Inaugural NUS Innovation Forum: Deepening ties across borders
10 May 2024 saw the launch of the first NUS Innovation Forum (NIF) themed “Navigating New Horizons: Charting the Future of Tech, Innovation and International Dynamics”, in Manila. Developed by the Office of Alumni Relations, the NIF is a new global alumni engagement initiative to foster connections among NUS alumni worldwide with peers, and academic and global thought leaders.
Hosted by Professor Aaron Thean, NUS Deputy President (Academic Affairs) and Provost, NIF Manila also commemorated the 55th anniversary of Singapore’s diplomatic relations with the Philippines. Ambassador to the Philippines, Her Excellency Constance See (History ’97) was the Guest-of-Honour.
The forum featured three insightful panel discussions which drew enthusiastic participation from alumni and students. Professor Aaron Thean and Professor Mohan Kankanhalli, Deputy Executive Chairman of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Singapore and Director of NUS AI Institute, who is also NUS Provost’s Chair Professor of Computer Science, were among panellists at two of the sessions discussing the role of universities in nurturing a culture of innovation, and the challenges and opportunities brought about by Generative AI respectively. Another panel on geopolitics and economic rivalry in ASEAN was moderated by Li Ka Shing Professor of Economics Danny Quah, Dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at NUS (LKYSPP).
Other Manila-based panellists included Justice Antonio Carpio, Retired Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines; Professor Albert Park, Chief Economist, Asian Development Bank; Dr Maria Thaemar C. Tana (Japanese Studies ’19), Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, University of the Philippines Diliman; Professor Arnulfo Azcarraga, College of Computer Studies, Former Head of the Society of University Fellows, De La Salle University; and Ms Lei Motilla, Co-Founder & Innovation Lead, AI4GOV.
With organisational support provided by the NUS Alumni Overseas Chapter Manila, more than 100 NUS alumni living and working in the Metropolitan Manila area attended the half-day forum. Other event attendees included members of the Philippine government as well as leaders of leading Filipino universities, notably Dr Arsenio Balisacan, Secretary of the National Economic and Development Authority; Atty Angelo A Jimenez, President of University of Philippines; and Father Roberto Yap, President of Ateneo de Manila University.
NIF Manila culminated in the NUS Alumni & Friends Dinner where alumni, partners and staff congregated and reconnected. With many LKYSPP alumni residing in the Philippines, the dinner became a fitting occasion to celebrate the School’s 20th anniversary.
In her welcome remarks at the event, Ms Ovidia Lim-Rajaram, NUS Chief Alumni Officer said, “It is by bringing together diverse voices and perspectives that the best ideas are often generated…something that NUS is in a privileged position to do, given the rich diversity and geographic reach of our alumni.”
Acknowledgements were extended to the Embassy of the Republic of Singapore in the Philippines, the NUS alumni network in Manila, and key individuals such as NUS Alumni Overseas Chapter Manila Chairperson Mr Richard D. Tan for their instrumental roles in organising the successful event.
