The AlumNUS Jan-Mar 2018

nus.edu.sg/alumnet

ALUMNI MAGAZINE OF THE NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE

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THE JUST WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO DRIVE THE UNIVERSITY FORWARD IN A TIME OF CHANGE AND DISRUPTION?

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JAN-MAR 2018 // ISSUE #112

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LEADERSHIP BLUEPRINT

CONTENTS

JAN - MAR

11 22

IN THE NEWS

02 05 06 08 09

NUS Alumni Awards 2017 Thirsty Thursdays NUS Welcomes 10th Chancellor China Film Festival Yugpurush \\ Edutainment Concerts \\ Alumni Concerts 10 Alumni & Friends Golf Tournament

COVER STORY

11 Leading by Example MY WORD

18 The Whole Nine Yards and Some!

Prof Tan Eng Chye (Science ‘85)

ONCE UPON A MEMORY

20 Musical Interlude

Mr Lawrence Siao (Arts and Social Sciences ’97)

CHANGEMAKER

22 Championing a Pet Cause

Dr Jaipal Singh Gill (Science ’07)

ALUMNI SCENE

24 Paying it Forward

NUS Business School Mandarin Alumni

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25 Spreading the Love

NUS Campus Couples Alumni Group

ALUMNI SCENE GIVING

26 Giving Back Early Ms Mak Shin Yi (Law ’14)

OFFICE OF ALUMNI RELATIONS 11 Kent Ridge Drive #05-01 Shaw Foundation Alumni House Singapore 119244 Tel: (65) 6516-5775 Fax: (65) 6777-2065

PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE

ALUMNI HAPPENINGS

28 Hitting the Right Notes

34 Events

Mr Benjamin Kwan (Engineering ‘14)

PERSPECTIVE

46 When a Hero Comes Along

U@LIVE

LAST WORD

30 Sharing the Value of Engineering 32 A Safe Space Online

Advisor MR BERNARD TOH (Architecture ’84) Editor MS YEAP SU PHING (MBA ’17) Assistant Editor MS TAN LING ING Production Assistant MS NOREEN KWAN Publishing Consultant MEDIACORP PTE LTD

48 Colours of a Cuisine Ms Anjali Krishnan (Engineering ‘11)

The AlumNUS is published quarterly by the NUS Office of Alumni Relations. The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the NUS Office of Alumni Relations or the National University of Singapore.

Copyright 2018 by the National University of Singapore.

All rights reserved.

Printed in Singapore by KHL Printing Co Pte Ltd.

F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N O R T O R E A D T H E A L U M N U S O N L I N E , P L E A S E V I S I T A LU M N E T. N U S . E D U . S G /A LU M N U S M A G A Z I N E .

FIRST WORD

Dear Fellow Alumni and Friends, Warm greetings of a Happy New Year!

Please join me in warmly welcoming Prof Tan Eng Chye (Science ’85) who took over on 1 January 2018 as NUS President from Prof Tan Chorh Chuan (Medicine ’83).

Prof Tan Eng Chye, in his recent interactions with alumni, has spoken about the many roles alumni can play – mentor, advisor, supporter, donor, and so much more – to make “NUS a truly great University”. In this special interview with The AlumNUS (page 18), he talks about his family, University days and his pu’er collection.

Related to this important senior leadership change, our Leadership cover story discusses how NUS is playing an important role in changing times and asks what young people expect from their future leaders. NUS is indebted to our immediate past president, Prof Tan Chorh Chuan, who has taken NUS to new heights. Indeed, NUS is recognised today as a leading global university, centred in Asia, influencing the future. I have seen him encourage and nurture a new generation of leaders to make a difference through their work, to stay connected and strengthen our alumni network, and to be proud of their alma mater. Over the past year, I have had the privilege to meet with our alumni in Australia, China, Indonesia, Japan, the UK and Vietnam.

I am happy to note that our NUS spirit of boldness, resourcefulness and service to the wider community is strong and thriving.

We are truly blessed to have an Alumni Advisory Board which provides not only strategic guidance but leadership on many projects including the NUS Day of Service, Alumni Leaders Forum and the Alumni Student Advancement Committee.

On this note, I would like to thank board member Mr Viswa Sadasivan (Arts and Social Sciences ’83) for helming the U@live series over the past seven years. We have concluded the series after 56 inspiring sessions, including two sessions we had in the last

quarter with Mr Peter Ho (Engineering ’03) CEO of HOPE Technik and Mr Dan Shefet, founding President of the Association for Accountability and Internet Democracy.

I am pleased to share that we have lined up a range of exciting programmes and activities for you in the year ahead. From our signature Kent Ridge Alumni Family Day to our new Brain Training Workshops as well as a travel series, these events, we hope, will meet your different interests and preferences. Do look out for our posters and the registration emails, and we look forward to welcoming you at the Shaw Foundation Alumni House.

Prof Tan Eng Chye, in his recent interactions with alumni, has spoken about the many roles alumni can play – mentor, advisor, supporter, donor, and so much more – to make “NUS a truly great University”.

Finally, I would like to announce that our primary mode of disseminating our much-loved The AlumNUS magazine is now in a digital format. If you still prefer to receive a hard copy (or vice-versa a softcopy), you may indicate your preferences at alum.nus.edu.sg/update.

Thank you.

MR BERNARD TOH (Architecture ’84) Director, NUS Alumni Relations

Mr Bernard Toh visited alumni in Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi last December, as well as alumni in Sydney and Melbourne last November.

JAN-MAR 2018

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IN THE NEWS

NUS ALUMNI AWA R D S THE OUTSTANDING achievements and contributions of 15 alumni were honoured at the prestigious NUS Alumni Awards 2017 held on 23 November 2017. The biennial Awards recognise alumni who have excelled in their chosen fields of profession, and have made significant contributions to the University and society. The Awards were presented in three categories: Eminent Alumni Award, Distinguished Alumni Service Award and Outstanding Young Alumni Award.

Last year, the University conferred the Eminent Alumni Award on Mr Wong Ngit Liong (Engineering ’65) – former Chairman of the NUS Board of Trustees – for his achievements in industry, his spirit of public service, as well as his exemplary service to NUS and the University’s larger alumni community. The co-founders of Carousell – Mr Quek Siu Rui (Business ’12), Mr Marcus Tan Yi Wei (Business ’11) and Mr Lucas Ngoo Cheng Han (Engineering ’13) – were recipients of the inaugural Outstanding Young Alumni Award (Team) in recognition of their outstanding achievements and entrepreneurial zeal.

NUS ALUMNI AWA R D S C O M M I T T E E MEMBERS

See page 3-4 for list of all award recipients.

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Prof Tan Chorh Chuan (Medicine ’83) Prof Lim Pin Prof Tan Eng Chye (Science ’85) Dr Lily Chan Ms Jenny Lee Prof Bernard Yeung Prof Victor Shim (Engineering ’83) Ms Goh Mia Yang (Law ’92) Mr Gopinath Pillai (Arts ’61) Mr Eddie Lee (Law ’81) Mr Jeremy Ee (Engineering ’05) Mr Oliver Tian (Computing ’88) Dr Intan Azura Mokhtar (Science ’98 Public Policy ’08) Mr Bernard Toh (Architecture ’84)

To read more NUS News, visit news.nus.edu.sg

EMINENT ALUMNI AWA R D R EC I P I E N T The Eminent Alumni Award recognises alumni who have distinguished themselves nationally or globally for their exceptional and sustained contributions and achievements in public or community service; in the arts, sports, culture or entrepreneurship; or in a profession or scholarly field.

The sole Eminent Alumni Award recipient is Mr Wong Ngit Liong (Engineering ’65), Chairman and CEO of Venture Corporation Limited and former Chairman of the NUS Board of Trustees.

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI SERVICE AWA R D R EC I P I E N TS Five NUS alumni were conferred the Distinguished Alumni Service Awards for rendering excellent and sustained service to NUS, its predecessor institutions and/or the alumni community.

Professor Chua Nam-Hai (Science ’65), Andrew W. Mellon Professor and Head of Laboratory of Plant Molecular Biology, The Rockefeller University; Deputy Chairman of Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory.

Emeritus Professor Chen Hsiao Yun Louis (Science ’64), Founding Director of Institute for Mathematical Sciences.

Ms Chew Gek Khim (Law ’84), Executive Chairman of The Straits Trading Company Limited.

Ms Lim Hai Yen (Arts and Social Sciences ’92), Playwright and Artistic Director, The ETCeteras.

Mr Peter Seah Lim Huat (Business ’68), Chairman of DBS Group Holdings Limited, DBS Bank Limited and Singapore Airlines.

JAN-MAR 2018

03

IN THE NEWS

O U T S TA N D I N G YOUNG ALUMNI AWA R D R EC I P I E N TS Nine young NUS alumni were also honoured for their achievements and outstanding contributions to their chosen fields. These award recipients were:

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Dr Azariah Tan Peng Chay (Music ’11), Pianist.

Ms Betty Tsai (Engineering + University Scholars Programme ’12), Associate Scientist, R&D, Procter & Gamble International.

Mr Jeffrey Tiong Jee Hui (Engineering ’07), Founder and CEO of PatSnap.

Mr Mohamed Fairoz Bin Ahmad (Arts and Social Sciences ’06 ’10 + University Scholars Programme ’06), Founder and Executive Director of Chapter W.

Dr Neo Mei Lin (Science ’09 ’13), Research Fellow at St John’s Island National Marine Laboratory; Tropical Marine Science Institute, National University of Singapore.

Dr Sin Yong (Medicine ’12), Doctor and Magician.

Mr Quek Siu Rui (Business ’12), Mr Marcus Tan Yi Wei (Business ’11) and Mr Lucas Ngoo Cheng Han (Engineering ’13), Co-Founders of Carousell.

BOOK CORNER

THIRSTY T H U R S D AY S

@ SEAR

UPCOMING EVENT Thirsty Thursdays @ Barossa 1 March, 6.30pm to 9pm

Register at: alumnet.nus.edu.sg/event/TTmar18

THE LAST THIRSTY THURSDAYS SESSION FOR 2017 was held on 16 November at SEAR – and it was a boisterous event, with more than 100 alumni and guests in attendance.

Organised by NUS Alumni Relations, the event provides a platform for young alumni to socialise and network after work and invites accomplished alumni to share their professional journeys and experiences. For this edition, Mr Lee Keng Leong (Business ’04) (left photo), Deputy Director, FairPrice Online, shared on how an omnichannel strategy is essential to serve the needs of average Singaporeans.

Mr Lee also spoke about the importance of knowing one’s self in order to do well and make the correct decisions in life.

In line with Singapore’s and NUS’ lifelong learning movement, Mr Wong Hying Sang from the NUS Institute of Systems Science (ISS) also shared with alumni on the courses offered by ISS.

THE LANCING GIRLS OF A HAPPY WORLD B Y

A D E L I N E

F O O

GLITZ, GLAMOUR, AND SLEAZE is what people may remember of the cabaret girls of yesteryear. With curiosity and an open mind, Ms Adeline Foo (Arts and Social Sciences ’93) sets out to uncover the lives of the “lancing” girls. Even with few dreams and hopes to strive for, and with society’s disapproving eye, these women lived with much heart and courage. The music of the dance hall may have faded away, but this book carries the echoes of their dance steps, connecting us with a forgotten past that was inspired by faith, hope and charity.

Available at Popular, Kinokuniya, MPH and Times Bookstores.

JAN-MAR 2018

05

IN THE NEWS

NUS WELCOMES CHANCELLOR M d m H a l i m a h Ya c o b i s t h e f i r s t woman to hold this office.

NUS Ilsa Tari student group performed a welcome dance during the lunch.

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THE UNIVERSITY WELCOMED its 10th Chancellor Madam Halimah Yacob (Law ’78), President of the Republic of Singapore, on 14 November 2017 with a lunch reception held in her honour.

Mdm Halimah was sworn in as Singapore’s eighth President, and the country’s first woman President, on 14 September 2017. In 2013, she became the first woman to hold the role of Speaker of Parliament and in 2001, the first Malay woman to be elected into Parliament. Prior to her appointment as Speaker of Parliament, she had served as the Minister of State at the Ministry of Social and Family Development and Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports from 2011 to 2013.

An NUS alumnus, Mdm Halimah graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) in 1978 and a Masters of Laws in 2001.

She was also a member of the NUS Board of Trustees from 2006 to 2011.

“Despite humble beginnings, President Halimah Yacob demonstrated resolve and mettle, and went on to achieve many distinctive career peaks, both locally and globally. But her most enduring qualities have been her sense of public service and unwavering dedication to serve and advance the lives of individuals and communities, particularly the disadvantaged,” said then NUS President Professor Tan Chorh Chuan (Medicine ’83) during the event.

It was these attributes of individual excellence and public service that led NUS to confer on Mdm Halimah an Honorary Doctor of Laws in 2016, said Prof Tan. He added that the University’s newest Chancellor “will serve as a true beacon and compass for the NUS community” as NUS persists on its journey of excellence, transformation and service.

In her maiden speech as NUS Chancellor, Mdm Halimah noted how the campus grounds have transformed drastically over the years but the heart of it all — the University’s ethos of service — has remained unchanged, a “fitting link” back to the institution’s roots as a university established by the community, for the community.

I’m still a firm believer that education is the best leveller in our society… I am therefore heartened to see this core value growing and pulsating strongly within the NUS community.

