The AlumNUS Jan-Mar 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

ISSN: 0129-3583 JANUARY – MARCH 2011 ISSUE NO. 84

Honouring The Best Breaking New Ground Fostering Thought Leadership From the Bench to the Bedside

AlumNUS | January - March 2011

First Word In his 2010 State of the University Address, NUS President Professor Tan Chorh Chuan likened our moving into uncharted waters to Venezuelan boatmen skilfully manoeuvring their boats up the rapids. The trick, he said, is to “read the water well”.

In this issue, we feature two initiatives designed to set NUS apart from the rest: the Global-Asia Institute which will provide thought leadership on issues that are critical to Asia, and the University Town which will bring residential learning to a new level. Both will place us on the trajectory to becoming a world class university centred in Asia.

As the University charts its way forward, so have many alumni in the same spirit. Read about the achievements of some of our recently-honoured alumni, including the 2010 winner of the President’s Science Award, and the many Alumni Award recipients and medallists from Engineering, Business and Medicine.

In 2010, numerous reunions such as the 25th anniversary for the Class of ’85, the 87th anniversary for the Medical Alumni Association, and the 10th anniversary for the UK Alumni Chapter, have brought together old friends and rekindled the NUS spirit. Building on this keen interest to reconnect with one another and with the alma mater, the Office of Alumni Relations has lined up a slew of exciting activities for 2011. We look forward to seeing you at these events.

One that is worth highlighting is a new platform to be launched at NUS in January 2011. U@live (pronounced “U-alive”) is a special monthly forum that will showcase members of the NUS community who are passionately championing causes that make for a better world. U@live will be streamed live through a dedicated website and you can post real time comments and questions to the speakers via Facebook and Twitter. Just log on to www.nus.edu.sg/ualive.

NEWS HIGHLIGHT

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State of the University Address 2010

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Breaking new ground

FEATURE

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Fostering thought leadership

PROFILE

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From the bench to the bedside

CAMPUS WATCH

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Giving to the future of education

ALUMNI CONNECTIONS

16 Honouring the best in engineering 18 Honouring the best in business 29 UK chapter celebrates 10th anniversary

30 Reconnecting 87 years on

And in keeping with the buoyant mood of the New Year, here’s wishing one and all a happy and exciting 2011! on the cover:

JANUARY – MARCH 2011 ISSUE NO. 84

Director Assoc Prof Lim Meng Kin, Medicine ’74

Editor Karin Yeo, Arts ’97

Design & Layout

Minister for the Environment and Water Resources and recipient of the Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award, Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, and Chairman of NUS Board of Trustees, Mr Wong Ngit Liong, launching “Singapore’s Engineer-Leaders”, a commemorative book to mark the Faculty’s 55th Anniversary, at the Engineering Alumni Gala Dinner in October 2010.

The AlumNUS Magazine is published four times annually in January, April, July and October. The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the NUS Alumni Office or the National University of Singapore. Contributions for the April 2011 issue should reach the Editor by 31 January 2011.

Fuse Creative Singapore

Contributors: Lo Tuck Leong, Public Policy ’95, Lo Tien Yin, Arts ‘85, Lynette Long, Science ’97, Goh Huijuan, Nichole Yeo, Angela Pan, Science ’03, Yvonne Teng, Science ’05, Heng Lingzhi, Medicine ’08, Chinari Pawan, Connie Chung, Arts ‘82, Pery Irawan, Public Policy ‘09

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

President’s Message

Professor Tan Chorh Chuan, Medicine ’83 NUS President

Dear NUS Alumni, Faculty, Staff, Students and Friends, 2010 has been an exhilarating year for NUS, moving us closer to realising our vision of becoming a leading global university centred in Asia.

spend a year at our Overseas Colleges located in the major entrepreneurial hubs of Silicon Valley, Bio Valley, Stockholm, Beijing, Shanghai and Bangalore.

In 2009, I had spoken of seizing opportunities in a rapidly changing world and on the need to intensify efforts to develop NUS as a pre-eminent knowledge centre providing a more integrated understanding of critical issues and challenges confronting Asia and the rest of the world. At the 2010 State of the University Address, I was happy to share some major initiatives which will further strengthen our position as a thought-leader in Asia.

The proposed establishment of a liberal arts college in partnership with Yale University is another strategic move which will position us well for the future. The liberal arts education model is new to Asia. In setting up the Yale-NUS liberal arts college, we will endeavour to develop a new model in a form of education which we believe will be increasingly valued, preparing our students for global leadership and equipping them to address the complex challenges of our globalised world.

Today, the NUS Global-Asia Institute has core research programmes including cross-disciplinary collaborations that explore different aspects of urbanisation in Asia, map its technological landscape, and assess holistic approaches to chronic disease.

The NUS University Town represents another strategic thrust that will broaden significantly the educational experience of our students. UTown will start to admit students into its first two residential colleges in its initial phase in August 2011.

We are off to a good start with the appointment, as Rectors, of Professor Wang Gungwu and Professor Tommy Koh. Both are highly respected international figures who bring with them unique global and Asian perspectives that will enhance residential learning at UTown.

We are also setting up an NUS Research Institute in Suzhou Industrial Park. It will pursue research in synergy with the NUS Integrative Research Clusters, including areas such as finance, water and environmental sustainability. It will also have an incubator to support NUS start-ups and help them scale up their businesses in the Chinese market, in collaboration with Chinese partners.

Even as we continue to re-shape the curricula in our various Schools and Faculties to position them strongly for the future, our students have been leveraging on our strong linkages with top foreign universities for joint and double degree programmes. The more entrepreneurially inclined ones will

NUS thrives as a dynamic university, characterised by a strong sense of self-belief and forward movement. We are ranked among the leading universities of the world. Our success and dynamism is a reflection and result of the quality and creativity of the NUS community. In this New Year, I look forward to working with our alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends, to further advance our University’s strong competitive edge, and to provide distinctive value to Singapore as a significant player in a rising Asia.

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AlumNUS | January - March 2011

News Highlights

State of the University Address 2010: Reading the Water Well globally, and moving to a position of even greater influence and leadership.

To fulfil these goals, he urged the University’s talented faculty, staff and students to continue to push the envelope of excellence – to optimise their talent and potential, to rise above themselves and others; to explore fresh and better ways of doing things and to stand out by differentiating their work.

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State of the University Address 2010: NUS President Prof Tan Chorh Chuan sharing his thoughts on strategic directions for the University in the year ahead.

With NUS’ reputation and rising trajectory as a world-class university offering excellent education and research, what is the way forward as it moves into less-charted waters? How can NUS stay at the leading edge and highly relevant to the times? What is the new and distinctive value that it can and should create now and in the future?

These were some key questions raised by NUS President Prof Tan Chorh Chuan at his annual State of the University Address (SoUA) on 11 October 2010 at the University Cultural Centre. Drawing inspiration from the boatmen of Kamarata in Venezuela who skilfully manoeuvred their boats up rapids, Prof Tan said that like them, “we need to constantly look forward, ‘to read the water well’, to discern the main currents from the eddies, and to chart the best course that will take us swiftly and safely ahead.”

Translated to the NUS context, it meant that we should be keenly aware of future challenges and external competition, and to recognise the need to stay well ahead of the curve, making significant contributions to higher education

Elaborating on the spirit to excel by “being where others aren’t going to be”, Prof Tan said: “What has shaped our reputation today are the transformative measures started 10 or more years ago. What will make our reputation soar in a decade hence will be the bold and strategic moves we initiate now. Progressive and incremental changes are essential and important. But we must also do some things that are substantially different, that will help us leap-frog forward, to position for the future.”

applications and make every effort to facilitate this translation for greater and wider societal impact while advancing knowledge.

India, he said the University was in advanced discussions to set up an NUS Research Institute in Suzhou Industrial Park, with the strong support of the authorities there.

One such education model which would be of great strategic value was the proposed establishment of a liberal arts college in partnership with Yale University. “This Liberal Arts education model is new to Asia. Yet, we strongly believe that it will become increasingly valued in the future, by high-potential students, and by employers and society. ... For NUS, setting up a new Liberal Arts College would enable us to take a leadership position in a key form of education for the future, and to attract even more of the brightest students. In this exciting enterprise, we are delighted at the prospect of partnering Yale University to set up the proposed Yale-NUS College,” noted Prof Tan.

enabling intimate and in-depth discussions.

The residential college curriculum complements the regular curriculum in their faculties and schools, and will be rolled out over a two-year residency period.

It will help nurture intellectual and life skills, while enabling students to develop a deep understanding of global issues as well as Asian and local perspectives.”

Besides the liberal arts education model, the NUS University Town (UTown) will offer students yet another distinctive educational experience through residential college learning. NUS Deputy President (Academic Affairs) and Provost Prof Tan Eng Chye, who presented an overview of progress of the UTown project during the SoUA, said that UTown was an educational concept unlike any other in Singapore’s current higher education landscape.

Crucial shifts over the past 10 years which have resulted in a much richer, responsive and rigorous education offered by NUS

He explained that residential college learning in UTown will be carried out through “A carefully thought-out curriculum, emphasising communication skills, interactive peer group learning and interdisciplinary engagement. Each class will have no more than 15 students,

Looking into the future, in view of the complex and interconnected issues facing Asia and the world, he spoke of the compelling need for new educational models focused primarily on nurturing graduates who could think deeply about issues, while having a broad intellectual base which allowed them to see connections Amongst the distinguished guests: (From left) Member of Parliament East Coast Group Representation Constituency and Managing Director of and solutions across Microsoft Singapore Ms Jessica Tan Soon Neo; CEO of Temasek Holdings different disciplines in Madam Ho Ching; Senior Advisor of SAA Architects and NUS Board of Trustees member Mr Edward D’Silva; and NUS Deputy President (Academic more original ways.

Affairs) and Provost Prof Tan Eng Chye.

Besides educational initiatives, NUS President Prof Tan Chorh Chuan also highlighted NUS’ research strategies.

He underscored the need to continue pursuing high quality basic research, recruit world-class researchers, be alert to potentially useful research

Substantial broadening of education across our university “Today, a quarter of the courses NUS undergraduates take, are in subjects outside their specific discipline.

Greater flexibility in educational framework “A more recent innovation is the creation of highly multidisciplinary courses. For example, our Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and our Faculty of Science are spearheading a new four-year undergraduate Environmental Studies

He also updated the audience on the good progress made by the five integrative research clusters, formed last year to address the need for more integrative research.

Moving forward, as part of NUS’ strategy to provide thought leadership on critical issues in Asia, particularly China and

Programme designed and taught by experts from eight Faculties.”

More distinctive global education programmes “Perhaps the most prominent of these are our six NUS Overseas Colleges that provide unique experiential entrepreneurship education.”

“In addition, our Faculties have also pioneered fundamental curricular reforms. … For example, for the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine’s new curriculum, the hallmark is a highly integrated programme, built around a rigorous clinical experience. It makes full use of the

Extracts from NUS Deputy President and Provost Prof Tan Eng Chye’s presentation on University Town “UTown is not built only for its residents.

It is for all NUS. Students residing in the residential colleges will continue reading most of their modules in their respective faculties and schools.”

Updates on UTown: NUS Deputy President (Academic Affairs) and Provost Prof Tan Eng Chye reporting on the progress of the University Town project at the State of the University Address 2010.

“UTown is to be a trail-blazing initiative.

For the first time in Singapore, a model of

Lesson from the boatman: Prof Tan learnt about the importance of reading the water well during a three-day boat journey upriver from Kamarata in Venezuela to see the Angel Falls with his wife.

School’s extensive global partnerships, and cutting-edge expertise in Asian diseases. ... Next year, the School will open its virtual hospital, a special facility designed for advanced simulator-based clinical training.”

“Our Faculty of Engineering has started phasing in its new Design Centric Curriculum, in which design projects form the core around which basic concepts are learnt. The Global Engineering Programme launched last year is also being expanded.

