The AlumNUS Apr-Jun 2011

A L U M N I M A G A Z I N E O F T H E N AT I O N A L U N I V E R S I T Y O F S I N G A P O R E

THE

ISSN: 0129-3583 APRIL – JUNE 2011 ISSUE NO. 85

NUS Excellence Day

A Pioneering Class’ Act of Love U@live inspires!

AlumNUS | April - June 2011

First Word Albert Einstein, undeniably a man of success in his work as a physicist, once said, ‘Try not to become a man of success but a man of value’. In this issue, we feature the efforts of many who have brought value in various ways, small and large – all to make this a better university.

The year began with the launch of U@live, a forum where alumni who are championing causes talk about their pioneering ideas and their passion in realising them. Inaugural speaker, Dr Noeleen Heyzer, UN Under-Secretary-General, spoke on the topic, ‘Freedom from Want, Freedom from Fear’ in January. She feels that we can make change happen, albeit in small doses, regardless of the imperfect circumstances that we may operate from.

In the same spirit, the NUS Excellence Day was a showcase of how NUS staff made little changes in their work processes. Through 1,500 ideas and more than 50 projects, $15 million was saved in one year. The key message for the day seems to have been that small improvements made regularly, add up to large differences.

This issue also features the early contributions of the late Gerry Soliano who put together NUS’ first music programme in 1968 from a dingy room at the Bukit Timah campus, the beginnings of today’s Music department, and the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, the latter being Singapore’s first.

Today, there is a healthy number of alumni who are artistes and performers. Some of them performed at the 6th NUS Arts Festival. Read about what inspires them in life in this issue. The Shaw Foundation Alumni House had also seen a good run of the arts in March with the Canadian Film Festival staged there.

Alumni who have found success in life are bringing value to their alma mater. The pioneer Law Class of 1961 reunited for their 50th anniversary and launched the Lionel A Sheridan Professorship in honour of the law faculty’s first dean. Likewise, Dr Chew Beng Keng (Medicine ’58) set up the Chew Beng Keng bursary and Dr Steven Choo (Real Estate ’74) set up the Amos Koh Memorial Fund.

The NUS spirit is very much alive. Come back to your alma mater to enjoy a day of reconnecting with old friends at your old haunt. Alumni Day will be held at the Bukit Timah campus on 8 July and at the Kent Ridge campus on 30 July. We look forward to seeing you there.

APRIL – JUNE 2011 ISSUE NO. 85

Director Assoc Prof Lim Meng Kin (Medicine, ’74)

Managing Editor Yvette Thomasz (Arts and Social Sciences, ’89)

Contents NEWS HIGHLIGHTS 2 U@live inspires!

6 Small changes, big gains – NUS Excellence Day 8 NUS ranked amongst world’s most reputable universities 9 Professor Tan Chorh Chuan appointed National University Health System Board Chairman FEATURE 10 A pioneering class’ act of love ALUMNI CONNECTIONS 12 The art of passion 14 An honour bestowed 15 Looking back, paying it forward 24 Canadian film festival 26 Keeping the beat 30 Let there be light 31 Union house kakis have big hearts 32 Building a future 36 CASE holds fourth advancement conference in Asia-Pacific Region 40 Capturing the underbelly 41 Re: Almost left behind 42 Alumni buzz 44 Alumni group listing 46 AlumNUS card merchants listing 49 Dates to remember PROFILE 16 Professor Lily Kong – Three passions, one dream job 18 Dr Steven Choo – Building people, building spaces

FROM OUR STUDENTS 20 Tales of 3 cities 23 Learning beyond the shores

Editor Karin Yeo (Arts and Social Sciences, ’97)

Design & Layout Jerlyn Lim

Contributors: Lo Tuck Leong (Public Policy, ’95), Dr William Chew (Medicine, ’62), Angela Pan (Science, ’03), Johnson Ong Chee Bin, Chee Zong Jie, Chung Yong Kai, Michelle Boo, Adeline Goh, Eugene Tan, Belinda Ng, Lisa Marie Lip, Valerie Vincent (Business, ’10)

Office of Alumni Relations • National University of Singapore 11 Kent Ridge Drive Singapore 119244 Tel: +65 6516 5775 / Fax: +65 6777 2065 Email: oarconnect@nus.edu.sg / www.alumnet.nus.edu.sg Printed by KHL Printing Co Pte Ltd 57 Loyang Drive Singapore 508968

Dear NUS Alumni, Faculty, Staff, Students and Friends, Our fondest memories of the university are very much shaped by people and friendships, the special moments and the memorable spaces that we have enjoyed.

I am glad to report that we are continuing to make special efforts to advance on all these fronts, to foster a much richer experience and environment on campus for our entire NUS community.

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In particular, we continue to create more social and informal spaces that our community can enjoy, and which foster greater interaction. Crucially, we are also developing new programmes that help to draw more members of our community to these spaces. For example, the Shaw Foundation Alumni House caters to the needs of our alumni while on campus, but I am very heartened by the fact that it is also attracting many faculty, staff and students to interact with our alumni.

When the first phase of NUS’ University Town opens in August this year, it will add a wide range of well-appointed facilities and spaces, all carefully designed to help bring people together and to interact. Residential College learning in University Town will also be a powerful avenue for our students to develop many deep friendships and strong networks.

We are also in the process of designing a new set of dining and interaction facilities in the Science Faculty which will substantially enhance the “buzz” in that part of the campus.

While creating all these facilities, we have been very mindful of the fact that the most distinctive feature of our campus is the rolling green landscape and lush vegetation. It is critical that we maintain this “campus in a garden” feel. For example, over

Professor Tan Chorh Chuan (Medicine ’83) NUS President the next few months, we will be planting more trees in various parts of our campus to provide more shade and further enhance our physical environment.

A conducive physical environment coupled with a vibrant academic culture that pushes constantly for excellence – these are the essential elements which will enable the talented members of our community to achieve the highest possible impact, and in the process, help power our quest to become a leading global university centred in Asia.

AlumNUS | April - June 2011

News Highlights

Inspires!

U@live - a new platform where ideas are exchanged, hearts connect and indomitable spirits inspire

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We need not wait until we have a perfect institution to make change happen.

– Dr Noeleen Heyzer on the need to act now and make a difference.

Her convictions are deep. Her philosophy of life, simple, and her message to the audience that day, inspirational. She is Dr Noeleen Heyzer (Arts and Social Sciences, 73), Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). She was at her alma mater, NUS, as guest speaker for the inaugural forum,‘U@live’.

She engaged a full-house at the auditorium of the Shaw Foundation Alumni House on her three decades of work at the UN. She said, “I work in the UN because I believe. I believe in the principles of the UN.” The UN’s principles are based on the development of peace and security for all its citizens and for all the peoples of the world, so that they may live in larger freedom – a freedom from want and a freedom from fear, the latter being Dr Heyzer’s focus for the forum.

Mr Viswa Sadasivan, presenter of the forum asked her how she could remain so optimistic after working for more than 30 years with an organisation that some perceive as having passed many resolutions over the years without alleviating poverty. Dr Heyzer’s impassioned response was that neither the UN nor Unifem were in perfect

shape when she joined them but she was not deterred. Instead, she made change happen by launching the global agenda on ending violence against women.

Mr Viswa Sadavisan, presenter for U@live, and Dr Noeleen Heyzer.

Drawing inspiration from the way Asia has developed over the last 30 years to the Asia today which has become the driving force of economic recovery in our current global crisis, Dr Heyzer made the point that “we can change our own history; that human beings have the power and the potential to shape and reshape their future.”

She added, “I believe that we are the writers of our own destinies. I learned this from growing up in Singapore at a time when Singapore was still a colony, and I also learned this when I was at the University of Singapore a place where my foundations were built. It was a place where I could dream and a place where I could engage with a world that was evolving and unfolding around me”.

In the audience (from left to right): President, Executive Committee, UNIFEM, Ms Trina Liang-Lin; National University of Singapore Society (NUSS) Vice President, Mr David Ho; Chairperson, Gender Studies Sub-Committee, United Nations Singapore, Ms Meritxell Rosich; daughter of Ms Noeleen Heyzer, Ms Lilianne Fan; Director of NUS International Relations Office, Assoc Prof Anne Pakir and Director of NUS Corporate Relations Office, Ms Ovidia Lim-Rajaram.

Looking ahead, Dr Heyzer had an equally impactful message. “As leaders of tomorrow, you need to feel in your guts, the instinct of the type of changes and interventions that you can make in order to make your world a better place,” she encouraged.

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News Highlights

U@live is a monthly speaker series that showcases outstanding members of the NUS community.

Apart from having a live audience, U@live will also be webcast live through a dedicated website where users can send in real time comments and questions directly to the speakers.

Upcoming Speakers Dr Tan Lai Yong

7:30pm, 27 April 2011

In 1996, Dr Tan Lai Yong packed his bags and

Dr Noeleen Heyzer (right), with daughter Ms Lilianne Fan (left) and former academic Mrs Anne Elizabeth Wee (centre).

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“You need to be able to articulate this vision, you need to be able to inspire people so that they know that this path is possible,” she emphasised.

Dr Heyzer’s passion for gender equality developed at a young age. Growing up in the old community of Chinatown in Singapore, she witnessed the vibrant yet povertyridden landscape of poor women who worked day and night, and yet were unable to earn a livelihood that could sustain them and their families. As such, she found it a joy in her second position in the UN, where, as the Executive Director of Unifem, she was able to place gender equality and women’s empowerment on the global agenda of the UN, working hard to ensure economic security and rights for some of the poorest women in the world.

The atmosphere in the auditorium at the end of the session was definitely one charged with positive energy. Dr Heyzer’s pursuit of the causes she believes in, her passion in making the world a better place, and her optimism inspired the audience. And indeed, this is the aim of U@live – to inspire through speakers who have passionately pursued good causes and committed their lives to making a difference to the world.

The second session of U@live featured Associate Professor Adrian Cheok, who spoke on the topic of Digital Humanity. Issues discussed included how 24/7 real time global communication has changed the face of humanity and some of the mega trends arising from this digital revolution. Read about it in the next issue.

The monthly forum, U@live, is webcast live at www.nus.edu.sg/ualive. The online audience can join in the conversation and ask the speaker questions directly through Facebook, Twitter or MSN messenger while watching the live show.

U@live takes place every last Wednesday of the month.

(along with his family) left for Xishuangbanna (a remote province in Yunnan, China). There, he worked with local communities not only treating their ailments, but also teaching them how to treat themselves through the ‘village doctor training program’. Having returned to Singapore in late 2010, he left behind an empowered community with skills that will last generations. He has written the book, “Biting the Bamboo” which is a collection of stories about his life in Yunnan.

Jane Lee

7:30pm, 25 May 2011

From Alaska to Antarctica, Jane has been scaling peaks across the world. She graduated with a degree in English from NUS but claims that “the most significant memory from my university years was that 95% of my time was devoted to climbing, training, or thinking about climbing, and 5% was spent cramming Shakespeare and Dante.”

Her most celebrated achievement to date is her successful leadership in the Singapore’s first all-women’s team to climb Mt Everest. She is currently attempting to complete the ‘7 summits’ challenge that challenges mountaineers to climb the highest peak on each of the seven continents.

Edward Chia

7:30pm, 29 June 2011

Everyone knows Timbre. But do you know

the face behind it? While studying at NUS, Edward Chia had a bright idea to open an F&B establishment that showcased local, up and coming musical acts. Today, Timbre (Now the Ublues Group) has an estimated annual turnover of S$12 million, operates 8 subsidiary outlets and organises multiple annual music festivals. For him, it’s about turning music into a profitable industry for musicians and reaching out to underprivileged communities through the arts.

