1962

University of Singapore
1962
Developments
- The two divisions of the University of Malaya became two separate entities and the University of Malaya in Singapore was re-designated the University of Singapore, with Dato Lee Kong Chian as the first Chancellor and Dr B R Sreenivasan as the first Vice Chancellor.
- Vice Chancellor Dr B R Sreenivasan opened the UNESCO’s first regional symposium on scientific knowledge of tropical parasites at the Medical Faculty, declaring that Singapore had now become a centre of learning in Southeast Asia.
- Department of Paediatrics was established, with Dr Wong Hock Boon appointed as first Chair.
- Research
- The Borneo research unit was formed at the University of Singapore with Raffles Professor of History, Professor K. Tregonning as Director to stimulate Borneo-centred research.
- The Rockefeller Foundation provided grants worth $11,5000 to Dr. K.J. Ratnam and Professor R.S. Milne of the Political Science Department to study the general elections in Malaya.
- The Rockefeller Foundation made grant of $78,716 to University of Singapore’s Department of Bacteriology for research into encephalitis diseases.
- Benefactions
- In 1962, the University received gifts and financial assistance for various purposes from University of Kansas Medical Centre (US$3,500), Hooper Foundation ($4,224), World Health Organization ($15,907.98), Lee Foundation ($15557), Asia Foundation ($20314.35), Singapore Turf Club ($15,000), Mr Tan Chin Tuan ($25,000), Smith Kline and French Laboratories, US (US$2,500), UNESCO (US$900) and United Commercial Bank ($5,000).
1963
Academic initiatives
- The Law Faculty began a one year Certificate course in international law and relations, and a postgraduate Certificate in Legal Education.
- The Extramural Studies programme was introduced to organise and run classes and courses for the public with Dr John Lowe as first Head.
- A Fisheries Biology Unit was set up in the Department of Zoology.
Research
- A Centre for Southeast Asian Studies in Social Science was established to encourage interdisciplinary postgraduate research.
- Asia Foundation gave a grant of $105,888 to set up an economics research division to carry out research programmes in various economic spheres and provide information, analysis and recommendations for economic planning in Singapore.
- The United States government gave its first research grant worth $136,200 to Singapore, specifically to the Department of Pharmaceutics for its work on the action of drugs on the human body. This was also the first grant to be issued by the United States to a university in Southeast Asia for a research programme.
- Other developments
- The Singapore government and University of Singapore jointly appointed a 7-man committee to investigate the feasibility of establishing a faculty of technology or a school of applied Science within the University of Singapore.
- Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew opened the international “Leadership and Authority in Asia” symposium, organised by UNESCO and the University’s Centre for Southeast Asian Studies in Social Science, the first conference organised by the Centre on an international scale.
- Dr. B.R. Sreenivasan launched the University of Singapore Fund to raise $40 million within the next five years for its expansion programme.
- Benefactions
- Family of businessman Koh Siow Nam donated collection of more than 10,000 rare books to the University’s Department of Chinese Studies, to be housed in the University of Singapore library.
- The Ford Foundation provided a grant of $900,000 over two years to the University’s Department of Law to strengthen law education and research.
- The Ford Foundation provided a five year grant of $1,110,000 to build up the University Library’s research material on Southeast Asia and Economics.
- Numerous banks, companies, institutions and individuals contributed to the University of Singapore Fund, including a $25,000 contribution from Cold Storage (Singapore) Limited to mark the 60th anniversary of the company, and $10,000 each from Lim Seng Tjoe of Ban Hin Leong Co. Ltd , and R. Jumabhoy donate $10,000 for a scholarship for the Faculty of Medicine.
- Donations of $15,000 from the Singapore Turf Club and $10,000 from the Reuben Meyer Trust Fund were received for various purposes.
- In 1963, the University also received gifts and financial assistance for various purposes from Glaxo-Allenburys (Export) Ltd ($10,875), the World Health Organization ($46,240), the Rockefeller Foundation ($78,699), the Asia Foundation ($89,865), the National Institute of Health ($80,587), the Pfizer Corporation ($12,000), the Lee Foundation ($32,108), the Singapore government ($254,550), Smith Kline and French Laboratories, Philadelphia ($7,561), the Wellcome Trust ($48,000), the University of British Columbia ($7,561), UNESCO ($34,483) and United Engineers ($8000).
1964
Academic initiatives
- The School of Postgraduate Medical Studies was established.
- Department of Social Studies began new professional social work course for graduates leading to a post-graduate diploma.
- Research
- The United States Public Health Service gave the Chemistry Department a three year $72,000 grant for research on Malayan plants.
- With a grant of $1,749,000 from the Ford Foundation, the University of Singapore established an Economic Research Centre to conduct policy-oriented research relating to Singapore and Malaya, with Dr You Poh Seng as first Director.
