TRANSFER OF THE NANYANG UNIVERSITY ALUMNI REGISTER BILL

Order for Second Reading read. 2.18 pm

The Minister for Education (Mr Lee Yock Suan): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time."

The purpose of this Bill is to provide for the transfer from the National University of Singapore (NUS) to the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) of that part of the NUS Register of Graduates which relates to the graduates and subscribers of the former Nanyang University.

The establishment of Nanyang University, commonly known as Nantah, in 1956 was an important milestone in Singapore's history. Over a period of 24 years, many young men and women have received a valuable education from the University and gone on to contribute to our society. Nantah graduates have played and will continue to play a big role in the political, social, cultural and economic life of Singapore.

On 8th August 1980, the Nanyang University was merged with the former University of Singapore to form the National University of Singapore. The Nanyang University register of graduates has since been kept with the NUS. The campus of Nanyang University was upgraded and redeveloped to house the Nanyang Technological Institute as part of the NUS. Students of the Institute were awarded NUS degrees until 1991 when the Institute became a full-fledged University, the Nanyang Technological University.

Nantah Alumni retained a strong sentimental attachment to Nanyang University and to its former campus in Jurong where NTU is situated. The old Nantah campus, with its lake and garden and some distinctive buildings which have been conserved, provides a historical and emotional link between Nanyang University and the Nanyang Technological University. Many Nantah graduates have welcomed the Government's efforts to revive the Nantah spirit. These efforts include adopting the Chinese abbreviation of Nantah for NTU, opening of the Chinese Heritage Centre on the NTU campus and the erection of Nantah's archway in the campus garden.

The association of Nanyang University graduates has proposed, and the Government has agreed to transfer the Nanyang University register of graduates from NUS to NTU. The Prime Minister announced this at NTU on 3rd June 1995 at the 4th Nantah Global Reunion Dinner which attracted a large turnout of Nantah graduates. By adopting NTU as the successor of Nanyang University, Nantah graduates can contribute to the further development of NTU.

I will now highlight the key aspects of the Bill. Clause 3 of the Bill will enable the transfer from NUS to NTU of the registers containing the names of all persons who immediately before 8th August 1980 were members of the Guild of Graduates of Nanyang University or its subscribers. The register of all students in the academic year 1979/80 who had met all the requirements for graduation and received degrees of Nanyang University will also be transferred to NTU.

Clause 4 of the Bill empowers the Minister to make rules generally for the purpose of removing any difficulty which may arise from the transfer of the registers and other documents referred to in clause 3 of the Bill.

Clause 5 of the Bill consists of consequential amendments to the Nanyang Technological University Act and the National University of Singapore Act which are required to effect the transfer. It also provides for a representative from the former Nanyang University to sit on the NTU Council.

Sir, I beg to move.

Question proposed.

Dr Ker Sin Tze (Aljunied GRC): ( In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, from the time of its inception in 1956 to its merger to form the National University of Singapore in 1980, the Nanyang University had produced more than 10,000 graduates. These graduates are spread all over Singapore and Malaysia in the fields of industry and commerce, culture and education, and politics. In Singapore, many of these Nantah graduates have become middle-ranking and senior civil servants, teachers and managers. Their contributions in the social and economic development of Singapore are significant and cannot be ignored. No doubt, some graduates have not been doing well in their career paths. Even then, they continue to work hard despite what others say about their ability. Over the past 40 years, Nantah graduates have become a strength to be reckoned with in the Singapore society.

However, there is one thing that Nantah graduates cannot help brooding upon, that is, their alma mater is no longer in existence. Nantah was a university founded entirely by the community. It went through many bad patches in its initial period of founding. After it started, it received no recognition nor support from the Governemnt at that time, thereby giving rise to a lot of problems. Subsequently, owing to the gradual decline of student enrolment, Nantah had to merge with the then University of Singapore to form part of the National University of Singapore in 1980. Since then, graduates of the former Nantah have lost their sense of attachment, and every time the name of Nantah is mentioned, they just cannot help feeling a sense of regret. In 1982, the Government established the Nanyang Technological Institute (NTI) on the former site of Nantah. In 1991, it was upgraded to become the Nanyang Technological University (NTU). Despite this, many Nantah graduates still cannot accept the fact that Nantah has been thoroughly remoulded and transformed into the NTU. The love of Nantah graduates for their alma mater is completely justifiable and understandable. Like a mother who came from a humble origin without any qualifications, she is nevertheless their respected and beloved mother.

