Honouring benefactors – Appreciation dinner to mark opening of Shaw Foundation Alumni House

25 November 2008

From left to right: NUS President-designate, Prof Tan Chorh Chuan; NUS President, Prof Shih Choon Fong; Chairman of the Shaw Foundation, Dr Shaw Vee Meng; Chairman of the NUS Board of Trustees, Mr Wong Ngit Liong; President of the NUS Society, Mr Johnny Tan; and Director of the NUS Alumni Office, Assoc Prof Teo Choo Soo

The NUS Alumni Office held an appreciation dinner on 24 October 2008 to honour the Principle and Founding Benefactors of the Shaw Foundation Alumni House. The dinner was held at the newly-reopened Guild Hall of the NUSS Kent Ridge Guild House.

The vision of an alumni house was first mooted by NUS President, Professor Shih Choon Fong, in late 2001 as a home on campus for NUS alumni around the world. It opened its doors in October 2008 thanks to the giving of time, talents and treasures from generous benefactors, alumni and friends.

Gracing the event were Guest of Honour, Chairman of the Shaw Foundation, Dr Shaw Vee Meng; NUS Board of Trustees Chairman, Mr Wong Ngit Liong; NUS President, Professor Shih Choon Fong, and Mrs Shih; NUS President-designate, Professor Tan Chorh Chuan; NUSS President, Mr Johnny Tan; as well as some 200 benefactors, alumni and friends.

A commemorative publication, Shaw Foundation Alumni House: Honouring Benefactors, featuring the two Principal Benefactors and, to date, 52 Founding Benefactors and their thoughts on giving, was also given to all guests that evening.

Director of NUS Alumni Office, Associate Professor Teo Choo Soo, said: “The Alumni Complex signifies the strong bond and cooperation of our alumni with their alma mater. The Complex comprises the NUS Society (NUSS) Guild House and the NUS Shaw Foundation Alumni House… A quantum leap in alumni relations will be achieved with the establishment of the Shaw Foundation Alumni House. It will be a vibrant hub for building bonds, expanding networks, encouraging lifelong learning, connecting with our global community and fostering partnerships.”

The Founding Benefactors’ initiative engages eminent alumni and friends to play a pivotal role in bringing quality lifelong educational and self-enrichment programmes to students and alumni. The names of this special group of Founding Benefactors are prominently recognised at the Benefactors’ Foyer of the Shaw Foundation Alumni House. To make a gift of $20,000 as Founding Benefactor, please contact Ms Adeline Bek at 6516 5476 or adelinebek@nus.edu.sg. To learn more about the Shaw Foundation Alumni House, please visit www.alumni.nus.edu.sg.

– AlumNUS

Shaw Foundation Alumni House: Honouring Benefactors – benefactors’ thoughts on giving

“NUS alumni have to return and witness for themselves what the University is doing. That will fire up their desires to serve through their respective talents and in different capacities.”
Dr Shaw Vee Meng, Chairman, Shaw Foundation (Principal Benefactor)

“The more you do, the more you get to do… I am very glad to be able to contribute.”
Mr Johnny Tan, President, NUS Society (Principal Benefactor)

“I don’t believe in bequeathing all the money to the next generation; I believe in ‘now’. Why can’t the money be used for the benefit of people now? We can’t determine the future, but we can make a difference today.”
Dr Susan Lim, surgeon, scientist, Adjunct Professor with NUS (Founding Benefactor)

“As NUS alumni, we have to ask ourselves whether we have given back enough… What is the value of skills and money, if it doesn’t help your fellow men?”
Prof Arthur Lim, renowned ophthalmologist (Founding Benefactor)