News and Opportunities
Australian Alumni Awards in Singapore
13 Jun 2012
The Australian Alumni Awards were held on 25 May 2012 at the Australian High Commission, Singapore. The whole-of-government celebration brought together over 300 guests, including Colombo Plan scholars, Endeavour Award recipients, entrepreneurs, and corporate leaders from both the public and private sectors who have studied in Australia.
This year also marks the 60th Anniversary of the first Colombo Plan scholars in Australia, which was celebrated through a photographic exhibition, ‘Among friends, Singapore’s Colombo Plan scholars in Australia’.
Two alumni were honoured for their exemplary achievements and contributions to both Singapore and Australia. Mr Jeffrey Tan, the winner of the Outstanding Young Alumnus Award, is an alumnus of Queensland University of Technology and a leader of the arts community in Singapore.
The Eminent Alumnus Award, the highest honour bestowed at the Australian Alumni Awards, went to Dr Tan Chin Nam, an alumnus of The University of Newcastle, also an Australian Colombo Plan and President Scholar, and a distinguished public servant in Singapore. Dr Tan Chin Nam received four public administration medals from the Singapore Government for bringing together computerisation and the use of technology for economic growth in the 70s and 80s. He continues to provide his expertise in strengthening the relationship between Singapore and Australia.
The awards represent a celebration of the excellence and diversity of the Australian education system.
Left to right: Ms Julie-Anne Nichols – Australia’s Senior Trade Commissioner to Singapore; Mr Low Weng Keong - Councillor & Board member, CPA Australia; Mr Loh Hoon Sun, President Australian Alumni Singapore; Dr Lee Boon Yang – Chairman, Keppel Corporation; Mr Jeffrey Tan - Outstanding Young Alumnus award recipient; Dr Tan Chin Nam, Eminent Alumnus award recipient; His Excellency Doug Chester, Australian High Commissioner to Singapore; Mr Ken Gideon – Alumni Manager, Queensland University of Technology; Prof Kevin McConkey – Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Newcastle; Ms Rosemary Thomson - Associate Director, University of Newcastle