“I’m trying to find the soul of Singapore,” he says.

Join us Online!

www.nus.edu.sg/ualive

Reserve your seat now!

Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nus.graduates Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/nusgraduates

show live at Shaw Foundation Alumni House OR Attend theRegister at www.alumnet.nus.edu.sg

AlumNUS | April - June 2011

News Highlights

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Small Changes, Big Gains NUS Excellence Day 2011 showcases little efforts resulting in $15 million in savings

NUS' spirit was expressed and felt through the exuberance of staff performances that day.

“The key is to do many things and not just stop at one or two,” said Assoc Prof Tay. Additionally, the Hall reduced the size of the reading light tubes in the students rooms from 4ft to 2 ft and installed timers to switch off air-conditioners at the common facilities.

This seemingly minor effort, together with 1,448 suggestions and 50 Innovation and Quality projects from other departments, saved NUS a total of $12.5 million dollars in one year. An additional $2.4 million was saved from nine Lean Six Sigma projects.

From these seemingly minor changes, Temasek Hall’s estimated yearly cost savings amounted to about $9,500. They have also significantly decreased their greenhouse emissions by two metric tons of carbon dioxide every month.

The 2nd NUS Excellence Day, held on 24 February 2011, saw a turnout of more than 1,200 staff when awards were given out for excellence in safety, service quality, and environmental sustainability.

Photos credits: Office of Quality Management

NUS celebrates its 2nd Excellence Day.

Winner of the NUS Service Class – Outstanding for Service Excellence NUS Libraries “The electricity consumed by our campus is equivalent to 3,000 HDB blocks in the previous academic year”, said NUS President, Professor Tan Chorh Chuan in his speech at the NUS Excellence Day 2010/11 celebration.

To save energy and ensure environmental sustainability in the long run, he urges all to cultivate simple habits of switching off the lights and fans when leaving the room.

But, how much can you really save from this? Temasek Hall Master, Associate Professor Francis Tay has a pretty good idea. Temasek Hall, the winner of the Inter-Hall Environmental Award, took the lead by initiating a few nifty and innovative changes.

Students did little things like placing stickers on electrical devices to remind students to switch them off after use.

The NUS libraries won the pinnacle award for the NUS Service Class category and with good reason too. As part of their ‘7 Service Promises’, they attend to 95% of in-house queries within three minutes; and make available all books returned to the loans desk within 30 minutes; amongst other practices.

University librarian, Ms Sylvia Yap explains that they take an ‘all hands on deck’ approach. She said, “If a queue forms, we rally others in the office to help.” She added, “Driven by our desire to increase accountability, we publicised our commitment to our users and launched our Service Promises in May 2010.”

How do these rules and strategies translate to user experience?

Just ask any student!

International student Christian Kurtsiefer said, “the library services here at NUS, especially the electronic access possibilities, are absolutely outstanding by international comparison.”

Ms Sylvia Yap, University Librarian, receiving the NUS Service Class Outstanding for Service Excellence award, on behalf of NUS Libraries, from Prof Tan Chorh Chuan.

Winner of the NUS Quality Service – Service Champion Award Mr Syam Kumar Prabhakaran, Associate Director, Dean’s Office, Faculty of Science Hailing from the Faculty of Science, Mr Prabhakaran is faced with safety issues amongst his faculty and students on a daily basis. While it’s easy to wallpaper the walls with safety instructionals and tell people what to do, the challenge comes with getting people to act. While he organises safety orientations and training for staff, students and research laboratories, what sets him apart from the rest is his approach to delivering the information.

For him, the most important part of safety training is listening to his colleagues’ techniques and procedures and how they may be inadvertently disregarding safety. He then works by suggesting modifications to their work processes based on the regulatory requirements.

Mr Syam Kumar Prabhakaran (left), winner of the NUS Quality Service – Service Champion Award receiving his prize from Mr Joseph Mullinix, Deputy President (Administration) of NUS.

The cheerful Associate Director also advocates having a good attitude towards one’s work saying that ‘being positive and passionate about what you are doing will surely help you to achieve self-satisfaction’.

By: Valerie Vincent (Business, 2010)

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AlumNUS | April - June 2011

News Highlights

NUS ranked amongst world’s most reputable universities

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NUS has once again been ranked amongst the leading universities in the world, according to the first-ever World Reputation Rankings published by Times Higher Education magazine in March 2011.

In this newest ranking that identifies institutional reputations for world-class performance in teaching and research, NUS was placed 27th amongst the world’s top 100 universities and third in Asia.

NUS President Professor Tan Chorh Chuan said: “We are delighted to be placed amongst the best universities in the world by our peers.

This latest ranking is a positive affirmation from the international academic community of the world-class quality of education and research being produced at our University.”

The 2011 World Reputation Rankings is based on the most comprehensive worldwide survey of academics ever undertaken.

It reflects the responses of 13,388 experienced academics from 131 countries. The average respondent has been working at a higher education institution for more than 16 years and published more than 50 research papers.

On the significance of the rankings, its editor Mr Phil Baty said: “In an ever more competitive global market for students, academics and university administrators, and at a time when the answers to the world’s most pressing problems will come from putting together the best brains wherever in the world they may be based, a university’s reputation for academic excellence is crucial.”

We are today a leading global university centred in Asia, and will continue to develop high quality education and research programmes that will contribute to Singapore, to Asia and to the world.

– Prof Tan Chorh Chuan, NUS President

Professor Tan Chorh Chuan appointed National University Health System Board Chairman NUS President Professor Tan Chorh Chuan has been appointed Chairman of the National University Health System (NUHS) Board, with effect from 1 April 2011.

A renal physician by training, Prof Tan was NUHS’ first Chief Executive, who brought the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (YLLSoM), Faculty of Dentistry (FoD) and the National University Hospital (NUH) together under a single governance structure in 2008.

On the new appointment, Prof Tan said: “NUHS has made great progress since its formation in 2008. It provides the enabling environment and means to develop true synergies between medical education, research and clinical care. I feel excited and honoured to be able to work with NUHS colleagues to build leading-edge programmes that

to 2004. He returned to NUS to take up the posts of Provost, then Senior Deputy President from 2004 to 2008, and was appointed President in December 2008.

He is concurrently the Deputy Chairman of Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research.

The new NUHS Board Chairman, Prof Tan Chorh Chuan.

will substantially benefit our patients and students, and our community and beyond - programmes that will help shape medicine for the future.”

Prof Tan was Dean of the NUS Faculty of Medicine from 1997 to 2000, and served as the Director of Medical Services at Singapore’s Ministry of Health from 2000

With his wealth of experience in healthcare, research and education, Prof Tan is well-placed to provide invaluable guidance to the NUHS Board and management in realising the organisation’s vision of being a leading academic medical centre.

He has taken over from Mr Lim Yong Wah, who served as the NUHS Board Chairman since 1 February 2008.

Under his leadership, Mr Lim oversaw the successful integration of NUH, YLLSoM and FoD, and spearheaded the establishment of the National Cancer Institute Singapore and National University Heart Centre Singapore.

NUS Appoints New Members to its Board of Trustees Three new members have been appointed to NUS’ Board of Trustees, with effect from 1 April 2011. They are Ms Chong Siak Ching, President & Chief Executive Officer of Ascendas Pte Ltd; Mr Peter Ho, Senior Advisor of the Centre for Strategic Futures; and Dr Teh Kok Peng, President of the GIC Special Investments Pte Ltd. Two current Trustees will be stepping down on 31 March 2011. They are Mr Chandra Mohan K Nair, Partner of law firm Tan Rajah & Cheah, and Ms Olivia Lum, Group Chief Executive Officer and President of Hyflux Ltd.

The new members of NUS' Board of Trustees are (from left to right), Mr Peter Ho, Ms Chong Siak Ching and Dr Teh Kok Peng.

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AlumNUS | April - June 2011

Feature

Law Class of 1961

Photo courtesy of the Faculty of Law

(Front row, from left to right) Prof Bernard Brown, Thio Su Mien, Prof Geoffrey W. Bartholomew, Dr Bashir A. Mallal, Dr Lionel Astor Sheridan, Prof Harry E. Groves, Young Cheng Wah. (Second row, from left to right) Nesadevi Sandrasegara, Tan Leng Fong, Tan Lovey, Muthulakshmi Raman, Lim Aileen, Koh Kheng Lian, Ong Cheng See, Yeo Keat Yew Ronald, Chan Sek Keong, Amarjeet Singh.

(Third row, from left to right) Khoo Hin Hiong, Koh Eng Tian, Koh Thong Bee Tommy, Lee Min Sen, Foo Yew Heng, Jiwat Advani Gurmukhdas, T P B Menon, Chellappah Thambiah, Sachi Saurajen, Goh Yong Hong.

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Act of Love

A Pioneering Class’ Pioneer Class of Lawyers Reunites 50 Years On for Friendship and A Good Cause

What happens when a group of illustrious law graduates gather to celebrate their 50th year of graduation?

An evening of nostalgic recollections and a fundraising campaign. Fifteen out of the 22 alumni from the pioneer law class of 1961 reunited on 22 January 2011. Together, they launched the Lionel A. Sheridan Professorship in honour of the Law Faculty’s first Dean, Professor Lionel Astor Sheridan.

The Law Class of 1961 today. (Front row, from left to right) Mrs Low Leng Fong, Mrs Devi Sandrasegara, Mrs Aileen Chong, Dr Thio Su Mien, Emeritus Prof Koh Kheng Lian and Mrs Lakshmi Swaminathan.(Back row, from left to right) Prof Tommy Koh, Mr T P B Menon, Mr Khoo Hin Heong, Mr Sachi Saurajen, Chief Justice Mr Chan Sek Keong, Mr Amarjit Singh, Mr Koh Eng Tian, Mr Goh Yong Hong and Mr Ronald Yeo.

The Honourable Chief Justice, Mr Chan Sek Keong, said, “We, the Class of ’61, are extremely pleased that the University has agreed to establish a Chair of Law in Sheridan’s name so that his legacy will live on.”

30,000 or 40,000 I have encountered.”

Old classmates, (from left to right) Prof Tommy Koh, Chief Justice, Mr Chan Sek Keong, Mr T P B Menon.

NUS President, Professor Tan Chorh Chuan, said in his speech, “As the founding Dean of Law, Professor Lionel Astor Sheridan shaped the study and teaching of law in Singapore during the Faculty’s formative years. He taught the first six graduating classes from 1956 to 1962, and left an indelible mark on the University, Faculty and students. The creation of the Chair in honour of Professor Sheridan recognises his contribution to the Faculty of Law, and is a very meaningful way to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Singapore’s pioneer class of lawyers. We are very grateful to the Class of ’61 for this wonderful initiative.”

Although Prof Sheridan, now in his 80s, could not be present at the gathering, he had a message for his class. He stated, “Both rejoicing and relief were occasioned in the early years of the Faculty of Law by the decisions of the Governments of the Federation of Malaya and of Singapore that legislation would be introduced to enable graduates of the University of Malaya to practise as advocates and solicitors.

Did one anticipate then that among their number there would be a Chief Justice and other judges, a President of the Law Society, an Ambassador-at-Large and all manner of distinguished persons? Yes certainly. The expectations entertained by those who lectured, tutored and examined were extremely optimistic.”

Prof Sheridan was instrumental in planning the curriculum for legal studies, setting up a law library and negotiating for professional recognition of local law graduates as well as actively campaigning for the Department to Belles of the class reunite. (From left to right) Mrs Lakshmi Swaminathan, become a full Faculty.

