It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Associate Professor Stéphane Bressan from the Department of Computer Science at the School of Computing, National University of Singapore (NUS), on 8 December 2024. He was 59 years old. For those privileged to know him, the sentiment that “he will be sorely missed” is echoed across countless tributes.

Stéphane joined NUS in 1999 as a member of the Department of Computer Science & Information Systems. As an educator, he was deeply respected for his unwavering commitment to academic rigor and the integrity of teaching. Stéphane was passionate about providing students with a strong foundation, ensuring they were well-prepared for advanced coursework while maintaining the highest standards. His teaching, particularly in courses such as Data Warehousing and Discrete Structures, struck a perfect balance between clarity and challenge, making complex material more accessible without sacrificing rigor. He was a staunch advocate for peer teaching and student collaboration. His mentorship left a lasting impact on his students, with his door always open for guidance and support. Notably, Stéphane was one of the pioneers in introducing blended learning to his classes.
Throughout his career, Stéphane was known for his innovative and forward-thinking approach to research, blending different fields to create new opportunities for academic and practical advancements. His research spanned a wide range of interdisciplinary fields. He initially focused on databases, contributing to the development and enhancement of database systems, particularly in the integration, management, and analysis of data from heterogeneous, disparate, and distributed sources. Over time, his research expanded into data science, where he explored methods to analyze and derive meaningful insights from large datasets. More recently, his work branched into quantum computing and machine learning, where he investigated cutting-edge technologies and their potential applications in solving complex problems.

As a colleague, Stéphane was consistently reliable and generous with his time, always ready to contribute to any assignment or initiative. He played a crucial role in the School’s outreach efforts across Southeast Asia, especially in Indonesia and Thailand. Many will remember his boundless energy, dedication, and enthusiasm in advancing these initiatives.

At NUS, Stéphane served as Track Leader for Maritime Information Technologies at the NUS Centre for Maritime Studies (CMS), and held affiliations with the NUS Business Analytics Centre and the NUS Institute of Data Science. He was also an active member of the Image & Pervasive Access Lab (IPAL), where he led collaborations between France and Singapore, including partnerships with ENS and Paris Telecom. Through these efforts, Stéphane helped the school build lasting relationships across the globe.

Professionally, Stéphane has contributed much to the research community. He served as a member of the DASFAA Steering Committee since 2012, and was elected as the Vice Chair in 2021. He was regularly invited to serve on the technical program committees as well as organizing committees of international conferences.

Stéphane was a truly kind and thoughtful person. He treated everyone with respect and compassion, and his sense of humour, coupled with his willingness to listen, made him a comforting presence even on difficult days. His dedication to his students, colleagues, and friends has left an indelible mark on the School, and he will always be remembered for the positive impact he made.

Stéphane’s passing has left a profound void, both professionally and personally, for all who had the privilege of working with him. His contributions to education, research, and our community will continue to resonate throughout the department, the school, and the broader academic world. Though he is no longer with us, his memory, his work, and his legacy will remain a part of us always.

Let us hold on to the memories and the enduring legacy he leaves behind.