At the inaugural Commencement ceremony held on 6 July 2023, the School’s freshly minted graduates celebrated their new milestone in the presence of fellow school mates, faculty, and distinguished guests.The ceremony marked not only the completion of their academic journey but also the beginning of a new chapter in their lives, one filled with endless opportunities to make a positive impact on public health.
NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye congratulated the graduates, “I am confident that our graduates have the skills, knowledge, and training, and possess the qualities of grit, drive and imagination, to thrive in the complex times ahead.”
Valedictorian for the Master of Public Health, Dr Tan Kian Wei Alvin, delivered the valedictorian speech on behalf of the graduating class of 2023. He said, “The future that awaits us is one filled with uncertainties. Each of us will be embarking on our own individual journey, and similar to that of a ship preparing to set sail upon uncharted waters, navigating through unexpected challenges and facing uncertainty head-on can be daunting.”
The event reached its pinnacle when Dr Margaret Chan, an esteemed alumna from the NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, was conferred the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science by NUS in recognition of her outstanding contributions to strengthening public health systems and exemplary leadership in addressing global health emergencies. Dr Chan holds the position of Emeritus Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) and is also the Founding Dean of Vanke School of Public Health at Tsinghua University, China.
The ceremony concluded on a high note as the graduates took the stage to receive their degrees, the culmination of years of hard work and dedication. The audience erupted into thunderous applause, celebrating each graduate’s accomplishments and offering well-deserved words of encouragement.
Caps off to you, graduates! We wish you all the best as you embark on the next chapter of your public health careers, putting into practice the knowledge, research, and experiences obtained from your learning journey with the School. Continue to impact and forge new milestones in the public health ecosystem for your local communities and the region.
We would also like to congratulate the following award winners:
– Tan Kian Wei Alvin, valedictorian and winner of the Occupational and Environmental Health Society Medal, and Tye Cho Yook Gold Medal
– Andrew Arjun Sayampanathan, reserve valedictorian and winner of the NUSS Medal for Outstanding Achievement
– Cheong Kai Xiong, winner of the Lee Hin Peng Medal
– Chiong Yee Keow, winner of the Dean’s Medal and Prize in Implementing Public Health Programmes and Policies
– Lien Pei Xin, Victoria, winner of the Lady Yuen-Peng McNeice Health Promotion Medal and Prize
– Tan Zhi Yang, Benjamin, winner of the Dean’s Medal and Prize
– Halina Binte Talib, winner of the Richard Gillis Prize
Catch Dr Alvin Tan’s speech here and Dr Andrew Sayampanathan’s speech here.