“It is indeed an honour for me to serve as the Chancellor of my alma mater. What is even more meaningful for me is that the University continues to have a strong tradition of service.

This calling to serve resonates deeply with me. I am a firm believer that a life lived meaningfully is the most fulfilling. And I’m still a firm believer that education is the best leveller in our society… I am therefore heartened to see this core value growing and pulsating strongly within the NUS community. As NUS Chancellor, I look forward to working together with you to make our society an even better one for the future,” said Mdm Halimah.

In commemoration of the special occasion, the University launched its official flower, the Papilionanda National University of Singapore.

An orchid with a bright apricot hue, the bloom reflects the strength and vitality of NUS and shares its ancestry with Papilionanthe Miss Joaquim, Singapore’s national flower.

A P P R E C I AT I N G D R T O N Y TA N THE NUS COMMUNITY thanked former NUS Chancellor Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam (Science ’62) for his unstinting and dedicated service to the University at an appreciation lunch held on 30 November 2017.

On 1 September 2011, Dr Tan was sworn in as Singapore’s seventh President and concurrently, Chancellor of NUS. Paying tribute to Dr Tan’s manifold contributions and admirable attributes, then NUS President Professor Tan Chorh Chuan said, “All of us admire him as a person who is visionary and bold. His leadership and ideas helped transform the university sector, creating a vibrant, dynamic and diversified higher education landscape offering Singaporeans more pathways to fulfil their potential, and meet the challenges of a globalised economy.”

“The NUS community has much to thank Dr Tan for laying the framework and foundations that enabled NUS to become one of the leading universities in the world,” Prof Tan noted.

NUS Chancellor Mdm Halimah Yacob with then NUS President Prof Tan Chorh Chuan during the lunch reception.

These articles were first published in NUS News at news.nus.edu.sg/highlights/nus-welcomes-10th-chancellor (15 November 2017) and news.nus.edu.sg/highlights/appreciating-Dr-Tony-Tan (1 December 2017). The articles have been edited for brevity.

JAN-MAR 2018

07

IN THE NEWS

CHINA FILM F E S T I VA L Guests were treated to a line-up of critically-lauded productions.

UPCOMING EVENT Indian Film Festival 12 – 14 March

Register at: alumnet.nus.edu.sg/ event/IFF18

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THE 6TH CHINA FILM FESTIVAL brought three diverse and highly-acclaimed films to the Shaw Foundation Alumni House – Mojin – The Lost Legend, Go Away, Mr. Tumor and Wolf Warriors.

Close to 1,000 alumni, students, staff and guests attended the Festival held from 22 to 27 September 2017, including former NUS Alumni Advisory Board member Mr David Ho Peng Cheong (Arts and Social Sciences ’73); High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in Singapore, His Excellency Mr Nimal Weeraratne; and Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to Singapore, His Excellency Mr Zenon Kosiniak-Kamysz.

Jointly organised by NUS Alumni Relations, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Singapore and

Singapore China Friendship Association, the Festival was graced by Chargé d’affaires Mr Fang Xinwen (left photo) and Cultural Counsellor Mr Que Xiaohua from the Chinese Embassy; and President of the Singapore China Friendship Association, Professor Phua Kok Khoo (top-left photo).

Each night of the Festival saw lucky members of the audience going home with attractive prizes, including air tickets to selected cities in China, sponsored by Air China.

E D U TA I N M E N T CONCERTS –

AT T H E

Yugpurush MAHATMA NA MAHATMA Commemorating the occasion of Shrimad Rajchandra’s 150th birth anniversary year, NUS Alumni Relations and the Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur jointly presented the theatre production of the acclaimed Yugpurush - Mahatma na Mahatma.

On 15 November 2017 at the Shaw Foundation Alumni House, about 160 alumni, students and staff joined more than 6.5 million people in about 300 cities around the world who have watched the play. The splendid performance ended with a standing ovation, after the audience had experienced Mahatma Gandhi’s internal and external journeys unfold under the inspiration of his spiritual mentor, Shrimad Rajchandra.

MORE THAN 100 ALUMNI AND THEIR FAMILIES came back to campus on 16 September 2017 for the second segment of Edutainment Concerts, organised by NUS Alumni Relations. Themed ‘At the Opera!’, guests learned more about European operas and were serenaded by songs of love and friendship from operas including Judas Maccabaeus by Handel, The Magic Flute by Mozart and Tableau 2 by Tchaikowsky.

The concert was performed by professional opera singers and accompanied at the piano by renowned composer and conductor Dr Robert Casteels.

OPERA!

ALUMNI CONCERTS –

A DREAM OF 2 WORLDS composed by Mr Toh including Whale in the Sky and Reverie.

Among the audience were Dean of Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, Professor Bernard Lanskey and invitees from the Singapore Cancer Society.

This concert was the second edition of the Alumni Concerts series, and featured a pre-concert sharing session on 16 October, where both alumni shared their personal stories and inspiration behind their music.

COMPOSER AND JAZZ-PIANIST Mr Tze Toh (Computing ’02) and violinist Ms Christina Zhou (Music ’14) brought the audience on a musical adventure on 28 October 2017, together with saxophonist Mr Teo Boon Chye.

Organised by NUS Alumni Relations, the concert featured mostly original contemporary Asian fusion music

UPCOMING EVENT Alumni Concerts: Bossa Celli Live!

3 February

Register at: alumnet.nus.edu.sg/event/ACfeb18

JAN-MAR 2018

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IN THE NEWS

LIFELONG LEARNER SPOTLIGHT

RIGHT ON COURSE Ms Wu Wan Ying (Arts and Social Sciences ‘14), 25, Corporate Communications Executive at Singapore Children’s Society, continues her pursuit of knowledge at her alma mater.

Original Degree: Graduated from NUS

in 2014, Bachelor of Arts with Merit, Communications and New Media.

26 ALU MNI & F R I END S GOLF TOURNAME NT TH

Name of course attended at NUS: Executive Education – Social Media and Public Relations (28 - 29 September 2017).

Why did you take up this course? As my job involves managing our organisation’s social media platforms, as well as responding to queries from the public, the course is beneficial in equipping me with the knowledge and expertise to better utilise and leverage on social media tools, to communicate effectively with stakeholders and manage digital crises.

Why did you choose to take the course at NUS? As one of the world’s top

universities, I was confident that courses offered by NUS would be interesting and informative, with outstanding professionals from various fields engaged to conduct the courses and share their experiences. It is also nice to be able to return to my alma mater and see the new developments on campus.

How has the course benefited your work?

ON 12 OCTOBER 2017, close to 140 alumni and friends renewed old ties and forged new ones over golf at the 26th Alumni & Friends Golf Tournament. Organised

by NUS Alumni Relations in collaboration with the National University of Singapore Society (NUSS), the tournament was held at Raffles Country Club.

After a hot afternoon of friendly competition, the event adjourned to NUSS Kent Ridge Guild House for the Prize Presentation Dinner.

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It has helped me to better manage digital crises, adopt appropriate social media tools, and identify the type of messages and information that our organisation should be relaying to stakeholders and members of the public in the event of a crisis.

Have you attended any other courses in NUS? Yes, the ‘NICF – Online

Community Management for Social Media’ course offered by the Institute of Systems Science.

For those interested to know more about post-graduate courses offered by NUS Communications and New Media, please visit www.fas.nus.edu.sg/cnm/executive-education.

I L L U ST RAT I O N S : G E TT Y I M AG E S

COVER STORY

PROFESSOR TAN ENG CHYE IS NUS’

FIFTH

Perched on the precipice of change, both within and without, NUS continues to be at the vanguard of higher education.

The AlumNUS looks at just what it takes to steer this venerable institution to greater heights during this time of great disruption, as well as how tomorrow’s leaders are being groomed today.

B Y

W A N D A

LEADING BY

PRESIDENT, AND THE

23RD

LEADER TO HEAD THE INSTITUTION SINCE ITS BEGINNINGS AS A MEDICAL SCHOOL IN 1905.

T A N

EXAMPLE

N

ot for the first time in its over century-old history, NUS is once again at a crossroads. On 1 January 2018, Professor Tan Eng Chye (Science ’85) moved on from his role as Deputy President (Academic Affairs) and Provost of NUS to become the University’s President.

He replaced Professor Tan Chorh Chuan (Medicine ’83), who stepped down after 10 years at the helm. A couple of months earlier, NUS also welcomed President of Singapore Madam Halimah Yacob (Law ’78) as its newest Chancellor.

JAN-MAR 2018

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COVER STORY

These major leadership changes are occurring at a pivotal moment in history, against the backdrop of today’s so-called ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution’ characterised by a growing convergence of the physical, digital and biological spheres. The rise of smartphones and social media, Internet of Things–linked devices, and artificial intelligence applications in fields like self-driving cars are just the tip of the iceberg compared to the whole heap of breakthrough technologies developed over the last decade, irrevocably altering the way we work, study, play and live.

At a time when we can barely keep up with the speed of technological advancement, academic institutions are having to re-evaluate their objectives and strategies in grooming students for such a volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) world.

For the new NUS President, one can imagine that a number of questions bubble up. What is the state of the University that he is inheriting? Is NUS’ leadership position in the current age of disruption more tenuous than might be thought? And how can NUS best produce the next generation of leaders?

A N O D TO T H E R E CE NT PAS T Before looking to the future, it is worth taking a step back to see how far the University has come since the turn of the century. Two personages served as NUS President in the intervening period — Professor Shih Choon Fong (2000–2008) and Professor Tan Chorh Chuan (2008–2017) — each leaving their mark in different ways.

Under Prof Shih’s stewardship, NUS was transformed from a teaching university to a global, research-intensive university. He was instrumental in setting up the International Alliance of Research Universities in 2006 and chaired the Association of Pacific Rim Universities for four years, with NUS holding membership in both consortia. Now with NUS’ Faculty of Engineering, Prof Shih is also credited with bringing an entrepreneurial dimension to the University through the formation in 2001 of NUS Enterprise, which comprises divisions such as the NUS Overseas Colleges programme and the NUS Industry Liaison Office.

Prof Tan Chorh Chuan built upon these achievements and further elevated NUS’ standing on the world stage. He turned the University into a global

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research powerhouse and created a vibrant start-up culture. Collaborations with industry organisations and internationally-renowned universities expanded the educational opportunities open to students. Prof Tan also launched several pioneering initiatives to promote broad-based learning, including the Yale–NUS College liberal arts pedagogy, the residential college experience at NUS University Town (UTown), the grade-free scheme for freshmen and the revamped General Education curriculum.

While serving in his prior role as NUS Deputy President (Academic Affairs) and Provost, Prof Tan Eng Chye was none other than the chief architect behind some of the pioneering programmes.

These and other achievements have helped NUS steadily climb up the global university rankings. The Times Higher Education World University Rankings

FOCUSING THE LENS OF LEADERSHIP In one of his final engagements as NUS President, Prof Tan Chorh Chuan was the guest speaker for the NUS Business School’s Leadership Dialogue Series.

The talk, held on 2 November 2017 at the NUS Shaw Foundation Alumni House, addressed three key lenses of leadership: how to choose a leader, whether one should step up to be a leader, and what qualities make an effective leader.

A few things must be considered when selecting between candidates for the leadership position, be it as a CEO of a company, a head of department or a student group leader. “Start by asking yourself, ‘What are the most important goals you would like to achieve?’ Distil the most critical things for your unit that you hope to achieve with the new leader,” said Prof Tan. One should also assess whether the individual can fit into the organisational culture, while at the same time having the wherewithal to gradually shift it.

The decision over whether to take up a leadership role depends largely on one’s internal motivation, which in turn serves as a strong determinant of one’s commitment or ability to sustain effort. Prof Tan said that “constructive dissatisfaction” — “to convert dissatisfaction with something into a positive force for action and change” — is a powerful driver of leadership.

Based on his personal experience, Prof Tan identified some essential traits for effective leadership:

THE TIMES HIGHER EDUCATION WORLD UNIVERSITY RANKINGS 2018, RELEASED LAST SEPTEMBER, PLACES NUS 22ND — ITS HIGHEST POSITION YET — MAKING IT THE TOP ASIAN UNIVERSITY FOR THE THIRD YEAR RUNNING. 2018, released last September, places NUS 22nd — its highest position yet — making it the top Asian university for the third year running.

Clearly, the former Presidents have left the University in great shape — but it cannot afford to rest on its laurels. The challenge facing the new incumbent is how to continue NUS’ transformation journey into a world-leading university in an era of radical disruption and heightened global uncertainty.

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HAVE A VISION OF WHERE YOU WANT TO B E . “Boil down your vision to

its essential elements, and use this distilled set of ideas to motivate and energise activities across the institution.”

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THINK AHEAD FIVE OR 10 YEARS TO WHAT YOU WOULD HAVE DONE

BY THEN THAT COULD BE CONSIDERED C O N S E Q U E N T I A L . “This

MAKE YOUR VISION H A P P E N . “If you are able

to implement bold new ideas, you can get a reinforcing cycle where ideas inform action and then that feeds into more new ideas and opportunities.”

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focuses your mind on the highestpriority issues — those leading to significant improvement and having an enduring impact.”

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ENGAGE IN ADAPTIVE STRATEGISING.

“Because things are changing so quickly, you have to continually think about and reshape your strategy and positioning, even while having a longterm destination.”

