Speech by Prof Ho Teck Hua, President and Distinguished University Professor, at NTU Convocation 2025
Opening Address by
Professor Ho Teck Hua
President and Distinguished University Professor
NTU CONVOCATION 2025
22 July 2025
Nanyang Auditorium
Mr Desmond Lee, Minister for Education,
Pro-Chancellors of NTU,
Ms Goh Swee Chen, Board Chair,
Members of the Board of Trustees,
Faculty, Staff, Students,
Alumni and friends,
Good morning.
Congratulations to the Class of 2025!
Graduates, today marks a major milestone in your lives.
Over the years, you have spent hours attending classes, having fun in a club activity, or volunteering at a charity.
Along the way, you have forged many lifelong friendships.
Some of you may be even more fortunate and will have met your life partners here.
Now, you will step into a new chapter with exciting opportunities ahead.
Your degree from NTU, one of the best universities in the world, will give you a strong start.
In the early years of your career, many of you may want to measure success by your titles and salaries.
These things do matter but they may not add up to a meaningful life.
The ability to create impact beyond yourself is what gives meaning to your journey.
I urge you to pause and reflect on the purpose behind what you do in your job.
Let me tell you a story from my own life.
My first job was with the Economic Development Board.
As a young officer, I took foreign investors on site visits, showed them successful multinational companies, and explained why Singapore was a good place to invest in.
At that time, on the surface, I felt like a high-class tour guide.
After a while, I was bored with the job and found it to be meaningless.
My boss noticed this, pulled me aside and told me:
“You brought AT&T consumer products into Singapore last year.
Now, they have a factory here that employs more than 2,000 workers.
That was your contribution.”
Suddenly, I realised I was making a difference and that my job was one of the most meaningful jobs in Singapore!
I felt a sense of pride and became fully committed to what I was doing.
Similarly, many of our graduates also find meaning in their work, beyond what they earn.
One of them is Kevin Lim, who was the recipient of the 2023 Nanyang Alumni Achievement Award.
As a photojournalist at The Straits Times, he brings life to news stories through powerful images.
He spends long hours, carrying heavy equipment and looking for the perfect shot.
After that he has to sift through hundreds of photos to find the best ones.
Kevin finds meaning and purpose by showing the truth using powerful images.
He believes a single image can capture history, shape views, and move people.
Another example is Louisa Fung, a recent graduate of the Asian School of the Environment.
She is an Environmental, Social, and Governance analyst at Climate Fund Managers.
She ensures that her company invests in projects that cut carbon emissions, promote sustainability, and protect communities.
In reviewing proposals, she spends long hours crunching data and combing through information.
Much of the work is routine and even tedious.
However, she draws strength from knowing that these details matter.
Louisa finds meaning and purpose by protecting the planet and helping communities.
These stories remind us that purpose can be found in our day-to-day work.
When we are sensitive to the needs of people around us, meaning starts to take shape.
Finding purpose will help you overcome tough times.
You will be prepared to face rejection or work long hours.
Finding purpose will remind you that your efforts matter and your impact goes way beyond your pay cheque.
Remember to actively seek out your purpose.
That way, you build not just a career but a life worth living.
Congratulations once again, Class of 2025.
Thank you.