Address delivered by the Chancellor, Dato Dr. Lee Kong Chian, S.P.M.J., S.J.M.K., J.P., LL.D. 

This morning in somewhat formal circumstances, I made a rather formal speech. Now, among the graduands and their families, I can feel that I am addressing the members of one big family, the University family, and I shall speak to you as a privileged elder would speak to some younger members on whom the hopes of the entire family have been placed. This is a day of rejoicing for all of us but at the same time it must be a day to dedicate ourselves to the service of our fellow men.

The University of Singapore is extremely young, if we consider that over 2000 years ago the Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty set up the first University recorded in history (in 124 B.C.). It was originally an institute of higher learning to concentrate on the study of Classics, and his purpose was to create an efficient civil service.  In the West, Plato’s academy, a kind of residential college or university was founded in the fourth century A.D., while Oxford was founded in the middle of the twelfth century and Cambridge followed fifty years later. In Mesopotamia the academy of Ma’mun was established in the beginning of the ninth century and a brilliant centre of learning was set up at Baghdad in the year 1234 A.D. We must therefore defer to other universities the wisdom and the experience gained over the centuries and the traditions established slowly over the passage of many years. However, our very youthfulness enables us to have a greater vitality, and we can face the problems of the modern world with greater adaptability. The modern university should provide education that is a discipline for the adventure of life. 

In my speech this morning I mentioned the fact that the University Council and Senate by enabling a common citizen like myself to have the opportunity of addressing you today as Chancellor expresses the need felt by them to forge closer links and attain more harmonious affinity with the people in the context of present day developments in South East Asia. Our University while sharing the broad cultural traditions of the republic of learning should emphasize as its special responsibility understanding of the social, political and economic needs and problems of its own people.

A University is often compared to an Ivory Tower. This can be either physical or mental. While we are fortunate in that the  University of Singapore is not set in the heart of the noisy city, we are equally fortunate in that we do not lead that type of completely cloistered and secluded existence which Professor Nunn described as "the academic folly that cuts culture off from its roots in common life." Mentally, we should occasionally step away from school or work and take time to see things in perspective. The fullest utilization of the facilities in our University should ideally be such that intellectual advancement is not acquired at the expense of true understanding of the realities of life. As the famous Chinese philosopher Chuang-tze put it: "How shall I talk of the sea to the frog if he has never left his pond?"

Throughout the East, respect for one’s tutors and teachers is traditional. This fine tradition will no doubt continue to find expression on our campus and contribute towards the very cordial relationships between the teaching staff and the students. History also records many cases of the generosity and magnanimity of teachers towards their students. The magnificent example set by Professor Barrow in resigning his chair in favour of his brilliant student, Sir Issac Newton, so that the latter could utilize his genius to the full is a classical example of magnanimity of the highest order. This move subsequently benefited the whole world because of Newton’s discoveries of many important natural laws which laid the foundation of the space age.

I am sure that all of you freely acknowledge a debt of gratitude to your hard-working Vice-Chancellor and the academic and administrative staff for their devotion and dedication to their work as a result of which those students who are willing and eager to benefit from the facilities and opportunities available obtain excellent testimonials from the examiners.

You have had the privilege of a first rate education and is to be hoped that the training you have received will enable you to make steady and substantial progress towards the full development of your natural gifts and personalities. As you are now on the threshold of your future work and careers, I would like to offer you the following advice: You have all graduated after several years of hard work. You must now continue into the practical world the ideals that you have built up while in the University. Seek truth relentlessly and state it fearlessly, always keeping in mind that you must seek the truth through the methods of reason and not through your emotion. In this modern age a scientific approach is required, an objective approach in which there is no bias. Your primary purpose should be to serve the people.

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