The Lunar New Year Dinner Event, held on 17 February 2024 and organised by the NUS Alumni Melbourne Chapter Committee, was a vibrant celebration of cultural diversity, unity, and the spirit of the Lunar New Year. We ushered in the Wood Dragon Year, signifying power, vitality and nurturing qualities of the wood element.

Hosted at the Fu House in Forest Hill, the event brought together 85 NUS alumni, staff, family and friends from Victoria, interstate and internationally to celebrate this auspicious time of the year with joy and festivity. The evening commenced with a captivating lion dance involving our very own alumni members – led by Miss Cynthia Chua (Engineering '12), her husband Wenda Tan (NUS Alumni Partner), Dr Zoe Hernstadt (NUS Alumni Partner) and our committee member, Mr Guo Qi Pei (Engineering '11). It kickstarted the joyous mood for the evening, wishing all attendees a prosperous new year.

The centrepiece of the event was undoubtedly the exquisite array of gourmet cuisine. Traditional dishes such as Lou Yu Sheng, Buddha Jump Over the Wall, fried turbot, Chinese-style beef tenderloin, garlic pork ribs, seafood tofu hotpot and lemon chicken were amongst the many sumptuous dishes served crafted to tantalise the taste buds and evoke the flavours of the season.

Throughout the evening, many guests from individual tables, including Mr Peter Koh (Science '87) and Dr Edna Yeo (Science '93), initiated Yum Seng cheers. There were six lucky draw prizes consisting of three traditional food hampers, and generous vouchers from Crown, Peninsula Hot Springs and Endota Spa. The team from NUS Medicine also brought along beautifully designed red packets as souvenirs for the attendees. These activities fostered a sense of camaraderie and provided attendees with memorable experiences to cherish.

This year we had the generous sponsorship and involvement of the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine as our main sponsor of the event, with three very special staff members, Mr Luke Siah (Senior Assistant Director, NUS Medicine Dean's Office), Miss Wai Mun Phoon (Manager, NUS Medicine Alumni Relations) and Mr Jay Kaelash (Director, NUS Medicine Dean's Office) in attendance. This event was also a landmark year where we extended the invitation to Dr Daniel James (Medicine '77) and Dr Mei Wee (Medicine ‘77), who are living interstate in South Australia. We also had distinguished Dr Tan Sri Mani Jegathesan (Medicine ‘67), who lives between Malaysia and Singapore, and is often referred to as the Flying Doctor of Malaysia for his athletic achievements in Asia.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all attendees, lion dancers, committee members, NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and the NUS Office of Alumni Relations for their time, effort and sponsorship that all contributed to the success of this memorable event. Together, we look forward to ushering in 2024 filled with prosperity, happiness, and goodwill towards all.

The NUS alumni chapter in Chengdu, in collaboration with SINGCHAM (Singapore Chamber of Commerce), organised a memorable Chinese New Year celebration on 27 January 2024, at the Shangri-La Hotel in Chengdu. The response exceeded expectations as our alumni brought their families, resulting in a vibrant gathering of 50 alumni and their loved ones. The Singapore Consulate General for Chengdu graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour.

The evening unfolded with the mesmerising performance of a lion dance, setting an auspicious tone for the Year of the Dragon. This was followed by a speech delivered by the Consulate General. Prior to the commencement of the dinner, a traditional Singaporean-style Lao Yusheng was served, adding a flavorful Singapore touch to the festivities.

Alumni feedback was overwhelmingly positive for various reasons. Beyond the joy of reuniting with fellow alumni, the CNY dinner provided an excellent platform for networking with SINGCHAM members. The evening's programme, featuring our Consulate General and vibrant cultural performances, further elevated the experience. The timing was also ideal, held two weeks before Lunar New Year, ensuring many alumni could participate amidst their holiday plans.

Gratitude was extended to the NUS Office of Alumni Relations for their invaluable support and sponsorship, ensuring the celebration was a memorable highlight for the Chengdu chapter.