World News - Autumn 2024
The University of Adelaide is a global top-100 University, and we proudly value and maintain our strong links to our international alumni and partners.
We invited some of this community to be our special “foreign correspondents” - to give a brief insight into their lives, careers and success around the world.
Peter Ong, Singapore
When Peter Ong Boon Kwee left Singapore, bound for the University of Adelaide, his parents gifted him two items: a winter coat for the unfamiliar cold winters and an alarm clock to ensure he arrived on time to class.
A recipient of a Colombo Plan scholarship, Peter did indeed become an outstanding, and punctual, scholar. He graduated with a Bachelor of Economics from the University in 1984 and received honours in 1985.
“Economics is an excellent discipline for the training of the mind,” says Peter, whose highly trained mind later went on to finish top of his class at Stanford University, USA.
Though he travelled the world in pursuit of knowledge, Peter has a singular dedication to his home country of Singapore. Having spent his entire career in the public service there, he has had the opportunity to influence important economic and policy decisions for Singapore throughout the last thirty years.
Motivated by a great desire to serve his country and people, Peter worked across many areas of government, including transport, trade and industry, defence, home affairs, finance, the Prime Minister’s office, and as the head of the civil service leading the workforce of 145,000.
Peter says the University of Adelaide encouraged him to: “embrace a spirit of curiosity. To learn more, to go beyond the prescribed text and to really find out more about the world.”
The University recognised Peter’s exceptional contribution to Singapore by awarding him the inaugural Distinguished International Alumni Award in 2023.
Nik Nasha Damia, Malaysia
“I’ve always wanted to help people,” says Nik Nasha Damia, who leads the Malaysian operations of the Rohingya Women Development Network, a humanitarian organisation helping to empower and educate the many Rohingya refugee women who have sought refuge in Malaysia. However, she says, “it was never a straight path to get to where I am now.”
Graduating from the University with a Bachelor of Laws in 2011, Nasha underwent further study in Melbourne before practicing as a criminal lawyer.
When I returned to Malaysia I began volunteering and working with children and refugees. That’s when I discovered the great sense of fulfillment I can gain from humanitarian work.Nik Nasha Damia
NOW A PASSIONATE AND DEDICATED LEADER, SHE HAS DEVELOPED LASTING FRIENDSHIPS WITHIN THE ROHINGYA COMMUNITY WHILE PROVIDING THE EDUCATION, SKILLS, HEALTHCARE AND ACCEPTANCE THAT HELP THEM TO THRIVE.
She hopes that all Rohingya will find a safe place to settle, and upholds that “until they do, we will continue developing them, and give them the income they need, so they can support themselves.”
For her work empowering Rohingya refugees with dignity and skills, Nasha was awarded a Distinguished Alumni Award in 2023.
Florence Glanfield, Canada
In October 2022, Dr Florence Glanfield (Vice-Provost Indigenous Programming and Research) and Doug Weir (Deputy Head International, Director Global Learning) from the University of Alberta visited the University of Adelaide to learn about our programs, research and activities that relate to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
“The visit was short yet energising,” says Florence. “We were impressed with the ways in which the University of Adelaide provides opportunities for non-Indigenous people to learn about and come to understand the histories, languages, cultures, and knowledge systems of Indigenous people.”
During their visit, Florence and Doug were particularly taken with the acknowledgement of Kaurna land at the North Terrace campus. “It’s inspiring that the Kaurna Learning Circle is immediately visible to anyone entering the campus from the river end,” says Doug. “It instils in all who pass that Kaurna teachings are valued as part of the University’s education syllabus.”
Florence is quick to agree: “The work related to Indigenous languages revitalisation is astonishing and a credit to the years-long work that has been committed to ensure that this vital part of history is not lost,” she says.
“This visit demonstrated a genuine willingness for our universities to work together to enhance learning opportunities for Indigenous students and employees. Our colleagues and friends from Wirltu Yarlu, in particular Uncle Rod O’Brien and Professor Steve Larkin, were incredibly generous with their time and knowledge, and ensured that we were truly welcomed.”
Dr Catherine Tong How Lee, Singapore
Dr Catherine Lee is an award-winning specialist in cleft-craniofacial orthodontics. While studying at the University of Adelaide, she was not only President of the Adelaide Dental Student Society and recipient of multiple academic scholarships, but also a black belt holder in karate.
Following her graduation in 1992, she was selected for specialist training at New York University, where she excelled. She now provides multidisciplinary and collaborative care to patients in her home country of Singapore, where she was the first dental specialist consultant appointed in the Division of Plastic Surgery at two major hospitals, Singapore General Hospital and Singapore National University Hospital.
“I have the privilege of working alongside esteemed medical colleagues in a multidisciplinary setting. This historic appointment signifies the recognition of the pivotal role that dental specialists play in the comprehensive care of cleft-craniofacial patients,” Catherine says.
Catherine combines her public and private practice alongside charitable work. In her time outside the clinic, she reviews academic research articles, serves on multiple professional boards, and cares for her rescued tea-cup Yorkshire Terrier, Mika.
Dedicated to ensuring that everyone can access life-changing care, Catherine was named a Global Gamechanger by Advance Australia in 2023 for her impact. As a patron and medical director on the board of the Cleft Care Indonesia Foundation, she provides expertise for the care of underprivileged cleft-lip and -palate children in Indonesia. She has co-led multiple surgical missions to China with the Hainan Smile project and is now exploring replicating a Nursery Care for Cleft Infants and Children program in Loas, in collaboration with Friends Without a Border.
“Many cleft care charity foundations in poorer parts of the world have short lifespans, or do not exist at all,” Catherine says.
SHE HAS AMBITIONS TO ADVANCE THE BUSINESS SUSTAINABILITY OF HUMANITARIAN CLEFT CARE PROJECTS GLOBALLY, BUT HER GREATEST REWARD IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE ON AN INDIVIDUAL LEVEL.
“I contribute to improving the lives of individuals affected by cleft conditions… the real reward in my career is witnessing the growth of cleft craniofacial children, seeing them attend university, live fulfilling lives, get married, and achieve important milestones.”