- Other developments
- The University of Singapore and Singapore Polytechnic accepted recommendations of Colombo Plan experts to develop the Polytechnic into an institute of advanced technology with schools of engineering, accountancy and architecture for the award of degrees of the University of Singapore.
- Benefactions
- The Ford Foundation provided a grant of US$300,000 to help expand the University Library.
- Funeral committee for Singapore businessman Tan Seng Phee contributed total of $13,000 to the University of Singapore, Nanyang University and eight other organisations.
1965
Academic Initiatives
- The Department for Social Studies began a two-year Diploma in Social Studies course.
- A separate Department of Business Administration under Deputy Vice-Chancellor Reginald Quahe was established.
- A Department of Sociology was established with Dr M C Groves as the Chair.
- Research
- The United States National Cancer Institute awarded Professor K. Shanmugaratnam, Professor of Pathology in the Faculty of Medicine, US$31,200 to continue with research on nasopharyneal carcinoma.
- Other developments
- Dato Lee Kong Chian resigned as Chancellor due to ill-health; Singapore President Yusof bin Ishak was installed as the University Chancellor.
- Professor Lim Tay Boh was appointed Vice Chancellor of University of Singapore.
- Benefactions
- The Medical Progress Fund was started as part of the diamond jubilee celebrations of the Medical Faculty with donations of $1,000,000 from Lee Foundation, and more than $100,000 each from Tan Sri Runme Shaw, Tan Chin Tuan, Nanyang Siang Pau, Reuben Meyer Trust Fund, Dato Dr Aw Cheng Chye, Dato Lee Chee Han, Mr Yap Twee of Chin Ho and Company and the Singapore Turf Club. The Fund aimed to raise $4,750,000 to build an Institute of Medical Specialities and a library extension to the Medical Faculty.
- During the 1965-66 academic year, the Asia Foundation ($66,166), Glaxo-Allenburys (Export) Ltd ($11,100), the Lee Foundation ($15,079), Loke Wan Tho ($5,000), the USA National Institute of Health ($54,086), the Pfizer Corporation ($12,000), the Rockefeller Foundation ($23,423), the Singapore Turf Club ($19,000), the World Health Organization ($31,209) gave grants and donations for various purposes.
1966
Academic Initiatives
- The School of Postgraduate Medical Studies in the Faculty of Medicine conducts eight-week course in advance medicine for medical graduates.
- Degrees courses in architecture, accountancy and engineering began in the Singapore Polytechnic.
- The School of Postgraduate Medical Studies was established.
- Other developments
- The University of Singapore announced arrangements to award degrees in architecture, accountancy and engineering to students who complete these degree courses in Singapore Polytechnic.
- The Faculty of Social Sciences was established comprising of the Departments of Economics, Political Science, Sociology, Geography, Social Studies, and Business Administration. It granted two degrees, the Bachelor of Social Sciences and the Bachelor of Business Administration.
- The Department of Dentistry became a full-fledged Faculty with Dr Edmund Tay Miong Hiong as the first elected Dean.
- The Extra-Mural Studies programme was formally established as the Department of Extra-Mural Studies.
- Singapore Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew officially opened new buildings at the University of Singapore to allow for the expansion of the Science Faculty to meet Singapore’s industrialization needs, including a $2.5 million Science tower, and a new Lecture Theatre and extension to the Physics Building, each costing $1.2 million.
- Singapore Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew opened a four-day seminar on “The Role of Universities in the Economic and Social Development of new nations in Southeast Asia”, organised by the Association of Southeast Asia Institute of Higher Learning.
- Dr K.J. Ratnam was named Dean of the new Faculty of Social Sciences, becoming the youngest professor at University of Singapore to be appointed Dean.
Benefactions
- Y’s Men’s Club of Singapore (Beta Chapter) launched and collected $31,000 for the Brain Research Fund to advance brain research in the University of Singapore.
- Lions Club of Singapore raised and donated $9,498.20 to the University of Singapore Artificial Kidney Fund.
- Dato Lee Chee Shan, managing director of Chung Khiaw Bank Ltd. donated $20,000 to the Department of Clinical Medicine at the University of Singapore for a study grant for a course in renal nursing care.
- During the 1965-66 academic year, the Asia Foundation ($50,199), the China Medical Board ($197,343.45), the Ford Foundation ($220,267.69), Glaxo-Allenburys (Export) Lte ($12,300), the Junior Chamber of Singapore ($26,574), the Lee Foundation ($24,573), the National Cancer Institute ($12,700), the National Institutes of Health ($53,478.61), the Pfizer Corporation ($12,000), the Population Council ($54,857.14), the Rockefeller Foundation ($15,595.51), Teo Hang Sam ($5,000), the Wellcome Trust ($6,442.59), the World Health Organization ($25,755) and the Y’s Men’s Club of Singapore ($24,040.46) gave grants and donations for various purposes.