However, we must be forward-looking. Nantah must have a new life to carry on its development to become an important institution in the tertiary education of our nation. As such, I urge all Nantah graduates to seriously consider the possibility that if the then Nantah was allowed to carry on without disruption and restructuring, it would have aimed to develop into a university with the same substance and magnitude of the present NTU. We must look at the present NTU as a continuation of the former Nantah. Otherwise, the glorious records of our forefathers toiling to found Nantah will gradually fall into oblivion. The former Nantah and the present Nantah must be linked together so that Nantah can retain its place in the history of Singapore. The Government is now encouraging the use of the Chinese acronym Nantah (Nanyang University) instead of Li Da (Technological University) , and is allowing the Nanyang University Alumni Register to be transferred back to Nantah, thereby showing, once again, that the Government treasures the past contributions of Nantah, and understands the feelings of the Nantah graduates. As graduates of Nantah, we should support this decision for the proposed transfer of the Alumni Register.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I support the Transfer of the Nanyang University Alumni Register Bill.

Mr R. Sinnakaruppan (Kampong Glam GRC): Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to declare my interest both as a member of the NTU Council and as the President of the NTU Alumni.

Sir, I was amongst the first pioneer batch of undergraduates at the then NTI. Although many of us in that batch had the choice of opting to pursue a second year engineering course at the NUS, we opted to pursue a course at NTI which occupied the campus of the former Nanyang University. We were attracted to NTI because of the promise of a practice-oriented curriculum and because of the charm and tranquil of the former Nanyang campus.

Sir, Singaporeans are well aware of the exemplary Nantah spirit and the sweat and toil of the relentless efforts of the Chinese community in setting up the Nanyang University. As the Minister has just pointed out, in 1980, the Government had to make a very difficult decision to close Nanyang University and merge it with the University of Singapore to become what is known as the National University of Singapore. Nevertheless, the Chinese community organizations donated the sprawling campus at Jurong to the Government. The then Prime Minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, later agreed to retain the name Nanyang when NTI was set up in 1981 at the same campus. Although NTI, and now NTU, is characteristically a different university from Nanyang University and although the graduates from these two institutions are a generation apart, the name "Nanyang" and the campus provide the nexus for the two institutions.

Sir, I am told that there is a Chinese saying and I think it reads like this: ying shui si yuan ( ) which means that you must remember the source of the water you drink. So the graduates of NTI and NTU recognise the history of our campus and are happy to support the Government's move to transfer the alumni rolls of former Nanyang University graduates to that of the NTU Register of Graduates. Although earlier some of the pioneer graduates had some reservations about this transfer, the NTU Alumni Committee has since met the NTU administration and the Association of Nantah Graduates to discuss the issue and now the NTU graduates understand the need for this and are supportive of this move.

When the Bill is passed in Parliament, the NTU Alumni (Association) will make the necessary amendments to its constitution to allow Nanyang graduates to join the alumni association as ordinary members. The NTU Alumni plans to set up an umbrella organisation called the NTU Alumni Council within the next year, which would comprise a network of affiliated Alumni organisations from NTI or NTU, such as faculty alumni clubs, hostel alumni clubs, and other society or special interest alumni clubs. The Association of Nantah Graduates will in due course be invited to be an affiliate of the NTU Alumni Council.

It is hoped that the Nantah graduates will join the present Alumni to lend support to the development of NTU and especially to the University Endowment Fund. The Nantah graduates should rejuvenate their Nantah spirit and together with the present alumni help NTU to grow from strength to strength to become a world class university.

Mr Low Thia Khiang: ( In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, much as I am honoured to have the opportunity to participate in the debate on matters relating to the Nanyang University (Nantah), I have complex feelings about it.

Nantah was established with the support of people from all walks of life and under extremely difficult circumstances. It has nurtured many of us in Singapore. Unfortunately, at the time when she was at her last gasp and on the verge of death, we would only look on helplessly.

Now I would like to express my condolence on Nantah's demise with the following words:

Forty years ago, when we had yet to own this piece of land, our sagacious forefathers stood up to make a clarion call for the establishment of Nanyang University for the future of the children of the Chinese Community. At that time, the sense of righteousness soared to the skies. Under the suppression of the colonial government, no matter how high the mountain was or how deep the water may be, Nantah stood up proudly high on the hill.

After we became master of our own land, some people said Nantah -- nan da -- would be difficult to grow up. With firm support of the people, it witnessed the changes in stormy and unstable political situations for more than 20 years.

However, under the rule of power politics, the wind and the clouds changed colour, and Nantah was relegated to that of a third-class university. The final curtain fell, and it became history. Heaven was silent and people were dumbfounded.

