NUS and Universiti Malaya celebrate historic ties through 55th golf tournament and academic symposium
NUS and Universiti Malaya (UM) continued their decades-long engagement through the 55th edition of the UM-NUS Inter-University Tunku Chancellor Golf Tournament and UM-NUS Joint Academic Symposium, held from 29 to 30 July in Singapore. The events brought together university leaders, academics and alumni of NUS and UM to celebrate the institutions’ longstanding ties and foster continued connections.
The relationship between the two universities is rooted in a shared history that predates their establishment as separate institutions in 1962. Over the years, their ties have been sustained through academic collaborations and traditions such as the annual golf tournament.
Activities commenced on 29 July, with a social golf game played at Singapore Island Country Club, followed by the UM-NUS Joint Academic Symposium on Artificial Intelligence: Challenges and Opportunities, held at The Capella on Sentosa.
Exploring AI opportunities
This was the third year in a row that a joint symposium was held in conjunction with the broader UM-NUS programme, a reflection of the multi-faceted relationship between the universities. Led by the NUS AI Institute and supported by the NUS Office of Alumni Relations, the symposium featured a series of invited talks, thematic discussions, keynote presentations and demo showcases by researchers and scholars from disciplines including computing, science and medicine.
“The breadth of topics covered at this year's Symposium — from smart hospitals and precision healthcare to drug discovery and robotics — reflects the transformative potential of artificial intelligence,” said Professor Mohan Kankanhalli, Provost’s Chair Professor of Computer Science and Director of NUS AI Institute.
“Bringing together researchers from NUS and UM allows us to learn from one another and explore how our complementary strengths can advance research and innovation.”
Speaking at the UM-NUS Gala Dinner held later that evening at Capella Singapore, NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye (Science ’85) spoke to the importance of the continual collaboration between the universities, noting that this year’s UM-NUS activities “demonstrate the strength of our partnership and our shared commitment to advancing innovation, nurturing talent, and fostering regional growth for the benefit of our institutions and the communities we serve”.
Professor Dato' Seri Ir. Dr Noor Azuan bin Abu Osman, Vice-Chancellor of UM, echoed this sentiment in his remarks at the event: “Together, we can build new connections, shape regional standards and strengthen trusted networks in facing future turbulence with resilience and foresight.”
The gala dinner was hosted by NUS Chancellor and President of the Republic of Singapore Tharman Shanmugaratnamand Mrs Jane Ittogi Shanmugaratnam, and attended by HRH Sultan of Perak Nazrin Shah, Chancellor of the University of Malaya, and HRH Raja Permaisuri of Perak Tuanku Zara Salim Also in attendance were UM Pro-Chancellor Tan Sri Dato' Seri Mohd Annuar Zaini; NUS Pro-Chancellor Mr Po’ad bin Shaik Abu Bakar Mattar; Chairman of the NUS Board of Trustees Mr Hsieh Fu Hua; UM Vice-Chancellor Professor Dato' Seri Ir Dr Noor Azuan Abu Osman; and Ms Ovidia Lim-Rajaram (Political Science and History ’89), NUS Chief Alumni Officer.
More than 200 participating academics and golfers from UM and NUS joined the formal event, which included performances by NUS Dikir Barat, NUS Indian Dance and the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music’s alumni octet.
Honouring tradition through sport
Following the social golf game that happened on the preceding day, the competition for the Tunku Chancellor Cup took place on 30 July at the Tanah Merah Golf Club. First held in 1968 as a symbol of the strong relationship between UM and NUS, the UM-NUS Inter-University Tunku Chancellor Golf Tournament is hosted alternately by the two universities.
Led by golf captain Ms Angelia Tay, Head of Marketing and Communications at NUS-ISS, the NUS team delivered a commendable performance to claim the win.
From the exchange of ideas at the Joint Academic Symposium to the camaraderie demonstrated on the fairway, the annual UM-NUS programme continues to forge friendships, foster new collaborations and celebrate an enduring connection between two leading universities in the region.
By NUS Office of Alumni Relations
