Lee Kong Chian

1962 - 1965

Education

• Born in China and came to Singapore in 1903.
• Anglo-Tamil School; attended night classes at Yung Cheng School.
• Later switched to St. Joseph’s School and Tao Nan Chinese School.
• Won a scholarship to study in Shanghai at age 15.
• Studied civil engineering at Tangshan Engineering College in north China but returned to Singapore in 1912 due to the
  political turmoil in China.

Career

• 1912 Held positions of primary school teacher at Tao Nan School, later a municipal surveyor. Was also a translator for a local Chinese newspaper.
• 1929 Started his own company, Lee Rubber Company.
• 1952 Was well known as a philanthropist. Set up the Lee Foundation to help schools and charitable organizations.
• 1962-65 Became the first Chancellor, University of Singapore. He was also one of its principal benefactors.

Offices held

• President, Royal Commonwealth Society; Great Britain-China Centre; Federation of Commonwealth Chambers of Commerce; Britain Burma Society.
• President, Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Committee Chairman, Singapore Chinese High School

Honours

• Hon. Doctor of Laws (University of Malaya, Singapore)
• Hon. Doctor of Letters (University of Singapore)
• Panglima Mangku Negara
• Seri Paduka Mahkota Johor
• Seri Jiwa Mahkota Kelantan

Addresses by His Excellency the Chancellor

• 12 June 1962 installation address as the first Chancellor of the University of Singapore at the Victoria Theatre
• 12 June 1962 convocation at the Victoria Theatre
• 6 June 1964 convocation at the National Theatre