Science-certified sport scientist for exercise physiology research and an American College of Sports Medicine-certified Health and Fitness Director. Professor Michael Chia also has a Diploma in Seamanship from the Hong Kong Outward Bound School.

Professor Michael Chia served as Chairman of the Research Ethics Committee for Sport Singapore for two years (2016-2018) and remains a member of the committee. He was on the Board of Directors for the Singapore Sports School (SSS), was chairman for financial aid for students, and remains on the advisory board for Sports for the SSS. At various times, he was on the advisory boards for Science, Technology, and Innovation of the Singapore Sports Institute, Singapore Sailing, Beacon Primary School, and in syllabus review and research grant committees for Exercise Science for the MOE, Singapore. Internationally, he is a founding member of the International Forum for Research in Education, an executive board member of the Asia-Pacific Association of Coaching Science, an academic fellow of the Athens Institute of Education and Research, and a past Vice President of the Asian Council of Exercise and Sports Science and the Education Research Association of Singapore. He is currently a scientific advisor for lifespan physical activity and health for the Institute of Life Sciences Southeast Asia Region, an international think-tank, and non-government organization.

In consultancy projects, he led an international team of grant reviewers for Sport in Public Health for the Inaugural Prince Faisal Bin Fahad Award for Sports Research, Saudi Arabia. Thereafter, he served as a research mentor for two funded programs. He was also a team leader for a 21st Century Lifestyle project commissioned by the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority of the United Arab Emirates. He performed several stints as an external examiner and auditor for undergraduate and graduate programs in several universities in Asia. Professor Michael Chia was an external examiner for PhD candidates and for faculty promotions to full professor from Southeast Asia, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Canada. He actively serves as a research grant and journal reviewer for national research councils in Hong Kong and some EU member countries.

Over the years, Professor Michael Chia held visiting professorial and visiting researcher stints at Chukyo University and Waseda University in Japan, Chinese Culture University and University of Taipei in Taiwan, Chung Ang University in South Korea, Wollongong University in Australia, University Technology Mara in Malaysia, and East China Normal University, China. Many of these visiting appointments were funded by prestigious and highly competitive national schemes (e.g. high-end foreign expert and top international faculty) in the host countries.

Professor Michael Chia embraces his appointments and assignments with grace and gratitude in his professional and personal quest to make a meaningful difference to his institution, country, and the international community.
Professor Michael Chia is renowned for his research on physical inactivity, fitness, and sport in children and youth, as well as school-based interventions to reduce sedentary behaviors and increase physical activity, exercise, and positive physical education and sport experiences. He contributed his expertise to the formulation of physical activity guidelines for children and adolescents, as well as infants, toddlers, and preschool children (Health Promotion Board, KK Women and Children's Hospital, Singapore) and Youth Athlete Development in Sport (International Olympic Medical Commission, Switzerland).

Professor Michael Chia publishes in the field of pediatric exercise science and medicine, focusing on early childhood, childhood, and adolescence. As the principal investigator, he received a global research commendation award for PRIDE for PLAY, a school-based project designed to increase physical activity in schools, from the World Leisure Organization based in the USA.

His accomplished research and publications cover various areas, including the physical activity and inactivity of children and adolescents, the efficacy of exercise interventions to improve the health and well-being of children and adolescents, as well as the health and well-being of adults throughout their lifespan.

As a professor, his research impact extends to innovative trademark outputs that serve as resource materials or research tools, such as Sports Science in Sporting Success® (valid till 2033), Surveillance of screen-media use in early childhood Questionnaire- SMALLQ® (valid till 2028), Parent-surveillance of digital media habits in childhood Questionnaire-Parent-smalQ® (valid till 2030), and Child-surveillance of digital media habits in childhood Questionnaire-Child-smalQ® (valid till 2030). He has also authored professional resource materials in health education, sports science, and exercise personal training for schools and the professional community.

Currently, he is the principal investigator of the research project titled "A surveillance study of digital and non-digital behaviors of preschool children in selected urban cities in Asia, Europe, and the USA." His forthcoming grant submission is titled "Leave No Child Indoors - Documenting and Evaluating the Evidence for Different Types of Indoor and Outdoor Play in Early Childhood."