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PERFECT YOUR PEOPLE SKILLS AND SYSTEMSLEVEL THINKING.

“This means zooming in on the fundamental areas that need attention in your institution, as well as zooming out to see the ‘big picture’ and connections with other sectors.”

P A C E Y O U R S E L F . “Leadership is a marathon, not a sprint. What matters is not how many hours you put in, but how much output you get per unit of time.”

JAN-MAR 2018

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COVER STORY

A S S O C I AT E P R O F E S S O R BEN LEONG

AC H IEV I N G FUTU RE - RE ADINE SS

NUS SCHOOL OF COMPUTING

The most pressing concern for NUS, as for all universities, is making sure that its graduates find gainful employment. This is easier said than done in the present climate, where some have even questioned the very value and relevance of university degrees in today’s economy, in which many a maverick has struck it big in fields which he or she had no formal training in. Then there’s also the issue of technology, which is creating new jobs even as others are being lost. On the one hand, e-commerce has reduced barriers to entry for businesses, and more people are joining the ‘sharing economy’ every day through apps like Uber and Airbnb. However, this is happening at the expense of brick-and-mortar retailers and malls; traditional taxi companies and hotels are also hurting.

Amid the upheaval, a likely winner is the NUS School of Computing. “Our profession is intrinsically

LEADERSHIP IS CONTEXTUAL; IT IS EXPERIENTIAL. TO TEACH LEADERSHIP, STUDENTS HAVE TO BE IN, OR AT LEAST SIMULATE BEING IN, A REAL WORK ENVIRONMENT. Associate Professor Ben Leong, NUS School of Computing

digital, so as long as our students focus on honing their skills, they will be well-prepared for the digital economy,” NUS’ Associate Professor Ben Leong of the Department of Computer Science tells The AlumNUS. To help students across all disciplines prepare for the working world, the University established the Centre for Future-ready Graduates (CFG) in 2015. Besides providing career advisory services and linking students with employers, CFG runs an innovative programme called ‘Roots & Wings’ for all first-year undergraduates. This module equips freshmen with soft skills such as self-awareness, empathic communication and resilience, so that they can maximise their potential both personally and career-wise.

NUS alumni and working adults are also encouraged to upgrade their skills or acquire new ones at its School of Continuing and Lifelong Education

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Held in high regard by students and faculty alike, Assoc Prof Leong, 43, received the NUS Outstanding Educator Award in 2015. “Our job as educators is not just to train students to have deep domain knowledge and technical skills, but to help them become the best versions of themselves and lead meaningful, fulfilling lives,” says Assoc Prof Leong of his teaching philosophy. For example, in 2007 he founded the Computing for Voluntary Welfare Organisations (CVWO) initiative, under which student teams build IT systems for local VWOs during the summer break, as a way for them to serve the community.

(SCALE). Launched in 2016, SCALE offers a range of short courses and part-time degree programmes — mainly in computing and engineering — to boost their employability, as well as support Singapore’s manpower needs. Together with postgraduate programmes in specialised fields of study such as public health and public policy, there are opportunities aplenty at NUS to level up one’s qualifications and engage in lifelong learning.

However, Assoc Prof Leong admits that a degree alone — even in a high-demand area like computing — does not guarantee a well-paying job, nor will the degree-holder necessarily become a future leader. “I don’t believe that leadership can just be taught in the classroom. Leadership is contextual; it is experiential.

To teach leadership, students have to be in, or at least simulate being in, a real work environment,” he says.

Hence, the Bachelor of Engineering and Bachelor of Computing programmes are now among those that have a compulsory internship component.

T H E C AS E F OR CUR IOS IT Y Indeed, teachable moments for cultivating leadership can occur anywhere and at any time during one’s university years — as long as one adopts a curious and open-minded attitude. “A degree is not only about studying one’s chosen major; it is the best time to explore new things and gain breadth of exposure. The more people you meet, the more views you get,” says Dr Jingmei Li (Science ’06). A Life Sciences major, she

PHOTO: EALBERT HO

PHOTO: AIK CHEN

AN EXEMPLAR TEACHER

is now a Senior Research Scientist and National Research Foundation Fellow at the Genome Institute of Singapore, where her team is working to improve early detection and prevention of breast cancer.

“I enrolled in NUS with the intention of learning what it takes to earn my keep in science — my bread and butter — but got so much more in the process,” says Dr Li. She underwent the University Scholars Programme (USP), a multidisciplinary academic programme for undergraduates; took part in a student exchange programme to the University of Melbourne, Australia; and also completed a Minor in Technopreneurship. “These experiences may not all have been relevant to life sciences, but they were interesting and shaped my love for learning.”

The Technopreneurship minor in particular gave her an edge over other less business-savvy scientists. “My internship stint at a startup doing customer support and publicity taught me a lot about how to interact with people, and how to communicate ideas and products. The latter has certainly helped me in my grant writing and in making people understand my research,” says Dr Li. She also serves as Adjunct Assistant Professor for the Department of Surgery at NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine.

DR JINGMEI LI GENOME INSTITUTE OF SINGAPORE

PERSONALISED LEADERSHIP Dr Li’s work in identifying women most at risk of developing breast cancer due to genetic differences, and in finding new treatment options for them, has not gone unnoticed. She was one of three individuals to win the Young Scientist Award at the President’s Science and Technology Awards 2017, the nation’s highest honour bestowed on exceptional researchers and engineers in Singapore.

What is her image of a good leader? “Someone who uncovers the potential of each team member by treating each person differently and by using different methods to help them succeed,” says Dr Li, 35. “In science, we are moving towards the trend of personalised screening or treatment. Perhaps ‘personalised leadership’ is also the way to go. This would strengthen emotional bonds and build up human capital.”

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COVER STORY

Other facets of University life, including participation in student clubs, interest groups, varsity sports T H E W I N N E R D O E S N O T TA K E A L L teams and Hall committees, also NUS Master of Business Administration graduate Mr Marco Ordonez provide opportunities to exercise (Business ’16), valedictorian of his class, tells The AlumNUS what he leadership. Ms Nur Darlene Binte learnt as President of the NUS MBA Social Impact Club.

Nasril, currently in her third year “My experience leading the NUS This not only helps create financial MBA Social Impact Club was crucial returns but also sustains their market of the Bachelor of Science (Project in shaping my perspective on business for years to come. and Facilities Management) leadership. Traditionally, we think of I am currently a Business programme, is the President of businesses as exploitative or focused Development Manager for a company on making the most money today, that develops clean and renewable the NUS Malay Language Society. regardless of what happens in the energy solutions in my home country, Known by its Malay acronym future. But I think that the most the Philippines. I am happy to play PBMUKS, the Society’s 130 or so successful companies are those that a role in helping the Philippines as it have made it a point to figure out transitions to a low-carbon energy members encourage the use of the ways they can contribute to society as future. I feel like I am, in my own small Malay language among youths by part of their business model — doing way, contributing to the betterment of organising annual events such good and doing well, at the same time. the country.” as music workshops, theatrical productions and poetry slams.

“I have always had an interest in the Malay co-curricular activities. “Talk language and culture, so I was naturally drawn to to us, come to our events and THE PBMUKS,” explains Ms Darlene. “As President, I have see what we do first-hand,” she C T PC L P to put myself in the shoes of others before making urges. “The more recognition or &CTPCLC any decisions. It is still a learning process for me, but support we receive from NUS, the more WERE MADE by working with and managing those under my wing, connected we will feel to the University POSSIBLE I am constantly learning how to deal with people, and the more pride we will have in THANKS TO DONATIONS engage in dual perspective and communicate my ideas being ‘NUSers’.”

TOTALLING efficiently. I may not be the best at what I do, but TOMORROW’S I’m happy to learn because the nature of my future CHA NGE MA K ERS work — probably in facilities management or events Another highlight of Prof management — requires a lot of communication

BY MR CHUA THIAN Tan Chorh Chuan’s tenure as NUS with others.”

POH, CHAIRMAN President was the ramping up of UniversitySpeaking on behalf of student leaders, Ms Darlene, AND CEO OF wide efforts to give back to society. These 22, hopes to develop a stronger connection PROPERTY DEVELOPER include the Chua Thian Poh Community between University administrators and the various HO BEE LAND Leadership Programme (CTPCLP), inaugurated in 2011 to nurture the next generation of change makers; and the NUS Day of Service, an annual community outreach and charity initiative pioneered by the NUS Alumni Advisory Board in 2016.

While service to the community has always been a core value of the University, this greater emphasis on social responsibility comes at an opportune time as the disruptive changes unleashed by technology are causing a mixed effect on society. Not everyone is benefiting from the digitisation of services. In fact, the poorer segment of the population risks falling even further behind as they are slow to adopt new innovations, less likely to upskill or reskill themselves, and more vulnerable to declining incomes or job losses.

Recent efforts by NUS to bridge the inequality gap also coincide with a growing awareness among today’s youth of social injustice. There is even a word MS NUR DARLENE for this phenomenon — ‘wokeness’ — which has come BINTE NASRIL to be a defining feature of the millennial generation.

MILLION

PRESIDENT, PBMUKS

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PHOTO: KELVIN CHIA

MS SITI ADRIANA BINTE MUHAMAD RASIP COMMUNITY SOCIAL WORKER

NAMES TO REMEMBER Here is just a smattering of NUS alumni who have gone on to become distinguished leaders in their respective fields: Dr Noeleen Heyzer (Arts and Social Sciences ’71), former Under-SecretaryGeneral of the United Nations (2007–2014) Mr Quek Siu Rui (Business ’12), Mr Lucas Ngoo (Engineering ’13) and Mr Marcus Tan (Business ’11), co-founders of Carousell that was listed by Forbes as one of ‘20 Startups To Watch In 2016’ Dr Neo Mei Lin (Science ’09), marine biologist and conservationist selected as a World Economic Forum Young Scientist (Class of 2016) and TED Fellow (Class of 2017) Dr Balaji Sadasivan (Medicine ’79), former Chairman of the Executive Board of the World Health Organization (2007–2010) The Honourable the Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon (Law ’86), current Chief Justice of Singapore Dr Yaacob Ibrahim (Engineering ’80), current Minister for Communications and Information, Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs and Minister-in-charge of Cyber Security, Singapore

For newer graduates, then, the undergraduate journey is where they each discover how they can best contribute to society.

“Higher education, to me, is not only about developing critical thinking skills, but about being world-ready to make a social impact in the world,” says Ms Siti Adriana Binte Muhamad Rasip (Arts and Social Sciences ’16). While pursuing her degree, the Political Science major and USP scholar participated in the CTPCLP, under which she initiated two projects. The first one sought to empower children and youths with special needs by making them ambassadors for animal welfare, while the second project involved a research attachment to the Ministry of Social and Family Development’s Social Service Office @ Tampines.

Inspired by her undergraduate experience, Ms Adriana, 24, is now a Community Social Worker at the South Central Community Family Service Centre. “I would like to make an impact in empowering lower-income families and lifting them out of poverty,” she says. And she is not the only one wanting to make a difference: in November 2017, the Chua Thian Poh Community Leadership Centre (CTPCLC) was established through Mr Chua’s second gift of $5m to NUS to fund the next phase of development.

With a physical space in UTown that aims to become a focal point for community development activities on campus, the CTPCLC plans to double its current annual intake to 80 students — and enlarge the pool of future community leaders.

MA INTA INING THE MOMENTUM No one harbours any illusions about how tough the task facing the new NUS President is, least of all Prof Tan Eng Chye himself (read our interview with him on pages 18-19). He will undoubtedly come across challenges in trying to balance the priorities of the different faculties, programmes and student organisations, and preparing students for a future without knowing what changes are around the corner.

But the good news is that NUS has been down this road before, albeit not at such a rapid pace of change. NUS has always had competent, visionary leaders, and a solid succession plan to ensure a smooth transition each time someone new inhabits the Office of the President. So if history is any indication, the University and its students are in good hands.

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The biggest misconception that people have of mathematicians is that they all see things in equations,” says Professor Tan Eng Chye with a wry smile. Calm, composed, and with a dry sense of humour, the 56 year-old — a highly respected academic and educator — fits the bill of the hyperlogical mathematician. Yet Prof Tan — affectionately known by some students as the “Blogging Provost” for keeping a blog (https://blog.nus.edu.sg/provost/) to engage the youths — says that mathematical logic can be too cold for certain aspects in life.

He would know, for he certainly has done his fair share of seemingly ‘illogical’ things in his life. Like when at the age of 53, he got himself back into a fitness routine after setting himself the goal of completing 30km over a day at the 2015 Gobi Desert Challenge. This meant six months of walking 10km twice during the work-week, and starting his weekends with a four-hour-long 24km trek from his home in Yio Chu Kang to MacRitchie Reservoir and back. The Gobi Desert Challenge has been an annual affair for him ever since. Or when, as a Mathematics undergraduate in the 1980s, he risked failing his third year when he skipped all his lessons to attend classes with the girl of his dreams, Ms Ng Lo Mun (Science ‘84), who was a year ahead of him. He would go on to clear his modules anyway — and she would go on to be his wife.

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F r o m s t u d e n t t o s t u d e n t l e a d e r, f r o m f a c u l t y t o D e a n , t h e n P r ovo s t , a n d n o w , N U S P r e s i d e n t , P r o f e s s o r Ta n E n g C h y e ( S c i e n c e ’ 8 5 ) i s s o m e o n e w h o h a s e x p e r i e n c e d l i f e o n c a m p u s l i ke n o o t h e r.

