Some 1,000 alumni and their family members enjoy a fun outing to the zoo on NTU Alumni Family Day.

They came bright and early on 31 May to enjoy a day at the 28 hectares, multi-award winning Singapore Zoological Gardens. Set in a rainforest environment, Singapore Zoo's world famous 'open concept' offered the opportunity to experience and to be inspired by the wonders of nature. It was the perfect means of walking around and catching up with friends, enjoying the environment and having some laughs.

Starting at 8.30am, Guest-of-Honour Mr Anthony Teo, Secretary to the University, flagged the participants off to a 1.5km walk which passed through many interesting exhibits at the zoo. While strolling along and enjoying the morning breeze, alumni and their family members were also seen excitedly taking snapshots of the animals which were just as excited seeing a large enthusiastic crowd so early in the morning!

At the end of the walk, breakfast awaited the participants as well as more continuous fun. The Pavillion By The Lake was transformed instantly into a lively and vibrant carnival site. Students from NTU's Dance Sport Academy mesmerised the crowd with a beautiful ballroom dance piece while entertaining stage games kept everyone on their feet.

It was an extra special day for a group of alumni from the NTU Chinese Society Alumni Association. The event coincided with their NTU Chinese Society Alumni Back to The Hostel Stay event. A member of the Association, Tan Gim Hian said: "Our big family departed from Hall of Residence Two for the zoo early and along the way we sang songs in the coaches. The snacks at the food stalls such as 'kacang putih', 'potong ice-cream' and candy floss reminded us of the good old days, and the telematch energised all of us! Despite the heavy rain, we were all sheltered under the big canopy watching the stage performances.  It was a very well organised event, and big applause to the committee!"

Summing up, Associate Professor Yow Kin Choong, Associate Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid and NTU alumnus, who was at the event with his family and his four-month old baby boy said: "The morning walk was especially refreshing, with us being the first to enter the zoo. It gives us the unique feeling that we have the entire zoo to ourselves. The involvement of the children of our guests in the stage games also added a whole new dimension of fun."



© Alumni Affairs Office