Welcome to NUS Business School, and welcome back!

It’s another brand new academic year. This year, we are welcoming more than 700 BBA freshmen and nearly 200 new MBA students from over 20 nationalities. To everyone of you, a warm welcome to NUS Business School. And to all senior students, welcome – it’s good to have you back to School!

We are all starting semester on a high note – our School has just received a gift of $21 million from Indonesian business conglomerate Lippo Group. The sum includes a $15 million gift for the development of our School’s new flagship building, as well as a $6 million endowed gift to fund two distinguished professorships at our School. The gift will attract a dollar-for-dollar endowed matching grant from the Singapore Government, which translates to a total of $42 million in funding support for our School.

In recognition of the Lippo Group’s generous gift and to honor its founder and chairman, NUS will name our new building the Mochtar Riady Building. The two distinguished professorships will be named the Stephen Riady Distinguished Professorship and James Riady Distinguished Professorship, in honor of Dr Stephen Riady, President of Lippo Group of Companies and James Riady, the Chief Executive Officer of Lippo Group of Companies.

The Riadys’ gift will give a major boost to our Building Excellence Campaign – a campaign that aims to build support for our new building fund from our faculty, staff, alumni and friends.

At the gift signing ceremony hosted by NUS President Shih Choon Fong on August 1, Dr Stephen Riady said that NUS was chosen because it is a pre-eminent university, ranked among the best in the world. He also added that we should not look at NUS as belonging to Singapore, but to the whole of Asia.

We’re truly honored to have received this gracious gift from the Riadys, a family known throughout Asia and the world for their philanthropy and commitment to education.  The Riadys’ support shows the confidence they have for NUS Business School. This gift is a milestone in the life of our School and we look forward to all the opportunities that it will create. The new building will enable our School to continue to facilitate an exceptional learning experience that is expected of a top ranked business school. In addition, the two distinguished professorships will help the School to retain and attract leading professors to join our faculty.

I also want to thank our alumni who have earlier raised more than $200,000 for the building fund at the NUS Business School Golf Challenge as part of the Building Excellence Campaign. Spearheaded by NUS Business School Alumni Association and supported by our Mandarin Alumni Association and our MBA Alumni Association, this event really is a demonstration of the alumni we have and the kind of support and dedication they are giving to the School. With the government’s dollar-for-dollar matching, another $200,000 will be added to the School’s endowment to build up a strong financial base for us to continue our tradition of academic innovation; enhance the student experience; develop lifelong learning opportunities for alumni; and create other initiatives to further our School’s mission of excellence.

These are great ways to kick off the new academic year. Given our track record for excellence, we can expect more good things to come.

Prof Christopher Earley
Dean, NUS Business School

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Starting a new chapter in life – Commencement 2007

Valedictorian Lee Reginald Reagan Chua thanks the School on behalf of the Class of 2007

The 2007 Commencement Ceremony held on July 3 and 5 at University Cultural Centre (UCC) marks the graduation of more than 182 postgraduate participants and 340 BBA students.

Speaking to the BBA Class of 2007 at the ceremony held on July 5, NUS President Prof Shih Choon Fong encouraged the class to be guided by their values, beliefs and passions and urged them to chart their own course in life, and to do it with wit, creativity, resilience, passion and integrity. “Step out to make your mark, to claim your rewards, to fight your battles in the rough and tumble of the working world. It's not just what you accomplish in the external world of achievement which counts most. It's what happens to your character which matters," says Prof Shih.

In his speech to the graduands, Dean Prof Christopher Earley, gave an update on the school’s achievements, student placements and fund raising initiatives. He also applauded the Class of 2007 on their academic achievements and thanked the graduands who have responded to the BIZ Graduating Class Giving campaign. He commends: “Your act of giving is exemplary and has set the standards of successive classes to follow.”

BBA Alumni from Class of 1968, Mr Peter Seah, Chairman of Singapore Technologies Engineering Limited, was the guest speaker at the ceremony. He encouraged the graduands to embrace change and be prepared to move out of their comfort zone to venture beyond Singapore.

On behalf of the Class of 2007, Valedictorian Lee Reginald Reagan Chua, expressed the class’ deepest appreciation to the professors for their guidance throughout their academic journey in NUS. Reginald urged his fellow classmates to do something remarkable, something more than the ordinary with their lives.

In his parting words to the graduands, Dean Early says: “You are and will always be, an integral part of the School family and we look forward to sharing the joys and throes of the next chapter of your lives.”

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NUS Business School becomes first University to be admitted as CFA Program Partner in Singapore

Mr Jan R. Squires (left) and Dean Earley ink partnership

On July 12, over 20 faculty and staff gathered at the Staff Lounge Meeting Room to witness the signing of the CFA Program Partner Agreement between CFA Institute and the NUS Business School on the participation of the BBA with Finance Specialization in the CFA Institute Program Partner Initiative. NUS Business School is the first Singapore University to be admitted as a CFA Program Partner.

