Citations of Honorary Graduands made by the Public Orator, Mr. Reginald Quahe, B.B.M., B. COM., A.A.C.CA.

Inche Yusof bin Ishak became Chancellor of the University of Singapore in July 1965. The late Dato Lee Kong Chian, the then Chancellor, in welcoming Inche Yusof described him as "A keen observer of world affairs who has unrivalled knowledge of this region of the world." As a young journalist, he came into close contact with all communities in Malaya and Singapore. He developed a deep understanding of the problems and aspirations of the common man, their frustrations and their quest for a better life. He saw the need for a more just and a more equal society. He mixed well and counted amongst his closest friends people of different ethnic groups. He is keen student of world affairs.

Inche Yusof was born in 1910 at Padang Gajah Trong, eighteen miles from Taiping, and subsequently became a Singapore citizen.

Inche Yusof completed his Cambridge School Certificate in 1927 with distinction. At school he participated in all forms of sports. He played hockey, cricket and took part in swimming, weightlifting and boxing. In 1933 he became light-weight champion of Singapore. As the most outstanding cadet of the School Cadet Corps, he became the first student in Singapore to be commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Cadet Corps. Inche Yusof was also co-editor of the "Rafflesian".

Inche Yusof founded the "Sportsman" a fortnightly magazine devoted entirely to sports. He rose rapidly in his profession as journalist and within a very short space of time he became Assistant Manager and Acting Editor. Together with a few close friends, he established the Utusan Melayu Press Ltd. In May 1939 Inche Yusof became the first Managing Director of Utusan Melayu Press Ltd. He visited Britain in 1948 as a member of the first Press Delegation. Inche Yusof served as a member of the Film Appeal Committee, Nature Reserves Committee and the Malaysianisation Commission. In November 1960, Inche Yusof was conferred the First Class Order of the Darjah Kerabat by the Sultan of Brunei and the Darjah Kebesaran Sri Maharajah Mangku Negara by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia in November 1963.

As Chancellor of the University, he demonstrated a keen interest in its growth and development and has acquainted himself with the various facets of University work and University life. Inche Yusof bin Ishak was appointed Yang di-Pertuan Negara of Singapore in 1959 when Singapore became a self-govering Colony with a fully elected House of Parliament. In 1965, he was appointed President of the Republic of Singapore when Singapore became an independent sovereign nation. In accepting this high office he reaffirmed his strong belief in a united multi-racial, multi-lingual, multi-religious and multi-cultural Singapore. He is well-liked and respected both at home and abroad. He has brought distinction and eminence to the office of President of Singapore. He is a commoner risen to high office and has not lost the common touch. He has become the symbol of a nation determined to survive and prosper in spite of turbulence. He has striven to promote peace and harmony amongst his people, to improve the lot of the common man and to give equal opportunity to all, irrespective of race or religion. He has accomplished so much in so short a time.

At today’s convocation to mark the one hundred and fiftieth year of the founding of Singapore, the University of Singapore pays tribute to His Excellency, Inche Yusof bin Ishak for his signal contribution to the making of Modern Singapore as a united multi-racial, multi-lingual, multi-religious and multi-cultural nation.

Inche Yusof has combined his expert knowledge of world affairs with personal qualities of charm, humility and pise to carry out the duties of Chancellor and the more demanding duties of President of the Republic. His Excellency Inche Yusof bin Ishak has in fact honoured the University of Singapore by his acceptance of the Honorary degree of Doctor of Letters.

Mr. Pro-Chancellor, may it please you to confer upon Yusof bin Ishak the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters.

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