NUS and University of Malaya rekindle longstanding and resilient ties post-pandemic
NUS celebrated and reaffirmed the strong and longstanding ties with the University of Malaya (UM) at the 52nd UM-NUS Inter-University Tunku Chancellor Golf Tournament held on 6 and 7 June 2023.
Hosted by UM Chancellor, His Royal Highness Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, the Sultan of the state of Perak, at The Mines Resort and Golf Club in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the tournament returned for its 52nd iteration this year. The gathering was made more meaningful as it was the first time the tournament had been reinstated after a three-year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
NUS Chancellor and Singapore State President Madam Halimah Yacob attended the tournament on the invitation of the Chancellor of UM, accompanied by officials from the President’s Office and NUS. NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye met his counterpart, Vice Chancellor of UM Professor Dato' Ir. Dr. Mohd. Hamdi Abd. Shukor, at the event. Mr Shivakumar Nair, Deputy High Commissioner at the Singapore High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, was also present.
Speaking at the official dinner reception held at the St Regis Kuala Lumpur in conjunction with the tournament, Prof Tan remarked on the close ties between NUS and UM. “The special relationship between NUS and UM remains steadfast and endures, even in a world of change, uncertainty and disruption,” Prof Tan said.
“We have a shared history, a strong bond, and a commitment to our partnership that extends beyond academics and research; there is our camaraderie, familiarity and fellowship,” he added.
Prof Tan also expressed his hopes to strengthen ties with UM in the areas of innovation and student entrepreneurship, such as through the expansion of the NUS Overseas Colleges (NOC) within the region, as well as the NUS Enterprise Summer Programme in Entrepreneurship.
Bringing people together
This year’s golf tournament saw 80 golfers from NUS and UM competing for the Tunku Chancellor Cup. Mooted with the aim of fostering goodwill between NUS and UM, the first edition of the tournament was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 1968. The tournament is hosted alternately by UM and NUS, with this year’s edition taking place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
In addition to being a reunion across borders for golfers from both universities, the event also brought together a well-rounded NUS team as one community, regardless of their status as alumni, staff or students, their age, or gender.
Led by golf captain Mr Bernard Toh (Director, NUS Office of Alumni Relations), the 44-strong team from NUS also included eight female golfers, including alumna Ms Cheryl Looi (Business, ’18) who was the Captain and Chairperson of NUS Golf from 2014 to 2018.
Younger golfers such as current students Emerson Boon (Year 1, NUS Law) and Lex Pang (Year 3, NUS Business) also stepped up to the tee with much aplomb, their powerful strokes enabling them to clinch two awards at the tournament; Emerson winning the Best NUS pair with his teammate, and Lex bringing home the prize for the longest drive on Hole 5.
In a display of friendly competition and excellent sportsmanship, the team from UM eventually emerged victorious in this year’s tournament.
Read the press statement here.