With CFA as a partner, it adds professionalism to the Finance Specialization curriculum offered by our School. Not only will our School be preparing its students for the dynamic financial services sector in particular and the marketplace in general, it will also give the students access to professional development events and networking opportunities with investment professionals in Singapore and around the world.

This partnership opens doors for the students to a myriad of opportunities which were not available before. More importantly, the emphasis on ethics-based professional practice helps to build a business community which enhances the integrity of the financial markets.

Says Mr Jan R. Squires, CFA, managing director, Asia Pacific, CFA Institute: “Students in this program are exposed to the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Program’s Candidate Body of Knowledge, concepts, and principles that have been identified by investment experts worldwide as essential to global practice.  By mastering these fundamentals, students will be well on their way to earning the highly-valued CFA charter.” He adds: “CFA Institute is honored to have NUS Business School as one its CFA Program Partner institutions and is eager to work with the University to develop further opportunities for graduates as they enter the business world.”

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Scholars converge at the First Singapore International Conference on Finance 2007

An international audience attended the Conference

Organized by Saw Centre for Financial Studies and the Department of Finance & Accounting, the First Singapore International Conference on Finance 2007 was held over two days on July 19 and 20 at the Raffles City Convention Centre. This inaugural conference drew more than 150 local and foreign academics and doctorate students.

The first time that such a premier conference on financial research in academia was held in Singapore, the global call for papers drew a remarkably enthusiastic response with over 340 submissions for fifteen slots. Submissions came from universities including INSEAD, Harvard, Stanford, University of Pennsylvania, University of New South Wales and Tel Aviv University. The papers were reviewed by an international review committee including scholars from all four universities in Singapore.

Keynote speaker, Prof Avanidhar Subrahmanyam from UCLA

Among the eminent speakers was Prof Avanidhar Subrahmanyam, Goldyne and Irwin Hearsh Chair in Finance from the University of California at Los Angeles, who spoke on the advances in behavioural finance. 

The conference presentations encompass cutting edge research on some topical themes such as determination of executive compensation, the impact of psychological factors on investor behavior in financial markets, governance of mutual funds, how political contributions by firms affect firm value, and expropriation of large shareholders in privatization of state owned enterprises in China. 

Assoc Prof Takeshi Yamada, Director of Saw Centre says: “This global conference provides an excellent opportunity for researchers in financial institutions and universities to discuss and exchange ideas on the latest development in the field of finance. We are delighted by the keen interest and tremendous support from the research community.”

The Second Singapore International Conference on Finance will be held next year on July 17 and 18.

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Visiting Professors

• Prof Sugato Bhattacharyya from University of Michigan, Ross School of Business, will be with Department of Finance and Accounting for a period of one year, starting July 16.
  
  
• Prof Duan Jin-Chuan from the University of Wisconsin-Madison will be with Department of Finance and Accounting for a period of one year starting July 2007.
  
  
• Prof Avanidhar Subrahmanyam, Goldyne and Irwin Hearsh Chair in Finance at the University of California at Los Angeles will be with Saw Centre for Financial Studies and the Department of Finance and Accounting from July 16 to 26.

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A/P Thompson Teo and Mr Srivastava's paper selected as finalist for Carolyn-Dexter Award

NUS Business School extends its warmest congratulations to Assoc Prof Thompson Teo and Mr Shirish Srivastava. Their paper titled “E-government, corruption, and national prosperity: evidence from cross-country data”  has been selected as one of the four finalists for the Carolyn-Dexter Award at the Academy of Management Meeting 2007 in Philadelphia. Four finalist papers were selected from 496 papers submitted for consideration for the Carolyn-Dexter Award.

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Strong teamwork and camaraderie displayed at NUS Business School's first Team Challenge

NUS Business School organized its first in-house Team Challenge workshop for all admin/professional and non-academic staff on July 14 at National Community Leadership Institute. This highly experiential workshop synergizes the team towards embracing a culture of teamwork through engaging them in various teambuilding games and activities. Staff also took this opportunity to socialize, network, learn something new and get to know each other better.

Here are what the participants say:

“The Team Challenge provided a wonderful opportunity for the Business School’s administrative staff and senior management to interact beyond the office setting. We cheered, ran and played together through the many team building games. Although physically demanding, it was nevertheless a memorable experience with lots of laughter. I had the privilege to befriend many colleagues and get to know them better. For me, an important take-away from this workshop is the synergy across departments and produce win-win situations.  A big thank you to all who have made this event possible!”  - Alison Ang , Saw Centre for Financial Studies

“This is a good team building event for staff to meet, interact and get to know one another better. Through the activities, we learn the important of trust, communications, team building, bearing with one another, encouraging the weak, complement the strong and have fun together. To certain degrees, we’ve achieved our objectives.” - Chew Kok Ann, Corporate Development & Communications

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Head (MBA Marketing & Admissions) invited to serve as member of GMAC's Annual Industry Conference Advisory Group

Ms Chua Nan Sze, Head of MBA Marketing & Admissions, has been invited by the Graduate Management Admission Council to serve as a member of the 2008 Annual Industry Conference Advisory Group.

