Alumni pack the Nanyang Auditorium on NTU Alumni Day to remember and relive old times, as well as to renew ties with their alma mater.

Alumni from as far back as 1960 came home to their alma mater during the NTU Alumni Day 2008, which is an annual event that celebrates alumni homecoming. The event attracted a turnout of 1,000, comprising alumni, staff and guests. It was graced by Guest-of-Honour, Mr Lim Swee Say, Minister in Prime Minister's Office, and NTU President, Dr Su Guaning.

Times, we are a-changing
Times have changed NTU, as the alumni discovered. Minister Lim, who gave a broad sweep in his address, alluded to the impact economic changes have had on education. He said: "The challenge is for any educational institution, including NTU, to be able to produce students or graduates, who are able to keep pace with the move towards value creation." He went on to add that top-class universities of the future are those that "value multiply" – they are not only multi-disciplinary, but also multi-lingual and that graduates who command multiple languages would prevail.

NTU President, Dr Su Guaning, took advantage of the homecoming to update alumni on the University's latest developments. He also thanked them for their support of NTU's various initiatives, reiterating that "Our alumni have a crucial role to play in the development of NTU…Without you, we would not be able to build our closely knit Nanyang alumni family."

Highlights of the homecoming
Indeed, the NTU Alumni Day would not be complete without acknowledging the alumni who have done the University and Singapore proud. This year, 28 such alumni were honoured with the prestigious Nanyang Alumni Awards 2008, for having made a difference here and abroad.

The other highlights of the homecoming included the first-ever "ConnectNANYANG" Photography Competition, which saw a huge display of talent among alumni, students and staff. The photos that depicted best the "ConnectNANYANG" theme won the top three cash prizes.

Guests were also treated to song and dance items by alumni and students from NTU's Cultural Activities Club. The stage performance ended on a high note, with all the performers and guests in the auditorium, singing the finale song, "At the beginning".

Alumni and guests ended the good day with a sumptuous lunch spread and plenty of opportunities to catch up and network. Some even went on specially arranged campus bus tours, while the rest paid a visit to their respective Schools for a little nostalgic indulgence with the teaching faculty.

© Alumni Affairs Office