We have relaunched as a new digital community. Please go to our new address: OXBRIDGESINGAPORE.ORG as of November 2021.

There, you will be able to sign up for membership, access past and current events, and engage with the Oxbridge community in Singapore, directly.

We look forward to seeing you there. With best regards, The Committee.

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March 2021 – Fireside Chat with Minister Desmond Lee.

We were so fortunate to be joined for a fireside chat with Minister Desmond Lee to discuss Singapore’s future against the challenge of climate change and much more.

Jump to our write up by clicking on the ‘events’ tab above.

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OCSS-2020-2021-Comm-Members

Letter from the New President, December 24, 2020

1609387807886_Oxbridge-Letter-from-New-President-24-12-2020-signed-2020-12-24_013616

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Letter from the Outgoing President, December 2020

Letter-to-all-Members-OCSS

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Short-History

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NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING: THE OXFORD & CAMBRIDGE SOCIETY OF SINGAPORE, DECEMBER 21ST 2020.

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2020.12.21-Agenda-for-Oxbridge-AGM-2020-2

AGM materials may be downloaded via the link below :

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/12Pg0BzKCcCXFBHOFt7MD_I8xXTqFKRUM?usp=sharing

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Notice of AGM and Election of Commitee (2020-2022) – Nominations Update

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AUGUST 9, 2020: NATIONAL DAY, SINGAPORE’S 55th BIRTHDAY

A message from Society President, Dato Paul Supramaniam

Dear Members,  Happy 55^th Birthday Singapore on this National Day 2020.

But our Nation’s history goes back much further.  In AD 231 , it was known to the Chinese explorers as Pu – Luo- Chung- meaning island at the end of the peninsula, then ruled from Palembang as part of the Sri Vijaya empire from the 7th Century, later founded as the Principality of Temasek in the mid 13^th century, and then rediscovered by Raffles in 1819. Our distinguished alumnus, Lee Kuan Yew then led the country into independence 55 years ago , and kick started its remarkable transformation and coming of age. 

Our Patron, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong reminded us this morning to stay united and resilient, as Singapore and its peoples have repeatedly done in the face of previous challenges,  as we face up to COVID and a financial downturn. To renew our resolve, remain united, each play our part and to prevail as one nation, brought closer together in this time of challenge . And he encouraged us to continue with our dreams to realise, and goals to reach for.

Majullah Singapura. 

Dato Paul Supramaniam

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January 2020 – Remembering our former Oxbridge President, Chief Justice Yong Pung How (Downing ‘46)

The Society deeply regrets the passing of our distinguished alumnus and former President of the Society, Mr Yong Pung How, former Chief Justice of Singapore on 9 January 2020.

PM Lee (our Patron) referred to Mr Yong as one of Singapore’s finest sons.

Born in 1926 in Kuala Lumpur, Mr Yong read law at Downing College, Cambridge where he was an Exhibitioner and later an Associate Fellow of the College.  At Cambridge, he forged a deep and lasting friendship with Singapore’s founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew (Fitzwilliam College) and his future wife Madam Kwa Geok Choo (Girton College).   Mr Yong was also the Secretary of the Cambridge University Malaysia Singapore Association.

Upon graduation Mr Yong practiced law for almost two decades as a partner in the law firm co-founded by his father, first in Malaysia and then in Singapore, whereupon he entered the world of finance and investment, where he excelled and reached its pinnacle, in the process being a co-founder and head of investment banks in both Singapore and Malaysia.

He also served as Chairman of Malaysia Singapore Airlines in the 1960s. In 1981, the Singapore government invited him to become the first Managing Director of the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC) and thereafter the Managing Director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore. He established the rigorous governance framework for GIC and was instrumental in recruiting the first investment managers globally, ensuring the officers were armed with sharp investments skills, rigour and conviction. In 1983, he was appointed the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation (OCBC).

In 1989, aged 63, Mr Yong, was persuaded by Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew to return to the law as a Judge of the Supreme Court and he then became the second Chief Justice of Singapore from 1990 to 2006. Mr Yong’s judicial reforms in the 1990s have been well documented where he modernised and took the Singapore judiciary into the 21^st century, making it one of the most respected and efficient judiciaries. He also produced the most judgements in the history of the Singapore bench, over eight hundred. After retiring as Chief Justice, aged 80, Mr Yong served as Chancellor of the Singapore Management University from 2010 to 2015 and was conferred a Doctor of Laws by the National University of Singapore.

For his services to Singapore, Mr Yong was conferred the Distinguished Service Order and Singapore’s highest award, the Order of Temasek (First Class). 