1967
Academic Initiatives
- A degree course in applied social studies leading to the new degree of Bachelor of Social Sciences was introduced for students who intend to engage in professional social work as a career.
- Research
- A Singapore-Malaysia Chinese research unit to research on the Chinese community in the region under the direction of Dr Png Poh Seng of the Department of History was formed with the aid of an Asia Foundation grant.
- Other developments
- The first batch of Malay students who completed the Higher School Certificate examinations in the Malay medium was admitted to the University of Singapore.
- The Malay Studies Department was established, with Dr. Syed Hussein Alatas, as Head to offer courses in both the Malay and English medium.
- The University of Singapore expanded the Departments of Chinese Language and Literature and Malay Studies, and reintroduced the course in Indian Studies to be in line with the University’s policy of giving equal treatment for the four main streams of education.
- The Department of Applied Social Studies was renamed the Department of Social Work and Social Administration.
- A Coronary care unit was set up in the Faculty of Medicine, the first such facility in the region.
- Oei Tiong Ham Hall, named after sugar tycoon Oei Tiong Ham for his contribution of $150,000 to Raffles College in 1919, was renamed the Oei Tiong Ham Building after extensions to the hall.
- Benefactions
- Kwek Hong Png of Hong Leong Co. Ltd, and his brothers, donated $10,000 to the University in memory of their late mother, Madame Yap Kan Neo.
- The Ford Foundation gave $366,253 to strengthen the University Library and the Economic Research Centre.
- The Singapore Turf Club donated $172,000 for the Coronary Care Service and other purposes.
- The National Institutes of Health ($64,668.36), the Population Council ($38,095.24), THE World Health Organization ($21,210), the Asia Foundation ($19,224), Lee Foundation ($18,901), Mr Shum Yip Leong ($15,000), Mr K.P. Thio ($15,000), numerous individuals ($13,224), the Pfizer Corporation ($12,880) and the Rockefeller Foundation ($12,576.33) gave the University significant donations and grants for research and equipment procurement purposes.
1968
Developments
- Dr Toh Chin Chye, the Singapore government’s Minister for Science and Technology was appointed Vice Chancellor of the University of Singapore.
- The World Health Organization selected Singapore as its Asian regional centre for training and research in immunology located in the Faculty of Medicine in the University of Singapore.
- UNESCO experts submitted a $150 million plan to restructure the University to meet Singapore’s economic needs in the 1970s, including moving the University to a new campus, the establishment of a Faculty of Engineering and the transfer of all the degree courses from the Singapore Polytechnic to the University.
- The School of Postgraduate Medical Studies was established as a separate institution from the Faculty of Medicine.
- Dr Thio Su Mien became the first woman in the history of the University to be elected Dean of the Faculty of Law.
- Benefactions
- The Ford Foundation gave the University of Singapore two grants totalling $1,581,000 to expand its Law Faculty and improve its Economic Research Centre.
- The Lee Foundation and anonymous donors contributed $432,000 to the Medical Progress Fund.
- Dr Chen Su Lan donated $50,000 to Cardiovascular Research.
- The World Health Organization provided a grant of $30,000 for the Immunology Research and Training Centre.
- Lion’s International donated $20,000 for the Artificial Kidney Research Fund.
- Numerous individuals and donors donated about $32,000 for numerous other purposes.
1969
Academic Initiatives
- Two four-year Bachelor of Science degree courses in building and estate management, a Master of Arts degree course in urban planning, a Master of Science course in Systems Engineering, and a Masters degree course in Business Administration were introduced.
- The degree courses in Arts, Social Sciences and Science were restructured - Honours degrees now required four years of study instead of three. The duration of medical and dental courses was shortened by one year to five and four years respectively.
Other developments
- The University of Singapore conferred Honorary Doctor of Letters on Singapore President and University Chancellor Yusof bin Ishak.
- Eight Asian countries – Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam – set up the Regional Institute of Higher Education and Development, based in the University of Singapore.
- Eminent architect and planner Professor S.J. Van Embden was appointed as architectural consultant to develop the University’s expansion plans.
- The Singapore Polytechnic’s Department of Accountancy was combined with the University of Singapore’s Department of Business Administration to form the School of Business Administration and Accountancy.
- The Faculty of Engineering and Faculty of Architecture were transferred from Singapore Polytechnic to the University of Singapore but continued to be based in Singapore Polytechnic’s Prince Edward Road Campus. The Faculty of Architecture was moved to Kinloss House, Ladyhill Road to provide more room for the Engineering Faculty.