The first intake of students is doing well – two will be going on a year-long exchange at Cambridge University and the rest to other leading universities.”

teaching and learning that is integrated into residences will be offered to our undergraduates.”

“UTown is not about new facilities or additional campus space; it is not even about a new type of campus residential experience, it is a fresh and exciting approach to undergraduate teaching and learning, based on a model that is distinctively NUS.”

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AlumNUS | January - March 2011

News Highlights

To this end, Professor Wang Gungwu, Arts ’52, and Professor Tommy Koh, Law ’61, have been appointed as Rectors of Cinnamon College and Tembusu College respectively to work alongside the Masters, Professor John Richardson and Professor Gregory Clancey, to facilitate programmes, provide direction, raise the international profile and shape the academic tone of the colleges.

4 Cinnamon Tower (left) and Tembusu Tower (right) (Artist’s impression)

Breaking New Ground Residential Learning Comes to NUS UTown Being Where Others Are Not After the groundbreaking ceremony for University Town (UTown) on 31 January 2008, the first two Residential Colleges (RCs) – Cinnamon and Tembusu – are slated to finally open in August 2011, amidst much excited anticipation.

On 11 October 2010, at the State of University Address held at the University Cultural Centre, Deputy President (Academic Affairs) and Provost, Professor Tan Eng Chye unveiled his NUS UTown blueprint and closed the presentation with a clarion call to the NUS community to move to residential learning, to be where others are not going to be.

Learning Communities, Living Together According to Prof Tan, the Residential Colleges (RCs) are “designed as learningcommunities, where students live and learn together, in an intellectually, socially and culturally vibrant environment that will provide open exchange of ideas, creativity and multi-disciplinary engagement.”

Taking The Helm At Tembusu Prof Tommy Koh shared how privileged he felt at his appointment as the Rector of Tembusu College. On how he intends to contribute to Tembusu College, Prof Koh said: “I hope to bring outstanding individuals, both Singaporeans and nonSingaporeans, to visit the College and interact with the students; to participate in some of the College's intellectual activities in a few areas of science and society in which I have some knowledge and experience, for example, the fate of the oceans, climate change and global warming, biodiversity, and the threat of desertification, and water and sanitation; and to meet the students at meals and informal dialogue sessions.”

However, he emphasised that the person who would drive the College with his vision, mission and aspirations is still the Master of the College, Prof Clancey, together with the Fellows and the students. “My role is a modest one. It is to help the College succeed and to be useful to the Master, the Fellows and the students,” he quipped.

Asian Roots, Global Outlook At Cinnamon Prof Wang Gungwu admitted that he was very “intrigued” when first approached to assume the role of Rector for Cinnamon College. He elaborated: “I have never actually heard of a Rector for a college so I asked the President what he had in mind. At Oxford and Cambridge for instance, they only have

a Master. Since Cinnamon is a new college, my role as its Rector is to provide encouragement to the Master and to work together with him to give the college prominence.”

Prof Wang Gungwu’s keen sense of historical perspective also informs his vision of Cinnamon College as a platform of learning that is “global in orientation yet rooted in Asia”, in order to develop students into the sophisticated thinkers and effective leaders that Prof Tan mentioned during his speech on UTown.

Prof Wang cautioned that whilst it is important to be globalised, it is equally important not to lose sight of one’s own culture, traditions and customs. “Our danger is not in being too local; our danger is in not being local enough.

We want to give a firm sense of what is local, in order that we can better position ourselves to deal with the global,” he shared.

“We want to give a firm sense of what is local, in order that we can better position ourselves to deal with the global” – Prof Wang Gungwu, on developing Cinnamon College into a learning platform that is “global in orientation yet rooted in Asia”.

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One Vine, Many Branches For the first time in Singapore, a model of teaching and learning that is integrated into residences will be offered to undergraduates at UTown.

A carefully thought-out curriculum, emphasising communication skills, interactive peer group learning, and inter-disciplinary engagement will be introduced for residents.

Each class will have no more than 15 students, enabling intimate and in-depth discussion. Complementing the regular curriculum in their Faculties and Schools, the academic programmes, rolled out over a twoyear residency period, will impart intellectual and life skills, while enabling students to develop an in-depth understanding of global issues with Asian and local perspectives.

“It is important to be a human being first, and a professional second. That is the value we want to foster” – Prof John Richardson, on building a more thoughtful learning community.

AlumNUS | January - March 2011

News Highlights

Prof Clancey, Master of Tembusu College, heartily agrees with such a synergistic direction for pedagogy. As a recipient of a liberal arts education himself, he hopes to be able to bestow to undergraduates the same gift of exposure to subjects they never thought they would be interested in.

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“I hope to bring outstanding individuals…to visit the College and interact with the students; to participate in some of the College’s intellectual activities in a few areas of science and society in which I have some knowledge and experience, for example, the fate of the oceans, climate change and global warming, biodiversity, and the threat of desertification, and water and sanitation…”

– Prof Tommy Koh, on how he intends to contribute to Tembusu College.

“At Tembusu College, the first-year seminars are mandatory and offer a wide range of multi-disciplinary topics.

The second-year seminar topics carry broad-based and more contentious themes with social, historical, and/or political relevance and significance.

These will give students and college a shared experience. In short, no student should ever feel that they can’t apply to Tembusu College because his or her academic interest is not represented,” he stressed.

Some of the potential themes for academic study include climate change, biomedicine and society, sustainable cities, and bio-diversity – designed with the intent not to make domain experts out of students, but to develop critical thinking in them.

First a Human Being, Then A Professional Much of the learning that takes place in the RCs will go beyond the classrooms.

Each College will undertake its own activities and events to provide a high degree of social and intellectual stimulation, and opportunities for effective interchange between the academic community, the students, and the wider community beyond campus.

Prof Richardson, Master of Cinnamon College, painted in broad brushstrokes a vision where “the main kind of inter-disciplinary learning is from one

another. The most valuable learning is to see how another student from a different discipline approach the same problem to find a solution.” He added that his long-term goal for the college is to “build a more thoughtful learning community that is intrinsically driven to ask questions and gather knowledge for its own sake. It is important to be a human being first, and a professional second. That is the value we want to foster.”

At Cinnamon College, Prof Richardson shared that together with the other Fellows of the college, he would seek to cultivate a mindset “where people will be restlessly dissatisfied with the answers they get until they have seen sufficient evidence to accept them. That kind of outlook feeds into how we plan the curriculum and we shall hopefully see the practical manifestations of the attributes of skepticism, inquisitiveness and enthusiasm. In terms of the college culture, we will adapt to the geography and culture of Singapore. But in terms of the common commitment to the life of the mind, we uphold the same purpose as any other college in the world.”

Into Uncharted Waters In preparation for the move, the first two Colleges have already started pilot programmes at the Prince George’s Park Residences as student participants enthusiastically immersed themselves in proto-types of College-activities.

In fact, Tembusu College currently has about 50 highly motivated pioneering students who are being groomed as the core student leadership for the college.

Prof Clancey shared with relish that this focus group is broken into smaller task-driven committees and delegated to oversee and spearhead various aspects of the new college such as student

outreach, events planning and even its college culture, such as its coat-of-arms and college colours.

On the other hand, Deputy Director of Cinnamon College, Professor Kang, sees the pilot residential programme as an interim measure to acclimatise students by starting these College-activities in a residential environment and eventually exporting them over to Cinnamon College. “In the United States, most students stay on campus, or at least in the campus town, because the country is very big. In contrast, Singapore is small enough so that you actually do have the option of going home after classes. We are looking at a cultural shift towards a 24/7 immersive environment at the RCs,” he said.

Many Streams, One River Whilst the RCs may seem exclusive to UTown, it has been underscored from the onset that UTown is designed and meant for all of NUS and must be seen as an extension of the Kent Ridge campus. An estimated 10,000 students from Kent Ridge is expected to read their modules in UTown each week. Prof Clancey stated that this dynamic synergy and traffic would extend to the teaching faculty as well. “Many of the Fellows will also have joint-appointments, teaching at the College as well as at the Faculty,” he shared.

Alumni Connections With the upcoming RCs, the challenge of cultivating alumni loyalty takes on interesting dynamics. The decadelong University Scholars Programme (USP) to be exported to and anchored at Cinnamon College offers the college a definite edge in alumni engagement.

“We have a certain advantage and leverage through the USP and its strong tradition of alumni connectivity to galvanise the alumni through a small

critical mass,” Prof Wang conceded.

Likewise, Prof Richardson agreed that the USP alumni are very committed and tight-knit. “We have alumni sitting on the USP interview panels, alumni returning to run seminars, and enriching the undergraduates’ experience immeasurably by exposing them to younger adults other than their professors,” he said.

On the other hand, the new kid on the block, Tembusu College embraces the exciting challenge of going where no man has gone. “Our challenging goal now is that the concept of a college is new and we will need the goodwill of all people, including the NUS alumni,” said Prof Clancey.

“Community outreach is very important to us; we have been approached by alumni who want to give back to the alma mater by sharing their experiences.

A speaker series will be developed, outside of the formal curriculum to address a multi-disciplinary audience.

We want to reach out to the larger NUS community and even to the rest of Singapore,” he enthused.

The Oldest New Idea Perhaps the greatest testimony to the advent of Singapore’s first RCs is the unexpected global buzz it has created.

Prof Clancey shared how international counterparts in the academia would ply him with questions about the RCs, with some asking for a tour of the grounds in the near future. With a laugh, he asked: “How would a residential college look like in the 21st century? NUS is possibly the first university in the world to attempt a modern interpretation of an RC as all the existing colleges in the world today boast a long history of establishment. The RCs in UTown have truly generated a global buzz and great enthusiasm for NUS.”

“Community outreach is very important to us…we want to reach out to the larger NUS community and even to the rest of Singapore” – Prof Greg Clancey on connecting Tembusu to the wider NUS community.

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Fostering

Thought Leadership NUS Global Asia Institute to spearhead integrative research of issues critical to Asia

Cradle of Issues, Cradle of Solutions Set up in September 2009, the oneyear-old NUS Global Asia Institute (NUS-GAI) was given the mandate by NUS President, Professor Tan Chorh Chuan, to take the lead in research and scholarship directed at topics pivotal to Asia’s future.

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(From left) Chairman of the East Asian Institute, Prof Wang Gungwu, Director of NUS-GAI, Prof Seetharam, NUS President, Prof Tan Chorh Chuan and Senior Advisor to NUS, Prof William Schowalter in discussion at one of NUS-GAI’s workshops.

Professor Seetharam Kallidaikurichi E, Director of NUS-GAI, elaborated on the context and reason for its inception: “The 21st century will witness the rapid rise of Asia, and in particular China and India, to positions of importance in the world. This dramatic growth is creating many new opportunities. At the same time, Asia like the rest of the world will face a number of challenges which include global warming, unsustainable growth, ageing populations and financial security.

There is a pressing need for better research and scholarship to understand these crucial global issues particularly in relation to Asia, and to find suitable solutions.”

Driven by the mission to provide in-depth insights to shape the nature of 21st century Asia, NUS-GAI takes a holistic approach to the fundamental issues confronting Asia and the world. By focusing on integrative studies, it aims to move beyond public policies to also deal with matters of technological importance.

Sharing great connection and alignment with the vision of Prof Tan to make NUS “a leading global university centered in Asia”, Prof Seetharam unreservedly accepted the appointment to helm the Institute. On what he hopes to bring to NUS-GAI, he shared:

“With my experience and interaction with policy makers from various countries in Asia and engagement with experts in multiple disciplines and ranging from engineering, education, and public policy, I hope to add value to achieve the President’s vision for NUS.”

in the areas of resilient health and post retirement financing, intelligent built urban environment for ageing society; convening platform for shaping policy through thought leadership in critical areas such as water, energy, food security in Asia.”

Challenges and Milestones The path of research seldom runs smooth, likewise the birth of the Research Institute came with its own exciting learning curves and challenges.

