Dr Mochtar Riady (fourth from left) with Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam (centre),
Prof Shih Choon Fong, NUS President (third from left) and Prof Christopher Earley, Former Dean,
NUS Business School (first from left)
Groundbreaking ceremony for the Mochtar Riady Building on 12 November - what a day it was for all of us at NUS Business School!
Held at the NUS Carpark 12 in front of the Hon Sui Sen Memorial Library - the very site of the new building, the event was witnessed by more than 150 alumni, faculty, staff, students, and distinguished guests including Minister for Education and Second Minister for Finance Mr Tharman Shamugaratnum, Dr Mochtar Riady, Dr James Riady, Dr Stephen Riady, NUS Board of Trustees Chairman Mr Wong Ngit Liong, NUS President Professor Shih Choon Fong, and NUS Senior Deputy President Professor Tan Chorh Chuan.
It was a historic moment for all of us as we gathered to celebrate the beginning of construction for the distinctive Mochtar Riady Building, our new flagship building. Come April 2009, we will move into this brand new facility which is on the cutting-edge of architecture in creativity and technical innovation.
The symbolic groundbreaking ceremony was replete with “golden” shovels and helmets on the stage. There was even an exciting Zingo drum performance that added a celebratory feel to this happy occasion. For those who missed the event, you may like to check out the photos and video clip.
It is especially gratifying that our fundraising efforts for the new building are being recognized. In thanking the Lippo Group for its generous gift of $21 million to our School, Minister Shanmugaratnum said this kind of partnership between the Government and the private sector is a powerful means to bring our universities forward. Minister also commended our alumni, faculty and staff for their participation in the fundraising campaign. He added that such a concerted effort is encouraging and it shows the strong bonds of loyalty, affection and commitment that many hold for the School.
Indeed, we are very grateful to the Lippo Group and the Riady family for their inspiring gift as well as to the many alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends who have contributed to the Building Excellence Campaign.
A school is only as great as the support it receives from each and every individual. Your participation in the Campaign, not the amount of your contribution, counts most.
Make a gift now and let us be history makers together!