Dr Thio Su Mien, Mrs Aileen Chong, Emeritus Professor Koh Kheng Lian, Mrs Devi Sandrasegara and Mrs Low Leng Fong Set up in 1956 at the then University of Malaya, the department of law admitted its first Indeed, some of these distinguished students to the Bukit Timah Campus persons present included the Honourable of the University in 1957. In 1959, the Chief Justice Mr Chan Sek Keong; Department attained full faculty status Ambassador-at-Large, Professor Tommy with Prof Sheridan serving as founding Koh; Mr T P B Menon, the first local Dean until he stepped down in 1962. graduate to be admitted to the Singapore Bar, who later became the President of Prof Sheridan’s message to his pioneer the Law Society (1980 to 1983); Professor class also reminded all of how far the Thio Su Mien, the first locally qualified Law Faculty had come. “Imagine, if you law graduate to take on the position can, a Faculty of Law accommodated in of Dean of Law School; Mr Goh Yong a small borrowed room, furnished with a Hong, the first lawyer to hold the job of desk, two chairs, a fan, a secretary (also Police Commissioner of Singapore; Mr borrowed) and a professor. No students, Amarjit Singh, who served as a Judicial no money, no curriculum, uncertain Commissioner in Singapore and as a prospects. This is what it was like in Judge of the International Criminal 1956. Fifty years ago (in 1961), the rooms Court for Yugoslavia; Emeritus Professor had become plural...the faculty had many Koh Kheng Lian; and Mrs Lakshmi students and was blessed for the first Swaminathan nee Raman, who still sits time with ex-students. They were the as an Arbitrator in different parts of the pioneers who, thanks to an accelerated world, following her various positions chronology, began a course for a fourwith the government of India. The year degree in September 1957 and latter was accompanied that evening completed it in late 1960.” by her younger brother, whom many still remember as the baby brother Mrs With the reunion held at NUS’ Bukit Lakshmi would sometimes bring to Timah Campus, Prof Tan said, “There campus 50 years ago. is a strong sense of place, as this reunion dinner is being held in the Professor Bernard Brown and Professor Bukit Timah Campus, the birthplace Harry Calvert also had fond memories to of our Faculty of Law. There is the share. In their letters, read out by warmth of old friendships and shared Mr Menon, Prof Calvert spoke of the class experiences fondly recalled, which as “the best class I ever taught”, while forms the basis for the tightly knit Prof Brown said that the students “were community of NUS Law alumni.” the brightest and most enthusiastic of the

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AlumNUS | April - June 2011

alumni CONNECTIONS

The Art Of Passion Alumni Talent Showcased at the NUS Arts Festival 2011

In conjunction with the 6th NUS Arts Festival, the AlumNUS team spoke to alumni artistes at the Arts Festival about their passion for their art and what inspires them.

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Discovering Life Through Music “Sometimes we forget how amazing each day can be, simply because we stop looking at these interesting little corners and things in life as we get busier,” said Tze, Computer Science graduate (Class of 2002) and NUS Piano Ensemble alumnus. Tze returned to his alma mater with his jazz band, Tze n Looking Glass to perform ‘Stories from Wonderland’ at the NUS Arts Festival.

Tze’s love for music became full-blown in NUS where he had his first taste of writing music for hall productions.

The learning culture and creative exchanges amongst music-writing peers in the NUS Piano Ensemble made it certain that music would be his path in life. Tze later studied jazz performance at Lasalle-SIA. He explained, “Many friends have asked if I regretted not choosing a formal music education earlier. I once had regrets, but now I realise that if I hadn’t entered NUS, and had the experiences that I had, I would probably have chosen a totally different path. The truth is, everything in life happens for a reason. Perhaps just being in NUS itself was the greatest takeaway!”

For Tze, NUS brings back fond memories of university days “where most of us pondered about life, discovered the world, found ourselves, and decided what we want from life”.

People – a source of inspiration “I am inspired by many people that I’ve had the honour to cross paths with - be it at work or through dance. It could just be one or two qualities in them that sparkle, and that’s enough for me to draw motivation from and carry on challenging myself,” said Ma Yanling, graduate of the NUS Business School (Class of 2006). As an active NUS Dance Ensemble alumnus and part of the T.H.E Dance Company’s dance programme, (one that is exclusive for NUS students and alumni), Yanling was auditioned and selected to participate in ‘T.H.E. Emerging Choreographers III’, a highlight at the NUS Arts Festival 2011.

Yanling’s training has shaped her artistic sensibilities. “I have definitely picked up different movement vocabularies, styles and dynamics - these have influenced the ways I move in a dance piece now. More importantly, I now can observe different thought-processes and think more critically when investigating a piece of choreography,” she said.

Balancing romance and pragmatism “Years of training in the scientific mode of enquiry has helped me to temper my innately romantic view of life with pragmatism, affecting the way I approach artistic projects as well. This is a good thing,”said Aparna R. Nambiar, an NUS Life Sciences graduate (Class of 2008). At the NUS Arts Festival, she was a researcher for the opening show – ‘Aweshana III - The Search for Nalanda’.

As a staff at the NUS-CFA, and dancer/researcher in NUS Indian Dance, Aparna straddles the roles of artist and administrator in a balancing act that Arpana knows well. She said, “The arts and academia require a lot of space and time to breathe and grow, while administration works to tighten the strings and draw out deliverable results. I have grown to understand and appreciate this relationship over the past two years,” she elaborated.

Arpana finds common roots at the heart of different cultures a source of inspiration. “This is because it suggests an alternative to conflict and grounds for understanding,” she said.

Harmony in Diversity “I believe processes in life are more interesting than the results they lead to. It gives much food for thought and inspiration,” said Dai Da, an Engineering (Class of 2007) and NUS Chinese Orchestra alumnus who performed the erhu in ‘Stories from Wonderland’ at the NUS Arts Festival.

Classically trained in Chinese music in China, Dai Da came to Singapore and joined NUS

Centre For the Arts (CFA) and NUS Chinese Orchestra (NUSCO). He said, “Each type of music or instrument has its own language and uniqueness. It is not easy to get them to sing together with such distinct cultural backgrounds.

Everyone in the band must keep an open mind when we jam together. This respect harmonises us yet helps retain the cultural fragrance of our own musical characters.”

He added, “With all that NUS provided, I’ve developed this confidence and passion for excellence in everything I pursue.”

Passing the Torch “As ideal as it sounds, it is actually somewhat possible in the climate of the arts scene in Singapore,” said Chen Zhangyi, on his dream to be a full-time musician as a composer, violinist, and music educator here.

Zhangyi is a Bachelor of Music graduate with Honours (Class of 2009) at the NUS Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, and is now studying for his Masters in composition and music theory pedagogy at the Peabody Institute of Music, Johns Hopkins University.

His commissioned work, ‘Raintree for Orchestra’, was performed by the NUS Symphony Orchestra at the NUS Arts Festival.

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AlumNUS | April - June 2011

alumni CONNECTIONS

Looking Back, Paying it Forward Chew Beng Keng Bursary to help both Singaporeans and Malaysians Now 76 years of age, Dr Chew Beng Keng (Medicine, ’58), never forgot how more than 50 years ago, he left the state of Terengganu in Malaysia to study medicine at the University of Malaya (UM) in Singapore, on a state scholarship. Today, he is paying it forward by establishing an endowed fund for student bursaries at NUS, the successor of UM. Mr Khaw Boon Wan (right), receiving his conferment through Prof Arthur Lim (left).

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An Honour Bestowed Minister of Health Receives Honorary Membership Minister of Health, Mr Khaw Boon Wan (Engineering, ’82), has been conferred the 24th Honorary Member of the Alumni Association for his contributions to healthcare, at the proposal of the late Dr Chee Phui Hung, affectionately known as Agong (or ‘King’ in Malay). Others who have received this honour before him included Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong; long-standing chairman of the Lee Foundation and the Lee Rubber Group, Dr Lee Seng Gee; former NUS President, Professor Shih Choon Fong; and the first Chairman of the Malaysian Medical Association, Dato Dr Lim Kee Jin.

for lunch on behalf of his father. He reminisced, “We spent one full hour together. He used the first 10 minutes arguing with me (as usual) on how he would like to nominate me for Honorary Membership. I told him ‘no’. As an office holder, there would be a perceived conflict of interest but he was very determined to have it done before he passed on. After 10 minutes, he proposed that we agreed to disagree. We went on to discuss many different subjects on health care. He was in the last few weeks of his life and was still very much thinking about healthcare, the medical community, and about the Alumni.”

In his acceptance speech on 11 January 2011, Mr Khaw recounted that he had driven past the Alumni Association building when a thought entered his mind to lunch with Agong. Before he could even arrange for an appointment, Dr Chee’s son had rung him to arrange

Mr Khaw went on to cite how alumni have been contributing towards the development and transformation of many Asian countries.

He said, “As alumni members, you are among the top five percentile of your cohort. You are destined to do great things and you can make a real difference to many lives.” He recounted

the story of a famous Queen’s Scholar from Penang Free School, Dr Wu Lien The, who studied in UK. He said, “He graduated as a doctor and for some reasons chose to serve in China, to try to modernise the Chinese healthcare system. The opportunity came when there was a plague in Manchuria and he was a famous plague fighter – there is today a museum about him in Manchuria.”

More recent examples Mr Khaw cited included how President of the Alumni Association, Professor Arthur Lim (Medicine, ’56), built eye centres in China; how Dr Chua Yeow Leng (Mr Khaw’s bypass surgeon) helped train cardiac surgeons in China and Vietnam; and that NUS is setting up an R&D Centre in Suzhou.

He said, “In my little way I will help to build on the legacy left behind by Agong and help to secure Singapore’s participation in the evolving Asian human epic.”

Dr Chew, one of five children, was born into a simple family that ran a textile business.

None of his siblings went beyond secondary school, dropping out to help in their family business. But Dr Chew, a top student at an English-medium school, went on to clinch the state scholarship, which was offered to non-Malays for the first time. He became a professor at the University of Singapore’s School of Medicine before setting up a private practice.

Dr Chew remembers his days at UM in Singapore for the life-long friendships he forged, especially at the Dunearn Road Hostel, where fellow residents included President S R Nathan, and pioneer civil servants like the late Mr Sim Kee Boon and the late Mr Howe Yoon Chong. He said, “University gives you confidence and teaches you how to live with people, especially fellow hostel mates. You learn to get along with different people - that is an education. You get to know your seniors and juniors so that you have Mark your calendar. RunNUS is heading your way again. a wide range of contacts by the time you enter the Support NUS student bursaries by taking part in RunNUS working world. I am still 2011, a student-organised race around Kent Ridge Campus in touch with my friends on Sunday, 21 August. from my hostel days.”

2011

You can run in either the 5km or 10km category. Alumni are encouraged to invite family and friends to take part in the race.

To register your interest, email runnus2011@gmail.com

15 Dr Chew Beng Keng.

Dr Chew hopes that the Chew Beng Keng Bursary will alleviate the financial worries of its recipients, enabling them to concentrate on their studies and be successful in life. “If they remember this and give back to someone in the future, that’s great. I give because helping these students is a pleasure to me.”

The Chew Beng Keng Bursary is open to both Singaporean and Malaysian students, with half the distributable income being awarded to Malaysian students and half to Singaporeans.

Among the Malaysians, priority is given to medical students from Terengganu.

AlumNUS | April - June 2011

Profile

As a geographer and lecturer at the NUS Department of Geography, Professor Lily Kong is more than familiar with the concept of space. Yet charting her career in the space of the first woman Dean of the Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences (FASS), as well as the first woman Director of Asia Research Institute (ARI), and now as the Vice President (University and Global Relations) of NUS, requires overcoming two challenges - gender and youth.

collective memory. I was interested to interview the hawkers and the patrons, and learned about the historical evolution of hawker centres as social institutions. To that end, I was glad to capture a snapshot of this rapidly changing landscape for posterity.” With a laugh, she conceded, “Of course it also became the perfect excuse to do “field work” and eat hawker food!”