Suddenly, the long-lost souls of Nantah, which were forced into oblivion by circumstances, received the call of Yunnan Campus to revive the spirit of Nantah so as to become a witness for history.

With the passing of the seasons, changes have taken place with the tides of vicissitudes. Those people who had put a rest to the history of Nantah, are now thinking of re-compiling the history.

Nantah , feel no qualms, owes no apology to anybody.

Rest in peace! Nantah.

Mr Speaker, Sir, although what is past is past, history can never be wiped away. Let history pass the final judgement on the course of Nanyang University.

As for the transfer of register, which is the subject matter of this debate, it is something that has to happen and one which offers no alternative. If it has to be done, it just has to be done! I support the transfer of register of Nantah graduates to the Nanyang Technological University (NTU). At least, that was the origin of Nanyang University. Let the fallen leaves return to the roots!

Dr Wang Kai Yuen: Sir, I support the Bill. However, I would like to make a request to the Minister.

I recall that when the two Universities were merged, more than the Register of Students were transferred to the Singapore University. One of those properties transferred included the collection of art pieces, paintings and museum pieces. If I am not wrong, they are now still the property of Singapore University, now known as NUS. I hope that the Minister would take recognition of this and make certain provision to return these collections to the NTU because these art pieces were donated by well-wishers and supporters of Nanyang University who had the intention that these pieces be housed in the old building. Now that their home is in NUS, I hope the Minister will take my request into consideration.

Mr Goh Choon Kang: ( In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, history is an on-going evolution. In the process of all these changes, there are always some things which are inevitable. So I believe that our pioneers who founded Nantah would understand this.

I remember the motto of our alma mater was "constantly striving to become stronger". This is the basic spirit of Nantah. This maxim that originated from the Yiqing (Book of Changes) encourages us that notwithstanding the changes in history and circumstances, if we can constantly strive to become stronger, we will be able to continuously manifest this spirit of Nantah, in the new circumstances, and to manifest the great tradition of the Chinese civilization.

Sir, with the upgrading of Nanyang Technological Institute (NTI) to Nanyang Technological University (NTU), and its subsequent decision to use the acronym of Nantah, I think the proposed transfer of the Alumni Register is logical and rational. It is also in conformity with the wishes of the majority of the graduates of the former Nanyang University (Nantah). Although Nantah was closed down in 1980, I believe that more than 10,000 Nantah graduates still have their hearts and feelings attached to the Yunnan Garden Campus.

With the closing down of the former Nantah, the Alumni Register was transferred to NUS. But I believe that most Nantah graduates find that they have difficulty identifying themselves with NUS. Although their name is with the Register of NUS, it actually exists in name only. The feeling is not there at all.

Now, with the transfer of the Alumni Register back to Nantah, I think it would, at least, be useful in reviving the sense of belonging of these Nantah graduates. Personally, I hope that we would be able to start all over again to cultivate and restore the Nantah spirit. This is the biggest challenge ahead of us. If we can have the support of these 10,000-odd former graduates of Nantah, I think the chances of success in reviving the Nantah spirit are very great. If we can have the support of all these Nantah graduates, the chances of the present Nantah being developed into something comparable to the MIT or Harvard University of the USA will be better. For this reason, I support this transfer of the Register.

Dr Koh Lip Lin (Nee Soon South): ( In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, originally I did not intend to speak today, but having heard the speeches of Mr Low Thia Khiang and Mr Goh Choon Kang, I feel that I have to say a few words.

Mr Low, I believe, was among the last batch of Nantah graduates. Mr Goh was in one of the intermediate batches, and I was from the first batch of Nantah graduates. Just now, Mr Low read, in Parliament, an elegiac address on the demise of Nantah. I think this is 15 years overdue. It is out of time and not relevant now. Mr Goh mentioned that Nantah was closed down. I think they are both wrong. At that time, Nantah was not closed down. Nantah was then merged with the University of Singapore to become the National University of Singapore (NUS).

Mr Low Thia Khiang mentioned just now that it was the training in Nantah that enabled him to become a successful MP in this House. I think that was the success of Nantah. The merger between Nantah and the University of Singapore was a decision taken after a long time of deliberation. With the merger, the National University of Singapore (NUS) was formed. Consequently, the registers of Nantah graduates and University of Singapore Alumni were transferred to the NUS. It is a natural course of event.

As Dr Ker mentioned just now, all these years, the graduates of Nantah are still very attached to the old campus and the old university, and this sense of attachment has not faded away with the passage of time. On the contrary, with the establishment of the Nanyang Technological Institute, and its subsequent upgrading to Nanyang Technological University, these sentiments have become stronger and stronger.