“We have had to continually learn and develop our skills as new challenges presented themselves. For example, we processed NUS Initiative to Improve Health in Asia (NIHA) in less than three months because we received a lot of traction and engagement from external parties as well as great support from the NUS community,” Prof Seetharam said.

Prof Seetharam also sees potential amidst the emerging trends and challenges in Asia. He postulated: “Asia has the great advantage of the skills of the population and potential economic growth within the region; it also has the advantage of the knowledge from the historical experience from its countries; but Asia has much less time to address the vicious nexus between inefficient institutions, significant levels of poverty, inadequate public services, and deteriorating environment. This is why Asia needs to adopt innovative out-ofthe-box solutions to leap to a virtuous cycle of sustainable development and inclusive growth.”

The Institute has also made good progress in the past one year as a fledging research nerve-centre. Its key milestones achieved thus far included five ongoing core research projects, two research showcase workshops, external partnerships such as NIHA and the Wee Cho Yaw Forum, the NUS-GAI Speaker Series, and featuring Nobel laureate (Economics, 2009) Elinor Ostrom in the dialogue session.

Future; Tense With so many developments underway within NUS, such as the Yale-NUS liberal arts college, the University Town, Prof Seetharam believes that the possibilities for NUS-GAI are immense in the future ahead. On some of the targets that he has set for the Institute, he detailed them as “academic excellence

Such solutions necessitate a new and unique research approach; an approach that can provide a more integrative understanding and deeper insight into the problems. “This type of approach enables us to be better informed and therefore enables us to take appropriate action,” he explained.

Integration and Synergy NUS-GAI intends to complement existing NUS programmes that already have a significant Asian component.

To achieve such synergy, the Institute’s current research projects attempt to expand the canvas of academic pursuit in the existing NUS programmes through its interactive workshops and speaker series sessions.

“With NUS’ mission to ensure that it is a fertile ground of thought leadership, (GAI) will remain relevant and serve the needs of its students and alumni who are the ambassadors of their alma mater.”

– Prof Seetharam, on how GAI can relate to NUS alumni.

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Feature

manner. When this match-making happens, many of the problems that pose challenges in Asia can be solved without delay.”

Assoc Prof Ho Kong Chong from NUS’ Department of Sociology, speaking at NUS-GAI’s Core Research Projects Workshop on 11 August 2010.

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Prof Gavin Jones, from Asia Research Institute and NUS’ Department of Sociology, speaking at the NUS-GAI’s inaugural Core Research Projects Workshop on 17 June, 2010.

Likewise, this same intent extends to its integrative approach to partners and expert knowledge. In the attempt to gather existing expertise from NUS and other universities - particularly those with expertise in India and China - in the quest for solutions, some key initiatives have emerged from these collaborative efforts.

“The greatest value-add is the impact that we have on developing and nurturing thought-leadership. Through our research, education efforts and partnerships, we hope to be able to provide the next generation of leaders with the skills and tools required to make better informed and responsible decisions.”

Highlighting some key programmes that have been implemented from these intellectual and creative synergies, Prof Seetharam said, “NUS-GAI plays an important role as a convening body and through our core research and – Prof Seetharam on where he thinks NUS-GAI can provide the greatest value-add.

NUS-GAI Speaker Series we bring together experts from different domains of knowledge, from different regions and with different perspectives to interact, exchange ideas and collaborate.”

Other projects like the Wee Cho Yaw Forum and the NIHA also follow a highly integrative approach and bring together academics, industry professionals and policy makers. He added that the Institute is also currently developing a signature project on Post-Retirement Financing.

Closing Gap, Adding Value Part of NUS-GAI’s mission is to “go beyond public policies to deal with matters of technological importance”. On the types of performance gap or inadequacy the Institute hopes to close in the existing system, Seetharam exposited, “The potential of technological innovations in developed and developing countries have not been fully harnessed as the policy makers have not been sensitised about these in an appropriate

Even though the work of NUS-GAI encompasses the entire value chain from the scholarship and research of these critical issues within Asia, all the way downstream to the production of solutions, where along the chain does the Institute see itself coming in with the greatest value-add?

On this matter, Prof Seetharam offered a balanced perspective: “NUS-GAI adds value at all points along the chain...However, the greatest valueadd is the impact that we have on developing and nurturing thoughtleadership. Through our research, education efforts and partnerships, we hope to be able to provide the next generation of leaders with the skills and tools required to make better informed and responsible decisions.”

Alumni Connections On how GAI can relate to the NUS alumni, Prof Seetharam reiterated NUS’ mission to ensure that it is a fertile ground of thought leadership.

“In this way, it will remain relevant and serve the needs of its students and alumni who are the ambassadors of their alma mater. They would feel proud of NUS. The setting up of the NUS Global Asia Institute and its mission is one of the key strategies towards this goal,” he affirmed.

Research Projects by

NUS-GAI

NUS-GAI’s research focus and grant funding are centred on these three themes: challenges for Asian cities in the globalised world economy, future of urban society in Asia, and managing resources for liveable cities in Asia.

Research Project 1: Tackling Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Asia – A Multidisciplinary and Multi-sectoral Initiative This project aims to develop a comprehensive diabetes prevention programme that covers all domains of the socio-ecological model, is culturally relevant and leverages on technological advancements to eventually provide a model for other Asian cities.

Research Project 2: Estimating and projecting urbanisation and city growth This project aims to extend current urban population projections carried out by the United Nations Population Division by using a new technique for probabilistic projection and by modifying estimates of current urbanisation levels to produce more comparable estimates.

Research Project 3: Asian Cities as Centers of Global Modernity This project aims to create a framework for the analysis of Asian cities, based on the idea of global modernity and emerging polycentricity.

Research Project 4: Mapping the Technological and Cultural Landscape of Scientific Development in Asia This project charts the shifting centres of Big Science research in Asia and their evolving global networks within the context of different understandings of a scientific revival in China, India, Singapore, and the Middle East.

Research Project 5: Asian Cities: Liveability, Sustainability, Diversity and Spaces of Encounter This project aims to establish well-grounded Asian analyses of urban processes and theoretical frameworks that are relevant to Asian cities and populations and contributes to fresh intellectual analysis and policy-making.

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Feature

Asia with Mr Khaw Boon Wan, Minister for Health for Singapore, followed by seven presentations by key health experts over two days.

Minister for Health, Mr Khaw Boon Wan (centre), seen here with Prof Tan Chorh Chuan at the dialogue session on healthcare policy issues that kickstarted the 2-day Forum.

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For Health’s Sake NIHA Forum Delves Into Public Healthcare Policy Challenges and Research in Asia

Learning From One Another To Benefit All NIHA is a new integrative initiative to improve public health and healthcare delivery in Asia. Made possible with a funding of S$17 million over 10 years from the GSK-EDB Trust Fund, this initiative was announced by Singapore Health Minister Mr Khaw Boon Wan on 21 July 2010 at the East Asia Health Policy Dialogue, a symposium organised at the sidelines of the ASEAN Health Ministers Meeting.

It is coordinated by the NUS Global Asia Institute (NUS-GAI), in collaboration with the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and the NUS Business School. NIHA will also collaborate with other institutions in Singapore and internationally with the relevant expertise. The key objectives of NIHA is to make a significant contribution to thinking and policy-

AlumNUS | January - March 2011

Profile

formulation in public health and health systems development in Asia, and to elevate Singapore to a leading position in healthcare policy and related research.

Forum Foray NIHA has three major thrusts – a highlevel forum, a call for proposals and a leadership programme. The first major activity was the inaugural NIHA Forum held on 29 to 30 November 2010 at Vista, Lee Kong Chian Wing, University Hall, in the National University of Singapore.

It was designed to promote discussion on key health challenges amongst key stakeholders and to identify common issues in health policy within an Asian context. The Forum also aimed to foster consensus building and partnerships amongst key policy makers in Asian governments and industry.

The forum kicked off with a dialogue session on healthcare policy issues in

Two-Pronged Concerns –Healthcare Opportunities & Challenges The two main plenary sessions were on ‘Healthcare Policy Challenges in Asia’ and ‘Opportunities For Healthcare Policy Research in Asia’. Under the umbrella of healthcare policy challenges, two papers were presented: ‘Non-communicable Diseases – The Underappreciated Burden in Asia’ and ‘Emerging Pandemics – Need to Shift from Response to Prevention’.

Under the topic on opportunities for healthcare policy research in Asia, several areas came under the spotlight.

The papers presented were: ‘Role of Regulatory Science in Improving Health Care for All’, ‘Behaviour Modification for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention’, ‘Role of Regional Networks in Healthcare Policy Research’, ‘The Art and Science of Making Healthcare Policy Decisions’, and ‘Future Directions in Research for Health in the Western Pacific region’.

More than 80 participants including Directors and Deputy Directors of health in the region, healthcare policy academics in the region, and a panel of international healthcare policy experts attended the Forum. The Forum has helped shape NIHA’s Medium Term Research Agenda.

In January 2011, NIHA will be making its first grant call to researchers from across Asia to collaborate with Singapore researchers. Visit http:// www.gai.nus.edu.sg/research/ strategicresearch/NIHA/proposals. html for more information.

From the Bench to the Bedside Professor Wong Tien Yin, 2010 President’s Science Award recipient, shares his insights on the groundbreaking research of ocular imaging Roots of Serendipity Ask Professor Wong Tien Yin, Medicine ’92, how he ended up in the field of ophthalmology and the answer would surprise many. In a word - serendipity.

The recipient of the 2010 President’s Science Award as well as 2010 National Outstanding Clinician Scientist Award shared that he stumbled onto this career path because of the great influence of Professor Arthur Lim upon his life. An eminent ophthalmologist, the charismatic Prof Lim has always been supportive of young people. He said: “I believe we choose careers because of who we meet in life. By him taking an interest to meet and share about ophthalmology with me, I ended up in this unique field which combines both medicine and surgery.”

Passing The Baton Likewise, the alumnus emulated his role model by mentoring young medical students and researchers. On what he most enjoys about this role, he enthused, “It must be the sharing of my own journey with them. When I first started out, there was no such career track but today, the landscape has changed immensely. By paving a path, I would like to think that I have made it easier for succeeding generations to tread the same road into a research-intensive and knowledge-based medicine.” Juggling his clinical work of seeing patients with cutting edge research, Prof Wong is the very embodiment of the walk he talked, and continues to be today.

Bitten By The Bug Besides ophthalmology, Prof Wong’s foray into research was equally accidental. An opportunity came up for him to undertake a one-year Masters degree course at the John Hopkins University and it was there that the research bug bit him.

His pioneering research in the last decade has since resulted in the development of retinal imaging software and diagnostic platforms which use a unique and non-invasive eye scan to screen and detect early cardiovascular and metabolic diseases in patients.

This research in ocular imaging which synergises medical technology and clinical medicine for applications in diverse fields has influenced clinical practice worldwide. For his outstanding contributions to translational research and the pioneer research of ocular imaging, Prof Wong was conferred the 2010 President’s Science Award.

More than Meets The Eye While the dramatic progress of the biomedical sciences sector in Singapore is laudable, Prof Wong is also aware of the key challenges of building an even stronger translational and clinical research capability in the near future.

Analysing the current landscape, he anticipated three gaps that have to be bridged in order to meet these future challenges: the talent shortage of clinician-scientists; the time and process

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gap of translating research findings into practical applications; and the long runway towards translation which typically requires at least 15 years of trial and incubation for research to reach fruition. Consequently, the strategic longer-term stability of funding is crucial.

Of Roots and Foundation In retrospect, Prof Wong felt that the greatest intellectual capital NUS has given him was a strong foundation.

“I think NUS provided a strong basic educational framework that puts you in good stead to further your studies overseas or prepare you for a career as a doctor as it has had a very long tradition and emphasis in teaching,” he quipped.

He still holds fond memories of his undergraduate days, citing the hectic life at King Edward VII hostel and strong friendships as highlights. “In fact, I met my wife in the same clinical group!” he recounted, with a big smile.