Memory of landscapes For someone so enthusiastic about food and geography, it came as no surprise when Prof Kong cited some of her best memories of her undergraduate years as hanging out with her close friends at a cosy red-brick corner of the aromaladen Arts Canteen. On the NUS landscape then and now, she observed, “We have not torn down very many of our existing Three Passions, One Dream Job buildings but have instead built new buildings around them.

Juggling the multiple roles of teacher, researcher and The corridor I walk down today is the very same one I have administrator, Prof Kong admits that all of them have given her walked down as an undergraduate.” For Prof Kong, the rushes of passion at different points of her life. She loss she feels most acutely is in her social, not her physical added, “I joined academia landscape. “I refer to the loss because I wanted to combine of friends with whom I have teaching and research. I have lost touch” she lamented, with always wanted to teach. As a sigh. a child, I would line all my

dolls up in a row and deliver a New Spaces of Learning lecture! As an undergraduate, I As new spaces of education discovered my love for research. emerge with the Yale-NUS I did not start off wanting to be liberal arts college tie-up, – Prof Kong on her aspirations for the new Yale-NUS in management but started to Prof Kong shares more about liberal arts college. wear the hat of an administrator the stage of development in when I became a Sub-Dean of this initiative she heads. She FASS in 1994. To me, the opportunity to do all three is truly a elaborated, “Over a two-year course, we have worked hard dream come true.” with our Yale colleagues to discuss the different dimensions of pedagogy, curriculum college size, financing, staff hiring Prof Kong was twice a recipient of the NUS FASS Teaching and student profile selection.”

Excellence Award as well as the recipient of the NUS Outstanding University Researcher Award.

“My aspiration for the new college is to have students who are inquisitive to the nth degree, with a love for learning for A Full Plate its own sake. They should be intelligent, engaged in critical Prof Kong took up the delectable assignment of writing the thought, full of innovative ideas, effectively communicative, book “Singapore Hawker Centres - People, Places, Food” and able to make connections across different domains. I at the invitation of the National Environment Agency. She envision a close-knit college of students and professors, said, “Hawker food is such an integral part of the Singapore with the latter deeply interested in bringing out the best in landscape and life, as well as the locus of our social and students,” she shared, with a smile.

As the youngest Dean of the Faculty, she quipped, “I do feel that my youth is a greater challenge than gender. A very senior colleague once said to me, ‘I am used to working with people with 35 years of experience, not 35 years of age.’ Nonetheless, I am grateful to have great support from all my colleagues – young and old, male and female.”

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My aspiration for the new college is to have students who are inquisitive to the nth degree, with a love for learning for its own sake.

Three Passions, One Dream Job Professor Lily Kong (Arts and Social Sciences, ’86), Vice President (University and Global Relations) of NUS, offers insights into carving her personal space in the world of academia

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AlumNUS | April - June 2011

Profile

Building People, Building Spaces

To be contented and to do whatever I do, no matter how small, well.

– Dr Steven Choo on his philosophy of life.

Dr Steven Choo talks about his never-ending building projects – of people and places “To be contented and to do whatever I do, no matter how small, well.” This is Dr Choo’s seemingly simple philosophy in life. Dr Choo is currently the CEO of the Real Estate Developer’s Association of Singapore (REDAS).

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Contentment, the essence of happiness, seems to be the reason for Dr Choo’s breezy style. But beneath this calm persona lies an eagerness and sense of urgency to serve, inspired by the passing of his good friend, the late Dr Amos Koh, also a well-known figure in the real estate industry. Dr Koh was the Executive Director of Knight Frank in Singapore and later the Managing Director of DTZ Leung in Singapore and Indonesia.

Dr Choo shared, “Amos and I met in early 1970 and became friends and fellow student leaders at the Lady Hill campus. He was a very popular, talented and caring mentor to young people as a student and as a lecturer. It was uncanny that we had similar academic and career tracks and we were such close buddies that even our Dean and the TV media got us mixed up!” They both graduated from the University of Singapore’s BSc Estate Management programme (Class of ’74) and went on to do their postgraduate studies in the UK and the US. Tragedy struck in November 2000 when Dr Koh passed away suddenly in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, during a morning run. He was based there, away from his family, to look after the

global investment portfolio of the Saudi Economic Development Company. News of his sudden passing came as a terrible shock to Dr Choo who was hospitalised with severe bronchitis and drug allergy at that time. “It was very hard for me to assist in the funeral arrangement,” Dr Choo admited, “I could hardly speak or even walk without great pain.” Dr Choo and his wife did manage, however, to put together a memorial booklet on Dr Koh, at Mrs Koh’s request.

and nurturing person who had already set up a book prize from his own pocket; not for the best students, but for the ones who made the biggest progress in their studies.”

“Realising how fragile life is, one becomes more aware of the need to serve,” said Dr Choo who underwent a heart bypass surgery in October 2010. He has chosen his alma mater to do this for the good memories it has given him.

Dr Choo added, “I remember us crying a lot while going through many moving emails and poems that Amos wrote to his wife and children, and the beautiful photographs he took. That was when I felt we needed to keep alive the memory of this wonderful person and scholar and his spirit of touching lives.” Thus, he set up the Amos Koh Memorial Fund in 2003 to benefit the real estate student body and recognise scholarship with book prizes and gold medals. The first recipient of the Amos Koh Memorial Fund Gold Medal was a Vietnamese student. “I knew we had done the right thing when I saw the pride and joy on the faces of the girl’s family who flew in for her convocation,” he said.

On his affinity for his alma mater, he said, “The genius loci, or the spirit of the place, is determined by how the place, the people and their lives come together.

For Dr Choo, his undergraduate days at the Lady Hill campus was the right place at the right time of his life. Recalling his time there he said, “My first impression of the Lady Hill campus was that of a curious amalgamation of an old colonial house, barracks and outward bound school! I liked the intimacy of studying and playing within a small campus and boy, did it nurture many young minds and lives!” “Many marriages were ‘made in Ladyhill’” quipped Dr Choo, “although I ventured further afield and courted my wife at the Bukit Timah campus!”

With the recent demise of another close friend, Dr Milton Tan in November 2010, Dr Choo is once again looking to link up with the University to set up an initiative in memory of Dr Tan who was Head of Architecture and the founding director of DesignSingapore Council. “I wish to help carry on Milton’s legacy,” said Dr Choo.

“He was an extremely creative, hospitable

Today, he continues to serve as a nonresident fellow of the King Edward VII Hall and works tirelessly to forge closer links between the University and his industry. In 2010, he pioneered the REDAS-NUS Real Estate Sentiment Index, an authoritative barometer of market sentiments for the Singapore property market. Earlier this year

he jointly developed the REDASNUS Executive Course in Real Estate Development Enterprise with the Department of Real Estate. The first run of the course was in March. And already he is working to launch another executive course with the NUS on real estate development law.

Explaining his philosophy of life a little further, he said, “I try to follow the biblical precept - ‘to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly’ - in my work and relationships.

REDAS is a business association representing some 300 members comprising developers, builders, real estate consultancies and allied professionals, bankers and fund managers.

An industry veteran with over 35 years of experience, Dr Choo’s contributions to Singapore’s urban development and real estate market included being on the International Advisory Panel for the development of One North at Buona Vista, and serving as the Deputy Chairman of the Land Working Group of the Economic Review Committee for the creation of the Business and Financial Centre at the New Downtown in the Marina Bay area. He was also on CapitaLand’s team that surpervised the launch of Singapore’s first real estate investment trust (REIT) – the CapitaMall Trust. Dr Choo said that through it all, one of his greatest joys was in “saving the Junction 8 office tower from the bulldozer” and helping to make it a rent-free home for many social services organisations today.

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AlumNUS | April - June 2011

From our students

Tales of 3 cities NUS Alumni Student Exchange recipients journal their overseas experiences from Christchurch, Hong Kong and Paris

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Hong Kong

Longing for an exchange programme but lacking the financial resources? The NUS Alumni Office believes in a well-rounded education and the importance of an overseas experience. Every year, the NUS Alumni Office offers 18 awards of $2,500 each to the NUS Student Exchange Programme (SEP) participants. Three of these recipients share their travelogues in faraway lands and how they have come back – a richer person.

by Chee Zong Jie (Year 3 Architecture student)

Walking on an incised riverbed on a Geology Field trip – investigating landforms and fossils.

Christchurch

by Chung Yong Kai (Year 3 Geography student) As a geography student interested in Physical Geography, my exchange trip to Christchurch, New Zealand, gave me a rare chance to take up varied modules on the physical environment, including Geology and Forestry classes. What more could a student ask for when

his classroom is set in the mountainous backyard of New Zealand!

A real-life lesson for a geographer like me was to have experienced the magnitude-7.1 earthquake in Christchurch. It not only contextualised the textbook case studies I have been reading, it also taught me to appreciate its reality and understand better the suffering it brought on.

Thankfully, there were willing hearts to help as university students volunteered in groups to clear the silt that spewed into houses.

Kiwi hospitality has left a deep

Roofs and walls bored open by the earthquake.

impression on me. Strangers would chat with each other easily on public buses! To this end, I had a lot to learn from the open hearts and friendliness of the locals.

I ventured to see New Zealand with my backpack, a smile, and my thumbs ready for hitchhiking! Unexpectedly, hitchhiking revolutionised my impression of New Zealand. The inhabitants’ willingness to offer a helping hand was remarkable. At times, kind souls would even throw in a city tour! Many also shared thought-provoking life stories that challenged my Singaporean definition of success and “life” as we know it.

In many ways, this trip has given me more than what I expected. I am grateful that it has stirred me to re-examine what I study, my relationships with others and social norms about success.

Thanks to the support of the NUS Alumni Office, I was able to spend a wonderful semester with both the locals and other international exchange students on an exchange programme to Hong Kong. Hong Kong is a great place to witness Asian values and very soon I grew to appreciate the warmth of the Cantonese people.

Zong Jie (right) on an ecotourism study trip to the beautiful Lamma Island, Hong Kong, with course mates.

to come. An exchange is indeed a vital component of university life and a definite milestone in my tertiary education.

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The exchange trip pushed me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to view the world from different vantage points.

The students and I took occasional field trips to interesting sites like the famous Stanley market and The Peak. I also participated in eco-tourism field trips on the other side of Hong Kong where greenery and the beaches are located.

The ease of transportation means that it is also a perfect place for those who love to experience urban and rural life all in a day!

I took the opportunity to travel to mainland China from Hong Kong, to find out more about my ancestral roots. I gained insights into my origins and my family background.

Besides being a good platform to forge global friendships, the exchange helped me to rediscover myself and my identity, ultimately shaping my goals for years Cycling in the Guilin countryside with students from USA.

AlumNUS | April - June 2011

From our students

NUSSU Council Learns Best Practices from the States

by Goh Yi Xin Adeline & Tan Zhi Zhong Eugene

Michelle (2nd from right), with His Excellency, President S R Nathan and fellow SEP schoolmates.

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23 Michelle, in front of the Elysée Palace.

Paris

by Michelle Boo Wee Siew (Year 3 Life Sciences student) This was a wonderful opportunity for a student in the French Language Preparation Programme (LPP) like me, as it meant having the chance to increase my competency in the language in a completely new learning environment.

