Prime Minister of Australia visits

13 Nov 2009

The Honourable Kevin Rudd, Prime Minister of Australia, announced the creation of a new Australian international scholarship programme "The Australia Awards" at the University Cultural Centre Theatre on 13 November 2009. The Awards are inspired by the original Colombo Plan which over the years, have benefitted more than 40,000 young people from across Asia.

During his address at NUS, The Honourable Kevin Rudd commended the University. He said: "It is a University of remarkable quality, with outstanding international links and a great reputation for cooperation and entrepreneurial drive." He added that Australia saw this quality in the international student exchange programmes between NUS and eight Australian universities, as well as in the joint degree programmes offered with some of the world's top institutions, including his alma mater, the Australian National University.

"Your hosting of the Association of Pacific Rim Universities also demonstrates your very real commitment to cooperative research and teaching, to the benefit of all," added the Prime Minister of Australia.

In his welcome remarks at the event, NUS President Prof Tan Chorh Chuan spoke on the long-standing alliance between Singapore and Australia. He said: "With a long history of warm and strong partnership, Singapore and Australia share much common ground, not the least of which is a belief in the power of education to transform and shape the world and to build cross-cultural understanding. As a global university, NUS shares this belief strongly. We draw inspiration and ideas from bold initiatives that have been launched in Australian educational institutions."

Accompanying The Honourable Kevin Rudd on his visit to NUS was his wife, Ms Thérè se Rein, the Australian High Commissioner to Singapore, His Excellency Douglas Chester and Mrs Lynette Chester. At NUS, The Honourable Kevin Rudd met with Minister for Education and Second Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen and Non-Executive Chairman, Keppel Corporation Limited, Dr Lee Boon Yang, NUS President Prof Tan Chorh Chuan and NUS Deputy President (Academic Affairs) and Provost Prof Tan Eng Chye. The event was also attended by some 20 international and local media.

The Prime Minister was in Singapore to participate in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit 2009, an international forum that brought together more than 800 of the world's top business leaders to Singapore to meet with leaders of some of the Pacific Rim's most powerful nations.