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“I had always been fascinated by the uniform and was very Behind Prof Tan’s unorthodox ways are the high standards he disappointed that my hopes were dashed. Thankfully, I had sets for his pursuits. And now as the President of NUS, he has a number of tutors — Professors Chong Chi Tat, Louis Chen big plans for the University. “NUS has done extremely well in (Science ’64), Peng Tsu Ann (Science ’62) — who took notice of the last 15 to 20 years, and we are among the top universities me and guided me onto the path of academia and to join the in Asia and the world. I hope to be the president to lift it to University as a faculty member.” the next level,” he says. “I wish to set the foundations for a The military training was not all lost either. “I trained as great university: one with educational innovation; one that an officer in the military, but was transferred to the police as nurtures high-quality, future-ready graduates; one that does a probationary inspector. This exposure allowed me to engage high-quality research that impacts not just academia, but also with people from many walks of life.” A man of measured society. I have also an interest to position NUS as a place that words, Prof Tan clearly has strong people skills, given the many promotes innovation and enterprise.” leadership roles he has held, from being the President of the These are ambitious goals indeed, but Prof Tan feels NUS Students’ Union’s Physical and Mathematical Sciences that they are neither unachievable, nor constitute a Society, to Dean, Provost, and now, comprehensive list. In an earlier interview, he also President of NUS. Humbly, he credits 2 THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW mentioned that as president he will focus on three those who worked with him for the A B O U T P R O F TA N areas — personalised learning, inclusive learning and achievements he has made at every lifelong learning. And he practises what he preaches. “I stage of his career: “The team is very HE HAS A am now trying to learn data analytics — and it should important, and transparency and PU’ER COLLECTION come easier for me as a mathematician but I am trying trust are critical. I seek those who “I have a small assortment of to probe deeper,” shares Prof Tan, who earned his PhD can draw a clear line between his pu’er tea, which is fermented, from Yale University in 1989. “Academics such as myself or her responsibility towards the low in caffeine, and gentle on the stomach. It is an are quite used to self-learning: we just pick up a book. We institution and his or her personal acquired taste, though I prefer are trying to inculcate this skill in our students, because interests,” he says. Prof Tan considers those that are aged 10 years continual learning is very important.” himself fortunate to have been able and more. I can taste the difference between a recent “Four years of education is not enough — you have to pick the right people. “And I’m pu’er and one that is older. to update your knowledge and competencies and be proud that some of them get poached I carry a thermos of pu’er tea able to respond to the changes out there, especially at by other universities — that is a everywhere – people think it is ginseng!” the pace they are changing.” As such, he wants to equip great compliment!” all NUS students with computational thinking, (“Which Yet Prof Tan’s enterprising trait essentially is a problem-solving approach whereby as a leader is certainly impactful too, NONE OF problems are broken down and solved in individual and this was demonstrated rather HIS KIDS ARE portions before an abstraction is done to derive a macro early in his life in NUS, while still an MATHEMATICIANS solution. It also includes algorithmic thinking, a way undergraduate. Faced with the task “My eldest is 26 years old and of arriving at a solution through clear definitions of of recruiting members for the Physics went to NUS Business School.

The triplets – two girls and the steps needed.”) and quantitative reasoning as a and Maths student club, he created one boy – are now 22 years foundation to build their analytical skills. The father of four a unique member incentive: access old. The boy is currently doing children — all of whom are either current NUS students or to the first-ever “10-Year Series” Computer Science at NUS, while one of his sisters is doing NUS alumni — goes on to enthuse: “Later on, we’d want compilation of past exam papers Medicine. One just graduated to put in design thinking, so that while quantitative and with solutions for the Science faculty. from NUS Yong Siew Toh computational thinking activates the left part of your brain, This, he created by single-handedly Conservatory of Music as an opera singer and is doing her design thinking can activate the right!” completing four years’ worth (all that Masters in Hanover, Germany.”

It is clear that he is passionate about education. As was available in the library) of past early as 1995, he revamped the Singapore Mathematical papers! “It was good practice for me, Olympiad to allow more students to participate. Under anyway,” he says nonchalantly. his initiation, a series of project teaching workshops for The task ahead as President of NUS is, of course, much bigger teachers was also started in 1998. than that of the Physics and Maths club, but it does not daunt him. “I simply set a target and stick to the course,” he says, when LEADING FROM THE FRONT asked how he approaches challenges. “I do think I have a high Given his affable temperament, it is hard to imagine level of perseverance. It partly has to do with the training as a that Prof Tan’s original ambition was as far-removed as mathematician — we might be working on certain things for his present position could be — he wanted to become a months or years. The eureka moment might come randomly policeman. Despite being a Raffles Institution alumnus who during a shower or a walk, but that only is because we have excelled in his studies, Prof Tan, the eldest of six children allowed our mind to work the solution out subliminally.” from a struggling family, did not really think much about So don’t think that Prof Tan is taking it easy when he is entering academia. “I was en route to becoming a policeman strolling about on campus, or queuing up for bak chor mee at the Hong Lim Food Centre on Saturdays. His mind is always working when they realised that I was colour-blind,” he reveals.

— and who knows what radical ideas might just come to him.

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ONCE UPON A MEMORY

For Mr Lawrence Siao (Arts and Social Sciences ’97), student life at NUS was a fulfiling one enriched with food, friends and lots of music.

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e might not remember exactly why he joined the NUS Wind Symphony, and only started participating in the second year of University. However, music certainly played a very big part of Mr Lawrence Siao’s life in NUS — and even beyond. The Arts graduate was previously the concert master of the NUS Wind Symphony, and continues his journey in music today teaching music at his alma mater, Tanjong Katong Secondary School.

Incidentally, the Subject Head of the Aesthetics Department is also guiding the

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school’s band. “My experience in NUS Band — in particular that as a concert master — has boosted my confidence to conduct a band in a concert hall,” says Mr Siao, 45, who had the opportunity to travel to Shizouka, Japan to perform with NUS Wind Symphony at the Fuji International Youth Musicale in 1996.

“My experience in NUS has taught me to be very independent and self-motivated to pursue my interests, one of which is music.

We did not have a music conservatory then, otherwise I might have joined and become a full-time musician!” he reflects.

Upon graduating with a degree in English Language and Economics, he entered the National Institute of Education (NIE) and trained to became a teacher. “Being a graduate of NUS — the premier university in Singapore — also means that I bear the responsibility of carrying on the good name of the University as an alumnus,” he says with pride.

Here, he takes a walk down memory lane with us to revisit some of the places on campus where he spent the most time as an undergraduate.

MR LAWRENCE SIAO, 45, TEACHER, TANJONG KATONG SECONDARY SCHOOL

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FA C U LT Y O F A R T S A N D SOCIAL SCIENCES Naturally, most of Mr Siao’s time was spent at FASS, where he would be hanging out with his faculty friends in between lectures and tutorials. This is also the place of his favourite food memory.

“We would often visit the

Arts canteen and I fondly remember the delicious hor fun sold at a corner stall,” he recalls. Mr Siao says since the stall has since ceased operation — the taste of the noodle dish will have to remain a memory for him.

L E C T U R E T H E AT R E 1 3 NUS students with a passion for music will know that LT13 is more than a place for lectures.

The first lunchtime concert was held there in 1984. By 1986, Esso (now known as ExxonMobil) was sponsoring a regular concert series. This would become the ExxonMobil Campus Concerts today — a series of free-admission performances presented by NUS Centre For the Arts. “Indeed I spent a lot of time there, not just for the lectures,” recalls Mr Siao of the space that is also called the Theatrette for Performances. As a member of the NUS Wind Symphony, some of his first performances as concert master were also made on the stage of this very special lecture theatre.

R U N M E S H AW C FA S T U D I O S Band practices happened every Thursday evening and Saturday afternoon, and this would be where Mr Siao would be, with his bandmates. “We used to rehearse in a huge room with tiered platforms but I believe the University band now practises elsewhere.”

MAIN PHOTO BY KELVIN CHIA

THE MUSIC BOX As of 2003, students interested in pursuing a degree in music at NUS have been able to do so at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music (YSTCM).

The first conservatory in Singapore that offers full-time studies leading to a Bachelor of Music (Honours) Degree, YSTCM offers full financial support (fees, accommodation, stipend) for all of its 220 BMus students, thanks to the support of the Yong Loo Lin Trust

Being a graduate of NUS — the premier university in Singapore — also means that I bear the responsibility of carrying on the good name of the University as an alumnus.

and other donors. Additionally, there are programmes at Masters level, as well as for Continuing Professional Education — intended for current or aspiring professional musicians and music teachers to further their qualifications — and also for Singapore’s most talented teenagers (the Young Artist Programme).

Not just an educational institution, YSTCM also hosts a busy performance calendar with around 200 concerts annually, including shows by international artists and ensembles, as well as student and faculty events.

CENTRAL LIBRARY The multi-disciplinary Central Library features prominently in the lives of most NUS students. Yet for Mr Siao, it was more than a place for self-study.

“This is the lifeline of many FASS students!” he reveals. “(As most of us were not able to afford all the books needed for the course), we had to photocopy our compulsory readings and many hours were spent in the Central Library doing just that!”

UPCOMING EVENT InTempo 2018 - Celebrations 25 March, Sunday, 5pm University Cultural Centre Hall

Ticketing: cfa.nus.edu.sg/calendar

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CHANGEMAKER

W

hen Dr Jaipal Singh Gill was around seven or eight years old, his pet rabbit fell sick. “It had diarrhoea.

I remember putting it in the pet cage and walking to the vet’s clinic just down the road from our home,” he recalls. “The vet gave my rabbit an injection, so I thought, he’s going to be fine. But he died on the way home. Yes, I cried.” This deep love for animals was perhaps matched only by his passion for learning. At age six, he had a book titled I Want To Be A Vet by Dan Liebman, which he read “a hundred times”, and it ultimately turned out to be a foreshadowing of things to come. A qualified veterinarian, Dr Gill, 34, who has been Executive Director of SPCA Singapore for two years, shares his journey with The AlumNUS. Why did you study Science at NUS? When I was young: I had a plan, then I didn’t, then I had a plan again. I wanted to be a vet when I was six, then I grew up and had thoughts of doing other things. In junior college, I broke records for the worst results ever — I had straight Fs! I had been

causing trouble the whole year, and failed my promotional exams. It was a wake-up call. The school management said, “Show us you can do it. You have two weeks to prepare to re-sit your papers.” I did decently for my retake, and they didn’t retain me. I did okay for my ‘A’ Levels. At that point,

WHO IS HE? Dr Jaipal Singh Gill, upon completing his degree in Life Sciences at NUS, was hired

by SPCA Singapore to be an inspector to investigate animal abuse cases. After a year, he felt the need to be further equipped for his growing role in animal welfare. He took on a master’s degree in Animal Sciences and rejoined SPCA as its operations manager in 2010 for two years, before enrolling in a Doctor of Animal Medicine degree at the University of Melbourne.

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Dr Jaipal Singh Gill (Science ’07), Executive Director of SPCA Singapore, has turned his lifelong love of animals into a c r u s a d e — a n d a c a r e e r.

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I looked at vet schools overseas, and found that it was a very expensive course. So, I ended up doing Life Sciences, which is about how life works — I love learning about that!

You were already active in animal welfare when in NUS. Tell us about that.

Even before entering NUS, I did outreach work in raising awareness on the conditions of factory-farmed animals. In NUS, I wanted to join an animal welfare group but there wasn’t any, so I decided to start one. I advertised in the IVLE (Integrated Virtual Learning Environment) boards, and the response was great! We started the NUS Animal Welfare group in 2005 with 15 students from everywhere — Law, Science, Social Sciences.

The diversity of knowledge elevated our discussions. We’d meet at the Central Library and do volunteer work at animal shelters.

We started holding small events and this built up to something bigger — such as the National Animal Welfare Symposium which finally took place in 2008, and brought all the major animal welfare bodies together.

The group is now called NUS PEACE (People Ending Animal Cruelty and Exploitation).

How has Singapore’s animal welfare scene changed in the last 10 years?

There are more welfare groups and events now. There have also been legislative changes to the Animals and Birds Act enforcing stricter measures on animal abusers and animalrelated businesses as well as age restrictions (16 or older) on pet ownership. At SPCA, we are working towards a policy of zero euthanasia of healthy and treatable animals. But for there to be fewer animals to put down, we need to sterilise. Since 1991, SPCA has offered free sterilisation vouchers for street dogs and cats — over $1m has been spent on this programme.

You notice there are far fewer stray cats and kittens than 20 years ago.

How can we improve the state of animal welfare?

There are many groups we need to reach out to. People who abandon pets for different reasons. People who lack basic knowledge about caring for their pets’ welfare. There was an owner who kept rabbits in a cage outside his HDB flat. When I went there, I saw a cage filled with rabbits, without an inch of spare space. The owner thought since there was so little room the rabbits would

have no way to mate. But right in front of us, as he was talking, two rabbits were mating! He had one male and one female rabbit a year ago and now there were about 100! So, what are the solutions? First, education of pet owners about sterilisation. Second, support for pet owners, especially those from low-income brackets. Next is legislative change, and some progress has been made in this area since 2011.

it made me a little rigid. NUS chipped that away quite a bit! Learning from different fields has prepared me for my current job.

