An Evening with the NUS Board of Trustees
On the 24th of August, a group of us from NUSEA and distinguished members from the National University of Singapore (NUS) Board of Trustees (BOT) met in Berkeley, California. Amongst those who were present from the BOT was Mr Wong Ngit Liong, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Venture Corporation Limited, and Professor Shih Choon Fong, the President of NUS.
The Board was on a visit to different universities all around the globe to consolidate the best educational practices and bring their lessons back to Singapore. They were stopping by Silicon Valley to find out more about the NUS Overseas Colleges (NOC) program and meet us.
The evening kicked off with Yuling Chua, the program director of the NOC (Silicon Valley) program giving an overview of the NOC program. This was then followed by personal accounts by current NOC students, Gary and Yang Bin, on their Silicon Valley experience.
Chin San, the current president of NUSEA, gave an overview of the objectives of NUSEA, and reaffirmed to the BOT members that our vision was to bring back our lessons and build up an entrepreneurial hub in Singapore, step by step.
The passion and enthusiasm with which the students delivered the presentations impressed the BOT members and sparked off a lively debate and discussion on how to foster entrepreneurship in Singapore. The members and the students broke up into small discussion and brainstorming groups where we discussed about topics that were close to all our hearts: entrepreneurship, education, and about how to build an entrepreneurial and innovative culture in Singapore.
In response to a comment that the culture in Silicon Valley was exaggerated and was very possible to be replicated in Singapore, Prof Shih said, “It is not possible to learn the culture of Silicon Valley by reading books or listening to people’s experiences; it is only by immersing yourself in it that you come to understand the culture deeply.” Hence he expressed strong support for the NOC program and his wish that the NOC students would bring back their wealth of experiences and be the future rainmakers of Singapore.
Ms Elim Chew, President of the 77th Street chain of fashion stores, and chairwoman of several youth and community groups also expressed that she felt the NOC students would be in good stead to help out with MCYS (Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports) programs to inculcate entrepreneurial qualities in Singaporean youth.
Many of us also had inspiring heart-to-heart talks with the various distinguished members. Mr Wong recounted his own beginnings in his entrepreneurial career: Back when he left HP just before he was to assume the role of Managing Director to start Venture Corp in 1984, he stood before his team of founders and said that he would make 1 billion in 10 years’ time, many thought it was said in jest. But he stuck to his guns. In 14 years, his business generated 1 billion in revenue.
In 2005, Venture had a whopping sales figure of $3.2 billion. His stories, just like many others, inspired us to pursue our dreams further.
The initially jet-lagged Board members, and indeed, all of us, left the meeting feeling recharged from an exciting and enriching evening of discussion and open sharing of ideas.
September 7th, 2006 at 12:08 am
It was a night of affirmation, that the academia and industry leaders have such strong support for entrepreneurship and a deep understanding to the barriers to entrepreneurship.
It was a night where visions were communicated, and our minds empowered and energised.
We all had a common passion in wanting to make real progress in Singapore, building communities through entrepreneurship, and it was this ideal that connected all of us.
September 8th, 2006 at 9:04 am
Dear Huishan,
Great to hear of your brief coverage of this event. Do take care and hope to see you once you return!