Campus Watch (Giving to NUS)

tribute to Mrs Lee Kuan Yew

Giving to the Future of Education

NUS Mourns the Passing of

A passionate advocate of higher education gives back to NUS Former Chairman of the CPF Board (1961 to 1963), Mr Lim Joo Hock, is a passionate advocate of higher education who recently established an endowed fund of S$250,000 at NUS for student bursaries, and regularly donates to the University through the Annual Giving programme which partially funds student bursaries.

In 2008, Mr Lim donated S$250,000 to support a scholarship at the NUS School of Computing, in honour of his father Mr Lim Hong Chin, whose hard work was to change his son’s life.

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Mr Lim Joo Hock (left), with two of his classmates, at his graduation from the University of Malaya.

Mr and Mrs Lim Joo Hock, at Mr Lim’s graduation.

The 88-year-old NUS alumnus, who attended Raffles College (RC), Arts ’46, and the University of Malaya (UM), Arts ’52, both predecessor institutions of NUS, knows only too well the difference that financial aid can make to a student’s life. He says: “My father was not financially well off when he sent me to Raffles College in 1939 as a private student. If I had a bursary then, it would have been a huge load off his shoulders.”

Despite his limited education, Mr Lim’s father had the vision to send his son to an English-medium school. The younger Mr Lim moved from a small-town school in Negri Sembilan to Raffles College, where he received RC Scholarship in 1941. In 1952, he attended UM on a government scholarship. “My university education set the groundwork for my career in the Civil Service, after which I went to London to

Mrs Lee Kuan Yew

complete my legal education,” he shares.

Mr Lim subsequently set up his own law practice in 1976, after retiring in 1972.

He adds: “I believe a university education is crucial to move up the social and economic ladder.”

“Electronic computing has greatly changed the way we work and conduct business,” explains Mr Lim, on his choice to donate to the NUS School of Computing. “I hope this Scholarship will encourage more bright young minds to enter this field and develop applications that benefit humanity.”

Almost 60 years after Mr Lim’s days at UM, two NUS students have come to be the beneficiaries of his desire to pay it forward. Chen Xi and Chang Yi Ting, both first-year students at the School of Computing, are recipients of the Lim Hong Chin Memorial Scholarship for the Academic Year 2010/2011.

Chen Xi, who plans to specialise in games design, enthuses: “I am honoured and grateful to receive the Scholarship. It motivates students like me to do well.”

Yi Ting adds: “The Scholarship has been really helpful in relieving my parents of a financial burden. Those who give to scholarships are really thoughtful. If I were financially able, I would set up my own scholarship as well.”

For information on how to make a gift to NUS, please contact Ho Yuen Kwan at (+65) 6516 5755 or email askdvo@nus.edu.sg

AlumNUS | January - March 2011

MDM KWA GEOK CHOO: Wife of Singapore’s Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew and one of the founders of the Lee & Lee law firm.

It was with great sadness that NUS received the news of the passing of its alumna Madam Kwa Geok Choo, wife of Singapore's founding father and first Prime Minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew, on 2 October 2010.

Mrs Lee was highly respected as the self-effacing but decidedly influential pillar of strength behind Mr Lee's success as a legendary political figure. She was also a devoted mother to her two sons and a daughter, all of whom are leading illustrious careers of significant impact to Singapore.

Most notably, her eldest son, Mr Lee Hsien Loong, is the present Prime Minister of Singapore.

Mrs Lee Kuan Yew was an esteemed lawyer and a brilliant student. She enrolled in Raffles College, a predecessor institution of NUS, in 1940 and resumed her studies there in 1946 after the end of World War II. In 1947, she graduated from Raffles College with a Diploma in Arts leading to a Queen's Scholarship to study law at Cambridge University where she became the first woman in Malaya to achieve the top position in Part II of the Law Tripos.

She founded the Lee & Lee law firm with Mr Lee Kuan Yew and his brother Mr Lee Kim Yew in 1955. The firm supported a scholarship to students in the NUS Faculty of Law which Mrs Lee lent her name to. The Kwa Geok Choo Scholarship was established in Academic Year 1993/1994 through a pledge of $18,000 per year over 12 years.

Story and photo are from Latest@NUS at http://newshub.nus.edu.sg/ headlines/1010/passing_04Oct10.php.

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AlumNUS | January - March 2011

alumni CONNECTIONS

Honouring the Best in Engineering

by Lo Tien Yin, Arts ’85

Dr Yaacob Ibrahim graduated from Civil Engineering Class of 1980 and is an inspiration, not just to NUS engineering alumni, but to all NUS alumni.

In his multiple capacities as Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Minister for Community Development and Sports (MCYS) and Minister-inCharge of Muslim Affairs, Dr Yaacob has used his expertise in engineering and his passion for the community to help Singapore, from securing a reliable water supply through the development of the “Four National Taps” (water from local catchment areas, imported water, reclaimed water and desalinated water), to promoting social cohesion, championing sports for all, and representing the interests of the Malay community.

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Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, receiving the Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award from Engineering Dean, Prof Chan Eng Soon.

Dr Yaacob is also passionate about environmental ownership and continuously promotes initiatives to deal with the challenges of climate change as co-chair of the InterMinisterial Committee for Sustainable Development (MCSD). He has been active in community service since his school days and has been involved with the Association of Muslim Professionals, Jamiyah, Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura and the Nature Society.

Dr Yaacob completed his PhD studies at Stanford University and after a stint at Cornell University as a post-doctoral fellow, he returned to Singapore in 1990 to join NUS. He served in the Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering as an Associate Professor until 1998. In 1997, he co-founded the Centre for Robust Design, which undertook research into reliability issues

relating to products and processes of industries in Singapore.

At the Gala Dinner that evening, Dr Yaacob launched a commemorative book, Singapore’s Engineer-Leaders: Partnership with the Nation, to mark the Faculty of Engineering’s 55th Anniversary. Dr Edwin Lee, a historian, was commissioned by the Faculty to write this book which documents the development of the Faculty; the challenges it faced and had overcome and the changes it implemented since its inception 55 years ago, to become the Faculty we know today.

The Faculty also launched a new award called the Engineering Alumni Service Honours to recognise alumni’s contributions.

The inaugural award was presented to Mr

Gan Cheng Chian, Engineering ’89, and Mr Keith Kee Keah Poh, Engineering ’87, the former Engineering Alumni Singapore (EAS) President (2007 to 2009), and the current EAS President (2010 to 2011) respectively.

Mr Gan re-initiated activities and provided leadership to the EAS. Today, he continues to play an advisory role to the current EAS EXCO, on top of overseeing EAS membership. Mr Kee was the EAS’ Honorary Treasurer from 2007 to 2009 and its Vice-President from 2009 to 2010.

During his term, he developed initiatives to champion the EAS. Both men served as members of the Dean’s Fund bursary interview panel in 2009.

In recognition of his excellent and sustained achievements in public and community service, and of his outstanding contributions to the engineering profession, Dr Yaacob was conferred the Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award by the Faculty of Engineering, at the Engineering Alumni Gala Dinner held on 20 October this year.

Mr Keith Kee, the current President of Engineering Alumni of Singapore.

Mr Gan Cheng Chian, the former President of Engineering Alumni Singapore.

The author, Dr Edwin Lee (left), being congratulated by Dr Yaacob for his efforts in putting together the commemorative as Dean of Engineering, Prof Chan Eng Soon (centre) looks on.

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AlumNUS | January - March 2011

alumni CONNECTIONS

Honouring the Best in Business

Eminent Alumni Awards 2010 Announced Seven Winners In the junior alumni category, the winners were Huynh Quang Hai, Business ’99, Executive Director of Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park Group (VSIP) and CEO of the VSIP North, and Laurence Lien, Business ’00, CEO of the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre. There were also two winners for the Alumni Service Awards: Robin Ng, Business ’81, the founding president of the Mandarin Alumni, and Paul Yap, Business ’73, the long-time President of MBA Alumni – NUS.

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Eminent Business Senior Alumni Award winners Lam Kwong Yu (second from left), Chua Sock Koong (centre), Chew Hua Seng (second from right) with Guestof-Honour Mr S Dhanabalan, Chairman of Temasek Holdings & NUS Business School Management Advisory Board (extreme left) and Dean Prof Bernard Yeung (extreme right), at the award ceremony dinner on 12 November 2010.

On 12 November, seven individuals were honoured for their achievements and contributions at the NUS Business School Eminent Alumni Awards 2010, a dinner event graced by the presence of Guest-of-Honour Mr S Dhanbalan, Arts ’60, Chairman of Temasek Holdings and NUS Business School Management Advisory Board, and attended by close to 250 guests.

In the senior alumni category, the winners were Chew Hua Seng, Business ’79, founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of private education giant Raffles Education Corporation; Chua Sock Koong, Business ’79, Group CEO of SingTel; and Lam Kwong Yu, Business ’04, founder, Chairman and CEO of listed Starlite Holdings.

and NUS Wind Symphony providing the entertainment. Wong Soon Hwa, Business ’80, Vice President & General Manager, Asia & Japan, Hertz International (China) said: “Events like this bring people together. Here, you are meeting and reconnecting with people you know and making new contacts – it’s great networking for alumni.”

For Leng Chin Fai, Business ’85, Director of Fei Yue Community Services, the highlight of the evening was the

video presentation of the winners achievements, especially those of the service award winners.

Perhaps the best evidence of the event’s success came from Seraphine Sim, Business ’84, CEO of Secret Recipe, “This is the first time I’m attending an alumni event and I’m enjoying myself tremendously,” she said. “I have to confess I was planning to leave early but I was having such a good time that I decided to stay on!”

Professor Bernard Yeung, Dean of NUS Business School, congratulated the winners and described the alumni as assets to the school and its link between the past and the future. He noted that the school first started as an academic department within the Faculty of Arts and Social Science in 1965. “Today, it is ‘one of the best universities in the world and the topmost business school in Asia,’ according to the Princeton Review. The Financial Times has put us in the top 30 list of Executive MBA programmes around the world. Our regular MBA programme is also well-ranked by both the Financial Times and the Economist,” he said.

Dinner that evening was a formal event, with guests dressed to the nines

Mr Huynh Quang Hai (centre), Executive Director of Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park Group (VSIP) and CEO of the VSIP North, and one of the recipients of the Eminent Business Alumni Award (junior alumni category), receiving toasts of congratulations from fellow alumni.

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AlumNUS | January - March 2011

alumni CONNECTIONS

Defined by a Common Passion

Learning to Serve, Serving to Learn

by Yvonne Teng, Science ’05

by Angela Pan, Science ’03 in major races in Singapore, the most recent being the 28th Singapore River Regatta, on 30 and 31 October this year.

The race distance was 300m along the Singapore River.

NUS Alumni Dragonboat Team (in Boat 2).

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A love for rowing is the common ground that motivates members of the NUS Alumni Dragonboat Team to set aside time twice a week for training. Since its inception, the team has been taking part

Three boats from the team – one Women’s 10-crew, two Men’s 10-crew, and one Mixed 20-crew – qualified for the semifinals on the second day of the Regatta.

Despite their best efforts, the Women’s 10-crew was eliminated after the semifinals.

The Mixed 20-crew team qualified for the Plate Finals but lost the defending Plate Finals Bronze. Team Captain, Mr Kow Weijie, said: “The outcome of the race is not the most important thing. What matters is knowing that we have rowed our best set.”

The NUS Alumni Dragonboat team continues to attract graduates who are keen to take up Dragonboat rowing but never had a chance to do so. It also attracts rowers from other teams who feel strongly about staying connected to NUS by belonging to an alma mater team.

For more information, kindly email enquire@nusalumnidb.net or visit http://www.nusalumnidb.net/.

NUS Alumni Complex Celebrates A Dazzling Christmas Jointly organised by the NUS Alumni Office and NUS Society (NUSS), this year’s Alumni Complex Light-Up on 21 November featured a 4 metre-tall lit Christmas tree, LED light displays along the Kent Ridge Guild House driveway, a Christmas bazaar, programmes for children, music performances, and photo opportunities with Santa.