His national research collaborations include the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, NTU, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Active SG, Sport Singapore National Youth Sport Institute, Centre for Nursing Studies, Epidemiology Domain and Physical Activity Domain, Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, NUS. He is named co-investigator on several international research grants from the Catholic University in Spain and the College of Sports Science and Technology, Mahidol University in Thailand. His international research collaborations are with the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Finland; Sport, Performance, and Nutrition Research Group, La Trobe University; SUNRISE Network, University of Wollongong, Australia; College of Physical Education & Health, East China Normal University, and Hunan Normal University, China; and the Faculty of Sport Science, Sendai University, Japan.

His research has been featured in national and international media, including podcasts like Dads for Life, The Straits Times, Channel News Asia, and the British Broadcasting Corporation Radio.

He is a much sought-after speaker and commentator on the health and well-being of children, youth, and adults for conferences, national, and international forums, as well as workshops.

Current grants

International Ipreschooler Surveillance Study Among Asians and Others (IISSAAR): This study focuses on the on-screen and off-screen behaviors among preschool children living in selected urban cities in various countries in Asia and beyond. (Website: iissaar.com)

Healthy Campus Initiative (HCI) Translational Unit: This initiative involves translating the principles of the Healthy Campus Initiative into practical actions and strategies.

How Physical Activity and Digital Media Use Impact Brain Activity, Cognitive, Physical, Emotional, and Psychosocial Wellbeing of Singaporean Children Aged 4 to 5 Years: This research explores the relationship between physical activity, digital media usage, brain activity, and the overall wellbeing of Singaporean children aged 4 to 5 years.

A Follow-up of the Singapore Kindergarten Impact Project (SKIP) Cohort in Middle Childhood: This study tracks the outcomes and predictors related to social-emotional, physical, and academic development of the cohort from the Singapore Kindergarten Impact Project as they progress into middle childhood.

Development, Implementation, and Evaluation of a Multi-component Program to Increase Healthy Eating and Decrease Sedentary Behaviors in Children: This pilot study focuses on creating, implementing, and evaluating a program with multiple components that aims to promote healthy eating habits and reduce sedentary behaviors in children.

Registered trademarks

Sports Science in Sporting Success® T03/15772Z. Valid till 2033.

Parent-surveillance of digital media habits in childhood Questionnaire-
Parent-smalQ® Valid till 2030.

Child-surveillance of digital media habits in childhood Questionnaire-
Child-smalQ® Valid till 2030.

Surveillance of screen-media use in early childhood Questionnaire- SMALLQ® 40201824154R. Valid till 2028.
 
  • Teaching and Learning in Physical Education: Promoting Pupils' Participation in Lifelong Physical Activity
  • Mindful High-Intensity Interval Training Sessions (Mindful-HIITS)
  • Leave No Child Indoors: Impact of Play Environments on the Physical and Socio-Emotional Development of Preschool Children and Children from Families with Less-abundant Resources in Singapore
  • How physical activity and digital media use impact brain activity, cognitive, physical, emotional and psychosocial wellbeing of Singaporean children aged 4 to 5 years
  • International Ipreschooler Surveillance Study Among Asians and otheRs (IISSAAR): screen media use and off-screen behaviours among preschool children living in selected urban cities in some countries in Asia and elsewhere.
  • A Follow-up of the Singapore Kindergarten Impact Project (SKIP) Cohort in Middle Childhood: Social-Emotional, Physical, Academic Outcomes and Predictors
  • Development, Implementation and Evaluation of a Multi-component Program to Increase Healthy Eating and Decrease Sedentary behaviors in Children: a pilot study
Awards
For research and scholarship

2023 NEXUS Award for NIE Interdisciplinary Research: Recognizing excellence in interdisciplinary research at NIE.

2010 World Leisure International Innovation Prize: Awarded for PRIDE for PLAY initiative.

1997 Young Investigator Award, Pediatric Work Physiology Conference, UK: Acknowledging outstanding work by a young investigator in the field.

1995 Association of Commonwealth Universities Academic Staff Development Award, UK: Received to support for academic development for PhD studies at Exeter University in the UK.

1995 Queen's Anniversary Higher Education Award, Children’s Health & Exercise Research Centre: Honored for contributions to the Children’s Health & Exercise Research Centre.

1995 NTU Staff Development Award, Singapore: Awarded for professional development at NTU for PhD studies at Exeter University in the UK.