Anything that left a deep impression?

I remember my professor from Evolutionary Biology — it was a subject that invited disagreement.

This professor said, “Whatever I teach you, don’t believe what I say.

I could be wrong. Go out and find What moves would you want to see in out for yourself.” That to me was an place for pet shops and breeders? important lesson, to not subscribe The local pet industry should do more to an argument from authority, to help with pet overpopulation. They but to look at things critically. This can do this by reducing the number of encouraged me to look for exposure to animals bred and by placing in their shops rescued animals for adoption. The areas outside Science. latter is something that has been done in other countries. The number of animals How involved are you with NUS now?

I just did a talk at NUS on careers bred for sale needs to be restricted and conditions in breeding farms improved. in NGOs. I was also at the Science Open House in 2017, where alumni meet and talk to prospective students.

What was NUS student life like?

Earlier that year I worked with a I found that getting a general degree Yale-NUS welfare group researching was really useful. NUS Science GEM animal testing. I’m also involved in (General Education Module) lets you animal welfare research, and one of read many other modules than just the researchers I work with is my your core subjects. I did Economics, wife who is doing her thesis — she is Psychology, Human Development, in Communications and New Media, Geo-politics, Modes of Invention, Film focusing on health communications. and History…. I’m thankful I didn’t do We’ve completed one study and a veterinary science as my first degree, white paper on that will be out soon, because as an undergrad I’d have only read in that area. Having been a Science and we’re now working on two other student all through pre-university days, research areas.

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DR GILL LISTS THE TOP THREE MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT HIS ORGANISATION THAT WE ARE A PLACE FOR PEOPLE TO GIVE UP THEIR PETS

The SPCA should not be the first choice when someone wants to give up their pet. A pet is for life, but in the event a pet owner is unable to look after the pet, it is their responsibility to find a home for the animal.

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THAT WE ARE GOVERNMENT-FUNDED

We are a registered animal welfare charity and we rely on donations from the public to keep our services going.

THAT WE ARE A GOVERNMENT BODY

The SPCA is not a government agency.

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ne generation plants the trees, another gets the shade” — so goes the Chinese proverb that Mr Kwek Chok Ming (Business ’78, Executive MBA [Chinese] ’09) has chosen to live by as Chairperson of the NUS Business School Mandarin Alumni. At its 25th anniversary celebration on 30 September 2017, the Mandarin Alumni strengthened its commitment to nurture the next generation of students through scholarships enabled by the NUS Business School Mandarin Alumni Endowment Fund.

“The alumni group members have been actively donating for quite a long time, but so far, these donations have THE gone to an expendable NUS Business NUS BUSINESS SCHOOL MANDARIN School Mandarin Alumni Bursary,” ALUMNI ENDOWMENT Mr Kwek lets in. “But now, with FUND this endowment fund, everyone can WILL GO TOWARDS contribute and grow the reserves while SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE students will benefit in perpetuity.”

FROM ACADEMIC YEAR 19/20 The Scholarship will be available TO MAKE A CONTRIBUTION TO for application from Academic Year THE ENDOWMENT FUND, VISIT 19/20 onwards for students from the http://nus.edu.sg/giving business faculty who have completed at least one year of study at NUS and with one another, says Mr Kwek, have done fairly well. “We want to offer a helping who has been a member since 2009 hand not just to those performing at the top of the and has served as its chairperson class — who are already guaranteed a scholarship since 2014. “Many of us tend to drift anyway — but to those who manage good scores and away from the friends we’ve built really need the financial help,” says the 63 year-old great bonds with as soon as we senior financial services director. He adds that the are done with our education,” Mr Scholarship will help students who are facing family Kwek says. “The Mandarin Alumni emergencies by covering their tuition fees. provides a platform to sustain this BONDS BUILT TO LAST camaraderie, while cultivating But more than just fundraising, the Mandarin Alumni greater community spirit.” is also a platform for its members to build connections, The father of four, aged as well as learn and share knowledge and life lessons between 22 and 30 years old, recounts the countless times he received help from lecturers and schoolmates when he was a Business Administration student, and later on, as part of intake 16 of the Executive MBA (Chinese) programme — which he undertook when he was 53. “It was definitely challenging to be studying when you’re not very young anymore, but I really wanted to fulfil Giving back while forming my dream of pursuing an EMBA,” bonds seems to be at the says Mr Kwek. The NUS EMBA (Chinese) programme, said to be core of the NUS Business one of the first EMBA programmes School Mandarin Alumni taught entirely in Chinese, lasts A s s o c i a t i o n ’ s D N A m a k e - u p . two years. It comprises 23 subjects,

divided into eight sessions, with an intensive learning stretch of two weeks within each academic period, allowing entrepreneurs and business executives to find a balance between their career and studies.

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER On 30 September 2017, more than 200 members of the NUS Business School Mandarin Alumni came together to celebrate its Silver Jubilee. Held at NUSS Kent Ridge Guild House, the event was graced

by Mr Sam Tan (Arts ’83), Minister of State, Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Manpower and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

MORE THAN

ALUMNI

RALLIED TOGETHER TO RAISE THE FUNDS OF

MORE THAN

TO KICK-START THE ENDOWMENT FUND.

For tickets to Valentine’s Day Dinner 2018, write to campuscouples@alummail.nus.edu.sg

SPREADING THE

LOVE

The NUS Campus Couples Alumni Group: connecting those who f o u n d l ove a t t h e U n i ve r s i t y.

Ms Sarah Ong (Nursing ’12) fondly recalls the first time she met her husband. “It was at an Appreciation Dinner organised by NUS Alumni Relations in 2013,” says the registered nurse and lecturer. She had attended the dinner in her capacity as a member of the NUS Nursing Alumni’s executive committee.

“He was in the NUS Volleyball Alumni Group and one of the first things he asked me was whether the entrée, cod skin, was good for health,” Ms Ong, now 29, says. “I thought it was a smooth opener and a relevant topic to get the attention of a nurse.”

Stories like these are recounted at gatherings of the NUS Campus Couple Alumni Group (NUS CCAG).

Formed in 2015, the group is open to alumni who are

married or engaged to a fellow alumnus. Courting couples are also welcome. The group helps members build new ties and strengthen their own relationships through its activities.

Its flagship event is the annual Valentine’s Day Dinner, which will be held this year on 13 February at the NUSS Kent Ridge Guild House.

“Couples can expect a romantic four-course dinner, accompanied by a live jazz band,” says Ms Ong,

who was appointed NUS CCAG’s Chairperson in 2017.

Besides gatherings, the Group also engages in philanthropic activities through the CCAG bursary, which was introduced in 2015. “We hope to give needy students the ease of mind to focus on getting themselves a good education, without having to worry about fees,” says Ms Ong, adding that more than $500,000 has been raised for the cause so far.

13 FEBRUARY 2018, TUESDAY, 6.30PM NUSS KENT RIDGE GUILD HOUSE DRESS CODE: COLOURS OF YOUR LOVE STORY

NUS Campus Couples Alumni Group invites couples to register as members.

Valentine’s Dinner is open to NUS alumni couples. | Email campuscouples@alummail.nus.edu.sg for more information.

Supported by:

Development Office Office of Alumni Relations

ALUMNI SCENE GIVING

Start giving back early, and that’s something we can carry on later into our lives.

the first two academic years to be particularly challenging, she was thankful that there was a culture of sharing notes and helping each other out among her classmates, which helped her to adjust to the intensity of law school.

Financial aid made it possible for her to take part in the NUS Student Exchange Programme, which allowed her to study in Madrid in her third year, exploring her interest in international law. She also spent two summers in Geneva, pursuing internships related to

YOUNG LAWYER BELIEVES IN

G I V I N G B ACK EA R LY Ms Mak Shin Yi

(Law ’14) believes

in paying it forward from the word go.

26

the UN. The experiences she gained in studying and working overseas became invaluable to her career.

Asked why she decided to donate to NUS, Ms Mak said, “I think it would be best summed up by the Chinese idiom, 饮水思源, which captures the spirit of gratitude for past acts of kindness that have led us to where we are today. When I received my first paycheck, I decided to give back to NUS in the hope that it will help deserving students who might share similar backgrounds and aspirations with me, just as others before me had done. It was a small sum, but I believe that every contribution, no matter how small, can go a long way towards helping someone else.”

Ms Mak believes that young alumni are, in their own way, best placed to give back to NUS. “We don’t make the most money, but as we embark on new careers, most of us are wondering: how can we do something meaningful? The good news is that we don’t have to look far to do good. Start giving back early, and that’s something we can carry on later into our lives.”

P H OTO S O U R C E T H E ST RA IT S T I M E S © S I N GA P O R E P R E SS H O L D I N G S L I M IT E D .

REPRODUCED WITH PERMISSION.

“M

ost students from NUS Law are believers in justice; they volunteer at the courts, participate in legal clinics and support pro bono efforts.

I believe that making a contribution to give someone an education is one of the many ways to make society a fairer, better place,” said Ms Mak Shin Yi, who gave back to NUS Faculty of Law, right after graduation.

Called to the Singapore Bar in 2015, Ms Mak started her legal career in one of the ‘Big Four’ law firms in Singapore and practised as a lawyer in the field of commercial litigation and international arbitration for two years. In 2017, she joined the United Nations (UN) through the Young Professionals Programme and is now working as an associate legal officer in the UN Office of Legal Affairs.

Hailing from a humble background — her father was a taxi-driver and her mother a housewife — the former recipient of the Kwa Geok Choo Bursary is the first lawyer in her family. As a full-time student at NUS Law, she also took on part-time jobs by giving tuition and working at cafés to earn some income and pay school fees. While she found

ADVERTORIAL

LINA. NUS. CPF.

WHAT CONNECTS THE THREE?

“It’s legacy gifts,” explains Ms Agnes Sng, Law ’84.

“Lina is one of the students in NUS who has to work to fund her education due to financial constraints. Ideally, all students should be able to experience the whole suite of an NUS education - not only attending classes, but also participating in student activities and bonding with university mates. Student bursaries support students like Lina so that they can focus on their studies and experience the rich university life without worrying about finances.

“Nominating NUS as the beneficiary of my CPF savings to fund student bursaries was an easy decision for these reasons: I am an alumna who benefitted from an NUS education; the integrity of NUS assures me that all donations would be properly accounted for; and the process for bequeathing CPF savings is incredibly simple - go to the CPF Board, fill up a nomination form witnessed by two CPF officers and inform NUS in writing how you wish your CPF savings to be utilised. No fees need to be incurred either. How much easier can it get to help young people get an NUS education to realise their potential for a better future?”

“NOMINATING NUS AS THE BENEFICIARY OF MY CPF SAVINGS TO FUND STUDENT BURSARIES WAS AN EASY DECISION.” If you would like to know more about making NUS a beneficiary of your CPF, or if you would like to enquire about making a legacy gift to the University, please email legacygift@nus.edu.sg, call +65 6516-6529 or visit www.giving.nus.edu.sg

PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE

HITTING THE

Music education professional Mr Benjamin Kwan (Engineering ’14), marches to the beat of a different drum — and has made his p a s s i o n a c a r e e r.

RIGHT NOTES

28

and people who want to learn to play.

To Mr Kwan, it is the music education aspect that is most interesting.

In the usual order of things, it is kids who learn music. They attend music school to learn to play an instrument while their ‘long-suffering parents’ put up with the hours of tortured practice.

However, TravelClef stumbled onto an untapped market consisting of adults who never got the opportunity to learn to play an instrument as children, and who now do not want to learn with a bunch of 5-year-olds as classmates. “Our customers have gone to other music schools, but they tell us that ours is the only lesson that they truly enjoyed,” he says.

B Y J I M M Y

WHO IS HE?

Mr Benjamin Kwan is the co-founder of TravelClef, which specialises in music education for adults.

Initially a roving setup, the company has started to offer 2-hour workshops at their current premises at Ubi Ave 3. Since March 2017, more than 700 people have signed up.

Y A P

P H OTO BY H O N G C H E E YA N

IT

is perhaps a legacy of his National Service days in the gung-ho Naval Diving Unit, but Mr Benjamin Kwan is not afraid of taking the path less-travelled. Even though he graduated from NUS with a degree in mechanical engineering, he has never worked as an engineer.

Instead, he teaches adults to play music, despite lacking a formal background in music or in education.

Mr Kwan, 29, is the co-founder of TravelClef, a multi-dimensional music education company that has been hitting all the right notes. One part of the business is a travelling music school. It goes to the premises of companies to teach employees how to play the ukulele or the keyboard. Human resource departments are in favour of holding these workshops because they are team-building exercises, while employees love it because their long-held musical aspirations are finally fulfilled. TravelClef also sells ukeleles and cajóns (a box-shaped drum) that bear the TravelClef brand to its students, and other music schools. The third leg of the business is a matchmaking service that connects freelance music instructors

This is partly due to the fact that Mr Kwan himself is a self-taught musician. So even though it is his business partner who is formally trained, it is Mr Kwan who comes up with the outline for the lessons. “I write the syllabus from the perspective of someone with no musical background,” he says. Mr Kwan was always been interested in music but his parents could not afford music lessons. His first music lesson was in beatboxing, which he learnt from a friend while in Temasek Junior College. His uncle subsequently gave him an old classical guitar, and between friends and the Internet, Mr Kwan taught himself to play. It was only at University that he was able to hone his musical talent, as the lead singer of KRinspire, a Kent Ridge Hall band. “I hadn’t learned to read music at the time, I didn’t know how to count tempo, I didn’t know how to pitch myself,” he recalls. He learned all that from fronting the band.