Nearly every corner of Paris was breathtaking. From my bedroom window, I could see the Sacré Cœur basilica sitting upon a hill, greeting me from far. My partner university was the top university in France – Université Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris VI). As an exchange student, I had the privilege to attend most of the interesting cross-department modules, like Palaeontology practical sessions in the Earth Sciences department where I got to examine real fossils of microorganisms, vertebrates and invertebrates. Besides classes, I also joined a Parisian inter-university choir and attended weekly rehearsals in a richly-decorated wooden amphitheatre in the famed Sorbonne University. We performed in an old classic refectory with great acoustics.

During my stay, I was privileged enough to visit the Elysée Palace, the official residence of the President of the French Republic, and open once a year to the public during European Heritage Day. Another up-close “presidential” experience was an invitation to a reception by the Singapore Embassy in Paris. During a stopover in Paris, His Excellency, President S R Nathan met Singaporeans residing there and I was honoured to join the soirée.

It was an amazing experience to be immersed in a totally different culture.

Harvard University was one of the American universities the NUSSU delegates visited.

It was with trepidation and excitement that 15 of us delegates from NUS’ Student Union (NUSSU), embarked on our annual council trip – this time to the United States for 10 days from the 31 December 2010.

After an 18-hour flight, we disembarked from the plane in a daze. New York had just experienced a blizzard that very week, blanketing the city in almost two feet-deep of snow. New to the elements, it took us a while to acclimatise despite our thick winter clothing. Yet in spite of the bitter cold, we knew we were in the US on a mission - to bring NUSSU to the next level.

We visited the Student Unions of Harvard University, Yale University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Connecticut and Columbia University in a bid to draw new inspiration and ideas. One of these is the observation that American universities often hold retreats among their student body and committee chairpersons – a practice which NUSSU can adopt for the NUSSU EXCO and NUSSU Committees to foster bonding and communication.

However, what made the trip extra meaningful was our interaction with some of the NUS alumni who were in the US at

that time. For example, Mr Robin Low, Chairman of the NUS Boston Alumni Chapter, talked about his working experiences, his lecturing stint at the Harvard Business School, as well as his passion in improving the livelihood of people. It attested to the fact that close ties to the alma mater can be fostered even across miles and oceans.

At the end of the trip, we were impatient to return to Singapore to realise the plans we had conceived. The trip also refreshed our commitment to serve the student community.

AlumNUS | April - June 2011

His Excellency Mr David Sevigny addressing the audience before the start of the film, ‘Saint Ralph’, on the opening night of the Festival.

(From left to right) Deputy President (Administration) Mr Joseph Mullinix, High Commissioner of Canada HE Mr David Sevigny and his wife, Mrs Mary Sevigny.

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Canadian

(From left to right) Ms Francoise Wilson, Mr Duncan Sutherland, German Ambassador HE Mr Jörg Ranau and his wife, Mrs Heike Ranau.

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Film Festival

Members of the NUS and Canadian communities came together, to celebrate the opening of the Canadian Film Festival at the Shaw Foundation Alumni House on 18 March 2011 The week-long festival, a first time collaboration between the High Commission of Canada to Singapore and the NUS Alumni Office, showcased the best of Canadian feature films and animation shorts.

Among these were two Academy Award best short animations, ‘Ryan’ and ‘The Danish Poet’, and one Academy Award winner for best foreign film, ‘Les Invasions Barbares’.

The Festival was sponsored by Research in Motion, who also gave five BlackBerry handsets which were raffled away at the end of each evening’s screening.

High Commissioner of Singapore to Canada, His Excellency Mr Koh Yong Guan (centre), met up with old friends, Former Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts, Mr David Lim (right), and Director of Alumni Relations, Assoc Prof Lim Meng Kin (left).

Mr Chua Sin Chew (3rd from left), Alumni Relations manager in charge of student engagement with NUSSU student leaders.

Former President of National University of Singapore Society (NUSS), Mr Lai Kim Seng (Engineering ’71).

(From left to right) Ms Belinda Ng with alumni Mrs Tan Suan Imm and Mdm Christine Low.

Former Director of NUS Alumni Office, Dr Lawrence Chia (right), and his wife, with Laurent the Mountie (Royal Canadian Mounted Police).

(From left to right) Mrs Heike Ranau and HE Mr Jörg Ranau; Assoc Prof Lim Meng Kin; National University of Singapore Society (NUSS) President, Mr Johnny Tan (Science, ’82); HE Mr David Sevigny and Mrs Mary Sevigny; Director of International Relations Office, Assoc Prof Anne Pakir (Arts and Social Sciences, ’71), Polish Ambassador HE Mr Waldemar Dubaniowski and wife Mrs Ewa Dubaniowski.

AlumNUS | April - June 2011

alumni CONNECTIONS

Keeping The Beat The University of Singapore Military Band, the beginnings of music at NUS

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The late Mr Gerry Soliano (front row, man in cap), with his musicians at camp at the Red Cross Home.

second home was not the library or the union house. It was C10 – where friendships which have stood the test of time were forged.

The Sound of Music The year was 1968 – the year that Dr Toh Chin Chye (Raffles College ’47), then Vice Chancellor of the University of Singapore, decided that university students could benefit from a music programme on campus. Hence, the University of Singapore Military Band (USMB) was born.

After their success at the 1969 National Day Parade, the band went on to perform at the 1970 National Day Parade and at the MacRitchie Reservoir Bandstand, a popular venue for performances in the 70s. They also performed ‘Beating of the Retreat’ on 4 December 1971, a special performance of marching drills and precision formations perfected through a three-week camp of intensive training at Tanah Merah. It was then that Dr Toh presented a flag to the band in recognition that the band was an important flag bearer of the University of Singapore. This flag travelled with the band on many international tours, beginning with Thailand in 1975.

Word went out and almost 100 students and staff members signed up. The late Mr Gerry Soliano, a professional musician well-known in the music-circles of Singapore, was appointed to mould these new recruits into a band of note. In his sixties then, this grand old man of music took on the challenge with the energy and verve of a 30-year-old.

Not Forgotten From 1972 to 1973, many of the third cohort graduated and left the university to pursue their careers. The vibrancy that had existed with their presence in C10 departed with them. In 1973, Gerry retired.

The music room-cum-music store allocated to him was a dingy room located between the upper and lower quadrangles of the Bukit Timah campus. It was called ‘C10’ - the room number allocated by administrative officials.

Gerry was not forgotten by his C10 family after his retirement. The family came together for picnics, satay parties and carolling sessions at his house.

During these sessions, Gerry’s musical instruments - a very expensive violin and a saxophone being amongst them, were brought out for jolly jam sessions.

USMB performing at the National Day Parade, 1971, with the late Mr Gerry Soliano (man on the left) leading them.

Still making music together, after 40 years.

Some C10 members at a jam session in December 2010. (From left to right) Mr Chia Teck Suan (Engineering, ’75), Mr Su Allin (Engineering ’73), Ms Wong Wai Lin (Arts and Social Sciences, ’74), Ms Ting Seng Keow (Arts and Social Sciences, ’72), Mr Ow Chong Mien (Engineering, ’73) and Mr Lim Su Tjing (Science, ’72).

Here, band trainees would gather and learn how to read music and practise on their instrument of choice. Many came and went, but a few stayed on to become the fervent core of USMB. The band was realised in record time and launched in 1969 – just in time to lead the University contingent in the National Day Parade that year.

Home Away From Home What has come to be known affectionately as the C10 family was made up of some from the pioneer batch, together with the third cohort of USMB trainees of 1970. For them, their

Mr Gerry Soliano passed away in 1989 but is still fondly remembered by his C10 family.

Music at NUS today This was the birth of the NUS’s Music Department and present-day music activities. In 2001, NUS founded Singapore’s first conservatory of music which prepares students for careers in music performance and composition.

It was later renamed the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music. The music scene has become more vibrant with new NUS societies formed such as the Original Music Society, which supports local independent music on campus and beyond.

Mr Chia Teck Suan (Engineering, ’75), one of the members of C10 wrote this poem in tribute to the man.

We had a smoky hang-out called C10, it was also a great man’s den.

In that room was born a band carrying that Gerry Soliano stress-free brand.

From all walks and creeds we came to join and create USMB fame.

We were hailed for Beating The Retreat and given a flag to mark the feat.

Now 40 years on our C10 family still meets to reminisce on those years that were sweet Great memories are recanted by many All a tribute to Gerry, our musical nanny.

Article contributed by the C10 family.

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Come home to

nus!

Come back to NUS this July! Join us at the Bukit Tima h Campus (8 July) and Kent Ridge Campus (30 July) for NUS Alumni Day 2011 .

Reconnect with old friends and introduce new ones to your old stomping ground.

@

20 11 2011

Bukit Timah Campus

Date : 8 July, Friday Time : from 4.30pm Venue : Oei Tiong Ham Building Relive the good old days under the stars amongst friends. With our sumptuous hawker fare dinner and our ‘blast from the past’ music selection throughout the night, it will almost feel as though you never left.

Among other festivities, we will also be celebrating the 50th Anniversary Reunion for the class of ’61.

Tell us your favourite memory of the university and stand a chance to be featured in our ‘Walk Down Memory Lane’ treasury. The winning entry will have the opportunity to share his/her story at the Alumni Day 2011 too.

@

iends! r f & d o fo , n u f f o y a d Welcome home to a

20 11 2011

Kent Ridge Campus

Date : 30 July, Saturday Time : from 9.30am Venue : Shaw Foundation Alumni House Missed the scenic ride along the campus bus route? Wondering what your friends have been up to since you graduated? Come back to Kent Ridge and be 19 again. We’ve planned a host of activities for both the young and the young-at-heart. Reconnect with class mates, hall mates at the sprawling campus @Kent Ridge.

Children are more than welcome!

Look out for more information in May 2011 on www.alumnet.nus.edu.sg Contact information: Alumni Day @ BTC - email josephine@nus.edu.sg or call 6516 6950/5775 Alumni Day @ KR - email kimz@nus.edu.sg or call 6516 5769/5775

Office of Alumni Relations National University of Singapore 11 Kent Ridge Drive, Shaw Foundation Alumni House Singapore 119244 Tel: 6516 5775 Fax: 6777 2065 Email: oarconnect@nus.edu.sg

AlumNUS | April - June 2011

alumni CONNECTIONS

Let There Be Light USP Alumni Bring Green Energy to Riau Islands With Project Light

Union House Kakis have Big Hearts Alumni from the 1970s remember good times and their alma mater They were called the Union House ‘kakis’ because they were friends who hung out at the (Student) Union House at the old NUS’ Bukit Timah Campus. Here, the foundations of firm friendships were built – friendships that span the different graduating classes of the early 1970s.

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In the late 80s, some of these friends decided that they should organise a wider scale reunion that would involve most of the Union House kakis. Initiated by Mano Sabnani, Archie Wong, and Navtej Singh, this idea grew to fruition and the Union House gang soon established the tradition of a big reunion every first Saturday of the year.

The Project Light team with Dr Kuntoro Mangkusubroto (centre, holding lamp), head of the Presidential Working Unit for Supervision and Management of Development (UKP4) and his team, after NDI presentation at Istana Negara, Jakarta, September 2010.

The people of a remote village in the Riau islands are now using solar-powered lamps, reducing their reliance on harmful kerosene lamps, thanks to alumni Gloria Arlini and Fairoz bin Ahmad (Class of 2006) of the NUS University Scholars Programme (USP) through their social entrepreneurship project, Project Light. They set up Nusantara Development Initiatives with the help of Professor Albert Teo at USP to run such projects.

Project Light received interest from Dr Kuntoro Mangkusubroto, Advisor to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, when the former visited Singapore in August 2010. Subsequently, he invited the NDI team to present Project Light at Indonesia’s presidential palace (Istana Negara).

Fairoz said, “After trying to build the solar-powered lamps ourselves, we found it more feasible to source for the best designed and most affordable model in the market (at US$18 per piece) and introduce it to the village.” Thus, Project Light was born.

