NUS Annual Report 2006: Calendar of Events

1 Presidents from the Association of American Universities (AAU) and the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) came together for the first time at the NUS-hosted AAU-APRU Presidents Roundtable. They were joined by university leaders from the Association of Indian Universities (AIU). The Roundtable was followed by the APRU Presidents 9th Annual Meeting.

2 – 4 In celebrating 100 years of excellence, NUS paid tribute to some of its most distinguished alumni for their outstanding contributions in the service of their country. The Eminent Alumni Awards were presented to Minister Mentor Mr Lee Kuan Yew, Senior Minister Mr Goh Chok Tong and former Deputy Prime Minister, Dr Tony Tan.

5 Students, staff and alumni put their best foot forward participating in the Centennial Challenge. The ultimate challenge was undertaken by NUS alumnus, Dr William Tan, who cycled a record-breaking 100-kilometre in his wheelchair to raise funds for a Professorship in Paediatric Oncology.

6 Professor Steven Chu, who won the 1997 Nobel Prize in Physics, gave the first public lecture by 6 Nobel Laureates that were held at NUS. The event was organised to celebrate the University’s centennial year.

7 Professor Ariff Bongso (Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology) received the ASEAN Outstanding Scientist Award for his contributions to the development and application of science and technology in the region. Professor Bongso achieved a world first when he isolated stem cell lines from frozen human embryos.

8 – 9 The blueprint of a new university town promoting seamless learning and living was unveiled by NUS President, Professor Shih Choon Fong, in his State-of-the-University Address. The town will centre around 8 residential colleges and graduate housing supported by a host of lifestyle facilities. Each college will have a cosmopolitan makeup of residents integrating freshmen and seniors from different disciplines.

10 In line with NUS’ goal to promote global entrepreneurship, NUS opened its first overseas centre in China. NUS@Shanghai will provide Singapore and NUS faculties, departments and research centres with smooth entry into mainland China by offering them operationally-ready office facilities as well as through the promotion of Singapore-Sino partnerships.

11 NUS’ reputation as a preferred partner of industry received a boost with the opening of the Kikkoman- NUS Collaborative R&D Laboratory at the Department of Chemistry. The facility will conduct both basic and applied research as well as develop new food products.

12 Two students from the Industrial Design Programme earned the rare accolade of being the first Asians to win the prestigious Design Lab Award given out by the Electrolux Group. Mr Gabriel Tan and Ms Wendy Chua won the judges’ approval for the most outstanding appliance for the home of 2020. Their triumph was one of many garnered in the year by students of the Programme that included winning several prestigious Red Dot Awards and the iF Concept Award.

13 The 40-member NUS Choir, participating in the Mixed Voices (Advanced) and Folklore categories, bagged Gold Awards at the International Choral Competition 2005 held in Shah Alam, Malaysia. They also took top honours by winning the Special Award for Best Interpretation of Set Piece.

14 NUS signed an MOU with the Lloyd’s Register and Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) to set up two professorships. The Lloyd’s Register Professorship and the MPA Maritime Technology Professorship will enhance Singapore’s R&D capabilities in maritime technology, in particular in offshore research and technology. The Professorships are being established at the Centre for Offshore Research & Engineering (CORE), which is jointly set up by NUS and the Economic Development Board (EDB).

15 The School of Design and Environment was given the thumbs up by UNESCO which awarded it the Inaugural Heritage Awards Jury Commendation for Innovation. The School was lauded for its deft interpretation of traditional architectural concepts within the context of modern building practice as demonstrated in its building of the Yuhu Primary School and Community Centre in Lijiang, China.

January - June 2006 >>