The NUSS choir of 35 members serenaded the crowd with yuletide carols, and jazz trio, Elegant Swing, performed a medley of tunes that delighted audience both young and old. Children were thrilled to get up close to Santa Claus, to be entertained by magician Jimbo’s balloon sculpting and puppet performances and to participate in the candle and Christmas ornament-making sessions.

The highlight of the evening was the Alumni Complex and Christmas tree light-up by President of NUSS, Mr Johnny Tan, Science ’82, and Director of Alumni Relations, Assoc Prof Lim Meng Kin, Medicine ’74. The festive event turned out to be a fun-filled evening for fellow alumni, family and friends.

NUSS choir serenaded the crowd with yuletides like “Christmas isn’t Christmas” and “One Single Night”.

Magician Jimbo entertaining the audience with his balloon sculpting skills.

"I embarked on this trip not knowing what to expect, but came back enriched by encounters that will remain meaningful for life."

- Charlotte Tok, member of the NUS Volunteer Network Alumni Association The team from NUS Volunteer Network Alumni Association.

On 5 September 2010, 12 local and overseas NUS postgraduate students and young alumni from the NUS Volunteer Network Alumni Association embarked on their first international community service programme – a collaboration with YMCA of Singapore – aimed at creating positive and sustained impact for the local community at Proyouth Village in Cambodia.

The team engaged in service learning activities such as teaching English to the village children, to being involved in a ricesoup programme. To better understand the country’s history,

they visited the Choeung Ek Killing Fields and the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum.

The team also organised a mini sports carnival to introduce the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect to these youths.

These same values also contributed to the success of the community project and strengthened the friendships formed.

Many had joined the trip with the intention of learning to serve, but had returned with more, in their realisation that in serving, they had learned more than they had expected.

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AlumNUS | January - March 2011

alumni CONNECTIONS

The Canadian High Commission and NUS Alumni Office jointly present

Looking Backwards, Paying Forward Class of ’85 Reunites for a Good Cause

“With support and a little help from all of us friends, we can make a difference”

Canadian

Film Festival 2011 18 – 23 March (except Sunday) Shaw Foundation Alumni House The festival seeks to showcase the very best of Canadian films from various genres.

– Sonny Yuen, Chairman of the Organising Committee for Class of 1985 Reunion

Free Admission for all NUS students and alumni.

For more information and registration, please visit www.alumnet.nus.edu.sg/event/canadianfilmfest

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23 Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister of Community Development, Youth & Sports (5th from left), Mr Sonny Yuen, Chairman of the Class of 1985 Reunion Organising Committee (4th from right) and Class of 1985 representatives gathered on stage to cut the cake.

Artist Christina Chen, with the painting she donated, “Peony in Bloom”, and Mr Lim Tai Toon, Business ’85, the successful bidder who paid S$3000 for the work of art.

20 November was a special night for the 220 alumni who turned up at the Shaw Foundation Alumni House (SFAH) for the commemoration of their 25th year of graduation from NUS – a reunion organised by the NUS Alumni Office and the Class of 1985 Organising Committee.

In his welcome address, Mr Sonny Yuen, Business ’85, Chairman of the Organising Committee talked about the importance of renewing friendship and of alumni paying it forward through donations to bursaries within NUS. Director of Alumni Relations, Associate Professor Lim Meng Kin, urged all alumni to stay connected through programmes and facilities at the SFAH and existing platforms such as the alumni email service. Throughout the night, the audience was entertained by games and music performances. Special guest and alumnus Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Medicine ’85, Minister of Community Development, Youth & Sports, whom many remembered as the Chairman of NUSSU 1984/85, also addressed the audience and shared with them his recollections of how they overcame the difficulties of the recession years.

The evening also saw a charity art auction of a donated painting by artist Christina Chen entitled ‘Peony in Bloom’. Proceeds from the auction and sale of photographs were donated to scholarships and bursary funds. All too soon, the reunion drew to a close, but for many who rekindled friendships and formed new bonds that night, it marked also a new beginning.

Sponsored by

Pull out the centre fold pages for your timetable of the Canadian Film Festival!

Film ratings are to be advised at a later date. Please refer to the website www.alumnet.nus.edu.sg/event/canadianfilmfest for more information.

21 March 2011, Monday, 8pm

18 March 2011, Friday, 8pm

An evening of Animated Shorts* & Les Triplets de Belleville

SAINT RALPH

Running Time: 98 minutes Writer/Director: Michael McGowan With his father dead and his mother, Emma, critically ill in the hospital, ninth-grader Ralph Walker is hoping for a miracle to bring her back to health. He doesn't know how to make that miracle happen until he's forced to join the school's cross-country team as a punishment for misbehaving.

Ralph begins to believe that if he could do something impossible, like win the Boston Marathon, it might be the miracle that could bring his mother out of a coma. The cross country coach, Father Hibbert (Campbell Scott), recognises his running talent and invests in training him as he sets out to win the 1954 Boston marathon.

AlumNUS | January - March 2011

Running Time: approximately 120 mins Join us also for a talk by Joan Vogelesang, President and Chief Executive Officer of Toon Boom Animation Inc., and find out more about the animation technology that contributed to the success of Les Triplets de Belleville.

Animated Shorts* Ryan – 2004

Running Time: 13mins 54s Director: Chris Landreth / Laurence Green (Oscar winner for Best Short Animation, 2005)

The Danish Poet – 2006

Running Time: 14mins 24s Director: Torill Kove (Oscar winner for Best Short Animation, 2007)

LES TRIPLETTES DE BELLEVILLE (THE TRIPLETS OF BELLEVILLE) (NC16) 19 March 2011, Saturday, 3pm

The Blue Butterfly

Running Time: 96 minutes Director: Lea Pool Starring: William Hurt, Pascale Bussieres, Marc Donato, Raul Trujillo, Topo, Marianella Additional Notes: dialogue English, Spanish, Bribri Indian

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Pete Carlton is a funny and intelligent 10-year-old boy, battling terminal brain cancer. Pete’s ultimate wish is to catch the most beautiful butterfly on earth--the rare Blue Morpho, found only in the tropical rainforests of Central and South America. Pete’s brave mother, Theresa – a ‘single-mom’ consumed by love – is determined to fulfill her child’s dying wish and overcome any obstacle that stands in the way of his dream. The first crucial step is to convince Alan Osborn, a renowned entomologist and Pete’s hero, to take her wheelchair-bound child into the rainforest on his quest. Alan is a passionate and rugged yet vulnerable man who – due partly to a secret that haunts him – prefers the company of insects over people. He is immediately dead-set against the idea. Through a fine blend of contemplation, manipulation, timing, luck, desperation and destiny, Alan finally agrees to bring Pete to the mystical and dangerous jungle. The promise is that the Morpho can be caught in one day. However, the elusive Blue Morpho evades capture, leading them on a life and death adventure that ultimately transforms their lives.

19 March 2011, Saturday, 8pm

C.R.A.Z.Y. – 2005 (M18) Running Time: 127 minutes Director: Jean-Marc Vallée

Brimming with humour and bittersweet drama, C.R.A.Z.Y. is one of the best films about Quebec’s chronically dysfunctional families. Director Jean-Marc Vallée makes brilliant use of fantasy passages to mimic the boy’s fantasies and beliefs. A family saga that spans the 60s, 70s and 80s, the story revolves around the Beaulieu family and specifically Zachary, who is born on December 25, 1960.

C.R.A.Z.Y. has been described as a combination of a large commercial movie, and a small characterdriven film, with a soundtrack including music by The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Pink Floyd and others.

In September of 2005, C.R.A.Z.Y. was selected to be Canada’s entry in the Best Foreign Film category at the Academy Awards. Northernstars.ca chose C.R.A.Z.Y. as one of its Top 10 Canadian Films of the Decade in December of 2009.

Running Time: 78 minutes Writer/Director: Sylvain Chomet

Les Triplettes de Belleville (The Triplets of Belleville) is a 2003 Belgian-French-Canadian animated feature film. A young boy is raised by his grandmother, Madame Souza, in the French countryside. She buys him a bicycle and encourages his dream of winning the Tour de France. Years later, he eventually enters the Tour de France but during the race, he and two other riders are kidnapped by a group of gangsters and taken to the big city of Belleville, where he is used in an elaborate gambling scheme. Along with her faithful companion Bruno, Madame Souza sets out to rescue her grandson. They befriend a trio of aging musicians who were once the ‘30s jazz trio – The Triplets of Belleville. Nominated for two Academy Awards — Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song for “Belleville Rendez-vous”, the film features an original jazz musical score by Benoît Charest.

22 March 2011, Tuesday, 8pm

Les Doigts Croches (Sticky Fingers) Running Time: 108 minutes Director: Ken Scott

A gang of small time crooks is interrupted by cops during the biggest boost of their lives. In desperation, they turn over two million in cash to one of the guys in their crew to stash it. The money ends up in Spain, where the man who knows the fortune’s location won’t give it up unless the bad boys turn good. They are supposed to hike 839 kilometres along the 1000-year-old pilgrimage route leading to the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela and during the process, redeem themselves. If they can prove they are now better men, the money is theirs. The pilgrims’ incapacity for moral improvement drives the film’s comedy. As they trudge along the long and windy road, bickering, shouting and wondering whether they can meet the challenge facing them, the plot twists and turns.

23 March 2011, Wednesday, 8pm

The Barbarian Invasions Writer/Director: Denys Arcand

Academy Award winner for Best Foreign Language Film in 2003, THE BARBARIAN INVASIONS is a provocative look at the many ties that bind a group of friends and lovers. It is not easy for a narrow-minded professor (Rémy Girard) to reconcile with his equally stubborn son. But soon, father and son find themselves gathering with their wide and colourful circle of family and friends to confront their differences, confess their secrets and celebrate life. Winner of the Best Actress (Marie-Josée Croze) and Best Screenplay awards at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival – critics everywhere hailed this outstanding motion picture as one of the year’s best!

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AlumNUS | January - March 2011

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Stand to win one of the following Blackberry Smartphones after each film screening where we will be raffling off one of the three models - BlackBerry® Bold™ 9700 Smartphone, BlackBerry® Curve™ 3G Smartphone, BlackBerry® Torch™ 9800 Smartphone. Don’t miss your chance to win one of these!

BlackBerry® Bold™ 9700 smartphone BlackBerry® Curve™ 3G smartphone BlackBerry® Torch™ 9800 smartphone

Blackberry is the proud sponsor of the Canadian Film Festival.

AlumNUS | January - March 2011

alumni CONNECTIONS

NUS alumni enjoying an evening of reunion at the Phoenix Garden Chinese restaurant in London.

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A Meeting of Minds

by Dr Heng Lingzhi, Medicine ’08

The 12 alumni representatives of NUS were amongst the 150 alumni from ten IARU member institutions gathered in the Cambridge and Oxford Club in Pall Mall, London, that evening.

On 16 October 2010, 150 alumni from ten of the world’s leading universities gathered in London for a get-together. Fresh graduates and senior alumni coming from an array of professional backgrounds - from film producers to script writers, business consultants to bankers, lawyers to doctors and scientist – eagerly mingled and exchanged views over drinks and canapés.

This social event was the culmination of a three-day Alumni Directors’ Summit held in Cambridge, where the Alumni Directors from eight IARU institutions had met to share culturally diverse experiences and unique institutional characteristics and styles, in common pursuit of world class standards and best practices in alumni relations. Set against a backdrop of glittering chandeliers and traditional Englishstyled carpeted hallways, the gathering at the prestigious Cambridge and Oxford Club in Pall Mall, London, provided a unique networking opportunity among alumni from all ten IARU member institutions.

