Graduate Women Association Singapore (GWAS), formerly known as University Women’s Association Singapore (UWAS) was founded by Dr Rosemary Khoo. In 1996, Dr Rosemary envisioned a society where women and girls have equal rights, where the voices of women are heard, and where women become leaders to effect change.​

Subsequently, the Singapore Chapter of Graduate Women International (GWI) was born in June 1996 and Prof Phyllis Chew became the first President of UWAS. Empowering women and girls through lifelong education became the association’s purpose.

In line with GWI, UWAS rebranded to GWAS in 2021 to stay current and to meet the needs of the 21st Century.​

Besides GWI, GWAS is also the 40th affiliate of the Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations (SCWO), the national women’s council of Singapore.​