The Advisory Group is responsible for assisting in planning and developing the content for the conference. Ms Chua will be involved in identifying themes and topics for the conference, outlining sessions, assisting in identifying possible presenters, and potentially being involved in session delivery, facilitation or moderation. 

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A night of reminiscence for Class of 2007

It's a night to celebrate!

On July 6, the BBA Program Office, together with the Global Alumni Network (GANO), hosted the commencement dinner for its 340 BBA graduates at the Asian Civilisation Museum.

The guests enjoyed themselves thoroughly, reminiscing the time they spent together in NUS and the strong friendship they have built through the years. It is the last evening for the fresh graduates to get together before they start a fresh new chapter of life with many of the graduates starting work the next Monday. Almost everyone came armed with a camera, attempting to capture the moment for keepsake.

GANO wishes our brand new alumni the very best in their future endeavors. May each and everyone shine and excel in your very own special way.

Click here for more photos of this memorable event.

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Alumni raised $200,000 at NUS Business School Golf Challenge

Alumni community hands over the $200,000 cheque to Dean Earley

Our School alumni community raised more than $200,000 at the inaugural Business School Golf Challenge held on July 28 at the Marina Bay Golf Course. With the government’s dollar-for-dollar matching and more donations coming in, the total amount raised will be close to half a million dollar. The guest of honor for the event was Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Mr Wong Kan Seng.

Spearheaded by NUS Business School Alumni Association and supported by the Mandarin Alumni and MBA Alumni associations, the Golf Challenge is part of the School’s Building Excellence Campaign, which aims to raise funds from staff, alumni, sponsors, corporate partners and friends for the new school building. Says BBA alumnus and Organizing Chairman of the Challenge, Mr Simon Phua: “Besides raising funds, this Golf Challenge is time of fun and camaraderie, where old friendships are rekindled and new ones forged.”

Indeed, the evening dinner following the golf game was a time of fellowship and fun. Among the items at an auction during the dinner were a laptop sponsored by Lenovo and autographed by DPM Wong, and a Nokia mobile phone.

In conjunction with the Building Excellence Campaign, the Mandarin Alumni association also raised more than $20,000 from a dinner which was held on July 21 to celebrate their 15th anniversary.

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A "Fantastic" Night-Out for MBA Alumni and Students

The first MBA Movie Night was held at Vivocity Golden Village

Nothing bonds better than a night out to the movies! Such was the spirit behind "MBA Movie Night - Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver", a free movie screening held on June 23 at VivoCity Golden Village - which included free popcorn and drinks - organized for both MBA alumni and current MBA students by the NUS Business School Global Alumni Network.

This first-of-its-kind event received an overwhelming response from alumni and students alike, with some 343 applicants vying for the 100 pairs of tickets on offer.

A full house turn out at this inaugural movie event

The event, which was preceded by a scrumptious reception, proved successful in reuniting MBA alumni from different batches and in giving them the opportunity to share their experiences and advice with present MBA students.

"The event was a good opportunity to meet old friends and interact with our juniors," says Mr Sulabh Jhajharia, an MBA alumnus present, "I'd definitely like to see similar events organized in the future!"

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Happy 15th Birthday, Mandarin Alumni!

Passing on the torch of Chinese culture
Through the reunion of 15 generations of alumni
Paying homage to our Alma Mater
With gifts piled mountain high

A grand celebration to celebrate fifteen years of contribution from Mandarin Alumni

NUS Business School Mandarin Alumni Association celebrated its 15th anniversary with a grand “Family Reunion” held at Furama City Centre Hotel on July 21. The event was attended by generations of alumni, teachers, faculty member and the guest of honor for the event is Minister of State for Ministry of Trade and Industry, Mr Lee Yi Shyan. Also present were Dean Prof Christopher Early and Vice Dean for Undergraduate Studies, Assoc Prof Quek Ser Aik.

The evening kicked off with a welcome speech by Mr Gan Giap Leong, Chairman of the 8th Council of the Alumni Association, who expressed his gratitude for the presence of the distinguished guest, teachers and alumni and expressed that every dollar collected from this evening will be donated to the School’s Building Excellence Campaign.

In his speech, Mr Lee Yi Shyan spoke highly of the role that the Mandarin Alumni Association had played in the past fifteen years in holding together the School, society and alumni, linking up Singapore with the Chinese community.

Later in the evening, Mr Lee also presented permanent membership certificates to over thirty members in recognition of their continuous support and contribution to the Alumni Association over the past years.

At the end of the evening, a total of $17,500 was collected for the School Building Excellence Campaign.

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