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Faculty of Dentistry 90th Anniversary Gala Dinner
The National University of Singapore (NUS) Faculty of Dentistry celebrated its 90th anniversary with a Gala Dinner at the Suntec Convention Center on 31 August 2019. Over 470 alumni, faculty, students and supporters came together to commemorate the Faculty’s journey since its beginning as a Department of Dentistry within the King Edward VII College of Medicine in 1929. Among the guests were the Minister for Education, Mr. Ong Ye Kung, Chief Executive of the National University Health System Professor John Eu-Li Wong, NUS President, Professor Tan Eng Chye.
Professor Patrick Finbarr Allen giving the opening welcome address
Dean, Faculty of Dentistry, Professor Patrick Finbarr Allen delivered the welcome address, thanking guests for their contributions and continued support to the Faculty.
“We are very fortunate to have the contribution and support of many who give generously of their time to train future generations of dentists. There is an unbroken line going back many generations of caring dentists contributing back to the Faculty by our alumni, and for this, we are very grateful,” shared Professor Allen.
The Dinner was the Faculty’s capstone activity for the year, rounding off events such as the Oral Health Awareness Roadshow in March and the official opening of the Faculty’s new campus at the National University Centre for Oral Health, Singapore (NUCOHS) in July.
First-year Students’ Performance
Guests were treated to a dance by the Faculty’s first-year students who had recently clinched the coveted NUS Students’ Union (NUSSU) Rag & Flag 2019 Gold Award. Performing their award-winning dance, the students amazed the crowd with their energy and precise choreography.
Included in the evening’s programme, were awards recognising excellence and contribution by students, faculty and alumni. Postgraduate Awards were presented to residents who had displayed excellence in their respective fields of study. Faculty Teaching Excellence Awards were presented to recognise the contributions of Faculty members who have contributed significantly to the education and training of the next generation of oral healthcare professionals.
The Faculty is also proud of our two senior staff members, Professor Chew Chong Lin and Dr Keng Siong Beng who were awarded the Emeritus Professorship and Honorary Fellowship respectively. The awards were presented by NUS President at the Dinner.
In addition, special Senior Alumni Awards were presented to alumni, Dr Lim Kheng Ann, Adjunct Associate Professor Lee Woon Oi Teresa, Dr Chan-Liok Yew Ai and Dr Yip Wing Kong who had served the Faculty for more than 15 years during its early years. Minister for Education, Mr. Ong presented the awards to the alumni.
To round off the night, a cake-cutting ceremony to commemorate the anniversary of the Faculty, with distinguished guests and past deans coming on stage to cut the Faculty’s birthday cake.
Professor Chew Chong Lin, Professor John Eu-Li Wong, Professor Tan Eng Chye, Mr. Ong Ye Kung, Professor Patrick Finbarr Allen and Dr. Loh Hong Sai
The event ended on a high note with a cheque presentation by Coden Specialists, a multi-disciplinary dental speciality centre, who had generously donated $225,000 to the Faculty. An endowed scholarship for a final year student; and a prize for the Most Distinguished Final Year Student in the Bachelor of Dental Surgery course will be established from this gift. The Singapore Dental Association also gifted a generous donation of $90,000 to commemorate the latest milestone of the Faculty.
Dr. Ho Kee Hai, an Alumnus and partner of Coden Specialists Pte Ltd, presenting the cheque to Prof. Patrick Finbarr Allen