- The Faculty of Arts and and Faculty of Social Sciences were combined to become the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
- The English Department was expanded into the Department of English Language and Literature.
- The Department of Economics was expanded into Department of Economics and Statistics.
- The Lee Kong Chian Language Centre was established from the merger of two language laboratories previously in the School of Education to conduct courses in English, Chinese and other Southeast Asian languages.
Benefactions
- The Gandhi Centenary celebrations committee presented cheque for $65,000 to the University to create a Gandhi Centenary scholarship for needy and deserving students.
- The Ford Foundation gave the Institute of Southeast Asia Studies a grant of $375,000.
- Donors to the University during the 1968-69 academic year included the Lee Foundation ($114,550), Ford Foundation ($222,497), World Health Organization ($56,968) and UNESCO ($48,520)
1970
Academic initiatives
- The University of Singapore introduced a two-year Masters of Architecture postgraduate course in urban planning to meet the demands of national urban renewal programmes.
- The School of Postgraduate Medical Studies began a new degree, the Master of Medicine, for specialisations in surgery, internal medicine, paediatrics or obstetrics and gynaecology. With the establishment of the degree, the University of Singapore was able to train and examine doctors for higher qualifications in these fields without the need to send them abroad.
- A part-time two year diploma course in Business Administration was introduced for degree holders to meet demand for management personnel.
- To meet the needs of industry, the School of Pharmacy added three new subjects, business administration, food technology, and quality control to its three-year Bachelor of Pharmacy degree course, which is re-designated the Bachelor of Science (Pharmacy) degree.
- Other developments
- Professor S J Van Embden, UNESCO expert from the Netherlands, revealed the Masterplan for the new University of Singapore campus at Kent Ridge, where the University’s Faculties will all be brought together under one roof. The plan also included a new university teaching hospital related to the medical faculty.
- Vice-Chancellor Dr Toh Chin Chye announced the setting up of the School of Post-graduate Dental Studies to offer postgraduate dental surgery training and the Master of Dental Surgery degree. Dr. Ronald Victor Lam, Associate Professor Dentistry was appointed first director of the school.
- Deputy Vice-Chancellor Reginald Quahe opened a new renal unit in the Department of Clinical Medicine to treat kidney patients, “a major breakthrough in Singapore’s battle against kidney disease”.
- The Department of Music, which would later grow into the Centre for the Arts, was established.
Benefactions
- Banker and businessman Dato Dr Aw Cheng Chye donated a $25,000 hyperbaric (high-pressured) oxygen chamber to the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery.
- BP Refinery Singapore Pte. Ltd donated $10,000 to the Faculty of Engineering for “its valuable contributions to industries in the Republic”. This is the first annual installment of a $30,000 grant by the British oil firm. It also donated $10,000 worth of laboratory equipment to the Applied Chemistry Department.
- The ESSO group of companies gave a grant of $90,000 for a pollution survey at Jurong.
- The Ford Foundation gave $370,000 to develop the Engineering Faculty in collaboration with the University of Wisconsin.
- Important donors to the University during the 1969-70 academic year included the Ford Foundation ($315,770), the World Health Organization ($157,565), the Lee Foundation $133,962, the Singapore Turf Club ($31,000), Dato Dr. Aw Cheng Chye ($26,324) and the Asia Foundation ($20,761).
1971
Academic initiatives
- Three new Masters degrees – Master of Engineering, Master of Science (Building) and Master of Science (Estate Management) were instituted.
- The Faculty of Dentistry was re-organised into three departments – Department of Oral Surgery, Department of Operative Dentistry and Department of Prosthetic Dentistry.
- The Department of Medicine and Department of Clinical Medicine were merged into the Department of Medicine.
- Other developments
- The President of Singapore, Benjamin H Sheares, became the new Chancellor of the University of Singapore after the passing of the previous Chancellor Inche Yusof bin Ishak.
- The three-semester system beginning in May was changed to a two-semester system beginning in July to enable all first year students to complete part of their national service commitments.
- The University of Singapore Development Unit was formed to work on the plans for the new University of Singapore campus in Kent Ridge. The Unit included professional staff from the Housing and Development Board and the Public Works Department, and staff from the Faculties of Architecture and Engineering.
- The Singapore University Press, with a full time-editor, was established to take over the activities of the Singapore branch of the University of Malaya Press.
Benefactions
- Lee Foundation, Reuben Meyer Trust Fund and the Singapore Turf Club donated a $55,000 X-ray intensifier machine to the Orthopaedic Surgery Department.
- Benefactors for the academic year 1970-71 included World Health Organization ($136,814.69), Esso Singapore Pte. Ltd ($90,000), UNESCO ($81,910), Asia Foundation ($68, 181), Lee Foundation ($66,490.57), Ministry of Science and Technology ($50,052). These donations amounted to $493,448.26.
