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Professor C C Hang,

Deputy Vice-Chancellor, NUS

Professor Andrew Nee,

Dean, Faculty of Engineering, NUS

Mr Calvin Lee,

President, Engineering Alumni Singapore

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. I am pleased and greatly honoured to be here this evening to share with you this special occasion of the Annual Dinner and Presentation of Awards of the Engineering Alumni Singapore.

2. In 1995, just two years ago, the National University of Singapore (NUS) celebrated its 90th Anniversary. This year, NUS is 92 years old. Compared with the more renowned universities in Europe, America and Asia, NUS is still considered a relatively young university. However, the University has built up its reputation into a premier institution of distinction and excellence in teaching and research in the region. As an institution of higher learning, NUS has also played a crucial role in Singapore’s nation building, social and economic development as well as many other achievements of the country. The history of the University has also been inextricably linked to the progress of modern Singapore. Over the years, NUS has produced graduates with the requisite knowledge, technical capability, and drive to meet the needs of industry and commerce.

3. In a recent ASIAWEEK’s ranking of Asian universities, NUS has been ranked second, after the University of Tokyo, in terms of academic reputation. Based on a weighted aggregate of five factors, namely academic reputation, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources and value for money, NUS ranked fourth after the University of Tokyo, Kyoto University and University of Hong Kong.

4. While this good result is commendable, I should not expect that NUS would rest on its laurels. Other Universities will want to compete with NUS and aspire not just to draw level but to overtake NUS. This is only natural and can help spur NUS to achieve greater heights in academic excellence in research and teaching. To suit the needs of the times, NUS has been making changes to its curriculum. This is particularly vital in areas like engineering where, in order to be relevant, it is essential to be at the forefront of technology. As we live in a fast-changing world, new developments in science and technology take place continuously. I can assure you that even Education is not immune to technological obsolescence. At the forefront of research and in many industrial collaborations, the approach and emphasis are also multidisciplinary. The recently implemented minor options in engineering to allow students to take a minor in law, business or management information systems is a major change geared towards producing graduates with a broad knowledge in other fields beside engineering. I will not be surprised if NUS were to be even more adventurous and allow its engineering to explore other options in the future.

5. The Engineering Alumni Singapore, abbreviated as EAS, has played a meaningful and significant role in the engineering scene since its establishment 25 years ago. It aims to foster civic, social and cultural consciousness, and to encourage sports, education and an abiding interest in engineering among members. EAS also aims to promote their interests and welfare, so as to uphold the prestige of its members. Over the years, EAS has successfully fostered the relationship between graduates and the NUS. However, the sense of belonging will fade away with time, as contact is lost due to a lack of involvement in university activities. This sense of belonging and affiliation is the very thing that gives continuity to great institutions. It is the glue that binds the wisdom and tradition of the past with the vision of the future. It is important for NUS graduates to occasionally visit the university, to make use of the library, the sports facilities, and to interact with the staff. Through involvement in some of the university’s activities a strong alumni will be nurtured which will bring about a strong and lasting bond between the University and the past and present graduates.

6. Just last year, EAS launched its World Wide Web Site – EAS Web site. EAS has identified the Internet as an effective means for it to better serve its members and the industry. With the launch of the EAS Web site, EAS members and industrial organisations can reach out to more engineers and engineering undergraduates.

7. EAS has also launched its EAS-Internet Email Service. In the past few years, the commercialisation of the Internet services has seen its adoption as a mainstream communication and information medium. Internet email has been a powerful and effective communication tool. The EAS Internet Email Service provides each EAS member with an email account to foster a stronger network among the alumni.

8. In many ways, the training received by an engineer is unique. Over the years, engineers have been filling posts traditionally held by graduates from other disciplines, but engineering jobs can only be filled by engineers. Besides, in many technology-based multinational companies, the traditional sales and marketing functions previously held by non-engineering graduates, are rapidly being taken over by engineers. Indeed, even in the civil service, about one-third of the administrative service officers have engineering degrees. The past EAS Distinguished Alumni Award recipients are all engineers who have climbed the corporate ladder very quickly and reached key positions. Examples of these are Mr Philip Yeo (Chairman of EDB), Mr Chng Hee Kok (MP for East Coast GRC), Mr Liew Mun Leong (President, Pidemco Land), Mr Lim Soon Hock (Chairman, Deskstation Asia Pacific), Mr Alex Chan (Managing Director of Yeo Hiap Seng), Mr Kwa Chong Seng (Chairman and Managing Director of ESSO Singapore Pte Ltd), Madam Ho Ching (Managing Director of Singapore Technologies Pte Ltd) and Mr Moses Lee (Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labour). These are only some of the many engineers who have distinguished themselves to hold key positions which require them to make non-engineering decisions in their jobs.

9. The EAS Distinguished Alumni Award was initiated by the Faculty of Engineering in 1989 and has since been awarded annually during the EAS/NUS Faculty of Engineering Annual Dinner. Organised and administered by the NUS Faculty of Engineering, the objective of the Award is to give recognition to engineering graduates who have made significant contribution to society. This year, the Distinguished Alumni Award winner is Dr Chen Mun, the founder and managing director of PM Data Ltd. I should like to convey my sincere congratulations to Dr Chen Mun.

10. Other than the Distinguished Alumni Award, the Faculty of Engineering Teaching Excellence Awards will also be presented this evening. At the National University of Singapore, excellent teaching has always been emphasised. For without good engineering teachers, you cannot have good engineers. The Faculty of Engineering Teaching Excellence Awards is one of the incentives to recognise lecturers for excellent teaching.

11. At this juncture, I would like to take the opportunity to congratulate the recipients of these well-deserved awards and wish them all the very best in their exciting career of teaching and research.

12. Thank you.