The pair also shares that they wanted to move away from the charity model of giving welfare handouts. “Villagers pay the cost of the lamp through a weekly repayment scheme – this is to create a sense of ownership and prevent a dependency mentality from developing,” Fairoz explained.

In marketing the solar lamps, he said, “The positive after-effects of switching to an environmentally friendly power source can also be tangibly witnessed in the way their soot-blackened walls cleared up.”

On 8 January this year, 67 of these old friends gathered once more, for their annual reunion, this time at the Nationaly University of Singapore Society’s (NUSS) Bukit Timah Guild House.

The three-year project was expanded to reach the poorer villagers who may find themselves benefiting from a lamp rental scheme. The project also helps selected villagers to acquire entrepreneurial skills by helping them sell the lamps themselves, while generating a ripple effect of the lamp’s benefits to neighbouring villages. That would be Project Light’s exit strategy from this area.

Demand for these lamps continue to be strong among the Pulau Air Raja villagers. At least three other neighbouring villages are also keen on the lamps. NDI’s Entrepreneurship team is currently researching and developing a scheme to train suitable Air Raja entrepreneurs to tap on this ready rural market. NDI expects this to provide an alternative source of income for the villagers, at the same time spreading the benefits of solar-powered lamp to broader rural communities.

In 2002, the Class of 1972 celebrated their 30th Anniversary. They got together with their other Union House kakis to produce a DVD that captured their old campus grounds and they recorded an album of campus songs, giving themselves the tongue-in-cheek ‘band’ name of “The Elderly Brothers”. Comprising Archie Ong and Dr Robert Liew on the acoustic guitars, with Albert Phoon, Navtej Singh, Mano Sabnani, Victor Savage, Pala Krishnan and the late Francis Faizal Fernandez as singers, the group produced rip-roaring campus songs.

They also started ‘The Class of ’72 Student Bursary Fund, with David Ho leading the initiative. The fund has received a total of S$1.3 million as at 7 January 2011 and has benefitted 160 needy students who demonstrated strong leadership qualities and are Singapore citizens or permanent residents.

These fun-loving classmates take pleasure in giving back to their alma mater, the birthplace of fond memories and long-lasting friendships.

Friendships were rekindled and old memories renewed as these kakis made conversation and music on the grounds of their beloved Bukit Timah Campus.

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AlumNUS | April - June 2011

alumni CONNECTIONS

Pokhara Valley.

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e r u t u F A g n i d l i u B Red

at the Platoon

Everest

B

Red Platoon with New Zealand and local volunteers on Day 1 of Everest Build 2010.

0 uild 201

Pokhara Valley never fails to amaze visitors with her lush rice fields and snowcapped mountains against a backdrop of blue skies. The scenic view drew the same wonder from over 500 international volunteers at the Everest Build 2010, a project by Habitat for Humanity, but their thoughts were focused on the tiny, dark homes of the 41 Nepali families at Lakuri, Lekhnath Municipality, Pokhara. These homes, often shared by more than one family, stood in stark contrast to the stunning view.

International volunteers from 12 countries gathered with local ones at Everest Build to make a difference for these Nepali families from 1 to 9 October 2010. Among the international volunteers were those from Red Platoon Singapore, led by alumnus Amy Lee (Law, ’82).

Amy, the previous Chairperson and current Vice Chairperson at Habitat for Humanity Singapore, put a call out to her friends for Everest Build 2010. Her enthusiasm and experience from previous five Habitat builds motivated seven friends who responded. Leow Siu Cheng (Law, ’84), Teo Kwee Bee (Arts and Social Sciences, ’91), Anna Ng (Arts and Social Sciences, ’00), Belinda Ng (from the NUS Office of Alumni Relations), Natalie Wong, Geoffrey Seeto and Olivia Law volunteered to raise funds as well as build bamboo houses alongside the Nepali home owners.

The Singapore flag flew high that week in Pokhara. Red Platoon was thrilled to be part of the change for the Nepali families that desperately needed homes. Om, his wife Chemawati and son, Adarsha, were one of these families. Red Platoon, together with

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other volunteers from New Zealand and Nepal laboured alongside Chemawati to build her home – House No. 20, Leknath – under the sweltering heat. They split bamboo into strips to weave them into wall panels, mixed cement, plastered walls and finally painted them in vibrant blue and green. The pain and discomfort from hard manual work quickly faded when the volunteers saw the joy and pride on the faces of Om and his family during the visits of relatives and friends to their new home.

Red Platoon with Om (man in long-sleeved blue shirt), his wife (lady in sari) and their son on Day 3.

Om and his family now wake up to the same splendid view from their new home which had been graced by the President of Nepal, Dr Ram Baran Yadav, during the house dedication ceremony. It was the only one of the 41 houses at the Everest Build 2010 to receive this honour.

But more significant for the family are the three coins embedded into the wall over the main doorway. With one from Singapore, one from New Zealand and one from Nepal, these coins symbolise the friendship between the family and the volunteers of Red Platoon Singapore, New Zealand and Nepal. They also express hopes for a prosperous future for Om and his family that will in turn make a difference for other families in beautiful Pokhara.

Article contributed by Belinda Ng Photo Credits: Amy Lee, Anna Ng, Geoffrey Seeto & Natalie Wong

The volunteers plastering woven cane panels.

10

ways to stay connected

I

T IS free and it will last you a lifetime! Sign up for AlumMAIL – your complimentary, lifelong email account that immediately identifies you as a member of the prestigious NUS family.

1 34

Attend an alumni event/programme

6

Read The AlumNUS Magazine

Provided by the NUS Alumni Office as a gift to alumni to evoke a sense of pride, AlumMAIL, uses an email domain @alumni.nus.edu.sg, which helps you stay connected to your friends even after you leave the university. It is your gateway to maintain strong bonds with other alumni and serves as a lifelong connection between you and your alma mater.

Adopting the Microsoft Live@Edu platform, we have also upgraded AlumMAIL to serve you better.

2 3

Visit the Shaw Foundation Alumni House

7

Join an alumni group

8

Use your lifelong AlumMAIL account

Stay in touch via AlumNET

Here’s a slew of exciting features that will help you stay connected with your fellow alumni and alma mater:

4

9

Support students

• 10GB email storage (double the usual 5GB storage)

• Up to 25GB of online storage • Real-time chat • Other office productivity features

5

Use your AlumNUS card

10

Volunteer and share

Stay connected at www.alumnet.nus.edu.sg

Office of Alumni Relations

3 EASY STEPS

to getting your AlumMAIL Step 1: Go to URL www.alumnet. nus.edu.sg/portal

Step 2: Click on “New Sign-Up”

Step 3: Enter Particulars

• Lifelong email domain @alumni.nus. edu.sg which immediately identifies you as an esteemed NUS alumnus

• Improved contact and calendar management

Organise a class reunion

-Ups For New Sign (New Users)

Simply sign up at www.alumnet.nus.edu.sg and you can start to enjoy the exciting features of AlumMAIL!

lumMAIL/ For Existing A Users e-community

3 EASY STEPS to login Step 1: Log on to www.alumnet.nus.edu.sg Step 2: Click on “e-Community Sign-In” Step 3: Enter User-ID and Password

Please visit www.alumnet.nus.edu.sg for Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about AlumMAIL.

alumni CONNECTIONS

CASE Holds Fourth Advancement Conference in Asia-Pacific Region Experts from around the world gathered to discuss challenges facing educational institutions Alumni engagement strategies, common fundraising mistakes and reporting social media results are just a few of the topics that were discussed at the 2011 Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) AsiaPacific Advancement Conference, which took place 9 to 11 March, at the Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel in Singapore.

36

Mr John Lippincott, President of CASE, delivering the Welcome Address of the conference.

Designed for professionals who work at educational institutions in alumni relations, fundraising, marketing and communications, the annual conference focused on advancement at independent and international schools and institutions of higher education.

It featured sessions on fundraising strategies, building relationships and using the best tools to increase outreach.

Over 280 delegates from 17 countries, including 49 from NUS, participated in the conference, which featured 45 speakers in 35 sessions. Many

of these sessions were customised to address the uniqueness and diversity of the Asia-Pacific region. Speakers shared their success stories and pitfalls as they discussed how their advancement practices are shaped by cultural traditions special to each region.

At the conference gala dinner on 10 March, CASE presented the Circle of Excellence awards for exceptional achievement to the Chinese International School of Hong Kong. Theodore S. Faunce, headmaster of the school received the 2011 CASE Asia-Pacific Chief Executive Leadership Award for his outstanding service to education and the wider community.

This is the fourth comprehensive CASE conference in Asia and underscores the growing importance of advancement in the region and elsewhere around the world as institutions work to secure private financial support, engage alumni and attract prospective students.

Alumni House

Alumni House

AlumNUS | April - June 2011

June

What makes Montage different from other photographic competitions?

Photo courtesy of Vicky Yeow

April

Photo courtesy of Triston Yeo

Montage 2011: “What if?”

4 June, Workshops 10am – 6pm, Documentary screening 7.30pm

May

Despicable Me (PG)

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30 June, 7.30pm Auditorium Running time: 95 minutes

Hot Fuzz (M18) 28 April, 7.30pm Auditorium Running time: 121 minutes Admission: All guests 18 years of age and above welcome Jealous colleagues conspire to get a top London cop, Sergeant Nicholas Angel (Simon Pegg) transferred to a small town and paired with a witless new partner, PC Danny Butterman (Nick Frost). On the beat, the pair stumble upon a series of suspicious events.

As a series of grisly accidents rocks the village, Angel is convinced that Sandford is not what it seems and as the intrigue deepens, Danny’s dreams of explosive, high-octane, car-chasing, gun-fighting, all-out action seems more and more like a reality. It’s time for these smalltown cops to break out some big-city justice.

Ip Man 2 (PG) 26 May, 7.30pm Auditorium Running time: 108 minutes Cantonese with English subtitles International megastar Donnie Yen reprises his iconic role as the real-life kung fu grandmaster Ip Man in this martial arts spectacular. Ip Man arrives in Hong Kong, after escaping the Japanese occupation in China, to open a martial arts academy.

But a corrupt cabal of Hong Kong martial arts masters, led by Hung Chun-nam (the legendary Sammo Hung), refuses to allow Ip to teach until he proves himself- and prove himself he does, in an intense series of fights against the masters showcasing a dazzling variety of martial arts styles.

Shaw Foundation Alumni House | 11 Kent Ridge Drive, Singapore 119244 Admission: All are welcome | Online Registration : www.alumnet.nus.edu.sg For enquiries please contact Josephine at josephine@nus.edu.sg or 6516 6950.

Vying for the title of “World’s Greatest Villain”, Gru (voiced by Steve Carell) – along with his hilarious crew of mischievous minions – plots to pull off the craziest crime of the century: steal the moon! But when Gru enlists the help of three little girls, they see something in him nobody else has ever seen: the perfect dad.

From executive producer Chris Meledandri (Horton Hears a Who, Ice Age), and featuring the voices of an all-star comedic cast, including Jason Segel, Russell Brand, Miranda Cosgrove and Julie Andrews, Despicable Me is “rousingly funny, heartfelt and imaginative” (Pete Hammond, Boxoffice Magazine).

42nd Management Committee The Photographic Society of NUS

What can alumni photography enthusiasts look forward to at Montage this year?

Alumni are encouraged to take part in the competition and submit their works. Some of these will then be chosen to be on display at the Alumni House during the event day and week following after. In addition, the workshops being held that day will be conducted by professional photographers who include NUS alumni. __________________________________ Can anyone be a photographer?