Despite his service to the nation and excelling in every area he ventured into, he still found time for his alma mater, and the Society was deeply fortunate to have Mr Yong as its past President.  We mourn the passing of a Singapore titan and our thoughts are with Mr Yong’s family at this time of loss, as we send our heartfelt condolences to his widow Mrs Yong Wei Woo (Mr Yong referred to as his best friend) ,and his daughter, Ying-I (also a Downing  College alumnus) ,who now serves as Permanent Secretary at MCI.

The Society was represented at the wake by our President, a number of our former Presidents and our members who served as Justice Law Clerks under the late Chief Justice Yong.

DECEMBER 2019 – IN THE NEWS…

Our Society President speaking to Claressa Montero on Money FM 89.3. Addressing the importance of The Oxbridge Society Singapore and its’ role in Singapore bringing cultures and communities together.

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The Bicentennial Christmas Carol service was held on consecutive nights, on December 12th and December 13th, 2019, at St Andrew’s Cathedral to celebrate Singapore’s Bicentennial with a Christmas Carol Service.

The closing address was delivered by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (our patron) on the 13th December, and by Dato Paul Supramaniam on the 12th December. The 800 guests including government leaders, leaders of various faiths, as well as clergy and lay leaders of Christian denominations.

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HAPPENINGS: DECEMBER 2019

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PAST EVENTS: SEPTEMBER 2019

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HAPPENINGS:

BOOK LAUNCH – A commemoration of the life of medical pioneer Dr JMJ Supramaniam, co-authored by our President, Dato Paul Supramaniam

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The 4^th annual Boat Race between Oxford and Cambridge alumni in Singapore took place on Saturday 8 June 2019. As in previous years, Oxbridge Singapore partnered with National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) in organising this charity event aimed at raising awareness and funds for cancer care and survivorship – the Row for Hope Boat Races.

The 3rd Row for Hope Boat Races were graced by Guest-of-Honour, Mr Leo Yip, Permanent Secretary, Prime Minister’s Office & Head of Civil Service, and Professor William Hwang, Medical Director, National Cancer Centre Singapore, with Dato Paul Supramaniam, President, Oxbridge Singapore, hosting.

The races were held on the Marina Channel with the Eights (boats) being launched from the pontoons of PassionWave and Singapore Rowing Association.

The event kicked off with the Men’s race …………

and Cambridge retaining their shield, never having lost! 

Up next was the much awaited Dragon Boat race between defending champions cancer survivors Pink Spartans and NCCS staff, HPB and  Changi-Simei. As has come to be expected, the Pink Spartans sped off but for the first time in the history of these races, the Umpire had to disqualify 3 of the crews for somewhat wayward steering by their respective coxswains resulting in victory for NCCS!

Oxford felt confident at the start of the Mixed Crews race…..

…but Cambridge emerged victorious again!

Due to a shortage of rowers, the Women’s race was not contested this year. Instead, alumni from HK and Malaysia came together with their Singapore friends to form scratch international Oxford and Cambridge crews. The race was close and despite a spirited flurry at the end, the Dark Blues got the  better of their lighter shade rivals.

As such, Cambridge retained the Row for Hope Boat Races blade winning 2 of the 3 races and taking the overall record to 3-1 in the Light Blues’ favour.  

The final race was the annual “grudge” contest between red-brickers ASBO (Any School But Oxbridge) and combined Oxford & Cambridge mixed crews. ASBO are members of Easter Rowing Club and have won every race since the inaugural one in 2015. Oxbridge felt confident they would break the duck this year and started strongly…..

It was not to be …. ASBO were handsome winners yet again!

So, the sun set on yet another year of friendly competition, camaraderie and a demonstration of the human spirit overcoming individual challenges….. an entirely appropriate way to celebrate Singapore’s Bicentennial!  

Rowing was an intrinsic part of University life for many of us at Oxford and Cambridge, from the Michaelmas races, to the Summer Eights and the ever-exciting Boat Race on the Thames.
 
Thank you to everyone who joined us for an afternoon of rowing and fun-filled activities down at the River. Evoking memories of ‘Rowing Eights’, we gave a more than 100 year old British tradition some Singaporean flair.

THE ‘BEYOND 200’ BALL

Dear Oxford and Cambridge Society of Singapore,

Thank you all for a wonderful May Ball 2019. The photographs are on the Busybody May Ball 2019 Site:   https://images.busybody.sg/?e=R5548345PS2A . I hope you will enjoy them. 

