Latest Press Releases > July 2008

7 July 2008

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE COMMENCEMENT 2008
CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE

The National University of Singapore (NUS) will hold its commencement ceremonies for the graduating class of 2008 from 7 to 15 July 2008 at the NUS University Cultural Centre.

There will be a total of 23 ceremonies over the 9-day period and 8,733 students will be graduating this year.  The number of undergraduates and graduates receiving bachelor degrees and higher degrees are 5,788 and 2,945 respectively.

The University will be conferring the Honorary Doctor of Letters on Mr Wee Cho Yaw, Chairman of the United Overseas Bank (UOB) Group, at the first commencement ceremony.  This is in recognition of his accomplishments in the areas of banking, education and community leadership.

One of Singapore’s most successful bankers, Mr Wee has earned several accolades for his entrepreneurial achievements.  He was named Businessman of the Year by the Singapore Business Awards in 1990 and in 2001, ASEAN Businessman of the Year in 1995, and was also the proud recipient of the Inaugural Credit-Suisse-Ernst & Young Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006.  Mr Wee was also recognised by the Government of Singapore for his distinguished public service through the Public Service Star in 1974.

On the education front, Mr Wee played an important role in fostering education in Singapore.  He has had deep involvement with the National University of Singapore and served on the NUS Council from 1980 to 2000.  Mr Wee has also actively promoted education as chairman of the management committee of eight schools in Singapore.

This year’s Commencement carries the theme “Celebrating Excellence” as the University gives recognition to and celebrates the unique leadership abilities and special achievements of our new graduates.  Graduates of the first ceremony  comprise young leaders from the various faculties who have played a key role in the NUS Students’ Union (NUSSU) committees, clubs and societies, and/or have contributed significantly to the surrounding communities in areas such as innovations, research, sports, social work, arts and culture, or have excelled in local and global competitions.

Also at this year’s Commencement will be the presentation of the first batch of graduates for twelve new degrees.  These new degrees are as follows:

• Bachelor of Social Sciences (Actuarial Studies and Economics) (NUS-Australian National University (ANU) Joint Honours Degree Programme)
• Bachelor of Computing (Computational Biology)
• Master of Arts (Industrial Design)
• Doctor of Philosophy (NUS-École Supérieure d’Électricité Joint Degree Programme)
• Master of Science (Geotechnical Engineering
• Master of Laws (NUS - New York University Double Degree Programme)
• Master of Laws (Asian Legal Studies)
• Master of Laws (Maritime Law)
• Master of Public Health
• Master of Science (Chemical and Pharmaceutical Engineering)
• Doctor of Philosophy (NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering)
• Master in Public Administration (Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy)

Commencement 2008 will culminate in a Commencement Dinner on Friday 18 July 2008 which will be graced by His Excellency President S R Nathan and Mrs Nathan.  The Commencement Dinner will be attended by graduates, faculty, staff and alumni.