This year’s graduation was marked by a series of “firsts”, noted Professor Arnoud De Meyer during his speech at the Opening Ceremony of Commencement 2011.
It was Professor De Meyer’s first Commencement since becoming President of SMU and the graduation of the first cohort of students from the university’s School of Law. This was also the first occasion on which the university was bestowing the new SMU CIRCLE Awards which honour students who have best upheld the university’s “CIRCLE” values and demonstrated all-round excellence in student life, student leadership, community service and in their academic studies.
Guest of Honour was The Honourable, The Chief Justice Chan Sek Keong. Chief Justice Chan remarked that the occasion reminded him of his own graduation 50 years ago, when he was among the pioneering graduating class at Singapore’s first law school. He commented that SMU’s law students had reaped the benefits of a broad-based, multi-disciplinary education that is the hallmark of an SMU education. Many had already distinguished themselves in national and international mooting competitions and exchange programmes, and their futures look bright as they enter a profession that provides the legal services supporting Asia’s rapidly expanding economies.
Mr Ho Kwon Ping, Chairman, SMU Board of Trustees, pointed out that a larger number of students graduates from the university each year. This year there were a total of 1,814 graduates – or six times the number that were at SMU’s first Commencement seven years ago.
The university’s top graduating students were also recognised, with Russell Low Tzeh Shyian being named the SPH Valedictorian (see School of Law’s pioneer students graduate, overleaf). The SPH Salutatorian Award, given to the second highest ranking student from the graduating cohort, was conferred on Joel Ng Zhi Hao. Joel graduated Summa Cum Laude in Economics and Business Management, with an additional major in Applied Statistics.
Education Minister, Mr Heng Swee Keat also graced the ceremony with his presence and Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Environment and Water Resources was present for the graduation of his daughter Natalie.
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| Guest of Honour, Chief Justice Chan Sek Keong speaking at SMU’s 8th Commencement ceremony. |
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| SMU Class of 2011 top graduates. From left: DBS Bank School Valedictorian in Law, Joshua Lim
Yong En; SMU Valedictorian, Russell Low Tzeh Shyian; and SMU Salutatorian, Joel Ng Zhi Hao. |
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"You have received the best foundational values from SMU for this journey. Your success will make a difference to the future of Singapore, as it will form part of Singapore’s success. Times are changing in Singapore faster than we may have realised or expected. More than ever, we need graduands like you to lead Singapore to a better future in the uncertain times ahead."
– Chief Justice Chan Sek Keong, Guest of Honour, at SMU Commencement 2011 |
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