1972
Academic initiatives
- The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences offered three new courses – music as an extra-curricular activity, statistics as a major discipline, and Chinese studies as a minor for non-Chinese medium undergraduates.
- A new Industrial and Systems Engineering Department in the Engineering Faculty and a Department of Anaesthetics in the Faculty of Medicine were established.
- The Faculty of Architecture was renamed the Faculty of Architecture and Building.
- The Department of English was renamed the Department of English Language and Literature.
- The sub-department of Statistics was abolished and incorporated into the Department of Economics, which was renamed the Department of Economics and Statistics.
- Other developments
- Dr Toh Chin Chye officiated at a ground-breaking ceremony for the new University of Singapore campus site at Kent Ridge.
- The World Bank made a $28.5million loan to Singapore to help finance the expansion and relocation of the University of Singapore.
- Deputy Vice-Chancellor Reginald Quahe opened the $195,000 University of Singapore Laboratory Animals Centre in Lorong Chencharu off Sembawang Road, to provide an adequate supply of laboratory animals for research and for educational purposes. The facility was funded by a grant from the Singapore government and donations ($10,000) from Hong Leong Company for construction and the China Medical Board ($30,000) for equipment.
- Mr Runme Shaw opened the Unit on Human Reproduction set up by the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Kandang Kerbau Hospital for Women, designated one of the ten World Health Organization (WHO) Clinical Research Centres on Human Reproduction.
- The School of Education was closed and merged with the Teacher’s Training College.
- The University of Singapore’s Master of Medicine degrees in internal medicine, paediatrics and surgery were recognised in Australia and New Zealand as being equal to British, Canada and American degrees.
- Benefactions
- The University of Singapore received $13,700 from the Australian-Asian Universities Co-operation Scheme for equipment for its mushroom breeding research project.
- Renowned news photographer Terence Khoo, killed in South Vietnam, bequeathed in his will one-third of US$25,000 insurance money due to him to the University of Singapore to set up a medical research fund for undergraduates.
- The Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce presented $22,000 to the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department for a foetal heart monitor.
- Donors to the University for the academic year 1971-72 included the World Health Organization ($252,500), the Singapore Turf Club ($75,000), UNESCO ($50,000), Ford Foundation ($30,000), SEAMEO ($24,000), U.S. Army Research & Development ($18,000), the Australian Vice-Chancellor’s Committee ($14,500) and the Ministry of Science & Technology ($12,000). These donations amounted to $223,750.
1973
Academic initiatives
- The Department of Social Work and Social Administration was renamed the Department of Social Work. Courses in Social Work and Social Administration were integrated under the title of Social Work. A degree course for Social Work replaced the previous Diploma in Social Studies.
- The Department of Bacteriology was renamed the Department of Microbiology.
- The Master of Science degree in Occupational Medicine, the first such course in Southeast Asia, was introduced.
- The Diploma in Public Health was renamed the Master of Medicine (Public Health) degree.
- Music was offered as a minor subject.
- A Master of Science (Industrial Engineering) course replaced the existing Master of Science (Systems Engineering) course.
Other developments
- The University of Singapore and Nanyang University set up a joint admission committee to administer the admission of students to both universities, so as to foster better ties between both institutions.
Benefactions
- Pfizer Pte. Ltd donated $13,000 to the University of Singapore’s Physiology Department for a blood research project on physical disorders and abnormalities.
- Donors to the University for academic year 1972-1973 included : China Medical Board ($472,129.68), World Health Organization ($413,139.03), Jee Investments Co. Pte. Ltd. ($308,490), Singapore Turf Club ($60,0000, Lee Foundation ($49,788), Ministry of Overseas Development ($38,780.02), Ministry of Science and Technology ($26,800), Terence Khoo ($22,932.20), Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce ($22,411.15), International Labour Office ($20,848.81), Pathfinder Fund ($20,796.09), E.C.A.F.E. ($16,638), SEAMEO ($14,389.45), the National Kidney Foundation ($13,380.89), the International Development Research Centre ($10,655.61), Mr. S.K. Lee ($10,600), Asia Foundation ($10.200) , Mr Lee Sian Teck ($10,000) and Rank Xerox ($10,000). These amounted to $1551978.93.
1974
Academic initiatives
- The School of Pharmacy was re-established as a department within the Faculty of Science.
- A postgraduate practical course in Law was conducted for the first time by the Faculty of Law.
- The Master of Pharmacy degree was re-designated as the Master of Science (Pharmacy) degree.
Benefactions
- The Straits Steamship Co. Ltd. donated $50,000 to provide scholarships for third-year students in various faculties.
- Haw Par Brothers International Ltd. donated $20,000 for the establishment of the Aw Cheng Chye post-graduate medical fellowships in memory of the late Dr. Aw Cheng Chye.
