Adelaide graduate is new Singapore President

Dr Tony Tan speaking at the University's 2004 graduation ceremony at the Ngee Ann-Adelaide Education Centre, Singapore.
Photo by David Ellis.
Full Image (140.88K)

Dr Tony Tan (right) receiving his Distinguished Alumni Award from University Chancellor the Hon. John von Doussa QC in 2005.
Photo by Ben Osborne.
Full Image (159.81K)

Tuesday, 30 August 2011

University of Adelaide graduate Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam has been elected President of the Republic of Singapore.

Dr Tan has become the 7th President of Singapore following an election on Saturday.

An outstanding alumnus and friend of the University of Adelaide, Dr Tan is widely recognised as an exceptional leader and longstanding advocate for educational and cultural relations between Australia and Singapore.

Dr Tan received a PhD in Applied Mathematics from the University of Adelaide in 1967, and also holds qualifications from the University of Singapore and MIT.

He has had an illustrious career in both the public and private sectors, including serving 10 years as Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister and three years as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Overseas-Chinese Banking Corporation.

In 2004 Dr Tan addressed new graduates at the University's Singapore graduation ceremony at the Ngee Ann-Adelaide Education Centre.

In 2005 he was awarded the University of Adelaide's Distinguished Alumni Award, joining the likes of other Singapore recipients Dr Cheong Choong Kong and the late Mr Ong Teng Cheong.

In championing the educational links between Australia and Singapore, Dr Tan supported the formation of the Singapore Adelaide Alumni Fund in 2008.

Dr Tan is the second University of Adelaide graduate to be elected President in Singapore; the 5th President, and first to be directly elected, was Adelaide architecture graduate Mr Ong Teng Cheong.

Contact Details