Calendar of Events

APRIL – JUNE

MM Lee Kuan Yew doing the honours

Minister Mentor, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, opened the first academic institution which he graciously consented to be named after him. The Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at NUS is the first English-language school of public policy in the region with an international orientation. It aims to be a global reference point in public policy. The institute marked the event with a groundbreaking conference that was co-sponsored by The Asia Society (New York) and the Brookings Institution. Called Managing Globalisations: Lessons from China and India, it brought together top scholars from China and India to debate the challenges and opportunities of globalisation.

NUS signed an agreement with Duke University to establish its second medical school, the NUS Graduate Medical School (GMS). To be located at Outram, GMS will offer graduateentry medical programmes based largely on Duke’s curriculum which is renowned for its rigorous and innovative medical education with a distinctive focus on research. Top faculty from Duke University will be seconded to GMS to teach and conduct research that is relevant to the Singapore Biomedical Sciences Initiative.

The first batch of students from the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music left for Baltimore to participate in a three-week fellowship programme at the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University. The cross-campus stint is part of the collaboration between the two conservatories. The six NUS students performed with the Peabody Symphony Orchestra and received coaching from the Peabody faculty.

NUS’ new administrative headquarters

The offices of the University’s central administration moved to its new headquarters at the new University Hall, situated at Lower Kent Ridge Road. The new Hall stands out as a beacon with its landmark circular glass tower that commands a 360-degree vista of the campus. A glass link-bridge connects the building’s two blocks named the Lee Kong Chian and Tan Chin Tuan Wings, after two of the University’s most loyal and generous supporters. An imposing atrium and a landscaped courtyard create an ambience that is both dignified and welcoming at the same time.

The new NUS flag (right) being raised for the first time

NUS kick-started its year-long centennial celebrations at the new University Hall. The ceremony was marked by several significant milestones. They included the unveiling of a new campus landmark, the NUS Centennial Sculpture; the first raising of the University’s new flag and the premiere of the University’s song. The presence of the NUS Centennial Everest Expedition Team and marathon athlete Dr William Tan, back home from accomplishing their extraordinary feats to celebrate the University’s centenary, brought a special meaning to the day’s event.