STRIKING A CHORD TravelClef was actually conceived during his University days, after his first semester in 2010. To supplement his income at the time, he gave Maths tuition and at one point, was down to his last $48. He needed a way to earn more money so he and a fellow former naval diver, Mr Edmund Chew, started an agency to match guitar instructors with people who wanted to learn.

The success of their venture, SG Guitar Music Agency, led them to think that there might be real money in music. They initially wanted to teach music in schools but found that there were lots of companies doing this already. However, their research showed that at the time, no one was doing corporate music classes. “We had nothing to lose so we went for it.” They set up a website, marketed their services on Google, and within a week, received

We consider how adults think and try to figure out how to help them to both learn and enjoy themselves. an inquiry from a semi-conductor company. The company was planning a bring-your-kids-to-work day and wanted the kids to have something to do. “They wanted us to teach the kids guitar and ukulele. We had no syllabus — and no instruments — but we just said yes.” It went so well that the HR manager of the company passed on their contacts to other companies in the industry.

The early years were not easy, as Mr Kwan had to juggle work, school and hall activities (he played in the hall volleyball team among other things). “Every day, I’d sleep for just four hours. I’d have four cans of coffee in my bag. A few times, I’d go for night meetings, then the next morning, I’d go for my exams,” he recalls.

GETTING IN TUNE While at the time, school seemed an impediment to his business, Mr Kwan is now grateful for the training in logical problem-solving that his NUS Engineering course provided him with.

He is particularly appreciative for the opportunity to take a cross-disciplinary business module. In that class, he was inspired by one message in particular, when the professor told the class: “If you want to start a business, start now. The only opportunity cost is your grades.”

That message gave him the confidence to work at the business despite the challenges. “I knew with my grades, I could not compete with other engineers.

But I had the desire to be a success, I enjoyed music and the passion became my job.”

After Mr Kwan graduated, he and his partner were able to focus on the business and began expanding it. They started selling their own instruments

Mr Kwan leading a group of students as they play on cajons during a lesson.

because of the high prices they had to pay to buy instruments for their students. For a young firm, this decision was a big one.

“Our first purchase was via Alibaba; we spent $10,000 and prayed every day that the ukuleles would arrive.” The shipment did come in, though that presented its own problems. They had no storage space at the time, so the 300 ukuleles were stacked up to the ceiling in Mr Chew’s bedroom.

TIME TO SOAR Those days are now in the rear-view mirror though. The founders are planning to expand into Malaysia, Indonesia and China, and are also looking to move out of their rented premises into a place of their own. This is because they want to start up a music school for adults which can host a hundred students at a time. They wish to target people who, like Mr Kwan, always wanted to learn but did not have the chance to do so as children. “Now as adults, they have the money but no time.”

Presently, their 2-hour music workshop for adults has seen a good response. The promise is that for $97, students get a ukulele and by the session’s end, they would have learnt to play five songs: You Are My Sunshine, Happy Birthday, Just The Way You Are by Bruno Mars, I’m Yours by Jason Mraz, and John Denver’s Country Road.

Based on his experience, his advice to would-be entrepreneurs who are still studying in university is to go for it, to work hard but to be prepared to pay the price. “A lot of business students plan their business but they never start it because it’s too risky. You can’t always have the best of everything in life: to have straight As and to build up a successful business. You need to know what you truly want.”

JAN-MAR 2018

29

U @ LIVE

SHARING T H E VA LU E O F

B Y

A S H U T O S H

R A V I K R I S H N A N

ENGINEERING CEO and cofounder of leading engineering f i r m H O P E Te c h n i k Mr Peter Ho (Engineering ’03) proves that confidence and hard work go a long way.

W H O I S H E ?

FAST FACT TO DATE, HOPE TECHNIK HAS DELIVERED OVER 400 PROJECTS ACROSS 18 COUNTRIES. CURRENT PROJECTS INCLUDE DRONES, ROBOTS AND EVEN AN EXOSKELETON FOR THOSE UNDERGOING PHYSICAL REHABILITATION.

30

M

r Peter Ho fondly recalls the day he began HOPE Technik with three of his fellow University mates. “We each went to the ATM to withdraw $2,500 (for paid-up capital) but we had to do it over two days, because there was a daily withdrawal limit of $2,000,” he quipped. This was in 2006, three years after Mr Ho had graduated from NUS with a Second Class (Upper) Honours in Mechanical Engineering. In that time, he had excelled in the race car engineering scene, rising to the rank of Chief Engineer at Team Petronas Touring Cars.

Mr Peter Ho is the CEO and co-founder of HOPE Technik.

In this role, he guides the engineering firm towards long-term technical and business goals. He has seen the company grow from a start-up in 2006 to the multi-million dollar group it is today. Involved in nearly all of its projects, Mr Ho is a thought leader in the global engineering scene. He was awarded the NUS Outstanding Young Alumni Award in 2007 and was a finalist for ‘Singaporean of the Year 2015’

by The Straits Times.

Having satisfied his thirst for race car engineering, Mr Ho returned home. The reason and motivation to start HOPE Technik was simple WHAT EACH OF and clear: “To do what we THE FOUNDERS I N I T I A L L Y I N V E S T E D liked doing — engineering and FOR THE FIRM’S building things — and make PAID-UP CAPITAL a lot of money doing it.” But there was more to it. “When we first started, everybody wanted to become an investment banker and none of us could understand that,” he said. “Engineers are the ones who build planes, roads, defibrillators. We wanted to showcase the value of engineering again.”

But Mr Ho and his fellow founders quickly realised that it would be an uphill task. “We had little money, we didn’t know about accounting matters,” he said. One member of the audience was curious about how they got the confidence to go on with the company, despite this lack of resources. To this, Mr Ho replied that it was an unshakeable confidence in each of his co-founders, and vice-versa. “We felt that we had all been in this engineering field for some time and had our own victories, in the race car scene for example.”

APIECE

TAKING THE LONG ROAD It’s fair to say that HOPE Technik has succeeded in its mission to showcase the value of engineering. As a selfdescribed “engineering mercenary” firm, it now specialises in niche areas of high-tech engineering, with departments in unmanned systems, defence, smart logistics and special vehicle arenas. It has also amassed an impressive list of clients, among them Airbus and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF).

The Red Rhino fire truck was borne out of a project for the latter. But getting it ready for the roads was no mean feat.

As the team was well aware, they were stepping into the well-established fire truck manufacturing industry with little experience. “All we knew was that we wanted to try, because if others could do it, why couldn’t we,” explained Mr Ho, displaying his famous can-do attitude. It was this attitude that pulled them through the challenge of designing a new fire engine. “We had no big idea, just small modifications: for instance, making the trucks leaner, with the ability to shoot water a little further.”

The attitude was matched by a hard work ethic. “There were seven of us and we did everything,” said Mr Ho. “On Saturday nights, we took turns washing the toilet.” But their efforts paid off when SCDF commissioned them — in a sub-contract with another engineering firm — to

Mr Ho was reunited onstage with NUS Engineering Dean Prof Chua Kee Chaing (right) and Prof Seah Kar Heng (left).

manufacture the Red Rhino. Since its initial days, the vehicle grown to become one of the SCDF’s signature frontline vehicles.

Adaptations of the Red Rhino have been offered to other countries as well. The project also drew the attention of aviation giant Airbus Defence and Space and in 2012, HOPE Technik clinched a deal to build a research prototype plane to take passengers to the edge of space. Since then, they have also built automated guiding vehicles and a range of defence and security solutions.

THE KEY TO GOING GLOBAL Hearing this, U@live moderator Mr Viswa Sadasivan (Arts and Social Sciences ’83) asked why there were so few stories of Singaporean companies taking the global stage in this way.

Mr Ho agreed with the observation and credited it to Singapore’s history. “When we gained independence, we were immediately concerned with the most basic needs — which we have met in one generation,” he noted. “But we never had the historical prosperity of the United States, which is probably why you’ll be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t own something from an American brand,” he concluded, adding that as Singapore becomes more prosperous, it is likely that more local brands will draw international attention.

The evening ended with a touching reunion, with the Dean of NUS Engineering Professor Chua Kee Chaing (Engineering ’87) and Professor Seah Kar Heng joining Mr Ho on stage. “I’m FOUR FOR still very scared of this man,” joked THE FUTURE Mr Ho, referring to Prof Chua.

Prof Seah then recounted his early THE FOUR COFOUNDERS OF memories of Mr Ho: “He was a HOPE TECHNIK: very special student. I examined • Mr Peter Ho his design projects and saw that (Engineering ‘03) • Mr Michael Leong he could think out of the box.” By (Engineering ’04) the end of the evening, what was • Mr Ng Kiang Loong clear to Prof Seah had become (Engineering ’05) • Mr Jeff Tang evident to the audience at the (Engineering ’06) Shaw Foundation Alumni House.

All we knew was that we wanted to try, because if others could do it, why couldn’t we?

MR HO SPOKE ON 25 OCTOBER 2017 AT THE SHAW FOUNDATION ALUMNI HOUSE IN NUS.

JAN-MAR 2018

31

U @ LIVE

FAST FACT ON 5 JUNE 2017, MR SHEFET APPEARED ON CNN AND SPOKE TO RENOWNED JOURNALIST CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR ABOUT THE CHALLENGE OF TACKLING ONLINE EXTREMISM.

W H O I S H E ?

S A F E S PA C E ONLINE

A

A Paris-based lawyer, Mr Dan Shefet is the founding President of the Association for Accountability and Internet Democracy (AAID), established in 2014. Earlier that year, he famously obtained judgement against Google France, forcing Google to take down links to defamatory online content about him not only on its French site but from its entire global network. He won the case on the basis of Europe’s “right to be forgotten” ruling, which allows an individual to request that search engines remove harmful information about one’s self if the content is manifestly illicit or has the potential to devastate one’s life.

Mr Dan Shefet hopes to protect the integrity of people online through responsible usage

B Y

W

W A N D A

T A N

of the Internet.

ith the word “Google” — as a noun or a verb — now part of our everyday vernacular, it goes without saying that the Internet has had a far-reaching impact on people’s lives. “The Internet has become so much a part of our daily lives that we really can’t live without it,” said Mr Dan Shefet. On the one hand, there are benefits to be gained by having such open access to information. On the other hand, the prevalence of cyber bullying shows how easy it is for an individual to be a victim, or a perpetrator, of Internet abuse.

Mr Shefet identified three types of toxic online content, each having dramatic real-life consequences: Effect on the individual. This includes defamation or hate speech directed against an individual. It impedes one’s ability to lead a normal life.

32

Effect on societal values. The dissemination of fake news impacted the United States 2016 presidential election, posing a threat to democracy. Businesses that engage in false or misleading marketing practices also fall into this category.

Effect on regional or global stability.

Discriminating against a particular group on the grounds of race, colour, descent, nationality or ethnic origin could lead to destabilisation of world peace.

Having been himself a target of spurious accusations on the Internet that sought to tarnish his reputation, including being linked to the Serbian mafia, Mr Shefet founded the Association for Accountability and Internet Democracy (AAID) in 2014. AAID’s objective is to make Internet

infrastructure providers such as Google and Facebook legally accountable for removing hateful content posted by untraceable online users.

ACCOUNTABILITY ON THE WEB

The abuse of free speech is not protected in any international treaty on human rights.

“Most of the time, Internet infrastructure providers face situations where they have to make a difficult judgement call,” Moderator who the individual would be — for example, a Supreme acknowledged Mr Shefet. For example, Facebook Mr Viswa Sadasivan Court judge or an ethics professor — but he or she must (seated left) and recently took down photos of a white supremacist rally speaker Mr Shefet be a highly-renowned individual whom people trust to in Poland, only to later realise that the photos had (right) engaging the audience at the last represent the moral opinion of the population.” actually been posted by a journalist who was simply U@live session.

Other questions raised by the audience ranged covering the news and not by someone endorsing from the debate over free speech to extra protection for neo-fascism. To prevent such excessive censorship, children and women, who are usually subjected to more as well as to provide government oversight over the online — and offline — harassment and hate speech process, AAID proposes creating the new position of an than men. Citing the United Nations’ International “Internet ombudsman”.

Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, as well as similar “The work we are doing at AAID may lead to regional treaties, Mr Shefet said, “Each convention has a European Parliament resolution in May 2018 to caveats; free speech is not absolute. The abuse of free start preparing a treaty under which an Internet speech is not protected in any international treaty on ombudsman would be appointed in each country [in human rights.”

Europe],” said Mr Shefet. Once malicious content is He also mentioned that AAID has developed an flagged by a user, the Internet infrastructure provider MR SHEFET Enhanced Accountability Standard applicable to would report it to the ombudsman, who would then SPOKE ON “certain exposed groups in society”, especially women review the online material and recommend whether or 22 NOVEMBER 2017 AT and children. “AAID believes that a special standard not to take it down.

THE SHAW of diligence is required by Internet infrastructure AAID also advocates setting up an “international FOUNDATION providers when the users are children or women,” Internet ombudsman” agency to deal with instances ALUMNI HOUSE IN NUS. said Mr Shefet. where one country’s recommendation to take down online content worldwide may be opposed by another. In fact, AAID will hold its inaugural global conference on this matter at the International Court of Justice in The Hague in 2018.

