Nanyang University and Beyond -0080- Analysis of Dr. Su's Messages on Nanyang University's Heritage

　　Dr. Su, the President of NTU stated: "Nanyang Technological University, as many of you know, is a successor to the original Nanyang University" and "Nanyang Technological University succeeded Nantah in 1981" (November 7, 2003 in Shanghai). These statements are very misleading. All NU's alumni know the fact that NTI was a technological institution, with zero Chinese culture, established after the entire NU was removed from the campus. Dr. Su should have added "based on using the same campus only".

　　Dr. Su has said many nice things about Nanyang University's heritage which many NU's alumni like to hear. He said:

(a)	"passions and ideals in the founding of Nanyang University is a heritage all Singaporeans can be proud of";
(b)	"Nantah graduates remember their university experience all their life despite their trials and tribulations";
(c)	"This campus has a proud beginning as the only truly private university in Singapore started with a fund raising campaign among all the people";
(d)	"In 1955, this beautiful piece of land saw the establishment of Nanyang University, the first and still the only privately funded and run university in Singapore, established through a grass-roots movement filled with ideals and passion";
(e)	"The founding of Nanyang University saw many touching stories of selfless offering for a worthy cause. Subsequently, the Nantah alumni excelled in post-graduate studies and entrepreneurship. Theirs was a story of grit and enterprise, struggling and succeeding in adversity, hardship and uncertainties".

　　Obviously, NTU can promote the passionate spirit of NU or the entrepreneurial spirit of Stanford University. However, such promotion cannot justify its taking over the name of NU or Stanford University. NU already attained its fabulous reputation which is logically represented by the name of "Nanyang University". This name has been a well respected entity for over 50 years since 1953. The success of NTU from blending the "heritage from Nanyang University and Nanyang Technological Institute" rightfully belongs to NTU only.

　　NTU is a university originated from NTI in 1981. The 65,000 strong graduates from 1981 to 2003 are certainly proud of their Alma Mater NTI and NTU. Dr. Su wisely said "I would like to create a university whose graduates identify proudly with the portal that they have passed through". He needs not abandon the name NTU, and undoubtedly disappoints all NTU's alumni.

　　It is improper for any institution to take the name "Nanyang University" by abandoning its own name. I hope we can all treat the comment (it is entirely possible for NTU to drop the "Technological" middle name) only as a comment and nothing more. It needs not be "NTU will thus become a comprehensive university by 2005 by which time we shall consider reverting our name to Nanyang University". To make it easier for Dr. Su to sustain the name NTU, more NU's alumni need to declare "NU is not NTU and NTU is not NU". In my view, the creation of such confusion is not necessary. Therefore NTU should not use the name Nanyang University.

　　For convenience, I have copied and pasted NU related part of Dr. Su's speeches as follows (for complete speeches, please visit http://www.ntu.edu.sg/PRO/Speeches):

(1) Inauguration of Dr Su Guaning as the Second President of NTU (http://www.ntu.edu.sg/PRO/ Speeches/ inauguration+of+dr+su+guaning+as+the+second+president+of+ntu.htm) March 28, 2003, Nanyang Auditorium, NTU. Inaugural address by Dr. Su Guaning, President, NTU:
　　A definitive history of the founding and tribulations of Nanyang University has yet to be written, although a fair bit has been mentioned in Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew's memoirs. He paid tribute to the spirit of the founders of Nanyang University. He expressed regrets that he had to take the decisions that led to Nantah's demise. He outlined the rise of NTI and NTU, closing with the comment that it is entirely possible for NTU to drop the "Technological" middle name. Senior Minister recognized Nanyang University as part of our heritage.
　　The passions and ideals in the founding of Nanyang University is a heritage all Singaporeans can be proud of, just as Stanford University is proud of its founding history. We must build on this heritage to create a truly unique university that will be the first choice for those with ideals and passion.
　　I would like to create a university whose graduates identify proudly with the portal that they have passed through; a university with graduates who fight and never give up in the face of adversity.
　　I would like our university to have the entrepreneurial spirit of Stanford University.
　　Nantah graduates remember their university experience all their life despite their trials and tribulations.

(2) Freshmen Welcome Ceremony (http://www.ntu.edu.sg/PRO/Speeches/ Freshman+Welcome+Ceremony.htm) July 21, 2003, Nanyang Auditorium, NTU. Welcome speech by Dr. Su Guaning, President, NTU:
　　This campus has a proud beginning as the only truly private university in Singapore started with a fund raising campaign among all the people, from tycoons to the humble trishaw rider. This was Nanyang University, 1955 - 1980, founded by Mr Tan Lark Sye.
　　After the demise of Nanyang University, this campus saw a second beginning in Nanyang Technological Institute, established in 1981 to train practice oriented engineers. Over the years, we have added more professional schools and became a full fledged university in 1991.
　　We are on the threshold of a third beginning that brings together the strength of our heritage from Nanyang University and Nanyang Technological Institute.

(3) NTU Convocation 2003 (http://www.ntu.edu.sg/PRO/Speeches/NTU+Convocation+2003.htm) September 8, 2003, Nanyang Auditorium, NTU. Address by Dr. Su Guaning, President, NTU:
　　In 1955, this beautiful piece of land saw the establishment of Nanyang University, the first and still the only privately funded and run university in Singapore, established through a grass-roots movement filled with ideals and passion. Thus began the first chapter of Yunnan Garden.
　　Although a complete history of this first chapter is yet to be written, the spirit of Nanyang University has lived on in the hearts of Nantah graduates and the Chinese community of Singapore, Malaysia and many foreign countries.
　　The second chapter of Yunnan Garden began right after the close of the first chapter. A completely new model of engineering school was established: the Nanyang Technological Institute (NTI). Rapid development over twenty-two years has brought NTI to what we are today: Nanyang Technological University, a full fledged university with emphasis on professional education: the University of Business and Industry.
　　The year 2005 marks the beginning of a third chapter in Yunnan Garden.
　　We shall blend our heritage from Nanyang University and Nanyang Technological Institute to produce graduates who bond closely with each other and with the University, graduates who are outward looking, hard working and tough minded.
　　With almost five decades of Chapters One and Two behind us, we are in a strong position for take-off. Chapter Three of Yunnan Garden will see us combining the best qualities of Chapters One and Two, educating Leaders and Advancing Knowledge for Singapore and Beyond.

(4) NTU In Strategic Alliance with Top Chinese University (http://www.ntu.edu.sg/PRO/Speeches/ Strategic+Alliance.htm) November 7, 2003, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Campus, Address by Dr. Su Guaning, President, NTU:
　　Nanyang Technological University, as many of you know, is a successor to the original Nanyang University created by the overseas Chinese in the fifties to educate their children in the Chinese medium. The founding of Nanyang University saw many touching stories of selfless offering for a worthy cause. Subsequently, the Nantah alumni excelled in post-graduate studies and entrepreneurship. Theirs was a story of grit and enterprise, struggling and succeeding in adversity, hardship and uncertainties. Nanyang Technological University succeeded Nantah in 1981. An English medium university with a strong Chinese foundation, it has also graduated many entrepreneurs, scientists, politicians, and professionals from many countries, not least here in China.
　　Ambitious plans are in place to expand by 40% and build three new schools in Humanities and Social Sciences, Physical Sciences and Design and Media. NTU will thus become a comprehensive university by 2005 by which time we shall consider reverting our name to Nanyang University.

December 18, 2003

2003年12月18日首版　Created on December 18, 2003
2003年12月18日改版　Last updated on Deccember 18, 2003