A double celebration, and happy memories

Graduations | Singapore

It was twice the prestige and festivities as the University of Adelaide hosted two graduation ceremonies in Singapore for the first time recently.

An increasing number of Singaporeans studying at the University of Adelaide meant it was necessary for the two ceremonies, held at the Ngee Ann-Adelaide Education Centre.

The Ngee Ann-Adelaide Education Centre provides the university's offshore programs in Singapore, while many prominent Singapore figures have studied in Adelaide.

Perhaps the most notable of these figures is Deputy Prime Minister, Dr Tony Tan, who graduated from the University of Adelaide with a PhD in Applied Mathematics in 1968.

At a special university function held earlier in the week, Dr Tan received a Distinguished Alumni award from the university. He joins other such notable Singapore recipients of the award as former Singapore president, the late Mr Ong Teng Cheong and former Singapore Airlines CEO Dr Cheong Choong Kong.

"I am honoured to receive such an award," Dr Tan said. "I have many happy memories from my time there.

"I found Adelaide a charming and gracious city, and its people civilised and helpful. I learnt a lot from discussions with my supervisor and my colleagues, and I made many friends.

"I left the University of Adelaide well prepared to tackle any problems that I could encounter in the next phase of my life."

University Pro Vice-Chancellor (International) Professor John Taplin said the achievements of past Singapore graduates such as Dr Tan bode well for the university's newest graduates.

"We are extremely proud of our association with all of our Singapore graduates, and particularly with the likes of Dr Tan, who has done so much for the Republic of Singapore," Professor Taplin said.

"We hope that our graduation ceremonies served not only as a celebration of the considerable achievements already obtained by our class of 2005 in Singapore, but also as an encouragement for them to set their sights high and to make a real impact in Singapore and the world."

Story by Ben Osborne