- Donors for the academic year of 1973-1974 included: China Medical Board ($866,578.35), World Health Organization ($356,481.63), Jee’s Investments Co. Ltd. ($150,000), Singapore Turf Club ($82,000), International Development Research Centre ($80,637.60), Ministry of Overseas Development and Administration ($80,533.46), Mitsui Bank ($79,500), Ministry of Science and Technology ($58,982.07), UNESCO ($45,418.35), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development ($41,149.14), Lee Foundation ($38,872), Searle International Co. ($37,200), U.S. Army Research and Development Group ($36,984.67), the Pathfinder Fund ($35,488.05), the Ford Foundation ($26,438.54), University of Singapore Students’ Union ($25,1000), the Chase Manhattan Bank ($25,000), the Wellcome Trust ($24,363.01), Asia Foundation ($23,437.65), The UpJohn Company ($18,302.60), Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization ($17,400), Biotrop ($16,616.95), the International Atomic Energy Agency ($15,211.05), National Sports Promotion Board ($14,281.22), Robin S.K. Loh ($13,500), Pfizer Pte. Ltd ($13,000), Ministry of Health ($12,500), Professor S. Karim ($11,000), the Population Council Inc. ($10,724.04), S.K. Lee ($10,000), Lee Sian Teck, Chartered Architects ($10,000). These donations amounted to $2,276,700.38.
1975
Academic initiatives
- The new Department of Chemical Engineering began a four-year course in Chemical Engineering to replace the existing course in Applied Chemistry in the Faculty of Science.
- A postgraduate course leading to the Master of Science (Construction Engineering) was introduced.
Other developments
- The Singapore Parliament passed the University of Singapore (Amendment) Bill.
- Vice-Chancellor Dr Toh Chin Chye relinquished his position to take over the Ministry of Health portfolio. Dr Kwan Sai Kheong, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, replaced him as Vice-Chancellor.
- The University of Singapore and Nanyang University jointly hosted the Fourth Commonwealth Conference of Registrars of the Universities of Southeast Asia and Pacific Area.
- The Faculty of Medicine celebrated 70 years of medical education in Singapore with a medical exhibition.
Benefactions
- The Chairman of the Overseas-Chinese Banking Corporation, Mr Tan Chin Tuan, gave the University $800,000 to set up a Tan Chin Tuan professorship scheme in banking and finance.
- Donations received for academic year 1974-75 include – The Education Fund, Ministry of Education ($3,000,000), China Medical Board ($952,261.54), USA Agency for International Development ($381,940.96), World Health Organization ($366,666.78), Singapore Turf Club ($303,117), International Development Research Centre ($143,607.06), International Agency for Research on Cancer ($87,198.75), Ministry of Overseas Development, United Kingdom ($84,828.20), United States Army Research and Development Group (Far East) ($84,150.55), Overseas Chinese Banking Corporation ($75,000), Wellcome Trust ($73,332.36), Ministry of Science and Technology ($56,350), Pathfinder Fund ($47,621.02), Robin Shipyard Pte. Ltd ($40,000), Lee Foundation ($32,077), Upjohn Company (U.S.A.) ($29,455.20), the International Labour Organization ($24,310.70), United National Development Programme Representative ($18,499.17(, Regional Tropical Medicine and Publich Health Project of Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization ($18,058.60), Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple ($17,000), Searle International Co. ($15,776.28), Ford Foundation ($15,648.70), Asia Foundation ($11,797.68) and Mr S.K.Lee ($10,000). These donations amounted to $5,781,917.12.
1976
Academic initiatives
- The University of Singapore began a course leading up to the degree of Master of Arts (Applied Linguistics), jointly organised with the Regional English Language Centre (RELC) established in Singapore by the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization.
- Other developments
- The Faculty of Architecture and Building was moved from its Ladyhill campus to the new campus at Kent Ridge, the first faculty to move into the new campus under the first phase of construction.
- The Computer Centre at the Kent Ridge campus was completed and equipped with a general purpose computer, the HP 3000 Series II Model 8.
Benefactions
- The Australian government donated 760 new hospital beds to the Teaching Hospital being built at the new Kent Ridge campus.