1994 American College of Sports Medicine Health & Fitness Director.

1989 Undergraduate Scholarship from Independent School to Loughborough University, UK: Received a scholarship to Loughborough University from an Independent School.

1986 Best Diploma Student, College of Physical Education, Singapore: Recognized as the best diploma student at the College of Physical Education in Singapore.

For teaching

2003 Excellence in Teaching Commendation Award, National Institute of Education, Singapore.

2002 Excellence in Teaching Commendation Award, National Institute of Education, Singapore.

2001 Excellence in Teaching Commendation Award, National Institute of Education, Singapore.

1986 Distinction Teacher of Physical Education, College of Physical Education, Singapore.

For leadership and service

National Long Service Award (30 years) in 2020.

Service to Education - School Board Award, 2019.

Friend of MCCY Award in 2018.

Education Leadership Award, CMO Asia in 2017.

National Day Award, Public Administration Medal (Bronze) in 2016.

National Day Award, Long Service Medal in 2016.

Service to Education - School Board Award in 2014.

National HEALTH Award, HPB Singapore - Gold in 2010.

National HEALTH Award, HPB Singapore - Silver in 2018.

NIE/NTU Long Service Award (15 years) in 2006.

NTU Tenure (T65) Award in 2006.

Overseas Youth Leader Award (Outward Bound School Hong Kong) in 1994.
 
Fellowships & Other Recognition
Visiting Professor to East China Normal University, China. Oct 2022-Aug 2023.

Visiting Professor to University of Technology Mara, Selangor, Malaysia. Jun 2021-May 2023.

Visiting Professor to University of Wollongong, Sydney, Australia on official sabbatical. Feb-Mar 2019.

Visiting Professor to Chung Aun University, Seoul, South Korea on official sabbatical. Sept-Oct 2018.

Visiting Professor to University of Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan on official sabbatical. Aug-Sept 2018.

Visiting Professor to Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan on official sabbatical. Sept-Oct 2016.

Visiting Research Scholar to Chukyo University, Nagoya, Japan on official sabbatical. May-Jul 2009.

Visiting Professor to Chinese Culture University, Taipei on official sabbatical. Sept 2008- Jan 2009.

International consultancies

International consultancy

Team member, Capacity Building for Re-Positioning Framework for Emirates College for Advanced Education Project, 31 Oct 2022 to 31 March 2024.

Scientific research advisor to Sport in Public Health research awardees for Prince Faisal Bin Fahad Award for Sports Research. May 2021 to December 2022.

Team leader for 21st century lifestyle. Commissioned by the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority, United Arab Emirates. 15 March to 30 September 2021.

Chairman of International Scientific Committee for the theme Public Health in Sport for the Prince Faisal Bin Fahad Award for Sports Research, Saudi Arabia. 1 January to April 2021.
 
Courses Taught
Health & wellness, physical activity, nutrition & health, fitness & conditioning, exercise physiology
 
Supervision of PhD Students
Dan Li (2023). Lifestyle behaviours in early childhood. PhD visiting scholar. Joint-supervisor with Hunan Normal University. Current.

Low Seow Ting (2022). Lifestyle, development and health in early childhood. Sole supervisor for PhD. Current.

Chen Meiyuan (2022). IISSAAR-China, PhD visiting scholar to PESS. Joint supervisor with East China Normal University. Current.

Haresh Suppiah, PhD (2017). Adolescent sleep and sport performance. Exercise Physiologist. National Youth Sport Institute. Sole supervisor for PhD. Graduated.

Rashid Abdul Aziz, PhD (2016). Ramadan fasting and exercise performance. Head Strength and Conditioning Department. Sport Singapore. Sole supervisor for PhD. Graduated

Swarup Mukherjee, MD, PhD (2008). Repeated sprint performance and selected biochemical markers of professional soccer players in Singapore. PESS Assistant Professor. Sole supervisor for PhD.

Jamie Lim, PhD (2006) Assessment of and recovery from maximal intermittent sprinting in untrained male and female adults. Director of Operations, Tan Tock Seng Hospital. Sole supervisor for PhD. Graduated.

Hu Qichen, PhD (2004) Effect of different modes of treadmill exercise on the immune function of red blood cells. Sole supervisor for PhD. Graduated.

Violette Lin, PhD (2000) Efficacy of year-long exercise programme on overweight children. Sole supervisor for PhD. Graduated.