The gala dinner, being one of the highlights for Tan Kah Kee Foundation's 20th Anniversary Celebration, was held on 8th September 2002 at Mandarin Singapore. Dr Tony Tan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, graced the occasion as the guest-of-honour. Among the guests were leaders of major clans and associations, government officials, foreign diplomats, business tycoons and eminent scholars. Distinguished guests from overseas flew to Singapore specially for this event. They included Prof Y.T. Lee, Nobel Laureate and president of Academia Sinica, Prof Qian Wen Zao, who represented Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Mr Ding Jiong Qiong, director of Xiamen Overseas Chinese Museum, just to name of a few.

In his speech, Dr Tony Tan praised the late Mr Tan Kah Kee for his dedication to education and his outstanding contributions to the social and economic development of our society. He also congratulated the Foundation on its 20th anniversary and expressed his appreciation for the activities organized by the Foundation in the past 20 years to foster Mr Tan's entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to promoting education. He also encouraged the younger generation to identify with and perpetuate the precious traits of our remarkable pioneer.

Besides presenting certificates and prizes to the winners of the Tan Kah Kee Postgraduate Scholarship 2002 and the school award winners for the Tan Kah Kee Young Inventors Award 2002/2003, Dr Tony Tan also witnessed the cheque presentation to Tan Kah Kee Foundation by Jamiyah Singapore, Hindu Endowment Board and Singapore Khalsa Association.