Celebrating the Class of 2015

Three honorary graduates were recognised at NUS Commencement 2015: Mr Goh (6th from left), Sir Richardand Prof Saw (4th and 5th from left, respectively)

There was a celebratory atmosphere at the University Cultural Centre as NUS kicked off Commencement 2015 on 6 July. This year's Commencement is especially noteworthy as it commemorates the University's 110th year of founding together with Singapore's 50th year of independence. Some 10,219 graduates will be receiving their degrees from 6 to 14 July over 23 ceremonies; and of these, 6,316 graduates will receive bachelor degrees while 3,903 will be presented with graduate degrees.

A significant highlight of Commencement 2015 is the conferment of honorary degrees on three exceptional individuals '  Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, Professor Saw Swee Hock and Sir Richard Brook Sykes ' who have made many distinguished accomplishments in service of Singapore as well as the local and international community. It has been more than 30 years since the University has awarded three honorary degrees at a graduation ceremony.

Singapore President and NUS Chancellor Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam presided over the main ceremony, which featured graduates from the NUS Business School's Department of Accounting. The NUS Business School is also celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

NUS President Professor Tan Chorh Chuan's speech at the ceremony urged graduates to carry forward NUS' enduring traits ' the unrelenting pursuit of excellence, and its commitment to service and giving back to society.

In spite of the University's long history, it is still a "vigorously youthful institution at its core, he said. This is shown by NUS' many innovative programmes, which have added to its international standing and established it as a key node in many major global knowledge networks, he added.

"In my view, it is this rich blend of enduring old and vigorous new qualities and innovations that enables our University to continue to excel, and to make a consequential impact, said Prof Tan, before adding that this year's three Honorary Graduates illustrated this point well.

Mr Goh receiving his Honorary Doctor of Laws from Dr Tony Tan

Following the speech by Prof Tan, Mr Goh was conferred an Honorary Doctor of Laws. In the citation read by Professor Brenda Yeoh, Dean of the NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Mr Goh was lauded for his strong leadership and exemplary public service to Singapore as the second Prime Minister of Singapore which he served for three terms, from 1990 to 2004. He has contributed more than 50 years of service to the nation, during which he initiated many policies that improved Singapore's economy, military strength and the quality of life for Singaporeans as well as improving bilateral ties with strategic partners. Since retiring from the Cabinet in 2011, Mr Goh continues to advocate for the improvement of the quality of living through social policy innovation.

In conclusion, Prof Yeoh said, "Today, we are proud of Mr Goh's distinguished achievements as NUS' alumnus, but more importantly, we cherish ‘the human touch'  he embodies in the way he sustains an attitude of service to the nation.   

The second recipient, Prof Saw, President's Honorary Professor of Statistics at NUS was conferred an Honorary Doctor of Letters, for his public service to Singapore and the international community. Prof Saw, who has a lifelong relationship with NUS, beginning as a student, has contributed immensely to the field of Statistics and Demography as well as tertiary education through his far-reaching philanthropic support. His generosity, whether in terms of setting up professorships or establishing medals, scholarships and research centres, has enriched not just the NUS community, but institutions in other countries. In his citation, delivered by Associate Professor Yeoh Khay Guan, Dean of the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (NUS Medicine), Prof Saw was described as an "exemplary scholar, eminent teacher, philanthropist extraordinaire.

Prof Saw said that receiving the honorary degree at a time when NUS is celebrating its 110th anniversary makes the award more significant and memorable. "I have always enjoyed working in NUS where the excellent working environment has enabled me to engage in meaningful research, teaching and public service, he added. "It gives me immense satisfaction to witness the transformation of NUS into a world-renowned university.

From left: Mr Goh, Prof Saw and Sir Richard

An Honorary Doctor of Science was bestowed on Sir Richard, Chairman of the Biomedical Research Council's Biomedical Sciences International Advisory Board of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research, for his contributions to research as well as his achievements in biomedical sciences. This is the first time in 40 years that the Honorary Doctor of Science has been conferred by NUS.

Sir Richard, who was global R&D head at pharmaceutical company Glaxo, was instrumental in launching Singapore's Biomedical Sciences Initiative as co-chair of the International Advisory Council, advising the government on development of this field as a key pillar of Singapore's economy. He also played a major role in bringing to Singapore some of the world's leaders in industry and academia. Professor John Eu-Li Wong, Senior Vice President (Health Affairs) and Isabel Chan Professor in Medical Sciences who gave the citation, said, "It is fitting that the National University of Singapore today honours someone who has  contributed so much to shaping the biomedical sciences landscape in Singapore as we know it today.

"Having been associated with Singapore for almost 30 years from both a business and academic perspective and watched as NUS developed from a national to an international centre of excellence, I am very privileged to receive an honorary degree from the University, said Sir Richard.

Mr Goh, as Principal Speaker, gave a speech titled "The River of Life, following the conferment of honorary degrees. He offered the new graduates three pieces of advice.

Firstly, one cannot predict his or her course in life, although he or she may have some control over parts of it. One can, however, "scan and prepare for the terrain ahead.

Dr Tony Tan meeting Business students after the ceremony

Secondly, he encouraged the graduates to remember their duty to family and country. "We have gotten to where we are today not just because of our individual talent and effort, but also because our country and family have enabled us to do so. Without them, you have no identity, no roots, no sense of belonging, no warm home to come back to. No matter how lofty your ambitions, how grand your dreams, how fast your river of life flows, always remember its source and treasure it, said Mr Goh.

Lastly, Mr Goh said "be more than a languid river. Be bold and carve out new paths. Make a difference.

This Commencement also presents the pioneer class from five programmes:

• Bachelor of Environmental Studies - Faculty of Science and Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
• Master of Science (Business Analytics) - School of Computing and Business School
• Master of Urban Planning - School of Design and Environment
• Master of Technology (Enterprise Business Analytics) - Institute of Systems Science and Faculty of Engineering
• Master of Science (Audiology) - NUS Medicine

A six-student ensemble from the NUS Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music performed a piece titled Walks on Water, composed by alumnus Chen Zhangyi at the ceremony. One of the students, 19-year-old Churen Li, is the youngest graduate for undergraduate programmes at this year's commencement.

NUS Commencement 2015 will culminate in the NUS Commencement Dinner on 24 July, which will be attended by graduates, faculty, staff and alumni of the University.

Read more about the Honorary Graduates.
Read NUS President's speech.

Click here for more on Commencement, including a live webcast of each ceremony.