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The seed idea of this book, a history of the National University of Singapore and its predecessor institutions, was first planted five years ago by the Vice-Chancellor Professor Lim Pin. He asked me, as the newly appointed Dean of Arts and Social Sciences and a historian, to form and chair a Project Committee with university-wide representation.
This committee resolved that its first task was to take stock of existing publications and to assemble documentary materials with a view not only to the writing of the University history but also to the strengthening of the University archives in the Central Library. It then recommended the appointment of a writer with experience in oral history to supplement the documentary sources with oral history interviews, and recruited an alumna, Ms Lee Geok Boi. With the advice of committee members, she identified and interviewed nearly 90 persons on their experiences and reflections on the various institutional building blocks which together have made the NUS as we know it today. Ms Lee wrote a draft history which made ample use of these interviews as well as other written sources The committee appreciates the efforts of Ms Lee and her many interviewees, whose interview tapes and transcripts have been deposited in the Central Library and, where agreed, also in the Oral History Centre of the National Archives
The committee then commissioned one of its members, Assoc Prof Edwin Lee B A (Sing ), M A (Cornell), Ph D. (NUS), Head of the Department of History, to write a history which would rest firmly on documentary sources and incorporate the personal touch ol individual reminiscences. For the chapter on the NUS, he brought in a younger colleague, Dr Tan Tai Yong, who obtained his Bachelors and Master’s decrees from NUS before proceeding to Cambridge for his doctorate. They received useful suggestions from another colleague. Assoc Prof Ng Chin Keong, particularly on the Nanyang University chapter.
I wish to express my personal appreciation to all members of the Project Committee (past and present), as well as their respective deans and heads of departments, for their many varied and valuable contributions to the project. Some members have since retired from the University
The committee would like to convey its gratitude to the following:
Our Vice-Chancellor, Professor Lim Pin, for his initial suggestion and indispensable personal and institutional support, and for his foreword to the book.
Ms Lee Geok Boi, for her services as oral history interviewer,- All her interviewees for spending their precious time in recalling and retelling their experiences in the University, and in several cases, loaning photographs and other memorabilia,- Assoc Prof Edwin Lee and Dr Tan Tai Yong, for writing this vibrant history of our University,-
Assoc Prof Ng Chin Keong, for his comments on their drafts,- Mr D I M Tate, formerly of the Oxford University Press in Kuala Lumpur, for his editorial services.
Mrs Lelaytha Prem Kumar, Secretary, History Department, for her typing of the drafts.
Ms Patricia Tay, Editor-Manager of Singapore University Press, for her assistance in the publication of this book.
Beyond Degrees the Making of the National University of Singapore makes its appearance at the close of the University’s 90th Anniversary celebrations | 1995-1996), and at the dawning of the NUS Strategic Plan for the 21st Century It is a commemorative volume by alumni of the University for fellow alumni, and all our friends and supporters.
Assoc Prof Ernest C T Chew
Chairman, Project Committee