- Donors to the University for the academic year 1975-76 included: China Medical Board ($894,991.42), World Health Organization ($425,260.08), Singapore Turf Club ($413,020), USA Agency for International Development ($209,666.27), Lee Foundation ($174,425.75), International Development Research Centre ($133,037.88), Ministry of Overseas Development, United Kingdom ($102,676.75), the Pathfinder Fund ($98,719.19), National Kidney Foundation ($85,385), Ministry of Science and Technology ($84,450), Overseas Chinese Banking Corporation ($73,000), Wellcome Trust ($47,358.27), UNESCO ($46,626), United States Army Research and Development Group (Far East) ($41,883.40), Bridgestone (S) Co. Pte. Ltd. ($28,000), United Nations Development Programme ($27,375.01), the International Labour Organization ($26,151.80), Upjohn Company (U.S.A.) ($24,630), Tai Tak Estate Sendirian Berhad ($20,500), Robin Air (Pte.) Ltd ($18,235), Reuben Meyer Trust Fund ($18,000), Sumatra International (Pte.) Ltd ($14,000), Shaw Foundation ($11,430), International Youth Government Organization ($11,259.50), Mr S K Lee ($10,000), Ministry of Health ($10,000), Mr Tay Boon Giow ($10,000), Yew Say (Pte) Ltd. ($10,000). These donations amounted to $3,071,081.32
1977
Academic Initiatives
- Amendments to the University’s legislation allowed Science graduates to read for the degree of the Bachelor of Social Sciences with Honours in Economics; and for Arts graduates to read for the degree of Bachelor of Science with Honours in Mathematics.
- The Departments of Microbiology and Parasitology were merged into the Department of Microbiology,
- Other developments
- The Faculty of Engineering moved from Prince Edward Road Campus to the Kent Ridge Campus.
Benefactions
Donors for the academic year 1976-77 included: World Health Organization ($828, 465.08), China Medical Board ($562,983.09), Singapore Turf Club ($423,168), Estate of Isaac Manasseh Meyer ($200,000, Lee Foundation ($149,666), Overseas Chinese Banking Corporation ($95,049.20), the Pathfinder Fund ($63,181.98), Singapore Dental Association ($56,883), Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society of Singapore ($50,000), International Development Research Centre ($48,197.19), Reuben Meyer Trust Fund ($45,200), Ministry of Science and Technology ($41,610), Australian High Commission ($41,507.60), Ministry of Overseas Development ($34,248.49), UNESCO ($30,265.71), Shaw Foundation ($27,600), Upjohn Company ($24,470), Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple ($21,850), the American Embassy ($19,512), Wellcome Trust ($17,261.97), Chen Su Lan Trust Fund ($15,000), Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists ($12,199.50), International Atomic Energy Agency ($11,010), Alumni Association ($10,331.25), and Tan Sri Khoo Teck Puat ($10,000). These donations amounted to $2,839,660.06.
1978
Academic initiatives
- A three-year degree course in Computer Science was introduced.
Other developments
- A Joint Campus between Nanyang University and the University of Singapore was established at the Bukit Timah campus to help Nanyang University become a English-medium institution. First-year students from both universities attended common courses.
- The University’s Central Administration moved to the Kent Ridge Campus. The main campus of the University, including the Faculties of Law, Engineering, Architecture & Building, and part of the School of Accountancy & Business Administration, was now located in the Kent Ridge Campus.
Benefactions
- Donations below $10,000 received from organisations and individuals from the academic year 1977 to 1978 amounted to $220,115.29.
- Donations of sums of $10,000 and more for the same academic year came from:
- World Health Organization ($887,043.19), China Medical Board ($521,907.75), Singapore Turf Club ($420,268), Estate of Isaac Manasseh Meyer ($200,000), Lee Foundation ($187,177), Overseas Chinese Banking Corporation ($139,515), Ministry of Overseas Development ($97,730.80), Shaw Foundation ($71,477), Ministry of Science and Technology ($62,530), Woh Hup (Pte) Ltd. ($50,465), Australian High Commission ($37,190.30), Population Council Inc. ($36,270), Upjohn Company ($35,296.41), Texas Instruments (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. ($25,000), Singapore Dental Association ($19,000), International Union of Biochemistry ($13,170.24), Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists ($12,675), Harvard-Yenching Institute ($12,068.64), International Foundation for Science ($10,920.15), estate of the late Dr. Lim Boon Keng ($10,315.28), the Pathfinder Fund ($10,050.87), University of Singapore Society ($10,000), and Yew Say Pte. Ltd ($10,000). These amounted to $3,017,587.84.
1979
Academic initiatives
- The Department of Chemical Engineering was transferred from the Faculty of Science to the Faculty of Engineering.
- The Department of Psychological Medicine was established within the Faculty of Medicine.
Developments
- The Chancellor of Sheffield University, Sir Frederick Dainton visited Singapore and recommended the merger of the University of Singapore and Nanyang University.
- An English Language Proficiency Unit was set up to develop resource materials and improve the teaching of remedial English.
- The Department of Music was re-organised as the Centre for Musical Activities with Mr Paul Abisheganaden as first Director.
- The University of Singapore increased the intake of students from the ASEAN countries and created 20 ASEAN scholarships for candidates from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand.