This session was the last in the U@live series. Mr Bernard Toh “The problem is complicated, but we (Architecture ’84), Director of the have to solve it. Otherwise, we will NUS Office of Alumni Relations, made have a ‘Balkanised’ or splintered the announcement at the end of Mr Internet,” said Mr Shefet. Already Shefet’s talk, noting that “now is the in China, the government’s strict time to take pause and reflect” on the firewalls and cyber sovereignty laws diverse viewpoints brought by the have produced an Internet that looks various guest speakers. “We will be SESSIONS getting in touch with you to get your different than elsewhere. thoughts and feedback on what the MORE THAN U@live moderator future equivalent of U@live should look Mr Viswa Sadasivan (Arts and Social like,” Mr Toh told the audience.

Sciences ’83), who is on the AAID speakers, U@live was launched on of whom Board, wondered what the office of 27 January 2011 and featured A U D I E N C E 48 were an Internet ombudsman would look prominent NUS alumni. In 2016, NUS alumni M E M B E R S like. “The term ‘ombudsman’ typically the series underwent a revamp to showcase global thought leaders. refers to an institution rather than a MODERATOR Its tagline thus changed from “Passion person,” explained Mr Shefet. In this Mr Viswa Sadasivan (Arts and Social Sciences ’83), · Action · Inspiration” to “Lifting case, the position could be held by NUS Alumni Advisory Board Member and founding Thought Leadership”. one person or a group, as long as they Chairman of U@live Organising Committee possess moral clout. “I don’t know

AU REVOIR!

7

YEARS OF U@LIVE

56 59

1

JAN-MAR 2018

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ALUMNI HAPPENINGS EVENTS

NUS LAW DIAMOND JUBILEE NUS LAW CELEBRATED 60 YEARS of legal education in Singapore with a glittering anniversary dinner on 20 October 2017 at the Shangri-La hotel. The event was attended by The Honourable the Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon (’86) together with more than 300 faculty members, students, eminent alumni and members of the legal fraternity, benefactors and supporters of NUS Law. The evening featured performances by an alumni quintet and founder of the Dim Sum Dollies, Ms Selena Tan (’94). A commemorative anniversary book titled The Lamp of the Law: 60 Years of Legal Education at NUS Law was launched at the dinner, and all proceeds from the book will go towards the NUS Law Student Support Fund.

To stay updated with Law Faculty’s latest alumni events and happenings, visit law.nus.edu.sg/ alumni/alumni_update_particulars.asp.

NUS Law Dean Prof Simon Chesterman (fourth from left) celebrates NUS Law’s 60th Anniversary with former Law Deans (from left) Prof Tan Lee Meng (’72), Dr Thio Su Mien (’61), Prof Tommy Koh (’61), Prof S. Jayakumar (’63), Prof Tan Sook Yee, Assoc Prof Chin Tet Yung and Prof Tan Cheng Han SC (’87).

ALUMNI AND THEIR GUESTS TURNED UP TO WATCH JUSTICE LEAGUE AT GV GRAND, GREAT WORLD CITY ON 18 NOVEMBER 2017, ON THE OCCASION OF NUS LAW’S 60TH ANNIVERSARY ALUMNI MOVIE NIGHT.

NUSS PROFESSORSHIP LECTURE The topic for the NUS Society (NUSS) Professorship Lecture on 15 November 2017 at the Kent Ridge Guild House was Engineering the Future of Medicine. Professor Lim Chwee Teck (Engineering ’90) from the NUS Department of Biomedical Sciences, the Inaugural NUSS Professor, shared that current advancement in medical technology innovation, artificial intelligence and big data are beginning to revolutionise how diseases are going to be diagnosed and treated. He also highlighted how these emerging technologies can lead to more precise or personalised treatments against illnesses such as cancer and diabetes.

THE NUSS PROFESSORSHIP WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1996 WITH AN ENDOWMENT OF

$1.5 MILLION TO FUND EMINENT PROFESSORS FROM DIFFERENT DISCIPLINES.

Prof Lim holding up a 1.5cm x 1.5cm microfluidic biochip, which will revolutionise cancer diagnosis.

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35

ALUMNI HAPPENINGS EVENTS

CEE Alumni Gathering at The Chill-Lab

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) hosted an alumni gathering for Environmental Engineering graduates on 15 September 2017 at The Chill-Lab, NUSS Kent Ridge Guild House. 40 alumni were present, from the pioneer batch of graduates in 2008 to latest graduates of 2017.

Dentistry alumni and staff were given a special preview to the newly-constructed building.

DENTAL ALUMNI VISIT NEWLY-CONSTRUCTED CENTRE FOR ORAL HEALTH BUILDING As part of their reunion on 29 September 2017, more than 70 alumni from the Faculty of Dentistry (FoD) donned safety gear to explore the newlyconstructed National University Centre for Oral Health, Singapore (NUCOHS) building. The guided tour of the Faculty’s future home gave the group an exclusive preview of the capabilities of the new oral health centre scheduled

NUCOHS WILL ACCOMMODATE ABOUT

PATIENTS A DAY WHEN FULLY OPERATIONAL, UP BY 40% COMPARED TO TODAY.

36

UPCOMING EVENT

The 16th Global Reunion of Nanyang University Alumni

to commence operations in 2019.

After the tour, Dentistry Dean Professor Finbarr Allen gave a talk on the Evolution of Prosthetics Techniques. This was followed by a dinner gathering and fellowship, where the Faculty also celebrated the 35th graduation anniversary of the Bachelor of Dental Surgery Class of 1982, many of whom were in attendance.

The Class of ’82 pointing out their own mugshots taken more than 35 years ago.

The Association of Nanyang University Graduates (ANUG) will be hosting the 16th Global Reunion on 8 to 10 June 2018 in Singapore. About 1,500 Nanyang University (Nantah) alumni and their family members from different countries are expected to attend.

Exciting activities planned include a golf tournament, gala dinner, forum discussions and Nantah Alumni Art Exhibition.

For more information, please visit anug2018.org

94TH MEDICAL ALUMNI REUNION IN PENANG Student chapter of The Alumni Association, Southern Branch.

Members of The Alumni Association had their 94th Medical Alumni Reunion from 17 to 19 November 2017 in Penang, leading up to the Formal Reunion Dinner at G Hotel with Guest-of-Honour Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (’54) and his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali (’55) who both graduated from the University of Malaya.

Members also saw the installation of the new Alumni Association President, Dr Daljit Singh Nagreh (’64) who took over from Prof Tay Boon Keng (’73).

A highlight of the weekend – especially for the 11 members of the Student Chapter of the Medical Alumni Association Southern Branch who flew in for the event – was the lecture by Tan Sri Datuk Dr M Jegathesan (’67).

Dr Jegathesan, who is fondly known as the Flying Doctor as he “blazed the tracks” as a sportsman in the 1960s gave a humorous lecture on Drugs and Sports – Current Landscape and Continuing Challenges.

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Tun Dr Siti Hasmah with Prof Tay (seated), Dr Daljit Singh Nagreh (standing left) and Organising Secretary of the 94th Medical Alumni Reunion Dato’ Dr PP Shah (’61) (standing centre).

facebook.com/MedicalAlumni

ALUMNI HAPPENINGS EVENTS

NUS BUSINESS SCHOOL REUNIONS, ANNIVERSARIES AND NETWORKING NIGHTS Established in 2007, the NUS Business School Global Alumni Network Office (GANO) is a dedicated office with the mission to engage and cultivate relations with more than 30,000 alumni who have graduated from the degree programmes offered by the School.

For this special Masterclass and Homecoming event on 3 November 2017 for the Classes of ’07 to ’09 some alumni flew in especially for this reunion event from India (Mr Rahul Tadimalla, MBA ’07, President of Bangalore Business School Alumni Chapter and Mr Sarvesh Kapoor, MBA ’07), Hong Kong (Mr Jiang Min, EMBA ’07, Committee Member of Hong Kong Business School Alumni Chapter), Indonesia (Mr Brian Chen Jiawen, BBA ’08) and South Korea (Mr Park Jae Woo, MBA ’07, President of Seoul Business School Alumni Chapter and Ms Choi Yun Mee from MBA ’07, Auditor of Seoul Business School Alumni

Visit: bizalum.nus.edu

Business School Dean Prof Bernard Yeung (far left) and panel members.

Chapter) to join in the celebrations.

Overall there were 240 guests.

A highlight was the panel discussion that featured MoolahSense CEO Mr Lawrence Yong (BBA ’02) and CashShield CEO Mr Justin Lie (BBA ’10) who shared their entrepreneurial journey. Also on the panel were entrepreneurship expert Professor Michael Frese and Deputy Dean Professor Hum Sin Hoon, who was the moderator.

Before dinner, Professor Joseph Cherian, Director, Centre for Asset Management Research & Investments (CAMRI), held a masterclass on The Opportunity in Infrastructure for Emerging Markets.

BUSINESS SCHOOL ALUMNI EVENTS HELD RECENTLY: NUS MBA Class of ’14 Reunion Dinner 25 August, Marriott Singapore Tang Plaza

NUS Accountancy Alumni &

Students Networking Night 8 September, CPA Australia, 1 Raffles Place Mandarin Alumni 25th Anniversary Dinner & Business Leadership Forum / EMBA (Chinese) Intake 20 Homecoming 30 September, Mochtar Riady Building and NUSS Guild House

Bachelor of Business

Administration (Accountancy) Class of ’77 40th Anniversary Class Reunion 20 October, Picnic, Wisma Atria Bizad Leaders’ Night 10 November, OTC Café, National Library

“Students” at Prof Cherian’s masterclass.

38

140 ‘Kentridgeans’ Tee-off to Support Financially-Needy Students Hall Master Dr Ng Kah Loon (Science ’97) (right) receiving the cheque for the Kent Ridge Hall Bursary Endowed Fund from the Chairman of the Charity Golf Committee, Mr Chua Hung Meng (Business ’81) (left), in the presence of the NUS Dean of Students, Associate Professor Peter Pang (centre).

Kent Ridge Hall organised its inaugural Charity Golf and Dinner on 28 September 2017. The event was spearheaded by the Charity Golf Committee, made up largely of the pioneer batch of Kent Ridgeans and students from Alumni Relations Unit.

With the generous support from donors, sponsors and partners, the Committee raised a total of $339,888 for the Kent Ridge Hall Bursary Endowed Fund.

A dinner at the NUS Society Kent Ridge Guild House accompanied by live music from KR Acapella and Rockers capped this meaningful event. The bond between alumni and their Kent Ridge Hall was evident when guests stood and sang the Hall anthem “loudly and with great fervour”.

Kentridgean Golfers having fun while raising funds at the Charity Golf at Raffles Country Club.

Venue: Shaw Foundation Alumni House Auditorium Time: 7.30pm Register at: alumnet.nus.edu.sg/upcoming_events For enquiries, please contact Mr Delon Lim at delon.lim@nus.edu.sg or 6516 5769.

25 January

(PG13)

© 2017 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

29 March

(PG)

© 2017 Warner Bros. Ent. All Rights Reserved” and ©The LEGO Group™.

The NUS alumni office organises regular movie screenings for members of the NUS community.

Friends and family members are welcome too! Join us for Movies On The House, ranging from all-time classics to family favourites.

ALUMNI HAPPENINGS EVENTS

Prof Tan Chorh Chuan (Medicine ‘83) with NUSS President and Past Presidents: (From Left to Right): Mr Johnny Tan Khoon Hui (Science ‘82), Mr Lai Kim Seng, Mr Anwarul Haque, Mr Clarence Lim Soo Hwee (Arts ‘78), Mr Ernest Wong Thian Yow (Arts ‘58), Mr Eddie Lee Choy Peng (Law ‘81) (Current President), and Mr Tan Siang Chik (Science ‘82).

APPRECIATION DINNER FOR

PROFESSOR TAN CHORH CHUAN NUS SOCIETY (NUSS) hosted an appreciation dinner for Professor Tan Chorh Chuan (Medicine ’83) for his contributions as NUS President, on 30 November 2017 at Kent Ridge Guild House. Prof Tan stepped down as NUS President at the end of last year.

The event was attended

by NUS Pro-Chancellors, Mr Po’ad Mattar (Accountancy ’71) and Dr Chan Sek Keong (Law ’61); then NUS President

Designate, Deputy President (Academic Affairs) and Provost Professor Tan Eng Chye (Science ’85); then NUS Senior Deputy President and Provost Designate, Deputy President (Research & Technology) Professor Ho Teck Hua (Engineering ’85); as well as NUSS Honorary Members Professor Lim Pin and Professor Wang Gungwu (Arts ’53).

In his speech, NUSS President Mr Eddie Lee (Law ’81) thanked Prof Tan Chorh Chuan for being an ardent supporter of the Society and for passionately supporting the Society’s mission to “develop deeper ties with our alma mater, NUS and reach out to the graduate community through various joint initiatives”.

NUSS presented Prof Tan with a photo book containing memories of his time in NUSS. Prof Tan in return presented a painting by him to NUSS.

Guests raised a toast to Prof Tan.