Started in 1999, Montage has been organised by the Photographic Society of NUS (NUSPS) with the aim of providing students and members of the public an opportunity to nurture and develop their interest in photography.

The Alumni Office is please to host this year’s Montage which presents the theme – “What if?”. It is chosen to encourage creative thinking through photography.

Photographers are given the freedom to express themselves through what they perceive of any situation or object and tell their own story as well as to envision new ways to think of everyday life. The day will see a host of photographic workshops and in the evening a cocktail reception will be held followed by a screening of the documentary Annie Leibovitz – Life Through A Lens about the life and work of the famed photographer.

We catch up with the NUSPS President, Hanny Kusumawardhani, to learn more about this event.

All are welcome!

Montage includes a series of photographic events to allow participants as well as the public to gain a well-rounded experience.

From putting their skills into practice (through the competition) to picking up new tips and skills from professional photographs (through workshops and seminars), photographers are given the platform to enhance their photographic skills and knowledge. ___________________________________

Visit www.alumnet.nus.edu.sg for full details and registration on all upcoming Alumni House Programmes.

Yes, of course! With keen eyes and open mind, anyone can be a photographer. Just pick up a camera and get ready to view the world through a different set of lenses!

The submission deadline for the photographic competition is 15 May 2011 through www.montage.sg. Registration and payment for the workshops will also be through this website.

To register for the cocktail reception and screening of Annie Leibovitz – Life Through A Lens, please log on to www.alumnet.nus.edu.sg. The reception and screening is free and open to all NUS alumni, staff and students.

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AlumNUS | April - June 2011

alumni CONNECTIONS

Re: Almost Left Behind NUS Theatre Studies alumni return home to showcase their talent

Triston’s works capture the side of local landscapes seldom seen in tourist brochures.

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Capturing the Underbelly NUS alumnus Triston Yeo (Arts and Social Sciences, ’97) tells The AlumNUS Magazine more about his life as a professional photographer with a social mission “Seriously, I’m quite crazy about photography” – Triston Yeo, alumnus and professional photographer.

A frequent traveller to developing countries in the region, Triston captures the underbelly of the local landscapes, beyond what tourist brochures want us to see. An example of his commitment could be seen when, together with a group of other concerned photographers, he sneaked into a refugee camp between the borders of Thailand and Burma to teach basic photography to the refugees. He shared, “These refugees are the best people to document their own lives and perhaps one day, they would be able to tell the story of what their lives in refugee camps were really like”.

Triston will be conducting a workshop in the art of framing and travel editorial as part of the INVIGORATE programme which hosts this year’s NUS Photographic Society Montage seminar and exhibition on 4 June. To register please log on to www.montage.sg. An exhibition of Triston’s work will be on display at the Alumni House from 4 to 9 June.

One of Triston’s long term goals is to gather Asian photographers whom he can commission to

produce work equivalent to that of National Geographic, but focusing only on Asia. “It’s difficult to get into the National Geographic community so I would like to create opportunities for myself and other Asians to produce the same kind of good work that National Geographic does,” he revealed.

A graduate from the NUS Theatre Studies programme, Triston’s career path started out with stints in Mediacorp and the Dean’s office of the NUS Engineering Faculty. It took him about six years to realise the growing passion he felt for photography. With a lot of courage and a little trepidation, he pursued his dream and has not looked back. His passion and talent quickly became obvious as his work as a Fine Art Travel photographer gained him accreditation as a Fellow of the Master Photographer Association of the UK, the only trade body in UK exclusively accrediting full-time professional wedding, portrait and commercial photographers.

(Photo on the left) Directors of Thespis, Tan Liting (left) and Thong Pei Qin (right).

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The scene in the Shaw Foundation Alumni House on the 12 March 2011 was certainly a sight to behold. From a quaint camping tent perched in the middle of the Concourse to an incense-filled dreamland constructed within Seminar Room 3, for one night only the Alumni House transformed into an exhibition of performance art. Walking through the Benefactors Foyer before the show began, one could feel a wave of electricity as the artistes stretched their muscles and spoke to the walls, preparing to get into character. Each one had a story to tell and they were about to share it with the audience.

This was a performance by Thespis, an alumni interest group from the NUS Theatre Studies programme. Called ‘Re: Almost Left Behind’, it was commissioned by the Singapore Arts Festival and it was presented as part of the the NUS Alumni Office’s INVIGORATE platform, a programme which supports and showcases alumni talents.

It was a full circle moment for the directors of the performance, Tan Liting (Arts and Social Sciences, ’10) and Thong Pei Qin (Arts and Social Sciences, ’09), with running themes of ‘travel’ and ‘coming home’ throughout the performances. “I was very proud that I could come back here and make use of this very space and we’re very grateful that we’re given the chance to perform at the Alumni House,” said Pei Qin. The audience, each armed with a map of performances began their journey through the Alumni House stopping at each performance that lasted about 10 minutes each. There were also The final performance of rooms with ongoing performances for them to go in ‘Re: Almost Left Behind’ will and out of as they wished. Laughter and squeals of be at the Substation on 27 and delight echoed through the halls as the performers 28 May. Tickets are available shared their honest and intimate life experiences. at all SISTIC outlets.

The event ended with a final gathering back in the Auditorium where members of the audience

(From top to bottom)10 minute performances were staged in various parts of the Alumni House.

were encouraged to give their feedback of the performance to the actors to help in the development of their work.

For many alumni, it was their first time to the Alumni House. “It’s exciting knowing that there are a lot of talented alumni out there. I’m glad I came back,” said alumnus Chang Mei Ling, (Science ’10).

By: Valerie Vincent (Business, ’10)

AlumNUS | April - June 2011

Alumni buzz

Alumni Groups

Faculties

The Gift of Hindsight Alumni Invest in the Next Generation as Mentors What is the next best thing to saving years on your own learning curve? Saving it for others.

Claire Ban (Arts and Social Sciences, ’07), after almost four years in the working world, felt a restless stirring to stretch her hand out a little further to share her insights. She explained, “I want to help my juniors think a little deeper, a little further and a little differently about life after university.”

NUS Alumni Dragonboat team members came together with friends and supporters from other teams for a memorial row in remembrance of the late Mr Adrian Lee.

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The Last Lap: In Memory of Mr Adrian Lee

Renewing Bonds in the New Year

NUS Alumni Dragonboat Team members, as well as members from other teams, gathered together to row as one, in remembrance of a dear friend and alumni team member, the late Mr Adrian Lee Yang Kwang, who passed away on 1 January 2010. Mr Lee was in the NUS Dragonboat Team from 1999 to 2003 and was one of the founders of the NUS Alumni Dragonboat Team. The memorial row brought back fond memories of Adrian who played a big role in motivating members to persevere. 70 friends and supporters from three different teams turned up on 2 January 2011 to row alongside one another – not in competition, but with the common aim to remember a man who inspired and united many with his ardent pursuit of and love for the sport.

FASS Alumni Celebrate Ties in the Year of the Rabbit

By Angela Pan, (Science, ’03)

(From left to right) Assoc Prof Paulin Straughan, Mrs Tan Suan Imm, and Dean Prof Brenda Yeoh ushering in the Year of the Rabbit at the FASS ‘Lo-hei’ lunch.

Arts and Social Sciences alumni from across the years gathered for a reunion to usher in the Year of the Rabbit. Mrs Tan Suan Imm (Arts and Social Sciences, ’60), Dean of the Faculty of the Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) Professor Brenda Yeoh and Associate Professor Paulin Straughan (Arts and Social Sciences, ’85) kick-started the ‘Lo Hei’ lunch for 60 alumni, faculty members and friends of the faculty with a gong.

Angeline Tang (Arts and Social Sciences, ’96), a graduate in European Studies, currently working for LesConcierges, Inc. / AXA Assistance as their Partnership Marketing Manager for the Asia Pacific, feels that FASS has instilled in her the qualities of trust, appreciation, imagination and contribution. Eric Chen (Arts and Social Sciences, ’09) feels that his education in FASS has given him the capacity to integrate various vantage points and apply this multi-disciplinary knowledge to real-world problems. Eric, who graduated with a degree in Economics, is an Associate with the structured finance team at BNP Paribas.

The strong FASS alumni network found themselves in the good company of Matthew Quek (Arts and Social Sciences, ’02), a History teacher and the first Ministry of Education Idol winner in 2004, who sang a range of English and Chinese songs, and Archie Ong (Arts and Social Sciences, ’73), a mentor to many younger alumni such as Eric. As Eric aptly puts it, “Such an event strengthens the alumni network of FASS.”

When a group of NUS Economics alumni launched a mentorship programme for undergraduates, Claire immediately signed up as a mentor. She shared, “I have always felt strongly about giving back. If I could turn back the clock and become an undergraduate again, I would have seized every opportunity to understand and prepare better for the world out there.” Claire works in the logistics and supply chain industry and now shares the benefits of her work experience with three economics undergraduates.

The five-month-old NUS Economics Alumni Mentorship Programme, launched in collaboration with undergraduates from the NUS Economics Society, has 20 undergraduates and nine alumni mentors from banking, energy, government, shipping, and transport.

Dr Lee Soo Ann, Chairman of the NUS Economics Alumni and senior fellow at the Department of Economics, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences said, “In the university setting, students appreciate advice on the paths they could pursue after graduation. However, they may not be familiar with the avenues they can tap into to access such guidance. The mentorship programme bridges the gap between these students and alumni, who are often very enthusiastic about giving back to the University as mentors.”

If you are an economics graduate and would like to help out in the mentorship programme, please email NUS Economics Alumni at: escbox8@nus.edu.sg

Calling for Volunteers – Rag Day 2011 It’s a Rag Day not to be missed! We’re heading down to Marina Bay for the festivities and we need a team to help create the Alumni Float for this historical event.

Engineering Alu mni Network on Facebook The NUS Engineering Alumni Network is now available on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/NUSEngineering-Alumni-Network/ 169630006391270. We hope this new platform will be a place our alumni can call home.

Connect with your alma mater and reconnect with your classmates, share ideas, interests and insights here! Over time, we will offer more information and activities that are meaningful to you. Come and join us!

This year, each participating body will be allocated a charity through a balloting system. Along with preparing the floats and performances, we get to spend some time with our charities and get them to join in the fun!

If you’re interested in volunteering with us as a director/designer/dancer/actor (or anything else you can think of!) contact Ms. Josephine Chow (HYPERLINK “mailto:josephine@nus.edu.sg” josephine@nus.edu.sg) for more information.

