A l u m n i Ha p p e n i n g s | Giving
“I Received, So Now I Give” Paying tribute to Mr Lim Joo Hock (Arts and Social Sciences ’46, ’52). Throughout his life, Mr Lim Joo Hock was committed to two ideals – excellence in his professional work and giving students the same opportunities he had enjoyed. An alumnus of NUS (Raffles College ’46, University of Malaya ’52), he took on many senior positions in the Public Service such as serving as the Chairman of the Central Provident Fund Board. He retired from the Public Service as Acting Permanent Secretary of Labour, having made an invaluable contribution to Singapore in its early years as a nation. But his remarkable career was by no means over. After pursuing his law studies in London, Mr Lim returned to Singapore and set up his own practice in 1977. He retired in 1998.
“You Don’t Have to be a Doctor to Save Lives” So says law alumna Mrs Jennifer Yeo (’81), Director of the Viva Foundation for Children with Cancer. up the rate at which discoveries go from the lab to patients – and the development of infrastructure to enhance a child’s chances of survival.” NUS plays a vital role in this endeavour. “We cannot do this without NUS as this is where the learning and expertise are concentrated,” Mrs Yeo explains. “The university has an international network and a track record in translational research. Viva and NUS make natural partners as we complement each other and champion this cause together.” Mrs Yeo believes the task is an urgent one. “When fundraising, I meet people who feel that this is the government’s job, but the whole idea of private initiative is to make a difference now and not wait for someone to do it later,” she says. “And, as I tell donors, you don’t have to be a doctor to save lives.” The Chairperson of law firm Yeo-Leong & Peh LLC, Mrs Yeo credits NUS for having helped her to build a successful career. “The university opened my mind,” she says. And 30 years after she graduated,
“The measure of a university is in its alumni – in how we contribute to the community and make a difference.” Mrs Jennifer Yeo, Director of the Viva Foundation for Children with Cancer
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AlumNUS
Mr Lim Joo Hock (foreground) with Mrs Lim (second from right) and their son, Dr Charles Lim (at back). With the Lim family are Ms Chen Xi and Ms Chang Yi Ting, students at NUS’ School of Computing and beneficiaries of the Lim Hong Chin Memorial Scholarship.
had only two years of formal education, but he acquired knowledge by reading the Chinese language newspapers every day,” said Mr Lim. “He strongly believed in learning and the value of education.”
A Father’s Legacy In 2008, Mr Lim made a gift of S$250,000 to support the Lim
Hong Chin Memorial Scholarship at NUS’ School of Computing. “I received, so now I give,” said Mr Lim. Besides this scholarship, Mr Lim and his family also established the Lim Joo Hock Bursary and the Yap Kim Kiaw Bursary to support students.
Mrs Jennifer Yeo with patients of the VivaUniversity Children’s Cancer Centre at NUH.
Mrs Yeo’s relationship with her alma mater has only deepened, as partners in a shared cause. “The measure of a university is in its alumni – in how we contribute to the community and make a difference,” she says. “If you wish to do good, have faith and look out for likeminded people who support your cause and will journey with you.” For information on making a gift to NUS, please call 1800-DEVELOP (1800-338-3567) or email askdvo@nus.edu.sg
The VIVA-NUS Partnership
Cancer research is one of NUS’ flagship research programmes. In 2009, the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine established the Viva-Goh Foundation Professorship in Paediatric Oncology and embarked on research programmes for Bone Marrow Transplant, Childhood Leukaemia, Bone Cancer and After Completion Therapy (with the support of a S$12 million gift from the Goh Foundation). Housed at NUH, the Viva-University Children’s Cancer Centre is a one-stop cancer centre for children. The foundation will soon be adding a 5,000-sq-ft diagnostic lab at the Novena medical cluster, thanks to support from the Far East Organization.
Mr Lim passed away in May 2011. To learn more about the man and his legacy, go to alumnet.nus.edu.sg/tribute/limjoohock.
BRIGHT DAYS Ahead A member of the Class of 2012 gets a step up with the support of the Saw Swee Hock Bursary.
Photo by Lionel Lai/Singapore Tatler; illustration by Sarah Tang
It was out of Mrs Jennifer Yeo’s personal misfortune that hope came for hundreds of children suffering from cancer. Mrs Yeo first began envisioning the Viva Foundation in 2003, from the sickbed of her son Frederick. Then 10 years old, he was undergoing a bone marrow transplant at St Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, USA. “Frederick got better but I knew that wouldn’t be the case for many other children,” says Mrs Yeo. “Their parents would suffer a lot more than I did and I wanted to help them.” Now, Viva is offering hope to young cancer patients. Through its partnership with NUS, the National University Hospital (NUH) and St Jude, Viva aims to bring St Jude’s 94% cure rate for childhood leukaemia to Singapore and the region (the average cure rate in Singapore is 80% while regionally, it is five to 55%). Viva’s focus is on supporting the hard science to beat the odds. “You need the latest and most effective treatment methods, medication and intense nursing,” says Mrs Yeo. “We support translational research – to speed
In a 2008 interview, Mr Lim noted the profound influence of his father in shaping his life. Mr Lim’s father first came to Malaya from Hainan, China in the 1890s. A penniless young man, he was able, through perseverance and hard work, to eventually have his own business. In 1939, Mr Lim’s father sent him to Raffles College in Singapore, where he was the recipient of a scholarship. Mr Lim went on to pursue his love for history at the University of Malaya. From the late 1950s onwards, he embarked on what were to be distinguished careers in the Public Service and the legal profession. Mr Lim never forgot his father’s neversay-die spirit. “My father told me that he
He was drawn to NUS by its vibrant Open House, but Muhd Khair Saini’s results during his first semester left him far from high-spirited. “I was giving tuition to make ends meet and this took a toll on my results as I didn’t have enough time to study,” says the Mechanical Engineering major. Khair’s father is the sole breadwinner for their family of five. His younger brother is serving National Service and his 14-year-old sister is in secondary school. Trying to finance his university education put Khair in a tight spot. But things changed for Khair in the 2011/2012 Academic Year when he became one of 12 students to receive the Saw Swee Hock Bursary. This helped him tremendously
by taking care of various expenses. His grades also improved dramatically. With a major specialisation in Offshore, Oil and Gas Technology, Khair, 24, has been offered a position with Sembcorp Marine even before graduating. He intends to study for an MBA degree in the future. “All this wouldn’t have been possible without the bursary and I’d like to extend my sincere thanks to Prof Saw Swee Hock,” he says. “I have a strong belief that one good turn deserves another and I’m definitely inspired to contribute back to society.” For information on making a gift to NUS, please call 1800-DEVELOP (1800-338-3567) or email askdvo@nus.edu.sg
Whole-hearted Support
An illustrious alumnus and member of the NUS Board of Trustees, Prof Saw Swee Hock (Arts and Social Sciences ’57) has supported the university unstintingly with his time, experience and gifts. In honour of his many contributions and longstanding service to NUS, the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health was named after him in 2011. Other initiatives that bear his name include the Saw Centre for Financial Studies, the Saw Swee Hock Professorship of Statistics and the Saw Swee Hock Gold Medal Award.
Jul–Sep 2012
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