Work hard the smart way, says Tan

Associate Professor Margaret Tan.
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Monday, 23 April 2007

"Work hard, but also work smart if you want to succeed in today's business world."

This was the advice given by international IT expert Associate Professor Margaret Tan to new graduates at a University of Adelaide offshore ceremony in Singapore on Saturday 21 April.

Associate Professor Tan, from the Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, told graduates to balance three fundamental ingredients to ensure life success: "IQ, EQ and MQ".

"Try to satisfy your intellectual, emotional and moral needs as you enter the workforce and remember that you are an ambassador for your alma mater. We are relying on you to make a positive contribution to society," Associate Professor Tan said.

The former University of Adelaide MBA graduate praised the value of an Australian education, telling graduates that it would help shape their thinking and broaden their cultural perspectives.

"Today we live in a world of different value systems and it is important to understand other cultures to ensure we live in harmony. A global education is essential in helping to break down cultural barriers for the betterment of mankind," she said.

The IT expert speaks from experience. She holds three degrees from separate Australian universities, including a Bachelor of Communications from the University of Newcastle, a PhD from the University of Queensland, as well as her MBA from the University of Adelaide.

"When studying in Adelaide I was fortunate to meet so many students from different cultures, from as far afield as South Africa, Uganda, Ireland and Croatia, and through them I learned to look at the world from different perspectives."

Dr Tan is an Associate Professor in Mass Communications and Deputy Director of the Singapore Internet Research Centre at Nanyang Technological University.

In 2006 she also edited The Southern Light - Enlightening and Enriching, a book commemorating the achievements of the Singaporean alumni over the past 50 years. These include former Deputy Prime Minister, Dr Tony Tan, and OCBC Chairman and former Singapore Airlines CEO, Dr Cheong Choong Kong.

A total of 115 students graduated from the University of Adelaide in two offshore ceremonies at the Ngee Ann-Adelaide Education Centre on Saturday 21 April.

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