The universities represented - Australian National University, ETH Zurich, National University of Singapore, Peking University, University of California Berkeley, Cambridge University, Oxford University, University of Tokyo and the Yale University are – are all partners in the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), a strategic drawing together of universities that share a similar vision and have a common commitment to educating future leaders.

Organised on a self-paying basis, the event proved to be a success in fostering connections between an internationally diverse group of like-minded people. Late applicants had even to be turned away because of limited capacity, but fortunately, the 12 from NUS who registered early made it.

UK Chapter Celebrates

Jubilant (extreme right) winner of SIA London-Singapore return ticket.

10th Anniversary

by Dr Heng Lingzhi, Medicine ’08

The UK Chapter’s 10th Anniversary alumni dinner on 8 October 2010, saw an unprecedented turnout of 170 NUS alumni, families and friends. Celebrating with them were Singapore’s High Commissioner to UK, Mr Michael Teo and the Director of Alumni Relations, Associate Professor Lim Meng Kin. In the midst of the merry-making, our alumni also observed a minute of silence in memory of the late alumni Mdm Kwa Geok Choo and Dr Chee Phui Hung (Agong).

Held at the Phoenix Garden Chinese restaurant in London, the event demonstrated that while pursuing life and career in a foreign land, our alumni still have their hearts deeply connected to those at home. Pride in their alma mater was also evident, as the audience broke into spontaneous applause when Mr Michael Teo said: “I’m very proud that NUS stands amongst the top universities in the world”.

Thanks to the generosity of sponsors and the efforts of the organising committee headed by UK Chapter Chairman, Dr Tan Peng Guan, some even went home with prizes – including a return London-Singapore SIA ticket, numerous restaurant vouchers, and concert tickets. But perhaps the highlight of the party was the presence of seniors like Dr Tow Siang Hwa, Medicine ’53 (right).

Guests at the UK Alumni Chapter Dinner included 85 year old alumnus Prof Tow Siang Hwa.

29

AlumNUS | January - March 2011

Alumni connections

RECONNECTING The 87th Alumni Association Reunion

87

YEARS ON

On 27 November, alumni and students rose early for a morning tour to Marina Barrage, the Merlion Park, and the Shaw Foundation Alumni House (SFAH). It was nostalgia for the returning graduates who could easily relate their return to their alma mater to the symbolism of the returning salmon at the Waterway. The group had the opportunity to apply for their alumnus cards and relished moments of relaxation on the massage chairs in the Alumni Service Centre before visiting the Benefactors’ Foyer and Donors’ Wall on level two of the SFAH.

Alumni at the Shaw Foundation Alumni House were given a tour of the Waterway.

Later that afternoon, distinguished NUS academic, Associate Professor Paul Tambyah gave a Rotating Professorship Lecture, before the Annual General Meeting took place at the clubhouse in the Singapore General Hospital.

The highlight of that day was the grand reunion dinner at the Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre. More than 1200 dignitaries, alumni, friends and students were present – in a highly-charged atmosphere of camaraderie, nostalgic reconnection and acquaintance with new members of this closely-knit community.

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Gracing the evening with his presence was Mr George Yeo, Minister for Foreign Affairs. Representing NUS were ProChancellor Mr Ngiam Dong Tow, Chairman of NUS Board of Trustees, Mr Wong Ngit Liong, and NUS President, Professor Tan Chorh Chuan. Another special guest who has been present at every AA reunion and was present that evening with his wife was former Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Medicine ’53.

Alumni enjoying their Hawaiian-themed night.

The last weekend of November 2010 was a momentous one for the (Medical) Alumni Association (AA), the oldest alumni association of NUS. Formed in 1923 with graduates in medicine, dentistry and pharmacy, AA today has three branches in Singapore and Malaysia, where annual reunions are held in rotation. This year, in commemoration of their 87th year of establishment, a three-day reunion was held from 26 to 28 November in Singapore.

The programme began on 26 November at the Singapore Island Country Club, where alumni and students had gathered for a friendly golf competition. The overall champion was Dr Kee Wei Heong, Medicine ’74 (Southern Branch), who walked away with the Alumni Challenge Trophy, donated by Dr Mahmood Merican (Central Branch), who emerged as 2nd runner-up. Dr Tay Eujin, Dentistry ’01 (Southern Branch), took home the Moses Yu challenge trophy, as winner of best Gross. The Peter Tay Challenge Trophy for best Nett went to Dr Jeffrey Seow, Dentistry ’91 (Southern Branch), and the title of best senior golfer went to Dr James Fang, Medicine ’62, (Southern branch), who also won the Lo Hong Ling Challenge Trophy.

The Southern Branch emerged overall champion and had the honour of taking with them the ‘Agong Cup’ hence.

The fun continued that evening with a Hawaiian-themed Informal Night at the poolside of the clubhouse. Guest-of-Honour, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan and Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, was present amongst students and alumni who mingled with one another.

Guest-of-Honour Mr George Yeo giving his speech.

Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports and Guest-of-Honour, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan (right), with Dr Dominic Leung, Dentistry ’75 (centre) and Dr Wong Keng Mun, Dentistry ‘97 (left).

A group photo before dinner at the Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre, with VIPs, Guest-of-Honour Mr George Yeo (centre), outgoing President, Datin Dr Chin Gek Liew and incoming President, Professor Arthur Lim of the Alumni Association.

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AlumNUS | January - March 2011

Alumni connections

Shortly after 7:30pm, guests were ushered into the grand ballroom for dinner. Soon after all were seated, the installation ceremony of the new AA President was held on stage, where outgoing President Datin Dr Chin Gek Liew handed over the Chain-of-Office to new President, Professor Arthur Lim, Medicine ’56.

32 Installation of Prof Arthur Lim as new President of the Alumni Association.

Renewing Friendship on the Green

Mr George Yeo delivered a keynote address touching on geopolitical changes and connectivity in a changing world. He spoke of the Medical Alumni network being a force for good because of its members’ strong connections to other networks in the world and how these connections are an enormous asset for Singapore.

That evening, special mentions and awards were given out to several, in appreciation of their longstanding and outstanding services to the AA. Dr Tan Peng Guan, Dentistry ’70, Chairman of the UK Alumni Chapter, was presented the Alumni Gold Medal Award for his unwavering dedication and contributions to alumni and Associate Professor Wong Sze Tai, Medicine ’62 (past Chairman of the AA Southern Branch – 1999, 2003, 2007), received the same award for his passion and dedication to the AA. Former NUS President, Professor Shih Choon Fong, who had flown in from Saudi Arabia specially for the reunion, received a Special Award, for his distinguished contributions to the AA’s progress and his unwavering initiatives at strengthening ties between the alumni and their alma mater. Dr William Chew, Medicine ’62, who serves on the AA’s Management Committee also received a Special Award, for his longstanding editorial contributions to the publication projects of the AA (Southern Branch). Plaques of Appreciation and Friends of the Alumni Awards were also given out.

Dinner was a jolly affair as alumni caught up with one another over much laughter and reminiscing. The absence of ‘Agong’, Dr Chee Phui Hung was undoubtedly felt though, as moments of empty silence hung over the grand ballroom when several members spoke about him with fondness. Nevertheless, the spirit of the man who had been a pillar of strength for the AA was pervasive throughout, and the evening ended on a high with several “mini” class reunions taking place the following day amongst the senior graduates who had already begun planning to meet in Penang the year after.

33 Golfers congratulating each other over a game well-played.

New NUS Golf Captain, Mr Lim Kin Choo was heartened by the high participation rate for the 19th NUS Alumni & Friends Golf tournament on 22 October this year, in spite of the hazy conditions that afternoon. 134 golfers gathered on the Palm Course of Raffles Country Club for a friendly game and catch-up.

NUS Pro-Chancellor, Dr Cheong Siew Keong (3rd from left), with golf captain, Mr Lim Kin Choo (extreme left), Director of Alumni Relations, Assoc Prof Lim Meng Kin (2nd from left), Assoc Prof Chew Chin Hin (3rd from right), NUSS President, Mr Johnny Tan (2nd from right) and Prof Loh Hong Sai, Dentistry ’72 (extreme right), before teeing off.

NUS communities and friends, to reconnect and build new friendships on the green.

students, Peh Che Min and Richard Tang, as well as NUSS bands – The Banned Experiment and Matching Individuals.

Jointly organised by the NUS Alumni Office and NUS Society (NUSS), this annual event aims to bring together

Following the tournament, dinner was held at the NUSS Kent Ridge Guild House where NUS Pro-Chancellor, Dr Cheong Siew Keong and NUS President, Professor Tan Chorh Chuan presented top prizes to the best golfers.

The audience was treated to music performances by NUS business school

Director of Alumni Relations, Associate Professor Lim Meng Kin, thanked participants for supporting the event and said that he looked forward to continually strengthening the NUS spirit through bringing together alumni to bond with one another.

WINNERS Division A Champion – Francis Loh Runner up – Ron Pang Second Runner-Up – Roger Yeo

Division B Champion – Lim Tian Tse Runner up – Chum Tun Jang Second Runner-Up – Yuen Chee Tuck

Division C Champion – Ng Lak Kok Runner up – William Mak Second Runner-Up – Vincent Soon

Best Student Golfer Mark Teng

Inter-Faculty Champion – Engineering Runner up – Arts & Social Sciences

Golf Captain Challenge Best Overall Lady Golfer – Vanessa Chew

Chancellor Challenge Best Overall Champion – Victor Lim

AlumNUS | January - March 2011

AlumMail It 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.

34

For New Sign-Ups (New Users)

3 EASY STEPS to getting your AlumMAIL

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.

Step 1:

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

Click on “New Sign-Up”

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

Go to URL www.alumnet.nus.edu.sg/portal

Step 2: Step 3: Enter Particulars

• Lifelong email domain@alumni.nus.edu.sg which immediately identifies you as an esteemed NUS alumnus • 10GB email storage (double the usual 5GB storage) • Improved contact and calendar management • Up to 25GB of online storage • Real-time chat • Other office productivity features Simply sign up at www.alumnet.nus.edu.sg and you can start to enjoy the exciting features of AlumMAIL!

For Existing AlumMAIL/ e-community Users 3 EASY STEPS to login

Step 1: Log on to www.alumnet.nus.edu.sg Please visit www.alumnet.nus.edu.sg for Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about AlumMAIL.

Step 2: Click on “e-Community Sign-In”

Step 3: Enter User-ID and Password

35

AlumNUS | January - March 2011

Alumni buzz

Alumni Groups

Faculties

FASS Alumni as Mentors and Hosts Effective mentorship programmes are mutually beneficial to both mentors and mentees, as was the case for the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) Mentorship Programme. The organising committee of the programme held a dinner on 19 August 2010 to thank the 2009 mentors and to welcome 67 alumni mentors who were matched with 112 students for the new 2010/2011 cycle.

President of NUS, Prof Tan Chorh Chuan (seated, 6th from left) was joined by Deputy Director (Operations) of the NUS Alumni Office, Mr Lo Tuck Leong (seated, 5th from left), at the first NUS Indonesian Alumni Dinner in Jakarta.

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Jakarta Alumni Dinner

by Pery Irawan, Public Policy ‘09

The first NUS Indonesian Alumni Dinner held in Jakarta on 4 November 2010 saw the gathering of over 50 alumni and friends from the various cities in Indonesia and across ten NUS Faculties and Schools.

Do you get butterflies in your tummy before making a speech? Or do you find yourself tonguetied whenever you are asked for your opinion?

Speechcraft, conducted by NUS Alumni Toastmasters Club, teaches participants the essence of public speaking. In these 5-week hands-on workshops, you will acquire communication, presentation and speech preparation skills aimed at increasing your confidence in public speaking.

Visit http://nusalumni.freetoasthost.org/page2. html for course details.

Applauding the Spirit of Entrepreneurship NUS Enterprise and National University of Singapore Society (NUSS) are pleased to launch the inaugural Innovation & Enterprise Award (I&E Award) – an initiative supported by the National Research Foundation’s University Innovation Fund. This new annual award recognises individuals and companies within the NUS community, who have made significant accomplishments in, or contributed to, the development of entrepreneurship and innovation in Singapore.

