Speeches

The 21st century is fraught with changes and challenges. I deeply believe that SUTD is strategically positioned to nurture excellent, talented individuals who will be able to transform Singapore and the world.

I often think "The harder I work, the luckier I get." That is because you are laying the ground work in your project, preparing yourself for every contingency and when the opportunity comes, you feel you are prepared for it. And you take the opportunity.

Our honorary graduates Mr Philip Ng and Mr Sam Goi have shown us that it is more blessed to give than to receive. We hope that you can follow their footsteps, bringing what you have to help make the world a better place for all.

None of SUTD’s achievements would have been possible, if not for the kindness and generosity of so many organisations and individuals, who have supported us over the years, making a difference in the lives of our students and community.

I had the joy of congratulating your first batch of Graduates. And four years on, I am especially heartened to see the significant strides made by SUTD and your students; And to see so many partners and friends coming together to celebrate your achievements on this joyful occasion.

I just came from the launch of our new Entrepreneurship Centre, at which we signed Memorandums of Understanding with SingCham (the Singapore Chamber of Commerce and Industry) in China, Spaze Ventures, a startup incubator, and with UPS (United Parcel Service), the world’s largest package delivery company.

The establishment of SUTD therefore marks a turning point in the development of the university landscape here, when we begin to have universities with distinctive offerings and niche strengths, presenting students with many more choices.

When I first joined SUTD as the founding Provost in 2010, our office was located on the 4th floor of the the Singapore Centre for Chinese Language located at Ghim Moh Road. We were truly a start-up university then.

I am very happy to join you here today at this beautiful campus to launch the SUTD Campus-in-Bloom. I am happy to be here both as the local Member of Parliament as well as the Mayor of the South East District.