40

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The inaugural NUS Institute of System Sciences (ISS) Alumni Ambassador Award was presented to five deserving recipients who have worked closely with, and were selected by their respective programme chiefs. Among the objectives of the Award are to acknowledge alumni who have contributed to the Institute, as well as to harness the alumni network for recruitment, internships, job opportunities, mentoring, training

and peer learning. Some of the recipients have conducted masterclasses on the latest industry trends in deep learning for ISS staff and students.

The Award was presented at the Class of ’17 Alumni Reunion themed Connect. Share. Inspire.

The Reunion was attended by over 180 alumni of all ages at the NUS Society Kent Ridge Guild House on 23 October 2017.

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ALUMNI HAPPENINGS OVERSEAS CHAPTERS

LONDON

BREXIT: AN ASIAN PERSPECTIVE

Panellists with Dr Sharon Heng (Medicine ‘08) (far right), Chairperson of the NUS Alumni London Chapter.

On 28 November 2017, over 150 participants descended upon the Millennium Gloucester Hotel to listen to a panel of experts discuss Brexit from an Asian perspective.

Mr Jeremy Grant, former editor, Financial Times Confidential Research, moderated the panel which comprised Singapore’s High Commissioner to the UK, Ms Foo Chi Hsia; Senior Partner at Chan Neill Solicitors, Mr Michael Chan; and Lord Wei of Shoreditch.

The panel did not disappoint. They spoke of the Asian-fuelled opportunities presenting themselves to the UK post-Brexit; from international collaborations on technological research to UK-China relations to trade opportunities with ASEAN. The audience asked hard-hitting questions – what if the incumbent party loses power? How should young people position themselves for success in a post-Brexit Britain? And how will the UK fill the productivity vacuum left by skilled EU labourers?

Participants and speakers mingled postdiscussion, chatting over wine. From the mix of accents and laughter filling the room, it was clear that London Chapter’s aim to connect alumni based in London with local and international professionals was successful.

Facebook @NUSLondonAlumni

SHANGHAI

FAREWELL AND WELCOME RECEPTION FOR DEPUTY CONSULS-GENERAL On 3 November 2017, representatives from the NUS Alumni Shanghai Chapter attended a reception to bid farewell to Mr Philip Ong, Deputy Consul-General of Singapore in Shanghai, and to welcome his successor Ms Liew Li Lin (Arts and Social Sciences ’03). The event was also attended by Mr Loh Tuck Wai (Arts and Social Sciences ’93), ConsulGeneral of Singapore in Shanghai.

At the reception, alumni representatives discussed with Ms Liew on cooperation opportunities and how alumni could better serve as “civil ambassadors”.

42

On behalf of Shanghai alumni, Mr Zhu Jianhao (LKYSPP ’05), Vice President of Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP) Shanghai Alumni Club; and Mr Guo Xiaoyong (LKYSPP ’07), Council member of LKYSPP Shanghai Alumni Club, presented to Mr Ong a silk painting titled Shanghai 1934.

Deputy Consuls-General Mr Ong and Ms Liew.

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5% off Category B procedure: • Corneal Diseases Management and Transplantation • Glaucoma Management Lasers and Surgery • Ocular Inflammation and Uveitis Treatment • Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Treatment • Retinal and Macular Surgery and Treatment • Adult and Paediatric Strabismus Management and Surgery • Paediatric Ophthalmology • Dry Eyes

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PERSPECTIVE

WHEN A

HERO

COMES ALONG… Yo u n g g r a d u a t e s s h a r e t h e i r t h o u g h t s on inspiring leadership and what they’ve learnt from their personal heroes.

I N T E R V I E W S

B Y

A S H U T O S H

R A V I K R I S H N A N

MS RACHELLE KOH 23, PRE-REGISTRATION PHARMACIST (PHARMACY ’17)

VA L U E - D R I V E N LEADERSHIP

“NOT ALL OF US CAN DO GREAT THINGS. BUT WE CAN DO SMALL THINGS WITH GREAT LOVE,” SAID MOTHER TERESA.

Working in the healthcare sector myself, I truly admire Mother Teresa as a charismatic and inspiring humanitarian leader. Her strong sense of purpose and relentless efforts to create a better tomorrow have greatly influenced my leadership style. My vision of leadership consists of 3Ps: Patience, Perseverance and the Power to persuade.

Most importantly, in the pursuit of our goals as a leader, we must never forget to uphold our values and code of ethics.

46

MR LIM CHONG TEE

26, CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER, WATEROAM (ENGINEERING ’16)

YES, WE CAN FORMER AMERICAN PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA’S CONVICTION AND BELIEF IN CHANGE MAKES HIM STAND OUT AS AN EXTRAORDINARY LEADER. HIS ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE LARGE AND LOFTY IDEALS INTO SIMPLE AND BELIEVABLE IDEAS IS KEY, AS THE ART OF COMMUNICATION IS THE LANGUAGE OF LEADERSHIP.

Communication manifests in various forms, both verbal and non-verbal.

To lead, persuade and convince people to believe in your cause, effective communication is definitely an essential trait.

MS INDULEKSHMI RAJESWARI 29, LAWYER (LAW ’11)

CHOOSING THE R I G H T PAT H I do not think I have ever thought of someone as an inspiring leader. However, I have seen a lot of negative traits in leadership, which I now try not to replicate. For example, I have seen leaders who overly micro-manage, who lead through fear, are overly focused on their power, or are manipulative. For me, leadership means using effective — but not manipulative — means to achieve a shared goal.

A LEADER SHOULD ALSO AIM TO DEVELOP THE PEOPLE THEY ARE WORKING WITH, NOT JUST USE THEM.

MR TAN JUNBIN 28, TUTOR AT NUS SOCIOLOGY DEPARTMENT (ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES ’14)

A CHANGE AGENT

I see in US anthropologist-physician Dr Paul Farmer an individual who is deeply concerned about fellow human beings. Despite not having been elected to public office, he is still able to influence policy and policymakers through his commitment to worthy social causes.

In a world where leadership is valued for its own sake, Dr Farmer reminds me that we can be inspired by ordinary people who humble themselves in caring for the poor and disenfranchised.

Following his footsteps, I seek to improve the lives of others, and hope to inspire others to do the same.

MS NEVAASHNI ELANGOVAN 26, RESEARCHER (SCIENCE ’14)

B A R R I E R S T H AT R E M A I N I’ve always admired women who excel in their chosen fields, despite society deciding that those were “male” domains. Examples include Rosalind Franklin in science and Amelia Earhart in aviation. Women like these have paved the way for us to succeed. But the past two years have shown that the glass ceiling is far from being shattered — but that should only serve to motivate us.

I hope that women continue to rise up against sexism and become truly equal with men, in every sense.

LEADING BY EXAMPLE

F U T U R E- R E A D Y D E S I G N

MR ALBERT LIANG

31, ARCHITECTURAL EDUCATOR (LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT, SAA ARCHITECTS) (DESIGN AND ENVIRONMENT ’12) Dr Anne Taylor from the University of New Mexico is an inspiring leader in architecture who has dedicated her life to the pursuit of development of architectural education for young people. She is a firm believer in using design to teach and learn everything from maths and health to science and social studies. This unique approach to architecture has made me realise that there are many ways for architecturally-trained individuals to value-add and impact society — beyond creating buildings.

THIS ISSUE’S INTERVIEWEES HAVE BEEN INSPIRED BY THEIR PERSONAL HEROES TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES: WateROAM: “Mr Obama said, ‘Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time.’ Inspired by that, two of my co-founders and I created WateROAM, a social enterprise that aims to tackle the water crisis plaguing rural regions around the world and bring an end to global thirst.” (Mr Lim Chong Tee, Engineering ’16) ArKIDecture: “This is a community architecture workshop I started for kids in 2015. It has since been adopted by SAA Architects as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility programme. Under the programme, our firm partners public and private organisations to engage and enrich the minds of children through hands-on, design-based workshops. To date, we have worked with more than 1,000 youths.” (Mr Albert Liang, Design and Environment ’12)

JAN-MAR 2018

47

LAST WORD THE PATTERN One half of each doublepage spread features patterns taken from various local dishes.

NEON LAKSA IS AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT NEONLAKSA.COM

THE DISH The corresponding side features the dish itself.

s r u o l o C

OF A

CUISINE

B Y A S H U T O S H R A V I K R I S H N A N

Ms Anjali Krishnan (Engineering ’11)’s

innovative book is sparking a conversation about hawker culture and family ties.

48

Encouraged by the reception, she enlisted the help of an illustrator to realise her vision of a food-themed colouring book. “First, I gathered a mood board and came up with patterns that would be fun to colour in,” she explains.

“The idea was to have one page feature whole dishes and the corresponding side feature a pattern, like those of Peranakan crockery.”

Ms Krishnan hopes that Neon Laksa will help people connect with traditional food — and with each other.

A scene she pictures is of a grandparent and grandchild colouring in the book together, sharing anecdotes about the dish they are working on. Her initiative may also encourage younger Singaporeans to get interested in local cuisine. “The younger generation is heavily invested in the food scene,” she notes. “But it’s more often in cafes and fusion food rather than kopitiam food.

Maybe Neon Laksa will change that.”

A self-confessed foodie, Ms Krishnan has a favourite dish for every mood and occasion.

Fuel for a night out? Char kway teow and beef fried rice.

A quick lunch?

Laksa yong tau foo, which lets her have a good mix of meat and vegetables.

Morning power-up “There was a stall in the NUS Science building that had great nasi lemak — the most satisfying breakfast!”

P H OTO O F L A K S A YO N G TAU FO O : W W W. M I SSTA M C H I A K . C O M

THE TERM “FOOD COLOURING” conjures up images of bottles of bright food dye — but if Ms Anjali Krishnan has her way, that may soon change. Working with an illustrator, she created Neon Laksa, a 16-page colouring book filled with drawings of well-loved local dishes, among them a kaya toast set, complete with soft-boiled eggs. “It had to be in the book, because it’s so vital to surviving mornings,” she says with a laugh.

To some, the leap from engineering student to colouring book author might be a big one, but as the 28 year-old points out, there are some similarities.

“They are both about building and creating things,” says Ms Krishnan, whose full-time job is as a marketing manager of a global data company.

“I started drawing to disconnect from my phone and laptop after work. I then started making food illustrations and made a few sheets for my friends, who loved them.”

FEAST ON THIS

D A T E S

T O

R E M E M B E R

17

JAN

BRAIN TRAINING WORKSHOPS

J A N F E B M A R

FEB

WED

WONDER WOMAN (PG13) @ Shaw Foundation Alumni House, 7.30pm REGISTER alumnet.nus.edu.sg/event/MMjan18

ENQUIRIES Ms Idy Lim idylim@nus.edu.sg

ENQUIRIES Mr Delon Lim delon.lim@nus.edu.sg

FEB

13

TUE

CAMPUS COUPLES VALENTINE’S DINNER

@ Shaw Foundation Alumni House, 7.30pm

@ NUSS Kent Ridge Guild House, 6.30pm

All information is correct at time of print and is subject to change without prior notice.

REGISTER alumnet.nus.edu.sg/event/ACfeb18 ENQUIRIES Ms Idy Lim idylim@nus.edu.sg

MAR

THU

THIRSTY THURSDAYS

@ Barossa, 6.30pm

THU

REGISTER alumnet.nus.edu.sg/event/BWjan18

SAT

BOSSA CELLI LIVE!

25

JAN

MOVIES ON THE HOUSE

@ Shaw Foundation Alumni House, 7.30pm

ALUMNI CONCERTS:

alumni events

22

FEB

THU

FEATURE FILMS

@ Shaw Foundation Alumni House, 7.30pm REGISTER alumnet.nus.edu.sg/event/FFfeb18 ENQUIRIES Mr Ng Shan Jun oarnsj@nus.edu.sg

ENQUIRIES campuscouples@alummail.nus.edu.sg

MAR

12

13

14

MON

TUE

WED

INDIAN FILM FESTIVAL

@ Shaw Foundation Alumni House, 7.30pm

MAR

29

THU

MOVIES ON THE HOUSE

THE LEGO NINJAGO MOVIE (PG) @ Shaw Foundation Alumni House, 7.30pm

REGISTER alumnet.nus.edu.sg/event/TTmar18

REGISTER alumnet.nus.edu.sg/event/IFF18

REGISTER alumnet.nus.edu.sg/event/MMmar18

ENQUIRIES Ms Cassandra Lua cassandraluaqy@nus.edu.sg

ENQUIRIES Mr Ng Shan Jun oarnsj@nus.edu.sg

ENQUIRIES Mr Delon Lim delon.lim@nus.edu.sg

NUS PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION ACT (PDPA) As of 2 January 2014, in line with Singapore’s Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) Do Not Call (DNC) Registry, you may indicate your preference for receiving marketing messages from NUS on your Singapore telephone number via the various methods.

If you wish to make changes to your preference, you can update at https://myaces.nus.edu.sg/DNC/index.do.

As of 2 July 2014, in view of Singapore’s Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA), the NUS Office of Alumni Relations would like to inform you that NUS will continue to engage you as an alumnus through the following ways: Providing you information about the University and alumni-related initiatives and activities.

Sending you invitations to NUS and alumni-related events.

Requesting you to update alumni information.

Sending you invitations to participate in alumni surveys.

Sending you alumni-related communication collaterals.

If you wish to withdraw your consent to be contacted, please visit https://myaces.nus.edu.sg/PSR/index.do.

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