PUBLIC SEMINAR

In commemoration of the 20th Anniversary of Tan Kah kee Foundation and with the aim of furthering Mr. Tan Kah Kee's entrepreneurial spirit and unfailing commitment to education, The Tan Kah Kee International Society, collaborated with the Foundation, organized two academic activities including the public seminar on "Entrepreneurship and Education - The Tan Kah Kee Spirit of Today" and the Puclic Lecture by Prof Lee Yuan Tseh on "Science and Education". These two events have been well received by the public and attacted about 1,000 audience.

The Tan Kah Kee Spirit of Today: Entrepreneurship and Education

The one day public seminar was held on 6 September 2002 at Mandarin Singapore. The theme of the seminar is "Entrepreneurship and Education - The Tan Kah Kee Spirit of Today." Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry & Education, was invited as the Guest-Of-Honour. An influential panel, comprising of goverment officials, renowned scholars and outstanding entrepreneur, delivered enlightening speeches pertaining to entrepreneurship and education. The seminar was conducted in both English and Mandarin to cater to the needs of different audience.

The morning session, chaired by Prof Shih Choon Fong, the President of the National University of Singapore, was held in English with 2 speakers including Mr Teo Ming Kian, chairman of the economic Development Board and Prof Wang Gungwu , Director of East Asian Institute. The afternoon session, conducted in Mandarin, was chaired by Mr Mok Li Guang, former Chief Editor of the Nanyang Siang Pau. The 4 speakers were Mr Robert Tsao, Chairman of UMC, Prof Zhao Chun Jun, Dean of Scool of Economics and Management, Tsinghua University, Prof Ng Yew Kwang from Monash University of Australia, renowned economicst, and Prof Philip Leung Yuen-Sang, Dean of General Education, Chung Chi College, The Chinese University of Hong Kong. The Seminar received very good response from the public and attracted about 650 audience for both morning and afternoon sessions.

A proceeding on this seminar and public lecture by Prof Y T Lee was published in May 2003 to share with more readers the essence of those speeches.