Benefactions
- Benefactions below $10,000 received from organizations and individuals for the academic year 1978 to 1979 amounted to $241,300.85.
- Donations of $10,000 and more came from the World Health Organization ($1,052,220.06), the Singapore Turf Club ($306,150), Lee Foundation ($212,890.47), Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple ($!80,000), T S K Investments Co (Pte) Ltd ($150,000), Overseas Chinese Banking Corpn Ltd ($136, 064.44), China Medical Board ($120,144), Shaw Foundation ($107,250), the Ministry of Overseas Development ($97,161.54), the Ministry of Science and Technology ($51,622), Ford Foundation ($25,634.70), the International Development Research Centre ($23,628.89), the Australian High Commission ($14,437.80), the United Cancer Council ($13,094.64), the International Foundation for Science ($11,034.41) and the Upjohn Co. ($10,649.63). These donations amounted to $2,511,982.58.
1980
Academic initiatives
- The School of Postgraduate Management Studies was established to offer the Masters of Business Administration programme.
- A new postgraduate degree in Building Science was introduced.
Other developments
- The Singapore government announced the National University of Singapore Act, approving the merger of University of Singapore and Nanyang University to form the National University of Singapore. Dr Tony Tan was appointed the first Vice-Chancellor of the National University of Singapore.
- The Halls of Residence, Kent Ridge Hall and Raffles Hall, were opened.
- The Faculty of Accountancy and Business Administration was formed with the merger of Nanyang University and the University of Singapore.
Benefactions
Donations below $10,000 for the academic year 1979 to 1980 amounted to $256,570.43.
Donations of $10,000 and more for the academic year 1979 to 1980 came from the World Health Organization ($926,282.56), the Singapore Turf Club ($848,060), China Medical Board ($717,630), Overseas Chinese Banking Corporation ($595,247), Ministry of Education ($385,000), Lee Foundation ($198,716.50), Ministry of Overseas Development ($131,223.80), The Shaw Foundation ($127,671.75), Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple ($100,000), Ministry of Science and Technology ($98,990), UNESCO ($33,459.51), International Development Research Centre ($25,484.80), Nestle’s Products (M) Ltd. ($25,000), Upjohn Company ($22,611.07), the Ford Foundation ($21,548.85), Singapore Cancer Society ($20,000), Singapore Offshore Petroleum Services Pte Ltd ($20,000), Siftung Volkswagenwerk ($19,760.16), Academy of Medicine ($12,500), the Diabetic Society of Singapore ($10,615), Emeritus Professor Kiang Ai Kim ($10,000), Ministry of Health ($10,000), the University of Singapore Society ($10,000) and an anonymous donor ($360,000). These donations amounted to $4,729,801.
Benefactions below $10,000 received from organizations and individuals for the period 1 July 1980 to 30 June 1981 amounted to $236,984.17.
Donors of $10,000 or more received by the University during the same period included: Singapore Turf Club ($2,036,486), the Shaw Foundation Pte. Ltd. ($1,607,500), the World Health Organization ($771,120.11), Mr Khoo Teck Puat ($750,000), Lee Foundation ($372,470), Kwn Im Thong Hood Co Temple ($202,000), Asia Motor Co. Pte. Ltd. ($150,000), Ministry of Trade and Industry ($130,054.10), the International Development Research Centre ($124,164.50), the China Medical Board ($84,999.57), Stiftung Volkswagenwerk ($80,641.58), Guan Realty Pte. Ltd. ($50,000), Hong Leong Co. Pte. Ltd. ($50,000), Hong Leong Holdings Ltd. ($50,000), Hong Leong Finance Ltd. ($50,000), Prima Ltd. ($50,000), Sanyo Industries (S) Pte. Ltd. ($50,000), The Tanjkakji Trust ($50,000), the late Mdm Low Tuan ($35,000), the Estate of Pestonji Burjorji ($35,000), the Academy of Medicine ($25,392.56), the Ministry of Overseas Development ($21,154.23), the Upjohn Co. ($20,826.83), the Reuben Meyer Trust Fund ($20,000), Singapore Offshore Petroleum Services Pte. Ltd. ($18,000), Hitachi Consumer Products (S) Pte. Ltd. ($16,550), Hokkien Foundation Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan ($16,000), Pesi B Davar Memorial Charitable and Educational Trust Fund ($15,000), the Estate of Seow Tiong Lin ($10,319.85), Harvard Yenching Institute ($10,319.85), Sir Percy McNeice and Lady Yuen Peng McNeice ($10,000), Mitsumi Co (Pte) Ltd. ($10,000), Singapore Cancer Society ($!0,000), the University of Singapore Society ($10,000) and Yuasa Battery Singapore Co. Pte. Ltd. ($10,000). These donations amounted to $6,957,679.33.