03
March
2015
|
03:30
Asia/Singapore

Former Singapore President Mr S R Nathan conferred inaugural NUS Distinguished Arts and Social Sciences Alumni Awards

Seven other eminent academics and professionals also lauded for their contributions towards nation-building, growth of the university and promotion of the arts and social sciences

The National University of Singapore (NUS) Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) tonight celebrated the achievements of former President of the Republic of Singapore, Mr S R Nathan, and seven other exceptional alumni at the inaugural Distinguished Arts and Social Sciences Alumni Awards. The awards were presented in conjunction with the FASS STARS Awards 2015 (FASS Service, Teaching, Alumni, Research, Long Service Awards 2015).

The Distinguished Arts and Social Sciences Alumni Awards were established this year to recognise outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions in various capacities towards Singapore 's nation-building, the growth of the University and Faculty, and the betterment and promotion of the arts and social sciences. These individuals have also shown excellence in various fields locally and internationally.

Professor Brenda Yeoh, Dean of the NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, said, "As we celebrate Singapore 's 50th birthday alongside NUS ' 110th Anniversary, it is fitting to honour the achievements of our alumni. The Distinguished Alumni Award recipients have contributed with verve, energy and creativity to the nation, the University, the Faculty and Singapore society in various ways – be it in education and research, public service, the corporate world and volunteerism. Many of them were pioneering figures in the development of Singapore, without whom, our country would not be what it is today. Collectively, their achievements will inspire the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and NUS to new heights. I extend my heartiest congratulations to all our award recipients."

This year 's award categories include the Distinguished Arts and Social Sciences Alumni Award (Lifetime Achievement) and Distinguished Arts and Social Sciences Alumni Award.

Distinguished Arts and Social Sciences Alumni Award (Lifetime Achievement)

Mr S R Nathan, the sixth President of the Republic of Singapore, was conferred the Distinguished Arts and Social Sciences Alumni Award (Lifetime Achievement) in recognition of his exceptional contributions towards the development of the Faculty, the University, Singapore and globally.

Mr S R Nathan (Class of '54)

Mr S R Nathan, former President of the Republic of Singapore, belongs to the pioneer batch of social work students who graduated with a Diploma in Social Studies in 1954 from the University of Malaya.

He first began his career as a medical social worker, and later served as a seaman 's welfare officer. At a critical period of Singapore 's history before the nation 's independence in 1965, he served as a trade union mediator. Thereafter, he had a very distinguished 50-year career in civil service, notably in the Foreign Affairs and Defence Ministries, and as a Diplomat. He was Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Director of the Security and Intelligence Division of the Ministry of Defence, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, High Commissioner to Malaysia, Ambassador to the United States of America, Ambassador-at-Large, and Director of the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies. At an age when most people contemplate retirement, he served two terms of Presidency and is Singapore 's longest serving President, from 1999 to 2011.

Mr Nathan continues to be actively involved in education today. He holds the Honorary Doctor of Letters Degree from NUS. He is also a Distinguished Senior Fellow in the Singapore Management University, Nanyang Technological University, as well as the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. In 2013, Mr Nathan gave his support to set up the S R Nathan Professorship in Social Work at NUS, which enables the University to uphold the long-term goal of promoting social work education and encouraging research among scholars in Singapore and Asia on issues related to social development, poverty and asset building.

Distinguished Arts and Social Sciences Alumni Award

NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences also presented the Distinguished Arts and Social Sciences Alumni Award on seven alumni in recognition of their distinguished scholarship and outstanding service to the Faculty, the University and Singapore. These outstanding individuals have also shown excellence in various fields locally and internationally.

The award recipients are:

  • Professor Maurice Baker (Class of '41)
  • Professor Wang Gungwu (Class of '53, '56)
  • Mr Herman Ronald Hochstadt (Class of '58)
  • Mrs Tan Suan Imm (Class of '61)
  • Ambassador Chan Heng Chee (Class of '64, '74 ')
  • Mr Yap Boh Tiong (Class of '69, '73)
  • Professor Kishore Mahbubani (Class of '71)

Please refer to Annex 1 for information on the award recipients and Annex 2 for the citations.