Commencement Address 2008
Professor Shih Choon Fong
President, National University of Singapore
11 am, 7 July 2008, University Cultural Centre
Head, Heart, and Luck:
Reflections on Life
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Mr Chancellor, President S R Nathan
Minister for Education, Dr Ng Eng Hen
Chairman of the National Research Foundation, Dr Tony Tan
Dean of Diplomatic Corps, His Excellency Sajjad Ashraf
NUS Pro-Chancellors
Chairman and Members of the NUS Board of Trustees
Distinguished Guests
Honorary Graduand Wee Cho Yaw
Graduands, Parents and Families
Alumni and Friends
Ladies and Gentlemen
Congratulations and Recognizing Students’ Contributions
Class of 2008, well done! Today we celebrate your commencing on a new phase of life. You have arrived at this milestone through your intelligence and perseverance. And behind each of you are families whose love, and in many instances, whose sacrifices, have helped bring you to this proud day. Congratulations to each and every one of you, and to your families.
Let me also thank you for contributing enormously to our university community in rich and diverse ways. Rich, because your intelligence and youth continue to challenge your professors. Diverse, because each of you brings something unique to our learning community. The different cultures and backgrounds you represent – close to 100 nationalities – contribute to our community’s intellectual and cultural vibrancy. Your creativity, energy and passion have done for us what rankings alone cannot do – you have contributed to the life and spirit of NUS. And to those of you who took up leadership positions in our Union, halls, clubs and societies, who gave energy to campus life, and who set traditions for those entering NUS, we thank you.
Moving On
You will soon be receiving your well-deserved degrees. You are stepping out into the world with all of its opportunities and uncertainties, bringing with you the knowledge you have gained here, to confront all that is changing rapidly or is still unknown. In this respect, you and I share something in common.
After 12 years of serving this University, with the last 8 as President, this will be my final Commencement Address at NUS. In December, I shall become the founding President of the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia. Like you, I too am setting out on a new adventure.
In my first Commencement Address, I urged the Class of 2000 to stay on the journey of learning and discovery, the journey to their dreams. Today being my last Commencement with you, I would like to speak from my heart and share some personal stories and reflections. As I look back on my own life journey, I recognize how I have benefitted from the interplay of head, heart and luck.
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