Individuals and companies are eligible to apply/be nominated for the award in two categories - the Outstanding NUS Innovator Award and the Promising NUS Start-up Award. This is also the first time that NUS has created an award for start-up companies.

Nominations/Applications are now open until 15 February 2011. Please visit www.InnovationEnterpriseAward.sg for more details.

Similarly, on 27 August 2010, My FASS Family Host Programme held its annual dinner to match 22 Alumni hosts with 48 first-year international students for the 2010/2011 cycle. This is a non-homestay Befrienders programme that orientates FASS students to life in both NUS and Singapore.

Senior alumnus Mrs Tan Suan Imm, Arts ’60, commented: “I was delighted to meet my international students. We bonded over the months, through emails, smses and meals, sharing cross-cultural experiences.”

For more information on the FASS Mentorship programme, contact Ms Lynn Tan at fastanl@nus. edu.sg; for “My FASS Family” Host Programme, contact Ms Victorine Chen-Toh at fasv1@nus.edu.sg.

Whilst alumni appreciated the chance to strengthen relationships with other alumni over dinner, they were also delighted at the opportunity to meet NUS President, Professor Tan Chorh Chuan, who shared with them his vision for NUS and the initiatives that will propel the University to greater heights. Some of the initiatives mentioned included the establishment of University Town as a social and intellectual confluence for NUS students and the establishment of a new educational model for Asia under the Yale-NUS Liberal Arts College initiative.

NUS Alumni Toastmasters Club

Alumnus Harris Chai, Arts ’10, said: “My mentor was more than just a career mentor. I also learned a lot about the different facets of life through our casual meetings and regular emails.” Mr Tang Chi Lin, Arts ’97, an alumni mentor shared: “Through exchanges with my student mentees, I’ve gained fresh perspectives that have had a positive impact on my professional decision-making.”

Alumni hosts and students at “My FASS Family” Host Programme Dinner.

NUS Engineering & Science Postgraduates Networking Session

Nus Economics Alumni Bursaries

by Dr Connie Chung, Arts ’82 Honorary Treasurer, NUS Economics Alumni

by Chinari Pawan, Graduate Students’ Society More than 500 postgraduate students from different disciplines attended the full day NUS Engineering & Science Postgraduates Networking Session on 3 November 2010. Representatives from various companies gave talks and set up booths to interact with the students. Most had R&D openings and a few of the companies highlighted that they recruit coursework students also. Guest of Honour, Associate Provost Professor Daniel Chan said that it is always better for postgraduates to grow their network so that they can broaden their perspective. This was the first initiative of its kind organised by the Graduate Students’ Society of NUS and the NUS Career Centre for the postgraduate students of NUS.

The NUS Economics Alumni launched a bursary fund in May 2010, at its 3rd annual dinner. The bursaries were given out to academically talented needy students. S$66,000 has been raised since the launch and three bursaries worth S$2,000 each have been awarded to second year undergraduates majoring in Economics. These recipients will continue to receive the bursaries until their honours year. The alumni group intends to award six bursaries next year, i.e. S$36,000 in total.

Alumni and friends of the department who are keen to help our students may send a cheque made payable to “National University of Singapore” and mail it to Dr Connie Chung, Honorary Treasurer, NUS Economics Alumni, Dept. of Economics, 1 Arts Link AS2, #06-00, Singapore 117570.

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AlumNUS | January - March 2011

Alumni buzz

Faculties

38

Faculties

The First Engineering Class Endowed Fund

President’s Dialogue Lunch

Mr Seah Cheng San, Engineering ’82, was bitten by the bug to help needy students in early 2008 when he found out that the NUS Business School was putting together a bursary fund with sub-names for their students. Mr Seah and his wife (both MBA graduates from the School) donated S$25,000 to this cause. In 2009, he was invited to sit on the Bursary Interview Board. It was then when he began thinking seriously of how he could help more students. This desire to help snowballed into two endowment funds (Engineering Class of 1982 Endowed Bursary Fund and DRH/SH Alumni Endowment Fund) which would support 23 bursaries each year.

NUS President, Professor Tan Chorh Chuan held a dialogue lunch with alumni from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at the Shaw Foundation Alumni House on 22 November 2010. The NUS President’s Dialogue Lunch is an important forum for the NUS President to update alumni on the University’s developments, as well as to seek alumni feedback and suggestions.

Late last year, Mr Seah decided to rally support from his engineering classmates, to raise funds for needy full-time Engineering students. Collectively, they have established a faculty-level endowed bursary fund that has exceeded the initial target of S$250,000, totaling a sum of S$302,782 from 26 donors as at 31 August 2010. With the matching grants, the fund stands at S$605,564. Being an endowed fund, the capital will be preserved and only the income generated will be used to fund the bursaries every year.

In recognition of a gift of $25,000 or more, the University will name the bursary as an Engineering Class of 1982 (ENG@82) sub-named bursary. Open to all undergraduates, each bursary is valued at S$2,000.

The Faculty is deeply grateful to the Class of 1982 for their efforts. In appreciation of the donors’ generosity, the Faculty disbursed seven bursaries totaling S$14,000, and organised an inaugural Bursary Presentation cum Donors’ Appreciation Dinner on 8 September 2010 at the NUSS Kent Ridge Guild House.

Guest-of-Honour, Prof Tan Chorh Chuan (5th from left) with Prof Chew Chong Lin (4th from left) and Dr Shahul Hameed (6th from left) and members of the dental fraternity at the inauguration ceremony of the NUS Graduate Dental Implantology Alumni.

Inauguration of the NUS Graduate Dental Implantology Alumni The NUS Graduate Dental Implantology Alumni held its inauguration ceremony on 6 September 2010, in the presence of Guest-of-Honour, NUS President, Professor Tan Chorh Chuan. Newly installed Founder President of the Alumni group Dr Shahul Hameed, presented an Honorary Membership to Professor Chew Chong Lin for his outstanding contributions to dentistry and dental implantology. The group aims to strengthen ties between its alumni and NUS through the provision of activities and services including professional development programmes undertaken independently or in conjunction with the University.

Kent Ridge Hall Production Raffles Hall Alumni Tea

It’s funny what you think of when you’re in a plane 3500ft above sea level. This year Kent Ridge Hall presents a story told in dance of three people living life as though it was forever. Many things can happen in 24 hours, but maybe none as irreversible as the 24 Hours Before Boarding.

Raffles Hall held its annual Alumni Welcome Tea at its newly renovated lounge on Sunday, 5 September. Seniors and new graduates attended the event organised

by Raffles Hall Alumni and its External Affairs Committee.

Performances on 4 March 2011 at 8pm and 5 March 2011 at 3pm & 8pm at the University Cultural Centre, NUS. Ticket sales commencing in mid-January 2011.

Find out more @ http://www.kentridgehall.com/halldanceprod1011

The event kicked off with updates on appointment holders in Raffles Hall followed by a tea session and rounded off with a tour of the newly renovated Raffles Hall.

Biz Ad Charity Run 2011 In celebration of its 10th anniversary, NUS Business Alumni has organised a Bizad Charity Run for 2011. Calling all NUS Business Alumni, come reconnect with your alma mater and friends and do your part for charity!

Event: Adidas Bizad Charity Run 2011

Engineering Dean, Prof Chan Eng Soon, presenting the bursary to one of the student recipients, Guo Xian.

Halls of Residence

Date:

16 January 2011

Time:

8am

Venue: Business School Mochtar Riady Building

Tell us about your reunion!

Corrigendum

If you’re holding an alumni reunion or other exciting activities for your group of alumni friends, let us know.

“Alumni Buzz” will help you spread the word to all NUS alumni. Just email your event information to oarconnect@nus.edu.sg with the subject header “Alumni Buzz”.

In the article “NUS alumnus honoured through funding for brilliant and needy students” in the October – December 2010 issue, we incorrectly reported that the Wan Boo Sow Medal and Prizes at the Department of Chinese Studies are only available to Singaporean students. The medal and prizes are in fact available to all students.

39

AlumNUS | January - March 2011

Alumni connections

Staying Connected through

NUS Alumni Groups FACULTY-BASED ALUMNI GROUPS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences 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

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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 Susan Ang Email: ang19104@yahoo.com.sg Website: www.alumni.nus.edu.sg/dental

Faculty of Engineering

Engineering Alumni Singapore Mr Keith Kee Email: keithkee@pacific.net.sg Website: http://www.easingapore.org/ NUS SHE (Safety, Health and Environment) Alumni Png Mui Kee Email: mmkkpng@yahoo.com.sg

Faculty of Law

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

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: chuayunjia@hotmail.com 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 Mr Malcolm Koh Email: malcolm.koh@mac.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 Business School Mandarin Alumni Dr William Chung Tang Fong Email: wilctf@yahoo.com.sg Website: www.bschool.nus.edu.sg/MandarinAlumni

NUS Graduate School

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

INTEREST-BASED ALUMNI GROUPS AIESEC Singapore Alumni Mr Ng Vern Shion Email: aalumnisg@yahoo.com Website: www.aiesec.org.sg

Institute of System Science (ISS) Alumni Mr Wesley Kwon Email: K3107267@ntu.edu.sg

Nanyang University Graduate Christian Fellowship Assoc Prof Lai Yee Hing Email: chmlaiyh@nus.edu.sg

National University of Singapore Society NUS Overseas Colleges

NUS Overseas Colleges Alumni Ms Chai Jia Fang Email: jiafang.chai@nocalumni.org Website: www.nocalumni.org

Mr Johnny Tan Email: jtan4nuss@yahoo.com.sg Website: www.nuss.org.sg

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

NUS Alumni Dragonboat Team

NUSSU Alumni

Mr Chua Wee Wah Email: blurwei@hotmail.com

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

NUS Alumni Photographic Society

Singapore MIT Alliance Alumni Association (SMA)

Mr Yang Jie Xiang Email: nusaps@googlegroups.com

NUS Alumni Toastmasters Club

Mr Yong Chee Kien Email: ckyongster@gmail.com Website: www.nusalumni.freetoasthost.org

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

NUS Volunteer Network Alumni Association

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

The Association of Nanyang University Graduates

Dr 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

Mr Timothy Lin Email: timothytim@hotmail.com

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: bdgzbaa@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: admin@medicalalumni.org.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 Auckland, New Zealand

NUS Alumni Chapter in London, United Kingdom

NUS Alumni Chapter in San Francisco and the Bay Area, USA

NUS Alumni Chapter in Beijing, China

NUS Alumni Chapter in Melbourne, Australia

NUS Alumni Chapter in Shanghai, China

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

Mr David Lim Email: beijing@alumni.nus.edu.sg

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

NUS Alumni Chapter in Chengdu, China Mr William Gan E-mail: williamgan@ncsi.com.cn

NUS Alumni Chapter in Hong Kong Ms Cheung Wai San Email: cheungwaisan@gmail.com Website: nushkalumni.blogspot.com

Dr Tan Peng Guan Email: london@alumni.nus.edu.sg

Dr Soh Leng Lu Email: nusalumnimelbourne@live.com.au Website: www.alumni.nus.edu.sg/Melbourne

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

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

NUS Alumni Chapter in Sarawak, Malaysia Mr Paul Kho Email: paulkhk@tm.net.my

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 Chong Fu Chiung Email: fuchiung@hotmail.com

Dr Cheah Kim Fee Email: sgdental@hotmail.com

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

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

NUS Alumni Chapter in Vancouver, Canada Mr Arthur Yap Email: ayap@shaw.ca Website: www.alumni.nus.edu.sg/Vancouver

AlumNUS | January - March 2011

This January to March, don't miss any of these programmes at the Shaw Foundation Alumni House, brought specially to you by the NUS Alumni Office

Alumni House January

February

2011 March

Alumni House

RE: Almost Left Behind 12 March, 8pm, Shaw Foundation Alumni House

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My Name Is Khan (PG) 27 January, 7.30pm

Heartbreaker (M18) 24 February, 7.30pm

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (PG) 31 March, 7.30pm

Auditorium Running Time: 165 minutes

Auditorium Running Time: 105 minutes French with English subtitles

Auditorium Running Time: 91 minutes

Two of Bollywood’s biggest superstars, Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, deliver powerful performances in this epic romance that proves true love knows no boundaries. Rizwan (Khan), an Indian man with a unique way of looking at the world, moves to San Francisco and meets a vivacious single mother named Mandira (Kajol). They form a special bond and fall in love against all odds, but fate and tragedy conspire to tear them apart. That’s when Rizwan embarks on a remarkable journey across America to win back the love of his life.

