A Bachelor of Arts (Honours) graduate in Philosophy from the National University of Singapore, Khalidah Saleem started her working life as a Higher Superintendent of Customs & Excise with the Ministry of Finance. In her three years there, she was also part of the Singapore delegation to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation-Senior Officials’ Meetings (APEC-SOMs) in Indonesia in 1994 and Japan in 1995.
Khalidah decided to join the teaching profession in 1996 to pursue her passion in engaging minds and shaping ideas. She joined Nanyang Junior College as a General Paper tutor and was its Head of English Language Department for three years prior to joining School of the Arts Singapore (SOTA). In her 10 years with the college, she was awarded the NIE-ESSO Mobil Caring Teacher Award and the Ministry of Education Outstanding Contribution Award in 2002. She was also awarded the PS21 Star Service Award by the Public Service Division in 2004. A motivational leader, Khalidah had led her team of teachers in many projects aimed at enriching the learning of students in the college.
Khalidah’s move to SOTA has been motivated by her strong belief that an arts education would provide students with a rich platform for seamless learning that is enduring and meaningful.