Singapore needs effective business leaders who can navigate an uncertain future likely fraught with disruptions, said National Development Minister and Second Finance Minister Lawrence Wong yesterday. "We are heading into a future with more disruptions, more turbulence, and more churn and more restructuring happening across all industries."
Here, Mr Wong said the NUS Business School will keep playing a key role in preparing Singaporean entrepreneurs for the future economy.
He was speaking at the school's biennial Eminent Business Alumni Award ceremony last night, which honoured 12 winners - the largest slate in its eight-year history.
They were lauded for their ability to lead organisations, create new businesses and make a difference to society or the environment.
"They have shown exceptional achievement and leadership in industries and fields ranging from technology to finance, retail and property development, food and beverage," said the school's dean, Professor Bernard Yeung.
There were five winners each in the Senior Alumni and Young Alumni Award categories, and two in the Alumni Service Award category.
Recipients of the Senior Alumni Award included Ms Jocelyn Chng, managing director at Sin Hwa Dee Foodstuff Industries; Mr Albert Cheng, deputy chairman of The Lion Group; and Mr Ronald Ong, chairman and chief executive for Asean at Morgan Stanley.
Meanwhile, the Young Alumni Award, which honours recent graduates, was largely given to those in technology firms this year.
Winners included co-founders of mobile marketplace Carousell, Mr Quek Siu Rui and Mr Marcus Tan; PeopleNet Technology Group founder Tan Jian Feng; and Mr Clement Wong, chief executive of BeMyGuest, a technology provider for tour and attraction operators.
The fifth Young Alumni award winner was Ms Ivy Tse, chief executive of the Halogen Foundation Singapore, a local charity with a focus on transforming young people through leadership and entrepreneurship education.
Mr Lawrence Wong congratulated the winners and encouraged them to share their "knowledge and experience to mentor new generations of business leaders".
He added: "I'm confident that we can continue to be a nation of opportunities and enterprise."
