CDE GALA DINNER AND 70TH ANNIVERSARY
CDE Community marks Engineering milestone at Gala Dinner 2025
“I’m proudest of the fact that I’ve educated many engineers, who have contributed to the infrastructural development in Singapore and South-east Asia," said the late Emeritus Professor Lee Seng Lip, former Head of the Civil Engineering Department.
This spirit of service, mentorship and nation-building set the tone for the CDE's annual Gala Dinner, held on 15 August 2025 at the Shangri-La Singapore. The event brought together almost 900 members of the CDE community to mark a significant milestone: 70 years since the start of engineering education at the National University of Singapore (NUS).
The evening honoured the legacy of NUS Engineering while celebrating the evolution together as a college with architecture, the built environment and design. Guests included members of the CDE College Advisory Board, industry leaders, donors, alumni, faculty and staff.
The programme opened with a dance performance and a commemorative video, Engineering – Building a Better Future Together, followed by a welcome address by the Dean, Professor Teo Kie Leong.
“Though we started on different paths and at different times, our collective journey at NUS has always been one of service to the nation and to humanity,” said Prof Teo. “We remain steadfast in our mission to imagine, design, and engineer a better future — for Singapore and for the world.”
In his remarks, NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye reflected on the far-reaching contributions of generations of engineering graduates.
“Indeed, the contributions of our CDE alumni are really visible across Singapore’s stunning landscape, vibrant industries, transport infrastructure and the built environment,” he said. “The past 70 years have been phenomenal. CDE has risen to global prominence and recognition as a leading Engineering College for research, innovation and education.”
A ceremonial toast and cake-cutting followed, with Prof Tan joined by Prof Teo and former deans of Engineering and Design on stage, symbolising the continuity and collective stewardship of the institution’s legacy.
Recognising service
Among the evening’s highlights was the recognition of two long-serving CDE members, Professor Quek Ser Tong and Ms Regina Chin-Hoh, both of whom received the Long Service Award for 45 years of service.
Prof Quek, who held multiple leadership roles, including Head of the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, reflected on a fulfilling career shaped by opportunity and community.
“I am fortunate to be able to work in NUS for a long duration. The environment helps me to realise my potential and make meaningful contributions,” he said. “Mentoring students, expanding postgraduate access, and seeing the CEE Department attain second rank internationally by QS as the Head of Department, were milestones made possible by the people around me. These are memories I’ll always treasure.”
Ms Regina Chin-Hoh, a long-serving member of CDE’s administrative team, shared her own reflections on being part of the University and College's evolution. What started as her second job grew into a meaningful, decades-long career. She added, “It is a privilege to be recognised for my long service. I’m truly honoured and humbled. Thank you for celebrating this milestone with me.”
Reflections from our alums
The night was not just a celebration of the College’s journey, but also of the people who made it possible.
Among the guests were two notable alumni from Electrical Engineering: Mr Seah Moon Ming, Chairman of SMRT Corporation and Dr Radha Nagarajan, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Optical Platforms, Marvell Technology. Both shared reflections on the enduring impact of their education and the evolving role of engineering in society.
Mr Seah extended his heartfelt congratulations to the College for “seven decades of excellence, innovation, and service to society.” He noted how generations of graduates have advanced Singapore’s growth, and emphasised the Faculty’s consistent ranking among Asia’s top ten as a reflection of sustained excellence.
“One of the most profound transformations I’ve witnessed,” he added, “has been the seamless convergence of information, digital, and communications technologies with engineering solutions. This integration has redefined not only how we design and build, but also how we live, connect, and care for our communities and environment — ushering in a new era of smarter, more sustainable development.”
Recalling his days in the lab, Mr Seah spoke of the values instilled during his time at NUS: “Resilience, curiosity, and a strong sense of purpose — values that have guided my career and service to the nation.”
Dr Radha Nagarajan also paid tribute to his roots at NUS, describing the night as a meaningful gathering of “old friends, new acquaintances, and Professors that you took classes from.”
“Seventy years is a remarkable milestone in the history of the College of Design and Engineering,” he said. “In the years since those early days, to see NUS Engineering grow, flourish and take a leadership position among the world’s top universities is truly breathtaking.”
He also reflected on the next frontier for engineering education: “We are yet again at a major crossroads with the exponential growth in the use of AI. It is impacting every aspect of our social fabric and redefining the very core of education and research. How the College of Design and Engineering navigates this sea change will define its legacy for generations to come.”
Beyond recognition and reflection, the Gala was a reminder of the College’s enduring values — excellence, collaboration, and a shared commitment to the public good.
“Our achievements have been made possible with the unwavering support of our partners, alumni, donors and friends,” Prof Teo noted in his speech. “Your belief in our mission continues to inspire and propel us forward.”
As the night came to a close, the mood was one of gratitude, pride and momentum. From heartfelt speeches to spontaneous reunions and shared laughter, the Gala was filled with moments that reflected the heart of the CDE community. It was not only a celebration of seven decades of engineering excellence, but also a reaffirmation of the College’s broader purpose to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, champion real-world impact, and equip future generations to lead with purpose.
The Gala Dinner 2025 brought the CDE community together to honour a legacy that helped build Singapore, and to celebrate the people and ideas shaping what comes next: a future driven by creativity, purpose and collaboration.