Instead, alumni networks 'must fit into, and contribute to the society that we belong to, nurtured us, and gave us these precious opportunities'.

Mr Lee made the point at a reception for alumni of Britain's Cambridge University, which is also his alma mater.

The university is celebrating its 800th birthday and yesterday's reception at Raffles Hotel was one of a series of events held around the world to mark the occasion.

It is the second-oldest university in the English-speaking world, after Oxford University.

Last night's event also commemorated the 425th anniversary of Cambridge University Press, the oldest printing and publishing house in the world.

Addressing some 250 alumni and friends of Cambridge, Mr Lee noted that its students receive a 'first-class education' in the hallowed halls that have nurtured great men such as the naturalist Charles Darwin and economist John Maynard Keynes.

Beyond academic excellence, he expressed the hope their time at Cambridge would help them 'develop a questioning spirit and a deep social conscience'.

'A university education is a heavy investment by society in a young person. It cannot be solely for his personal gain or satisfaction, but must also equip him to contribute to the community,' he said.

Read the full story in Friday's edition of The Straits Times.