Alex is a charming, funny, and effortlessly cool professional break-up artist with just ten days to sabotage the relationship of a seemingly perfect couple. But with one of his targets, the beautiful, feisty and independent Juliette, will he find that when it comes to love the perfect plan doesn’t always exist?

Starring Romain Duris, Vanessa Paradis and Andrew Lincoln (Love Actually), and set to an amazing soundtrack including Dirty Dancing’s “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life”, Heartbreaker is a wildly funny and passionate tale that will leave you on tantalising high.

These glamorous showgirls have everything a girl could want - except engagement rings! In a quest for true love, Lorelei (Marilyn Monroe) and her gold digger pal Dorothy (Jane Russell) set sail on a luxury-liner bound for France. But the pair hits rocky waters when a manipulative detective, an over-aged, over sexed millionaire (Charles Coburn) and the entire men’s Olympic team try to put an anchor in their marriageminded mischief. It’s a wild and joyously funny ride across the Atlantic as our bathing beauties plan and plot a way to land their men.

Marilyn Monroe, never more luminous, sings her legendary musical number ‘Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend’. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes is based on the hit Broadway musical which was adapted from the book by Anita Loos.

2011

Commissioned by the Singapore Arts Festival for its Platform Campus programme in the 2011 Festival, Thespis has been working since August 2010 on a yearlong incubation and developmental process for a production titled Re: Almost Left Behind which revolves around the concepts of Home, Travelling and Returning. Coupled with the guidance from the directors, the entire production will be moulded and evolve into the finalised product which will be showcased at on 27 and 28 May at The Substation.

The NUS Alumni Office, in collaboration with the Singapore Arts Festival, will

host the 2nd phase showing of this production at the Shaw Foundation Alumni House on 12 March 2011 at 8pm.

The purpose of this phase showing is to provide the audience a chance to give feedback and be part of the development of this new piece of work.

Made up of young and driven artists who are concerned about the development of youth arts in Singapore, Thespis is a non-profit arts interest group founded in 2008 by a group of NUS Theatre Studies undergraduates.

We speak with the team behind the project – Producer, Isaac Sim (FASS ‘10) and the two directors, Thong Pei Qin (FASS ‘09) and Tan Liting (FASS ‘10), to find out more.

The Singapore Arts Festival 2011 will be held from 13 May to 5 June. Themed I want to Remember, the Festival aims to reconnect people with a past that redefines the present through memories, histories and places. Do refer to www.singaporeartsfest.com for updates.

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

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.

Tell us more about Re: Almost Left Behind and the motivation behind it.

Pei Qin: We were curious about the concept of integrating multiple different forms of art into a single work, within the overarching frame of a live performance exhibition.

We also thought about weaving our stories, voices of the 20-somethings, into a collective tapestry of our most important travel memories.

What can alumni expect when they attend the performance?

Isaac: Their ideas of a theatrical performance will be re-defined. We’re hoping the performance will be more interactive instead of passive. It will be funny, serious, entertaining and definitely eye-opening.

Pei Qin: Do not expect. Just come with an open mind and heart.

Liting: It’s only when you bring a part of yourself into Re: Almost Left Behind then you will take away its maximum impact.

Please log on to www.alumnet.nus.edu.sg to read the full interview.

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Enjoy International Seafood Buffet dinner at special rate of $24.00 (Mondays to Thursdays) and $26.00 (Fridays to Sundays) Call 6334 4888 or email: mongolianbbq@pacific.net.sg

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The University Club

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AlumNUS cardholders enjoy % discount off ala carte Visit www.the universityclub.sg For reservations, contact Jack Sim at 67798919

Indah Puri Golf Resort

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Enjoy special golf package at $

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Enjoy 1 year subscription (51 issues) at S$365 (save 42%) and get a FREE copy of book “The Ascent of Money” by Niall Ferguson Visit www.economist.com/NUSA/SG

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AlumNUS | January - March 2011

Alumni and the Arts

CFA Speaker Series Speaking about the Arts

Don’t miss the upcoming NUS Arts Festival 2011! Three weekends of exciting performances by NUS students, alumni, arts professionals and academics await you!

NUS Arts Festival 2011 (11 – 27 March)

CFA Speaker Series, organised by NUS Centre For the Arts (CFA) and chaired by Professor Wang Ya-Hui, feature leaders from non-arts professions sharing on the importance of the arts today was launched last October by two notable figures – Singapore’s polymath and Ambassador-at-Large Professor Tommy Koh and Justice-ofPeace Dr Lee Suan Yew.

The annual NUS Arts Festival is here again! Don’t miss three weekends of exciting performances by NUS students, alumni, arts professionals and academics.

Anweshana – The Search for Nalanda by NUS Indian Dance

Prof Koh’s session on 29 October, Singapore: From Cultural Desert to Cultural Oasis, was about Singapore’s ongoing journey and transformation in the arts. In A Holistic University Education on 3 November, Dr Lee shared on a topic close to his heart, and that of NUS, urging students to absorb the cultural aspects of university life.

11 March, 8pm, University Cultural Centre Theatre. Tickets at $19 & $16.

The opening number of NUS Arts Festival 2011, Anweshana, is the third dance installment of a year-long study to bring to life the essence of the ancient 7th Century Indian University, Nalanda.

Other invited speakers, some of whom are NUS alumni, include Ms Aw Kah Peng (CEO, Singapore Tourism Board), Dr Chang Tou Liang (physician and classical music critic), Mrs Jennifer Yeo (Founder, Senior Director and Chairman of Yeo-Leong Peh LLC) as well as Ms Melissa Aratani Kwee (civic entrepreneur and Chairman of Millenia Hotel PLC (Capella Singapore)).

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NUS President, Prof Tan Chorh Chuan is 2011’s first speaker on 13 January.

Coming Soon!

Attendees can also look forward to three sessions featuring husband and wife speakers from differing professions. These include Prof Seetharam Kallidaikurichi E. (Director, NUS Global Asia Institute) and his wife, Dr Lakshmi Seetharam. The former is an Indian classical musician while the latter an Indian classical dancer. Dr Liu Thai Ker (Director, RSP Architects Planners & Engineers Ltd) will also share the stage with his wife, Ms Gretchen Liu (former Straits Times journalist and book editor).

Voyage to the Orient by NUS Symphony Orchestra - featuring piano virtuoso Geoffrey Saba 13 March, 8pm, University Cultural Centre Hall. Tickets at $19 & $16.

DanceBlast

Catch the Singapore premiere of Australian composer Peter Sculthorpe’s Piano Concerto, inspired by Japanese and Balinese themes, and special commission Raintree for Full Orchestra by Singaporean composer Chen Zhangyi.

Stories from Wonderland by Tze n Looking Glass 20 March, 8pm, University Cultural Centre Theatre. Tickets at $16 & $13.

Computer Science and Engineering alumnus Tze, who is self-taught in composition, arrangement and piano, collaborates with fusion music ensemble Looking Glass, in a musical performance of stories inspired by Alice’s adventures in Wonderland.

The series return this January to May. NUS President, Professor Tan Chorh Chuan, is 2011’s first speaker on 13 January.

Anweshana

The Good, The Bad and The Sholay by Checkpoint Theatre and NUS Stage 25 March & 26 March, 8pm, University Cultural Centre Theatre. Tickets at $23 & $16.

A personal retelling of the 1975 Bollywood classic Sholay, NUS undergraduate Shiv Tandan’s play is part of a CFA-supported professional theatre mentorship and laboratory programme.

Shut Up & Dance 2011: DanXvolution by NUS Dance Blast!

27 March, 8pm, University Cultural Centre Hall. Tickets at $19 & $16.

Dr Lee Suan Yew shared with the audience what it means to be “In A Holistic University Education”.

Prof Tommy Koh shared his thoughts on Singapore’s development in the arts, in his talk “Singapore: From Cultural Desert to Cultural Oasis”.

Free admission with registration for NUS students and staff. $10 for general public.

To register, please email CFASpeakers@nus.edu.sg. Seats available on first-comefirst-served basis.

Sholay

The Festival’s closing number, DanXvolution, celebrates the 10th anniversary of NUS Dance Blast and is performed by talented students and alumni.

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AlumNUS | January - March 2011

The University Club: Lounge & Dining Rooms A new dining experience

Dates to Remember

Alumni Events January to March 2011 Senior Alumni Tea & Chat JANUARY

NUS alumni and staff have now a new place on campus to go to, for a brand new dining experience!

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The University Club (TUC): Lounge & Dining Rooms, launched by the Privé Group, offer diners a prestigious and comfortable lodge to entertain guests with high quality meals and beverages synonymous with the Privé brand.

Located on Level 4 of the Shaw Foundation Alumni House, between the NUSS Guild House and the Mochtar Riady Business School, TUC offers an outdoor view of treetops and parks set against the urban landscape of a distant shipyard.

TUC is highly accessible as it is minutes away from several major highways and close to ample parking lots.

27 THU

breakout sessions, full-day seminars or lunch meetings.

Between the Lounge and Dining Room lies an impressive 600-bottle wine cellar that houses a collection of cult wines from the US, as well as favourites from Australia, France and Italy. A wide range of beers are available in the Lounge, including draught beers by craft brewery Archipelago and mainstream heavyweights Erdinger and Tiger. Bottled beers are internationally represented, from Japanese favourite Kirin, to Corona from Mexico and the Belgian Hoegaarden. To top it all off, a well-curated collection of single malts are also available from Glenmorangie Lasanta from Highland, Scotland, to Bowmore 12 Years from Islay Scotland, to Nikka Pure Malt from Yoichi, Japan.

FEBRUARY

24 THU MARCH

31 THU U@live Speaker: Dr Noeleen Heyzer (see page 27)

FEBRUARY Comprising two concepts, a casual open-concept bar, and a dining area for both casual and formal dining – featuring a repertoire of Asian favourites* to more upmarket items such as the Crab Souffle in Lobster Bisque or Seared Black Angus Beef Tenderloin – TUC also has three private rooms that can be converted to a larger space for

For more information, please contact: Natalie Tan Bulletproof Pte Ltd M: +65 9298 0641 E: natalie@bulletproof.com.sg * Asian favourites including Malaysian-style Curry Chicken and Mee Soto.

Menu changes weekly.

TUC is open to NUS Alumni, NUS staff, NUSS members and NUHS staff only.

For upcoming promotions for Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day, do check out www.theuniversityclub.sg for details and pricing.

The University Club: Lounge & Dining Rooms Opening Hours: Mondays to Saturdays Dining Room Lunch: 12pm - 2.30pm, Dinner: 6.30pm - 10.30pm (last order 10pm) Lounge 12pm - 10.30pm

17 THU

Speaker: Assoc Prof Adrian Cheok (see page 27)

MARCH

31 THU

JANUARY

27 THU

My Name is Khan (PG) (see page 42)

FEBRUARY

24 THU

Heartbreaker (M18) (see page 42)

MARCH

31 THU

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (PG) (see page 42)

Canadian Film Festival

JANUARY

27 THU

Feature Flicks

Speaker: Mr Tay Kheng Soon (see page 27)

Invigorate MARCH

12 SAT

Re: Almost Left Behind by Thespis (see page 43)

MARCH

18 to 23 Fri to Wed (see pages 23 to 26)

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