It’s a triple joy for NUS Business School’s Mandarin Alumni Association as it celebrated its 30th anniversary with a successfully held forum, awards ceremony and donations that go towards a good cause.
The first highlight was the “Breakthroughs and Transformation in Businesses” Dialogue Forum held at the Shaw Foundation Alumni House in March. Mr Lee Yi Shyan, Chairman of Business China, Mr Lim Hock Chee, CEO of Sheng Siong Group, and Mr Aaron Tan, founder and CEO of Carro Singapore, shared their insights on business transformation with the 90-strong audience onsite. Associate Professor Fu Qiang, Academic Director of the NUS Executive MBA (Chinese) programme, moderated the discussion.
Speakers at the “Breakthroughs and Transformation in Businesses" Dialogue Forum. From left: Associate Professor Fu Qiang, Academic Director of the NUS Executive MBA (Chinese) programme, who moderated the forum; Lim Hock Chee, CEO of Sheng Siong Group; Lee Yi Shyan, Chairman of Business China, and Aaron Tan, founder and CEO of Carro Singapore.
Mr Lee Yi Shyan, Chairman of Business China.
Mr Lee Yi Shyan recounted Singapore’s economic transformation, pointing out how Singapore was at the forefront when it embarked on industrialisation and digitalisation. Entrepreneurs must maintain a sense of crisis, persist in lifelong learning and constantly expand new networks, he emphasised.
Mr Lim Hock Chee, CEO of Sheng Siong Group.
Another key point in doing business is morals. Mr Lim Hock Chee shared how morals and virtues form the foundation of his management philosophy in running Sheng Siong Group and how this led to greater stability and helped the business flourish.
Mr Aaron Tan, founder and CEO of Carro Singapore.
The sustainability of traditional industries also has to do with digital transformation, noted Mr Aaron Tan, who believes that with new technologies, traditional industries may take on entirely different forms. These technologies will help businesses discover and respond to customer needs more accurately, integrate the industrial chain more effectively, and even upheave traditional industries’ organisational structure and operations.
Ultimately, cooperation is essential in business. As Dr Mochtar Riady, founder and Chairman Emeritus of Lippo Group, pointed out in a virtual speech, the world is much connected, and these connections and cooperation will reap more benefits than going it solo.
Alumni Awards
The 30th anniversary celebration was also a night of recognition for alumni who have contributed significantly to the Mandarin Alumni Association.
Nine alumni received the Long Service Awards, while the Contribution Awards went out to 72 alumni for their efforts culminating in the 30th anniversary celebration.
Guest-of-Honour Ms Low Yen Ling, Minister of State for the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) and Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY), and Professor Susanna Leong, Vice Provost (Masters’ Programmes & Lifelong Education) and Dean, School of Continuing & Lifelong Education, gave out the awards to these well-deserving alumni. At the dinner at Parkroyal Collection Marina Bay, classmates reunited and chatted, cheering the great work done by their peers.
In a video, NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye congratulated the Mandarin Alumni Association on their anniversary and urged them to continue to be involved in the school’s development.
Guest-of-Honour Ms Low Yen Ling (2nd from left) giving out the Long Service Award to Mr Robin Ng (3rd from left), Founding President of the Mandarin Alumni Association. Together with them are Distinguished Professor Andrew Rose (far left), Dean of NUS Business School and Mr Jason Yeo (far right), current President of the Mandarin Alumni Association.
Professor Susanna Leong (2nd from left) giving out one of the Outstanding Contribution Awards.
Catching up with friends.
The Mandarin Alumni Association also marked the milestone with a $10,000 donation to the NUS Business School Mandarin Alumni Endowment Fund. The funds will enable undergraduates who need financial support to continue pursuing their academic goals.
In his speech, Distinguished Professor Andrew Rose, Dean, NUS Business School, thanked the Mandarin Alumni Association for their dedication and commitment. He also hoped more alumni would come forward and use the association as an opportunity for networking, mentorship and service to the community.
Witnessed by Guest-of-Honour Ms Low Yen Ling (middle), Mr Jason Yeo (far right) represented the Mandarin Alumni Association in donating $10,000 to the NUS Business School Mandarin Alumni Endowment Fund. Prof Andrew Rose, who received the cheque on behalf of the school, thanked the association for their support.
