King Edward VII Hall turns 100

King Edward VII (KE VII) Hall, the University’s oldest student hostel, marked its 100th anniversary with a series of events that culminated with the Centenary Gala Dinner on 7 April at the Hilton Singapore.

First inaugurated in 1916 as the Federated Malay States Hostel, it had housed students from the King Edward VII Medical School that has evolved over the years into NUS today. The Untold Story, a booklet tracing the hostel’s lineage, was launched at and given to guests of the Gala Dinner, which was graced by Guest-of-Honour Dr Lam Pin Min, Minister of State, Ministry of Health.

“KE VII Hall will continue to have a role to play in modern Singapore and NUS. What we make of ourselves for the next lap will depend on our ability to discern and put into practice the successful formula we have created, and how to tweak the formula as the world, Singapore, the educational system and hostelites change,” said KE VII Hall Master Professor Ho Yew Kee in the booklet’s foreword.

The organisers of this year’s RunKE, held on 2 April, also paid tribute to the Hall’s legacy by starting the race at the hostel’s former site within the vicinity of the Singapore General Hospital. The 7km route ended at KE VII Hall’s current location at Kent Ridge Campus.

Carnival @ KE on 19 March brought together alumni, residents and members of the public for a day of fun and games. One of its highlights was the launch of the King Edward VII Hall Heritage Room showcasing artefacts of the Hall’s history. 

Dr Lam (centre) with Prof Ho on his left (partially blocked), and past and present Junior Common Room Committee presidents marking KE VII Hall’s 100th anniversary at the Gala Dinner with a cake-cutting ceremony