IN THE NEWS
STEPHEN RIADY CENTRE OPENS AT UTOWN
THE BROAD-BASED, EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING AT NUS IS OF CRITICAL IMPORTANCE IN PREPARING STUDENTS FOR THEIR FUTURE CAREERS, AND FOR THE INDIVIDUALS THEY WANT TO BE.
NUS’ latest mixed-used facility is named in recognition of S$30m gift from the Stephen Riady Group of Foundations.
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Dr Stephen Riady, Executive Chairman, Overseas Union Enterprise Limited
The rooftop pool at the Stephen Riady Centre. The building houses facilities for learning, the performing arts, athletic recreation, retail and dining.
THE STEPHEN RIADY CENTRE ENCAPSULATES THIS DIVERSITY OF OPPORTUNITIES WITH ITS MYRIAD FACILITIES THAT OFFER SPACES FOR LEARNING, SPORTS, CULTURE AND SOCIAL INTERACTION.
Professor Tan Chorh Chuan, NUS President, said, “Education at NUS is distinctive for its academic rigour and vibrant student life. Both are important because the experiences that take place inside and beyond the classroom shape our students and help them grow intellectually and as well-rounded individNUS President Prof Tan Chorh Chuan uals. The Stephen Riady Centre encapsulates this diversity of opportunigift will enable many bright but finanties with its myriad facilities that offer cially needy students to pursue their spaces for learning, sports, culture and studies in our University, provide social interaction.” unique opportunities for our students Prof Tan expressed NUS’ gratitude in sports, arts and culture, and to Dr Stephen Riady and the Stephen support innovative new educational Riady Group of Foundations for the programmes.” generous gift to the University. “This Dr Stephen Riady, Executive
Rooftop pool at the Stephen Riady Centre photo by The Straits Times © Singapore Press Holdings; Official opening photo by NUS Office of the Provost
n 8 March 2013, the National University of Singapore (NUS) officially launched the Stephen Riady Centre – a threestorey multi-use complex that houses teaching and learning spaces as well as performing arts and athletic recreation facilities – to promote active learning, support students’ varied interests and develop their talents. Open to all NUS students, the University’s latest mixed-used facility in the NUS University Town (UTown) is named in recognition of a generous S$30 million gift to NUS from the Stephen Riady Group of Foundations. This gift includes a S$5 million top-up to the S$25 million gift announced last year. It is expected to get up to S$45 million in matching grant from the Singapore government. Gracing the opening was Guestof-Honour Mr Heng Swee Keat, Singapore’s Minister for Education. The NUS Chinese Orchestra opened the ceremony with a rousing performance. Mr Heng, together with distinguished guests, later caught a glimpse of the dynamic student life at UTown through a tour of educational and sports facilities and performing arts spaces.
Chairman, Overseas Union Enterprise Limited, said, “The world today is increasingly complex and fast-paced, and there is a strong need to ensure that the young in Singapore and Asia are given the opportunities to become well-rounded individuals who will understand these complexities and have the character and heart to serve society. The broad-based, experiential learning at NUS is of critical importance in preparing students for their future careers, and for the individuals they want to be. I am pleased that the gift will support students in need, as well as programmes that will build on the top-rate holistic learning at NUS.” The Stephen Riady Centre was specially designed to enable a vibrant student life on campus with its teaching and learning spaces, performing arts and athletic
recreation facilities, as well as retail and dining outlets. With a unique architecture that won the Green Mark Platinum Award by the Building and Construction Authority, the Centre connects the Town Plaza and the Education Resource Centre to furnish a venue ideal for student activities at UTown.
(From left) NUS Students’ Union President Mr Goh Ren Kai, Prof Tan Chorh Chuan, Dr Stephen Riady, Mr Heng Swee Keat, NUS Board of Trustees Chairman Mr Wong Ngit Liong and NUS Deputy President (Academic Affairs) and Provost Prof Tan Eng Chye at the launch ceremony of the Stephen Riady Centre.
APR–JUN 2013
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