A UNIVERSITY lecturer collapsed while exercising in a campus gym and died later in hospital on Tuesday evening.

Dr Roland Su Jong Hea, 39, was a senior lecturer in the department of physics at the National University of Singapore (NUS). He helped set up the NUS High School of Maths and Science and was an assistant principal there in 2005.

He was also an associate dean of international student exchange.

The gym was at Prince George's Park Residences, where he lived with his wife, Carol, a housewife, and two young children.

He had been the resident adviser of the hostel since 2001.

Dr Su was on the treadmill when he collapsed at 5.20pm. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was immediately started on him and the Singapore Civil Defence Force called.

It is not known how many other people were in the gym at that time. He was sent by ambulance to the National University Hospital, where he died.

Dr Su was not known to have any medical conditions.

Colleagues said the devout Christian was planning to take a year of no-pay leave next year to do missionary work in Africa. He had been working out to prepare for the trip.

Associate Professor Loh Kian Ping, acting dean of the science faculty, said in an e-mail message to NUS staff and students yesterday that Dr Su would be remembered for his contributions as an academic and for his active role in setting up international student exchange programmes.

'Dr Su was respected and well liked by his fellow colleagues and residents, and played an important role in enhancing residential life for our students on campus,' he added.

Students and colleagues have flooded a webpage set up for condolences to Dr Su's family.

A student by the name of Changsheng wrote: 'You gave me the courage to explore beyond my limits. Many thanks for being there for me when I needed help.'

Another student Yoon Hui Lian wrote: 'He was one of a kind, always encouraging students to strive towards self-improvement and reminding us that there are staff in NUS who care about our well-being - it was not all about grades.'

Dr Su joined NUS in 1999 and his research interests were in science and gifted education.

AMELIA TAN

This article was first published in The Straits Times.