Keep zest for life
Some 360 guests attended NUS Commencement Dinner 2016
Newly minted graduates at the NUS Commencement Dinner 2016 were encouraged by NUS President Professor Tan Chorh Chuan to be optimistic and to maintain their zest for life.
Giving his customary speech, Prof Tan urged the graduates not to fall prey to viewing the world through “gloom-tinted lenses”. He said, “Be optimistic, be positive and keep your zest for life. That, is the NUS spirit.” He also highlighted the founders of WateROAM as an example to emulate. This group of Engineering and Business alumni had made use of the knowledge and skills gained in NUS to develop a cost-effective solution to bring safe drinking water to impoverished people in the region. Prof Tan then led the guests in a toast to the Class of 2016.
Prof Tan toasted the Class of 2016, as well as NUS and Singapore
The dinner, which closed the week-long Commencement ceremonies, was held on 15 July at the Dining Hall of College of Alice & Peter Tan (CAPT) and Residential College 4 at NUS. Gracing the occasion was Special Guest Mr Ong Ye Kung, Acting Minister for Education (Higher Education and Skills) who mingled with the graduates, seeking their views on the job market and their future plans.
Mr Ong (right) mingling with valedictorians
Other attendees included NUS Pro-Chancellors Mr Po’ad Mattar and Mr Chan Sek Keong; NUS Chairman Mr Wong Ngit Liong and NUS Trustee Mr Chaly Mah; Prof Tan; NUS Deputy President (Academic Affairs) and Provost Professor Tan Eng Chye; senior administrators; faculty and alumni.
Mr Ong (left) and Mr Wong (right in blue tie) taking a wefie with graduates
Representing the Class of 2016, Alvin Poh, General Secretary of NUS Students’ Union, said that unlike many of his peers who shunned curricular activities in the pursuit of academic success, he continued with non-academic commitments throughout his time in NUS. “The experience I had in the Union has not only developed me as a holistic person but taught me valuable lessons that I did not acquire in class,” he said. These included skills in people management, communications and critical thinking.
Student talents from CAPT and NUS Jazz Band kept the guests entertained with their rousing renditions of popular songs throughout dinner. The evening ended on a high note with an electrifying vocal performance by KR Rockers from Kent Ridge Hall.