Registration Deadline: 15 May 2011

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AlumNUS | April - June 2011

Alumni connections

Staying Connected through

NUS Alumni Groups Chinese Studies Alumni Association Mr Lim Sin Tat Email: sintat@fa.com.sg Website: www.fas.nus.edu.sg/chs

Japanese Studies Alumni Association Ms Sia Sheau Chwen Email: chwensia@gmail.com

44

NUS Economics Alumni Dr Lee Soo Ann Email: ecsbox8@nus.edu.sg Website: www.nuseconomicsalumni.org NUS History Alumni Association Ms Yeap Mei Yi Email: meiyiyeap@gmail.com Website: www.nushistoryalumni.sg Political Science Alumni Association Mr Nicholas Lee Email: nl9007@hotmail.com

Faculty of Dentistry

Guild of Dental Graduates Singapore Dr Alvin Lee Email: lvinlee@gmail.com Website: http://www.dentistry.nus.edu.sg Dental Implantology Alumni Dr Shahul Hameed Email: drshahul@pacific.net.sg

Faculty of Engineering

Engineering Alumni Singapore Mr Keith Kee Email: keithkee@pacific.net.sg Website: http://www.easingapore.org/

Faculty of Science

Master of Science in Management of Technology Alumni (MOT) Mr Wong Kar Hong Email: karhong.wong@alumni.nus.edu.sg Pharmacy Alumni Dr Celine Liew Email: celineliew@nus.edu.sg Website: www.pharmacy.nus.edu.sg/alumni Physics Alumni Dr Phua Kok Khoo Email: kkphua@wspc.com.sg Website: www.nuspal.nus.edu.sg Science CBLC Alumni Association Mr Chua Yunjia Email: chua_yunjia@customs.gov.sg Website: http://scicblc.nus.edu.sg/alumni Science Youth Alumni Mr Quek Wee Tong Email: weetong@alumni.nus.edu.sg Website: www.scienceyouthalumni.com

NUS Business School

Diploma in Business Administration Alumni Mr Tan Tat Thye Email: tt_tan_sg@yahoo.com.sg MBA Alumni Dr Michael Teng Yeow Heng Email: admin@corporateturnaroundcentre.com Website: www.nusmbaalumni.org NUS Business School Alumni Association Mr Benny Lee Email: bennylee.nusbsa@gmail.com Website: www.bschool.nus.edu.sg/nusbsa

NUS SHE (Safety, Health and Environment) Alumni Png Mui Kee Email: mmkkpng@yahoo.com.sg

NUS Business School Mandarin Alumni Dr William Chung Tang Fong Email: wilctf@yahoo.com.sg Website: www.bschool.nus.edu.sg/MandarinAlumni

Faculty of Law

NUS Graduate School

Law Faculty Alumni Ms Goh Mia Yang Email: lawlink@nus.edu.sg Website: www.law.nus.edu.sg/alumni

AIESEC Singapore Alumni

NUS Alumni Photographic Society

NUSSU Alumni

Institute of System Science (ISS) Alumni

NUS Alumni Toastmasters Club

Singapore MIT Alliance Alumni Association (SMA)

Mr Ng Vern Shion Email: aalumnisg@yahoo.com Website: www.aiesec.org.sg Mr Wesley Kwon Email: K3107267@ntu.edu.sg

Nanyang University Graduate Christian Fellowship

FACULTY-BASED ALUMNI GROUPS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

INTEREST-BASED ALUMNI GROUPS

Integrative Sciences & Engineering Alumni Ms Gloria Chen Email: gloria@nus.edu.sg Website: http://blog.nus.edu.sg/ngsalumni

NUS Postgraduate Alumni Mr Deepak Pitta Email: postgrad@nusalumni.org

NUS Overseas Colleges

NUS Overseas Colleges Alumni Ms Chua Rui Wen Email: ruiwen.chua@nocalumni.org Website: www.nocalumni.org

Assoc Prof Lai Yee Hing Email: chmlaiyh@nus.edu.sg

National University of Singapore Society Mr Johnny Tan Email: jtan4nuss@gmail.com Website: www.nuss.org.sg

NS Pioneers Association Mr Teo Cheng Keng Email: chengkeng@gmail.com

NUS Alumni Dragonboat Team Mr Kow Weijie Email: imzbest_88@hotmail.com

Mr Yang Jie Xiang Email: jyjx@yahoo.com

Mr Xiong Dan Email: g0501193@alumni.nus.edu.sg Website: www.nusalumni.freetoasthost.org

NUS Climbing Alumni

Mr Toh Beng Li Email: De_philosopher@hotmail.com

NUS Radio Pulze Alumni Mr Lim Tau Wee (Lin Daowei) Email: daowei@radiopulze.com Website: www.radiopulze.com

NUS Volunteer Network Alumni Association Mr Timothy Lin Email: timothytim@hotmail.com Website: www.volunteerasone.org/alumni

Mr Charles Oh Email: charles.oh@cbs.com

Mr Su Xiangyong Stanley Email: sxystan@alum.mit.edu Website: www.singaporemitalliance.org

The Association of Nanyang University Graduates

Mr Chia Ban Seng Email: bschia@pacific.net.sg Website: www.nantahalumni.org.sg

The Nanyang University Alumni Academic Society

Dr Choong Chow Siong Email: cschoongcpa@pacific.net.sg

School of Computing

Computer and Information Science Alumni Association Mr Oliver Tian Sau Meng Email: oliver.tian@alumni.nus.edu.sg Website: www.alumni.nus.edu.sg/cisaa

School of Design and Environment

Architecture Alumni Association Mr Neo Sei Hwa Email: seihwa@tenarchitects.com.sg Website: www.arch.nus.edu.sg/alumni/AAA

Building & Estate Management Alumni Dr Teo Ho Pin Email: rstyal@nus.edu.sg Website: www.bema.org.sg Masters of Science (Environmental Management) Alumni Ms Amanda Ong Email: bluee@singnet.com.sg

University Scholars Programme

Scholars Programme Alumni Network Ms Gurvinderjit Kaut Email: uspgkss@nus.edu.sg Website: www.usp.nus.edu.sg/alumni

Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine The Alumni Association Dr Wong Keng Mun Email: kengmun3@yahoo.com.sg Website: www.alumni.nus.edu.sg/medical

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HALL-BASED ALUMNI GROUPS Eusoff Hall Alumni

Ms Wong Sheau Yann Email: sheauyann83@yahoo.com.sg Website: www.eusoff.nus.edu.sg

Kent Ridge Hall Alumni

Mr Kelvyn Choo Email: kr.alumni@gmail.com Website: www.kentridge.nus.edu.sg

King Edward VII Hall Alumni Association Ms Chia Jia Yan Email: chiajiayan@nus.edu.sg Website: www.kevii.nus.edu.sg

Raffles Hall Alumni

Mr Dixon Tioh Email: dixontioh@nus.edu.sg Website: www.raffles.nus.edu.sg

Sheares Hall & Dunearn Road Hostel Alumni Dr Colin Tan Keng Yan Email: colintan@nus.edu.sg

Temasek Hall Alumni

Mr Lee Yeow Chor Email: leeyeowchor@yahoo.com.sg Website: welcome.to/thalumni

OVERSEAS CHAPTERS NUS Alumni Chapter in Melbourne, Australia Dr Soh Leng Lu Email: nusalumnimelbourne@live.com.au

NUS Alumni Chapter in Perth, Australia Mr Thomas Goh Email: gohtlc@yahoo.com

NUS Alumni Association (Australia) INC, Sydney Mr Jack Tan Email: jtan@coinequities.com.au

NUS Alumni Chapter in Vancouver, Canada Mr Arthur Yap Email: ayap@shaw.ca

NUS Alumni Chapter in Beijing, China Mr David Lim Email: beijing@alumni.nus.edu.sg

NUS Alumni Chapter in Chengdu, China

NUS Alumni Chapter in Sarawak, Malaysia

NUS Alumni Chapter in Hong Kong

NUS Alumni Chapter in Auckland, New Zealand

Mr William Gan E-mail: williamgan@ncsi.com.cn

Ms Cheung Wai San Email: cheungwaisan@gmail.com

NUS Alumni Chapter in Shanghai, China Dr Cheah Kim Fee Email: sgdental@hotmail.com

NUS Alumni Chapter in New Delhi, India Mr Brahm Majithia Email: brahmmajithia@gmail.com

NUS Alumni Chapter in Tokyo, Japan Mr Tetsuya Fujimoto Email: tefuji@cam.hi-ho.ne.jp

Visit the Overseas Alumni Chapters e-Community sites: www.alumnet.nus.edu.sg Log into the e-Community site with your AlumMAIL address and password.

Mr Paul Kho Email: paulkhk@tm.net.my

Mr Ee Chiong Boon Email: davedawn@clear.net.nz

NUS Alumni Chapter in London, United Kingdom Dr Tan Peng Guan Email: london@alumni.nus.edu.sg

NUS Alumni Chapter in Boston, USA Mr Robin Low Email: robinlow@yahoo.com

NUS Alumni Chapter in San Francisco and the Bay Area, USA Mr Chong Fu Chiung Email: fuchiung@hotmail.com

AlumNUS Card Merchants Listing The complimentary AlumNUS Card identifies you as part of the prestigious NUS alumni family and is your gateway to a host of benefits. Get your card online at www.alumnet.nus.edu.sg/alumnuscard Terms & Conditions apply. The NUS Alumni Office and the AlumNUS merchants reserve the right to amend the terms and conditions governing the offers at any time. All information is correct at press time. Visit www.alumnet.nus. edu.sg/alumnuscard for the latest privileges and promotions.

Kindly note that the NUS Staff Club has ceased partnership with the Office of Alumni Relations. Complimentary gym and pool access will no longer be available to NUS alumni with immediate effect. We are sorry for any inconvenience caused.

The University Club

Hotel Re! @ Pearl’s Hill

Enjoy:

10% off ala carte at Re!Fill and Re!Wine – 15% off ala carte at Re!Fill and Re!Wine

–

during the birthday month – One dines free with every 3 paying adults at weekend Re!Plenish International Buffet Brunch (UP *$38.80++ per pax, child 4 – 11 yrs $18.80++ per pax) Visit www.hotelre.com.sg or call 6827 8228

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AlumNUS cardholders enjoy % discount off ala carte Visit www.the universityclub.sg For reservations, contact Jack Sim at 6779 8919

GNC Enjoy

15% discount off regular items

Visit www.gnc.com.sg

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SUN Asian Bistro Enjoy

10% discount off total bill with minimum

Prince’s Flower Shop

20%

Enjoy discount for walk-in Key in Promo Code PFNUS when checking out online to get specials at

spending of S$15

Visit www.sun asianbistro.com.sg or call 6776 6315

Tables by the Bay Enjoy –

10% discount off total bill

15% discount on Flowers – 10% discount on Flowers+Gift

–

For more information, visit www.prince.com.sg

– 1-for-1 bottled Tiger Beer on Wednesdays from 6.30pm - 9.30pm

Adventure Quests Pte Ltd

For reservations, call 6375 5516

NUS Centre for the Arts Link Hotel Singapore Enjoy

15% discount off ala carte

food and beverage (inclusive of bottles)

Enjoy: – For Land Price from $800–$2000, discount of $100 per person – For Land Price of $2001 and above, discount of $150 per person For more information, visit www.adventure-quests.com or email: info@adventure-quests.com

Visit www.linkhotel.com.sg or call 6622 8585 / 6622 8562

Rasel Catering

Enjoy – Free waiver of transportation for order above $400 – Free platter of pastries and cakes (worth up to $100) for order above $600 Visit www.rasel.com.sg or call 6777 7183

Fraser Hospitality (Singapore) Enjoy exclusive rates from the 3 properties ranging from S$238 for a Loft Studio to S$615 for a Three Bedroom Premier.

Fraser Suites River Valley Fraser Place Fusionpolis Fraser Place Robertson Walk Email: sales.singapore@frasershospitality.com

AlumNUS | April - June 2011

Dates to Remember

Alumni Events April to June 2011 Senior Alumni Tea & Chat APRIL

28 thur MAY

26 thur JUNE

30 thur

Feature Flicks APRIL

28 thur

My Name is Khan (PG) Hot Fuzz (M18) (see page 42) 38) (see page

MAY

26 thur

Heartbreaker Ip Man 2 (M18) (PG) (see page 42) 38) (see page

JUNE

30 thur

Gentlemen PreferMe Blondes Despicable (PG) (PG) (see page 42) 38) (see page

U@live

Invigorate

APRIL

JUNE

27 Wed

Speaker: Dr Tan Lai Yong (see page 19)

4 SAT

(see page 39)

(see pages 23 to 26)

MAY

25 Wed

Montage 2011 : “What if?”

Speaker: Jane Lee (see page 19)

JUNE

29 Wed

Speaker: Edward Chia (see page 19)

JUNE

5-9 SUN to THUR Exhibition of Montage by alumni photographers

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