A dedicated life

Mrs Wong (third from right) catching up with her former staff at NUS

Once, the Registrar's Office used to be the "one-stop shop for the University, dealing with everything from student admissions to their graduation, answering faculty and staff requirements, as well as planning curriculum. Mrs Joanna Wong, one of the longest-serving staff in the office, noted that "it's a really multitasking department, long before the term appeared in the vocabulary.

She remembered having to register students, address their problems, schedule examinations and organise graduation ceremonies. For the University management and academics, the office assisted in meetings and developing new courses, such as the Talent Development Programme that evolved into the current University Scholars Programme.

From a fresh undergraduate entering the University of Singapore (SU) in 1959 until she retired from the Registrar's post in 2001, Mrs Wong enjoyed her 42 years with the University through its various incarnations. The Chemistry graduate joined SU as an administrative assistant in the Registrar's Office, where she spent 38 years serving seven Vice-Chancellors and a student body that expanded from 2,400 to more than 26,000.

Thanks to her rich institutional knowledge, she was often dubbed "the University's walking encyclopaedia.

Mrs Wong ran her office like a family, such that all staff were committed to their responsibilities. "There was no talking down. We helped one another as we cooperated to make sure that everything ran smoothly, she noted. "We made the University tick and progress.

When she was seconded from 1977 to 1980 to Nanyang University (NU) as a registrar, Ms Wong built close ties with its community. This kinship undoubtedly helped her office facilitate the smooth merger of SU and NU to become NUS in 1980.

The joy of interacting with people, especially students, and seeing them grow provided the fulfilment that kept Mrs Wong going, despite the heavy workload that often saw her soldiering on at night. Furthermore, the dynamism and changes of NUS as it developed and globalised made the journey exciting, as "you are never bored, she said.

Deeply passionate about Cantonese opera since young, Mrs Wong fully immersed in the art after her retirement. The Artistic Director of Chinese Theatre Circle of Singapore is just as busy now, teaching opera to enthusiasts, directing shows and educating a younger generation in arts at the National Institute of Education and Lasalle College of the Arts. She is currently Chairman of Cantonese Opera Artistes Guild.

Mrs Wong's love affair with the opera blossomed during her teenage years, and her clear voice and performance in female roles stood out. She shot to fame as the heroine in Madam White Snake in 1968, a role she reprised three years later for Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh during their visit to Singapore.

Mrs Wong performing in an opera as a lady warrior

Together with husband Mr Leslie Wong who shared her love for the traditional arts, Mrs Wong founded the Chinese Theatre Circle in 1981. The theatre troupe puts up at least four major shows a year locally and tours the world to perform at arts festivals or on special invitations.

Mrs Wong's dedication to Chinese opera has been recognised by her winning the National Arts Council's Cultural Medallion award in 1981. Her many contributions to community service and leadership also saw her receiving the Public Service Award and being appointed a Justice of the Peace.

With the University celebrating its 110th anniversary this year, what is Mrs Wong's wish?

"I'd like all staff to treat the University like their home. Everyone has to have a sense of belonging, a sense of commitment to make sure that this university is the top university we work for, she said.

Mrs Joanna Wong is one of NUS Everyday Icons ' people who have shaped the University in unique ways ' to be featured in a monthly series to mark NUS' 110th anniversary.