Lee Kong Chian

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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