AlumNUS | July - September 2011
alumni CONNECTIONS
Law Alumni Honour Missing Classmate through Scholarship
Recognising Excellence Nominate Outstanding Alumni for the NUS Alumni Awards 2011 Open for nominations by NUS Alumni
Bennett Lam (second from left) and his classmates with the late Chief Justice Wee Chong Jin after their call to the bar.
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NUS Faculty of Law alumnus Bennett Lam disappeared at sea while on a fishing trip, but his memory lives on at his alma mater, thanks to the ‘Class of ’86 Bennett Lam Scholarship Fund’, set up by his classmates in his honour. Yap Wai Ming, member of the ‘Class of ’86 Bennett Lam Scholarship’ committee, says, “Coming together to celebrate our anniversary offered us an opportunity to renew our ties with old friends and relive the wonderful times we had at Law School. We remembered the financial difficulties our classmates faced, and realised it was our chance to make a contribution to the future of Singapore’s legal fraternity.” Scholarship recipient Shen Xiaoyin, a final year Law student also majoring in Economics, used to tutor students six times weekly and work as a violin teacher in a music school to finance her education. She is now able to concentrate on her studies, and says, “It is not the monetary value that matters most but the opportunity given to students to realise their full potential in studies and in life, and not to be restricted by limited financial circumstances. Being at the receiving end of others’ kindness has made me realise the value of giving to those in need.”
“I would give back to NUS in the future when I am in the position to give. I will always remember that my success would not be possible without the kindness of the people who have supported me during difficult times,” adds Xiaoyin, who was able to spend one semester in Austria on an exchange programme. The family of Bennett Lam says, “We are happy and proud that Bennett’s classmates have sought to remember him by naming the Scholarship after him. The Scholarship is a clear testimony of their publicspiritedness and generosity, as well as the depth of the bonds and friendships they formed in Law School.” Melvin Loh, another scholarship recipient and a final year Law student, was struggling to afford school fees. He says, “The Scholarship has not just helped me financially, it has also given me the chance to give back to society and to apply what I learned in Law School. I am now able to help others through pro-bono legal work and volunteerism.” The ‘Class of ’86 Bennett Lam Scholarship Fund’ was set up at a 20th anniversary class reunion and has awarded 32 scholarships over the last three years.
A university’s mark of excellence is very much shaped and defined by its alumni. Through the NUS Alumni Awards, the University accords recognition to remarkable alumni who, in their personal pursuit for excellence, have made significant contributions both to their alma mater and society at large. Nominations for the NUS Alumni Awards 2011 are now open. The award categories include the Eminent Alumni Awards, the Distinguished Alumni Service Awards and the Outstanding Young Alumni Awards. The award ceremony will be held on 4 November 2011 at the Shaw Foundation Alumni House.
Past award recipients include President S R Nathan and former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew who were conferred the Eminent Alumni Award in 2007 and 2005 respectively. Distinguished Alumni Service Award recipients from past years include Mr Chandra Mohan K Nair, Ms Chong Siak Ching, Dr Oon Chiew Seng, Mr Johnny Tan Khoon Hui and Mr Zainul Abidin Rasheed. The Outstanding Young Alumni Award has been given to Ms Jeanette Aw Ee-Ping, Mr Goh Seng
Award Category
Wee and Ms Eunice Elizabeth Olsen, amongst others. The Selection Committee, chaired by NUS President, Prof Tan Chorh Chuan, comprises NUS senior management and prominent alumni. To nominate deserving alumni, please submit applications online at alumniawards.nus.edu.sg. For more information, please contact Ms Poon Sern Yin at oarpsy@nus.edu.sg or 6516 6525.
Criteria
Eminent Alumni Awards
The nominees must have distinguished themselves nationally or internationally for their excellent and sustained contributions and achievements in public and community service; in arts, sports, culture or entrepreneurship; or in a profession or scholarly field.
Distinguished Alumni Service Awards
The nominees must have distinguished themselves in rendering excellent and sustained service to NUS, its predecessor institutions or the alumni community.
Outstanding Young Alumni Awards
The nominees (aged 40 and below) must have distinguished themselves nationally or internationally for their excellent and sustained contributions in their chosen fields while exemplifying the best attributes of youth in today’s world, and/or rendered excellent and sustained service to NUS or its alumni community
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