Last year, the Association of Nanyang University Graduates suggested to the Prime Minister to consider transferring the names of the Guild of Graduates of the former Nanyang University from the Register of Graduates of the NUS to the Register of Graduates of the NTU. One of the reasons was, as mentioned by Mr Goh Choon Kang just now, that graduates of Nantah still have their sentiments attached to the former Nantah campus in Jurong, and could not identify themselves with NUS.

Last year, at the re-union dinner attended by Nantah graduates from all over the world, the Prime Minister announced that he had agreed to the suggestion. That is the reason why we have this Bill before the House for the Second and Third Readings.

From Nantah to NUS and back to Nantah again, I think we can use two idioms in Chinese to describe this process. They are the idioms mentioned by Mr Sinnakaruppan and Mr Low Thia Khiang. The first idiom: yin shui si yuan [ ] when you drink water, think of the source). That describes the feelings of Nantah graduates and how they cherish the memory of the former Nantah. The proposed transfer of register can be said to be luo ye gui gen [ ] (return of the fallen leaves to the roots). So, from yin shui si yuan to luo ye gui gen, this is indeed a story with a happy ending! I do not know why Mr Low Thia Khiang is still so querulous. I believe that the majority of Nantah graduates will support the transfer of Register, and I believe that, in future, Nantah graduates will make greater contributions to the future development of the present Nantah.

Mr Lee Yock Suan: I wish to thank all Members for speaking in support of the Bill. I sense that there is overwhelming support of this Bill, which is regarded as a natural development.

Let me give Members an example. Last year when this reunion dinner was held in the Nantah grounds, a total of 5,700 Nantah graduates attended the function, including 1,400 from overseas. This is out of a total of about 11,000 Nantah graduates. So it goes to show that the Nantah spirit is still very strong and alive. After our Prime Minister had given his speech announcing this transfer of the rolls to NTU, there was in fact a standing ovation for him when he left the grounds. I think on the whole there is tremendous support and I look forward to the support by the Nantah graduates to develop NTU into a world class university.

As Dr Koh Lip Lin has clarified, it is actually not true to say that Nantah has closed and merged with SU to form NUS. In fact, both universities closed and merged, if you like. That is why in the NUS Bill we had to rescind both Acts and re-enact the NUS Act to form the merged University. As a result, you have NTI which remained on the NTU Campus and gradually developed into NTU, the successor university to Nantah, and the present NUS is in fact the successor to SU. So we should all look forward and not look back to the past, not to the reasons, the pains, sorrows and unhappiness of that time. I think many of the things that happened were the result of the economic situation and parental choice, that is, parents wanted their children to study English. They could see that in the context of Singapore people need to have a good command of English to get on in life and for our links with the world. Now that China is becoming stronger, in fact, the study of Chinese is becoming very important and the present Nantah is also emphasising the study of Chinese through its Chinese Language Centre, and so on. I think all this is very good for the future development of NTU.

Instead of going back to recount what was given to NUS and what was taken out, which I think is pointless, we should all look forward to the future of NTU and not discuss whether certain pieces were transferred to NUS and should now be returned. It is very difficult to separate what has gone there, and what has been given. For example, now NTU has acquired the National Institute of Education (NIE) and there is further development to house the NIE, and the Government is pumping in so much money into the new NTU. So if there is a need to develop NTU further, let us develop it further; let us not look back and say this is ours, this is yours, separate them, and get the accounts straight.

As regards the museum, in fact, the NUS has further built on that museum and has acquired a lot of new art pieces. So it is very difficult now to say whether it is an original museum or a new museum. The main thing is we are going to provide an exhibition area. NUS is going to provide a new exhibition area where this art collection could be displayed and could serve to be a place where students can go and learn about culture and arts and round off their education. This will be displayed in an area which is easily accessible to students as well as the public.

I also thank Mr Sinnakaruppan for supporting the Bill. I think it is important for the NTU graduates to realise that it is good for the University to have this support from the Nantah graduates. The linkage is beneficial on both sides. For the Nantah graduates, they can feel that now there is a rebirth of their old university on a new campus and that eventually it will grow into a world-class university. On the part of the NTU graduates, they can look forward to the support from the old Nantah graduates and also to the long history and tradition, and the Nantah spirit that supports the old university.

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House.

The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. -- [Mr Lee Yock Suan].

Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed.

Mr Speaker: Order. I suspend the Sitting and will take the Chair again at 3.15 pm.

Sitting accordingly suspended at 2.50 pm until 3.15 pm. Sitting resumed at 3.15 pm