Our Committee Members with our Special Guest at the May Ball 2019Please join me to thank our very generous donors, Dr Stanley Lai SC, Justice Valerie Thean, Justice Hoo Sheau Peng, and Mr Dilhan Pillay.  We had kind support and sponsorship from Mr Andrew Khoo (Laura Ashley PLC), Andrew Dixon (The Island Foundation), Mr Patrick Low (Lee & Oak Wines) and Tony Chew (Grand Royal Whiskey).  

Grateful thanks to HE theBritish High CommissionerScott Wightman for his kind hospitality at his residence at Eden Hall, and our speaker the Senior Minister of StateDr Janil Puthucheary for his address “Beyond 200,” and for headlining a lively and memorable Fireside Chat. Thanks to our President Mr Paul Supramaniam for his Welcome Speech, and Mr Toh Han Li for his Latin Grace and Chat moderation.

A very special thanks to all the Committee, especially Ng Yeau Chong, Tan Yi-xun, Rachel Chew, Paul Supramaniam, Toh Han-li, Lien Choon Luen, Mark Nelligan, Becky Walker, Purnima Gandhi, Anupum Khaitan, Manisha Tank, Andrew Khoo, Shaw Soo Wei, and Paul Broom, and all other members, partners and volunteers, who pitched in.  The situation would have been vastly different if Yeau Chong, Anupum, Yi-xun and Rachel had not given their time and efforts to identify the sign-up, secure payments, do the programme, ascertain security clearance and confirming Main Course choices (which allowed us to cut down catering costs significantly). Thank you Yeau Chong for spending your May Day and weekends on contacting each guest and creating the Master Spreadsheet, which allowed all subsequent steps to be taken quickly and efficiently.  Thank you all, most sincerely!

I hope the Boat Club made their target – well done to Mark Nelligan, Becky, Van, Ame and Yeau Chong for the Charity Bar, Boat Race Telecast, Auction, Appeal, and endless popping of champagne corks which were such a pleasant accompaniment to the evening’s festivities.

We were privileged to have the performances of Mr Kevin Loh, Music Scholar at Girton, half-Blue Ballroom Dancer Ms Patricia Vlad and Ms Lauren Yeo, Soprano.

Thank you to Geraldine Leong and her capable team from Creative Eateries.  The set-up and kitchen took 5 days’ meetings and 3 days’ hard work on site by a 25-member catering team.  Thank you, all!  The tables were indeed elegant.  The place-cards done by Geraldine’s team gave a lovely individual touch and personal welcome to each guest.  It also cut down on ushering time, allowing guests to find their own seats. As each place-cards bore a colour icon indicating the Main Course, dinner was served in just 40 minutes.  The crew worked efficiently to turn each room around, from Dining Room to Fireside Chat, from Ballroom to Dance-floor, in 30 minutes, allowing the Dance Class and Fireside Chat to begin sharply at 9.15 pm. 

Thank you to Sunder Nathan of NLX Events for handling the back-of-house and installing our audio, public address and sound systems, photographer and videography.  Thanks to Sunder and his team, all the speeches and announcements went smoothly and we were able to keep to schedule. The sound system allowed all 180 guests to listen to the guitar recital, speeches, chat and dialogue and etc, wherever they were in the Hall or Garden.  It was a difficult but worthwhile effort which demanded his team of 11 musicians and 3 technicians to spend many hours at the Hall, checking, rehearsing and setting up.  Very well done! 

Paul Rodriguez and the team from Eden Hall must be congratulated for clearing and then resetting the house in record time!  In fact on my departure at midnight, there was very little evidence of May Ball Mess (ruined carpets, spilled drinks, drunks on the lawn).  Instead, a long parade of buses, trucks, vans and taxi’s carted guests to the AfterParty, and the truckloads of table-ware, kitchen and cooking equipment back to the depots, transported the 40 staff back to their homes, and cleared away every bit of chaos!  After midnight, neatness reigned at Eden Hall yet again.  It was highly impressive!

Well done to Geraldine, Sunder and Paul.

I am indeed proud of the Oxford and Cambridge Society of Singapore for the May Ball 2019.  Let’s look forward to similar success at the upcoming Hard Seats Annual Lecture, the “Row For Hope” Boat Race on the 8^th June 2019 at Kallang, Fireside Chats, Entrepreneur Series, Debates and the many other events to come.  Please do encourage fellow alumni to join the Society, and invite your Guests to support the Society’s events.

All the very best,

VP for Oxford, Melanie Chew

CC Paul Supramaniam (President)

CC Toh Han-li (VP Cambridge)