MEDIA RELEASE: Friday 25 May 2012
 

Celebrating excellence – Australia recognises distinguished achievements of two Singaporeans

DISTINGUISHED AUSTRALIAN ALUMNI AWARDS 2012

The personal and professional achievements of two leading Singaporeans have been recognised at a reception for the prestigious Australian Alumni Awards 2012, held at the Australian High Commission this evening.

Guest of Honour for the Distinguished Australian Alumni Awards 2012 is Dr Lee Boon Yang, Chairman of Keppell Corporation and Singapore Press Holdings, former Singapore Government minister (defence, manpower and information, communication and the arts), and an alumnus of The University of Queensland.
 

Dr Lee has presented the highest honour in the Distinguished Australian Alumni Awards – the Eminent Alumni Award 2012 – to Dr Tan Chin Nam, Chairman of the Media Development Authority’s International Advisory Panel and one of Singapore’s most distinguished public servants.
 

Dr Tan is an alumnus of The University of Newcastle, and is a patron of its Singapore Alumni Chapter. He holds multiple directorships in companies, including Stamford Land Corporation, Yeo Hiap Seng and Raffles Education Group.
 

The Eminent Alumnus Award recognises the remarkable accomplishments of alumni who have gained national, regional or international distinction in their chosen fields or professions, and whose endeavours reflect admirably on, or bring honour to, Australian education and the Australian alumni, and who have made a significant contribution to the wider community in Singapore.
 

In 2011, the Eminent Alumnus Award was presented to Singapore’s Minister for National Development, Mr Khaw Boon Wan, a former Colombo Plan scholar and alumnus of The University of Newcastle.
 

The Outstanding Young Alumnus Award 2012 has been presented to Mr Jeffrey Tan, Head of Com.mune Participation at the National Arts Council.
 

An alumnus of Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Mr Tan has spent his career working in arts education and outreach, and is a strong advocate of the quality of QUT education.
 

The Outstanding Young Alumnus Award recognises the achievements and contributions of young alumni, aged 40 and below, who have distinguished themselves nationally or internationally for their excellent and sustained contributions and achievements in their chosen fields, exemplified the best attributes of youth in today's world, and whose endeavours reflect admirably on, or bring honour to Australian education and the Australian alumni.
 

The Distinguished Australian Alumni Awards are organised by the Australian High Commission, Singapore, in partnership with Australian Alumni Singapore, and are generously sponsored by CPA Australia.
 

This year, the awards event also celebrates the 60th anniversary of the arrival of the first Colombo Plan scholars to Australia, and has included the launch of the ‘Amongst Friends’ commemorative book and photographic exhibition, featuring images of Singaporean Colombo Plan scholars in Australia.
 

The exhibition is presented by the Australian High Commission with support from National Archives of Australia, Australian Alumni Singapore and individual former Colombo Plan scholars. The ‘Amongst Friends: Singaporean Colombo Plan Scholars in Australia’ exhibition will be on display in the High Commission’s Atrium Gallery until 29 June 2012. Gallery opening hours are 9am – 5pm, Mon – Fri (except public holidays).

Media enquiries: Andria Hutchins, Public Affairs Director, Australian High Commission, T: +65 6836 4148, [email protected].

KEY FACTS: AUSTRALIAN ALUMNI IN SINGAPORE

• There are more than 100,000 alumni of Australian institutions in Singapore, and this number continues to grow.
• There were more than 9500 Singaporean students studying in Australia in 2011.
• It is estimated that there are currently approximately 30,000 students studying for an Australian educational qualification in Singapore, and this number is also steadily increasing.
• A number of Australian institutions have established official local alumni chapters and informal alumni networks in Singapore, signifying their commitment to remain engaged with their alumni.
• Many Australian university alumni hold prominent senior positions in Singapore’s government, community and corporate sectors; demonstrating the international excellence of an Australian education, and the leadership qualities that it instils.