Celebrating Excellence: NUS Alumni, Leaders and Community Honoured in 2024 National Day Awards

Honoured for his unwavering commitment to Singapore, Mr Peter Ho Hak Ean (Honorary Doctor of Letters ’24), Chairman of the Urban Redevelopment Authority, was awarded the Order of Nila Utama (with High Distinction). Over 50 years of service, his leadership has significantly shaped strategic planning, land use, research and the arts. A former Head of Civil Service, Mr Ho has held key leadership roles, contributing to strategic planning, land use, research and the arts. This recognition adds to a series of accolades, including the Distinguished Service Order in 2016, acknowledging his vital role in the nation's development.

Mr Ho served as a member of the NUS Board of Trustees from 2011 to 2023. In 2024, he was conferred an Honorary Doctor of Letters by NUS. Mr Ho received the NUS Outstanding Service Award in 2022 for his contributions to the University. 

In recognition of exceptional leadership, the Distinguished Service Order was conferred upon Mr Hsieh Fu Hua (Business ’74), Chairman of the National University Health System and the NUS Board of Trustees. Since 2017, he has guided NUS’ strategic direction, bolstering governance and fostering industry collaboration. His tenure as NUHS Chairman since 2019 has seen advancements in community health through initiatives like virtual care. Reflecting on the award, he expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to serve alongside outstanding leaders and colleagues.

Mr Phillip Tan Eng Seong, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Yellow Ribbon Singapore, was also honoured with the Distinguished Service Order.

Mr Tan is the Group Finance Director of EQ Insurance Company Ltd. A Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and a Fellow of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Singapore, he is a retired Partner of an International Accounting Firm in Singapore with more than 30 years of audit and financial advisory services experience.

He is active in community service and is serving on the Boards and the Audit, Finance and Investment committees of a number of statutory and charitable bodies. He has dedicated over two decades to improving the lives of ex-offenders and their families. 

As part of this year’s National Day Awards, Mr Edward D’Silva (Architecture ’75), Former Chairman of the Public Hygiene Council, was honoured with the Meritorious Service Medal.

In response to the award, Mr D’Silva said, “I feel very humbled and honoured to be given this award. It has been a fulfilling journey to reach this level of public awareness about littering, tray returns, and cleanliness of public toilets. We have had to adapt to different circumstances through the years, but seeing our efforts bear fruit in the results so far and making improvements in public hygiene habits have been satisfying.”  

An architect by profession, Mr D’ Silva is the Senior Advisor of SAA Architects Pte Ltd. Mr D’Silva was a member of the Public Service Commission (PSC) from 2007 to 2023. 

Mr Niam Chiang Meng (Arts & Social Sciences ’83), Chairman of Gardens by the Bay, the Maritime and Port Authority, and Mediacorp Pte Ltd, was honoured for his extensive civil service career. His leadership roles included Permanent Secretary for various ministries as well as CEO of the Housing and Development Board (HDB). 

Recognised for his transformative contributions to education and leadership, Professor Tan Eng Chye (Science ’85) was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. Since becoming NUS' fifth President in 2018, he has propelled the university to new heights, with NUS achieving a top ten position in the QS World University Rankings for the first time in 2023.

Prof Tan said he was honoured and deeply humbled by the recognition. “It has always been my aspiration for NUS to be a leading global university. Today, with our transformative educational offerings, groundbreaking research, and dynamic enterprise ecosystem, we have proven that we are able to hold our own among many outstanding institutions far and wide.”

Mr Wong Siew Hoong (Arts & Social Sciences ’83), was also awarded the Meritorious Service Medal in recognition of his exceptional contributions to the education sector over a 38-year career. Starting as a teacher in 1984, he advanced through various teaching and administrative roles before his appointment as Director-General of Education in April 2015, a role he held until his retirement in 2022.