President Tan among hundreds to attend Australian Alumni event in Singapore
President Tan with Brett Mason, Philip Green and New Colombo Plan students
Wednesday 21 May 2014
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Singapore President Tony Tan Keng Yam was among 500 people who attended a celebration for the alumni of Australian universities at the residence of Australian High Commissioner, Philip Green, on Tuesday evening.
There are more than 100,000 Singaporeans who have studied at Australian universities.
“The large community of Singaporeans, who have studied in Australia, are very important to me,” the High Commissioner said.
“I strongly support the Australian Alumni Singapore, an association that embodies the strong and long-standing links shared between Australia and Singapore in the education sector. I wish their new leadership every success.”
At the event, the National Australia Bank pledged S$150,000 to support the Australian Alumni Singapore (AAS). The new president of the AAS, Mr Chris Cheah, warmly welcomed the contribution.
Dr Tan, who holds a PhD in Applied Mathematics at the University of Adelaide, was joined at the event by Australia’s Minister for Trade and Investment, Andrew Robb and Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Senator Brett Mason. There were also a number of notable Singaporean business and political figures, including Mr Lee Boon Yang and Mr Mah Bow Tan. Dr Tan also met with students involved in the first phase of the New Colombo Plan program who are visiting Singapore from James Cook University.
Prominent Australian indie rocker Ash Grunwald, in Singapore for the Music Matters event, entertained the audience with an energetic set, while guests enjoyed an Aussie barbecue and fine Australian wine.