It changed my life

My education at NTU helped me develop both professional and life skills, including leadership in the workplace. It provided me with a strong foundation in research, particularly in system thinking, which has been the cornerstone of many projects I have undertaken.

My PhD supervisor, Assoc Prof Ng Pak Tee, was tough and demanding but cared deeply for his students. When I was preparing for my PhD defence, Assoc Prof Ng pushed me to excel and provided the support I needed at the same time. It was not easy to graduate at the age of 55 and yet I accomplished it. It is important to recognise that staying relevant in this ever-changing world requires continuously updating our skills and knowledge.

The vibrant and interdisciplinary environment at NTU nurtured my artistic identity, encouraging me to experiment and find my unique voice. The mentorship I received from educators like Assoc Prof Eddy Chong and Dr Kelly Tang not only refined my craft but also inspired me to pursue my passion with greater purpose.

My fondest memories are undoubtedly the friendships I forged with my batchmates. The connections I made with my peers and faculty deepened my commitment to contribute to Singapore’s music scene.

My time in NTU taught me that we have the freedom to do anything, as long as we are willing to take the first step to ask and to try. I enjoyed my days here so much because of my involvement in dragon boating. This fuelled my passion for sports, which led me to pursue powerlifting upon graduation.

I am currently working at Republic Polytechnic’s School of Sports and Health. I am excited to contribute to NTU’s growth by sharing my experiences, from my university days to my career as an athlete to my venture into teaching. I hope to reassure students to not be afraid to take the first step.

Pursuing a Master’s in Knowledge Management at NTU was transformative. It provided me with a unique perspective on how to manage and leverage information in a healthcare setting. Dr Lee Chu Keong left a deep impression on me with his passion for expounding what communication means. I love how he conveyed the importance of focusing on people as the centre of all communication.

During the pandemic, I applied knowledge management concepts to deliver different communication modes for different purposes, such as codification, repository creation and real time face to face communication.

I've continued to create Communities of Practice (CoPs), a concept I learnt during my course, to facilitate learning and dialogue among nurses from different countries on key clinical topics. These international communities have been instrumental in sharing best practices and innovations across borders, further elevating the standard of nursing care globally.

Since graduating with First Class Honours in Accountancy in 1995, Marcus Lam has stayed connected with his alma mater and now serves as Chairman of the Nanyang Business School Alumni Advisory Board.

His passion for the education sector also sees him contributing his time as a member of the LASALLE College of the Arts’ Board of Directors and Chair of its Audit Committee, and the Deputy Chairman of the Singapore Polytechnic Board of Governors.

On the professional front, he is the Executive Chairman of PricewaterhouseCoopers Singapore, a role he has held since 2021. He has spent nearly three decades at the firm and has been part of its leadership team since 2016. He has many years of professional experience locally and overseas, providing audit, advisory, and consulting services to listed companies, multinational corporations and government agencies across different industries.

NTU’s strong industry connections and internship programmes gave me practical experience and insights into various sectors, which were pivotal in my transition to roles at McKinsey & Company and later in the Indonesian government.

I fondly recall the late-night study sessions, spirited debates, and collaborative projects that often extended beyond the classroom. The beautiful campus itself holds a special place in my heart, and always felt like a second home.

As a proud alumnus of NTU, I am committed to contributing to the university’s growth and supporting the next generation of students. I have facilitated the establishment of INSPIRASI, a long-term collaboration that has enabled Indonesian universities and NTU to address climate change and sustainability together. I also led the formulation and implementation of scholarship programmes that have enabled thousands of Indonesians to study at top universities worldwide, including NTU.

I’m passionate about creating space for difficult conversations in the realms of mental health, ageing, and the arts. My goal is to deepen this work across diverse communities, including students and youth, fostering meaningful dialogue and change.

It was in NTU that I discovered my love for building communities. I left a strong sense of belonging and camaraderie amongst my school mates who have become my closest friends. I have been fortunate to work with them on meaningful projects after our time at NTU.

Adj Prof Wayne Kwan and Assoc Prof Lewis Lim were my marketing tutor and final-year project supervisor respectively. They really encouraged me to pursue my interest in marketing and it was they who inspired me to return to NTU as a marketing tutor.

Winning this award is a great honour and truly humbling. In my days as a cadet teacher, we taught in school until noon and attended classes in the afternoon. And, at night, we had to prepare lessons for school the next day. Even then, there was high energy in the courses with lots of interaction, sharing and presentations.

Dr Tan Wee Kiat was a professor who had a lasting impact on me. He made the complex simple and the heavy light. He brought a lot of humour into the classroom too. I try to emulate his style. My message for alumni is to make a positive difference wherever you are, and bloom where you are planted.

An aviation expert, Adefunke Adeyemi was recently honoured as one of the 200 Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) in affiliation with the United Nations Decade for People of African Descent.

Since 2022, she has been serving as the Secretary General of the African Civil Aviation Commission, the African Union’s specialised agency for civil aviation matters across the continent. Previously, she was the Regional Director for Advocacy and Strategic Relations, in Africa, at the International Air Transport Association (IATA), where she championed the sustainability and growth of the aviation industry in the region. She has also conceptualised an ongoing campaign to promote Africa’s socio-economic prospects through enhanced air connectivity across the continent.